tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60120031819012789692024-03-13T18:18:49.554-07:00the test nestDavenport Damehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16643117999163496649noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-45058874083847468782017-09-16T15:18:00.001-07:002017-09-16T15:19:46.344-07:00Norwex. Does it work?Hi all--remember when my sisters and I had this lil' ole blog? Well, I am putting something to the test and thought The Test Nest was the place to do it!<br />
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I have a friend who is a Norwex consultant. Every time she made a post about said Norwex products, it piqued my interest. Yes, I had heard of Norwex, yes I knew they make microfiber cloths and a rockin' mop, but I really didn't know anything else.<br />
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I was intrigued by these posts because Norwex claims to be able to clean your whole house without harsh chemicals and muuuuch less waste. We have been working for a long time to make our house greener--I don't use many harsh cleansers (I have a spray bottle of Fantastik that has been in my cleaning basket for approximately 10 years. . . ), but I still use some. I also end up going through a TON of rags--one for each surface usually; and that makes for a lot of laundry. I will tell you that my go-to products are Soft Scrub with bleach, Seventh Generation toilet bowl cleaner, vinegar, and Mrs. Meyer's all-purpose cleaner. Generally pretty green to begin with, but I seem to make a big hullabaloo about cleaning, and I want to keep my surfaces cleaner day-to-day. I especially don't want residues from these cleansers around my newborn baby (I'm looking at you, Soft Scrub!)<br />
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Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, my friend invited me to an informational Norwex party. I decided to go ahead and try some things out. Below are a few things I tackled with the products. Please, let it be known that I had a little too much fun with this!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y_1G3on_Mz9KjveNIxNII1F63SSPSDkCXmQ1T7KOZaxY3ZBHce6ktw_cF6S2rgAYUzWmwmRdiIXo9Or2sSiQVfU7ZVA6yNgS3_rT6DdehdzEWooVa5xFjWOfMZP_88k5K3q8g8BrTqlL/s1600/IMG_7523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y_1G3on_Mz9KjveNIxNII1F63SSPSDkCXmQ1T7KOZaxY3ZBHce6ktw_cF6S2rgAYUzWmwmRdiIXo9Or2sSiQVfU7ZVA6yNgS3_rT6DdehdzEWooVa5xFjWOfMZP_88k5K3q8g8BrTqlL/s640/IMG_7523.JPG" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwM04BPyPYS6joQgb-ZAOnyxJZz2Gawk8AedU55FrAqZdVzIgXQRbvtwiUqcB3wskwS8UtpakbOsitE5xmuWeSimNxkJACOctNkFJhyphenhyphenm2HLB1uEoEtrg2vL_z3MydOeZERiy2H3tdvb64/s1600/IMG_7524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwM04BPyPYS6joQgb-ZAOnyxJZz2Gawk8AedU55FrAqZdVzIgXQRbvtwiUqcB3wskwS8UtpakbOsitE5xmuWeSimNxkJACOctNkFJhyphenhyphenm2HLB1uEoEtrg2vL_z3MydOeZERiy2H3tdvb64/s640/IMG_7524.JPG" width="480" /> </a></div>
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Above are some pictures of the dry mop (part of the mopping system)--my daughter loved it so much she asked if she could sleep with it. I usually use a Swiffer for dry mopping. I have ALL wood floors, so I need something good. This is much more static-y than the swiffer and holds a lot more dust! The wet mop part is great, as well. So far it hasn't blown me away, but it is AS good as my Libman microfiber mop for sure. Plus, this is much easier to get on and off the mop base (Velcro!)</div>
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Here are a couple before and after shots of my fridge. Note: I just cleaned the one shelf in this picture. The photo doesn't do justice to how dirty it was. There is some condensation here, so you can't really see the amount of caked on dry milk (why? why? I don't spill the milk, how does it get there!?!). The after is pretty clear, though. I used a wet Envirocloth (a microfiber cloth) and the window cloth to follow for a nice gleaming polish. Looks nice, eh?<br />
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Above is a video of my cleaning the gross stuff off my kitchen door. "Nuff said. Please excuse my weird voice on all videos!<br />
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Another video, this time cleaning crayon off of a pantry cabinet I refinished. I didn't get it all yet, but with two hands, I know I will!<br />
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Ahem, the above are a before and after set of the door of my dishwasher. I am really ashamed of that top photo. I just used a wet Envirocloth on this. It was pretty much one swipe and done. No scrubbing involved! The microfiber is woven so tightly it is able to grab more gunk--it doesn't just mush it around like my old standby, a rag would.<br />
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This one is my favorite. The left hand before picture is of some VERY stubborn spots on my stove. These have been here for more than a year and I have tried EVERYTHING. Everything. The cleaner they recommend for your stove, the cleaner they don't recommend, a razor blade, vinegar, hot soapy rags, etc. None of that made it budge. I thought it was permanent. This is after one good scrub with an Envirocloth and Norwex Cleaning Paste. There are still a couple tiny spots left, but it is miles better than it was.<br />
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IN CONCLUSION:<br />
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I really like these products. I went in thinking I would like them, but they wouldn't replace my old cleaning habits. I have to say, these products are here to stay in my house and I just wish I had more cloths so I could keep a fresh one in every room of the house!<br />
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If you are interested in any Norwex products, you can contact me directly, or check out the link to <a href="https://lesliedavila.norwex.biz/" target="_blank">my shop.</a> You can order directly from there.<br />
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<br />Davenport Damehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16643117999163496649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-71150854610371806202014-04-12T15:38:00.001-07:002014-04-12T15:38:59.674-07:00What I'm watching these days.by Leslie<br />
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It really is the Golden Age of television right now, isn't it? I mean, there is hardly a person out there who can't find a show to obsess over and look forward to each week. <br />
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My current (and when I say current I mean continuous, of course) obsession is British Dramas. I know we've all jumped on the Downton Abbey train (although I have to inwardly brag that I was there from the beginning, thanks to my PBS-loving grandma)--but what else is going on out there?<br />
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Many of you have probably heard of the show <a href="http://www.pbs.org/call-the-midwife/home/" target="_blank">Call the Midwife</a>. This show follows three young midwives whilst they go about their (stressful!) business in 1950's London. They serve a mostly poor and uneducated population and each episode contains a story line about one or two different moms ready to have a baby. The main character, Jenny Lee, and the show's story line are based upon a real person and real events. The "real" Jenny Lee, Jennifer Worth, wrote about her experiences in a series of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20458164-jennifer-worth-collection-4-books-set-pack?from_search=true" target="_blank">memoirs</a> which I highly recommend! I have only read the first, but really liked it. <br />
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This show couldn't portray women in a more realistic light--the characters are unique, smart, and each have their own talents and flaws. Even if you're not into "birthin' no babies", you may still found yourself drawn into this touching, intelligent drama. I have not failed to shed a tear in the two seasons I have watched. Also, this show introduced my to one of my new favorite actresses of all time, <a href="http://mirandahart.com/" target="_blank">Miranda Hart</a>. She is a British comedian and plays the hilarious and oft sensitive Chummy on the show. If you're already a fan, Season 3 is airing Sunday nights on PBS!<br />
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The other show I am currently obsessed with is <a href="http://www.pbs.org/program/bletchley-circle/" target="_blank">The Bletchley Circle</a>. There have only been 3 episodes so far, but they are on Netflix and I dare you to watch only one! The good news is, you can watch Season 1 today and then catch second season TOMORROW NIGHT (April 13)! I don't even know how I can describe this show to you to make it sound as interesting as it actually is. <br />
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The show starts with four young women working in an intelligence office during World War II. It is there job to crack codes and decipher correspondence of the German army. It is obvious that they are incredibly smart ladies and make a difference in the war. Fast forward nine years and we find Susan (the main character) living a rather dull life without a sense of purpose. A series of murders have occurred and Susan is sure that there is a pattern within the murders that will lead to the killer. She gets the old girls back together to help her and what follows is magical!! The four use their code cracking tactics and connections from the war to try and find the murderer. You just . . . have to watch it. Mind you, it's kind of scary, so don't watch it late at night when you're home alone, okay?<br />
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This list could go on, but I'm getting a bit verbose here, so BBC is the only one getting any love today. What have you been watching? <br />
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<br />Davenport Damehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16643117999163496649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-82545781022397821582013-09-26T20:27:00.001-07:002013-09-26T20:27:59.651-07:00Leslie's Summer RecapWow. This summer has been so fast, fun, and full of adventure that I've hardly written about it. I took a lot of snapshots that never got shared on the blog, so I thought I would gather a few here to remember the summer.<br />
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We had our first crop of strawberries. It was small, but they were delicious!<br />
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I got visits from some very cute babies (that really aren't babies anymore!)<br />
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Who could resist reading one more story to this cutie?<br />
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We had some crazy pretty rains (and a lot of dry spells).<br />
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More summer guests!<br />
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We are always sure to put our guests to work! Jaime's mom helped dig potatoes.<br />
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Many summer road trips. <a href="http://www.thehouseontherock.com/" target="_blank">House on the Rock</a>, anyone?<br />
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Seriously delicious summer taco salad.<br />
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Sometimes it's so fun to look back at pictures and realize that you really did savor the season after all. Happy fall, everyone!Davenport Damehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16643117999163496649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-62993884771747802542013-09-08T18:45:00.000-07:002013-09-08T18:49:13.612-07:00A little bit o' London!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
by Leslie</div>
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A couple of weeks ago, we went on the trip I've wanted to go on for, well, most of my life. I've always loved the literature, television, and vibe of Britain, an finally, this summer, we got to go! Here are some highlights.</div>
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This is the first piece of advice we got in London. You know what? It really didn't hurt me to mind the gap. It really didn't.<br />
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We stayed at a great little <a href="http://www.thegardensguesthouse.co.uk/" target="_blank">B & B</a> run by a great lady called Deepa. The breakfast was great and she was so accommodating of our schedule.<br />
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First night in, we had to stay awake, so we walked up to Primrose Hill for a drink and some snacks. I have to say, Jaime stayed looking fresh!<br />
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Our bed and breakfast was near Camden Town so we walked down to the lock on the first night. I would love to say we went there on purpose . . . but we didn't. <br />
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Don't forget to take a selfie by the water!<br />
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Our first "real" day in London we went to the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the National Portrait Gallery. It was an action-packed day, and it was great. <br />
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Even Colombia was represented on Trafalgar Square!<br />
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Oh, look! Another happy accident! Twinings Tea shop in the heart of "The City." <br />
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Look how long and skinny it is! I came out with a Royal Jubilee tea blend. <br />
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Kensington Palace--lovely, but not as great as I was expecting. It was set up more like a museum than a palace.<br />
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Kensington Palace gardens. Lovely!<br />
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This is me in front of the Prince Albert Memorial. It was so grand!<br />
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Afternoon tea? Why yes, of course. This tea was taken at <a href="http://www.fortnumandmason.com/c-157-ice-cream-parlour-london-the-parlour-restaurant.aspx" target="_blank">The Parlor</a> in Fortnum and Mason's department store. Best. Scones. Ever.<br />
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The next day included a trip to Westminster Abbey. Amazing, awe inspiring, and damn old.<br />
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"Look kids! Big Ben! Parliament!"<br />
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We met some friends at Canary Wharf for a lovely dinner. Thanks Wilson and Marianna!<br />
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Here is my token telephone booth photo. You can tell I am not excited, and that's because it smelled like urine.<br />
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This is Somerset House where we went to the <a href="http://www.courtauld.ac.uk/gallery/" target="_blank">Cortauld Gallery</a>. This was Jaime's one "must-do" activity. I am so glad it was, because this art museum is amazing and small enough to see everything. Go there. <br />
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The next day, we went to Waterloo Station to pick up some train tickets, and came upon an amazing market where we had numerous amazing eats. Here Jaime is eating a lamb curry inside fresh naan. Delectable.<br />
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Next, we popped over to a sign labeled "Malaysian Street Food" where we had what the vendor called pancakes. Making these was an art in itself. Ours included sugar, coconut, butter, and beans. The verdict?<br />
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Delectable!!!<br />
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Second dessert, anyone? Fresh churros and chocolate will have to do, I guess.<br />
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Instead of second dessert, Jaime opted for a chorizo kebab. It gave him strength for our next journey--to Salisbury!<br />
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Once we got to Salisbury, we immediately hopped on the bus to Stonehenge. It was amazing and creepy, but there were waaay too many people there.<br />
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We also stopped at Old Sarum, which is where Salisbury used to be. Here's Jaime in front of the old castle.<br />
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Life is hard hiking through the heath (or taking a bus through it).<br />
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Anyone fancy a Medieval song or two?<br />
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Salisbury Cathedral was one of the highlights of the trip. It was short-lived, though. The next day we headed off to Bath!<br />
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Bath was so gorgeous and relaxing. Here is "the crescent", one of Bath's archaeological feats.<br />
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The Pump Room!!!!! I'm a big Jane Austen fan . . .<br />
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Tea at the Pump Room was like a dream, complete with string quartet.<br />
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The next day we were back to London, and then to the states. It was a trip I will never forget.</div>
<br />Davenport Damehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16643117999163496649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-61892611092536922082013-08-18T15:45:00.001-07:002013-08-18T15:45:53.222-07:00Culminating Activityby Erin<br />
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Tomorrow I go back to real world. I have a week of teacher meetings ahead of me where we will inevitably discuss the benefits of rigorous culminating activities for the new darlings that will enter our classroom in just over a week. In that vain, this Friday, my last official day of summer vacation, I decided to have my own culminating activity for my summer. Here is what occurred (WARNING: Sometimes I was working so hard on my rigorous activity that I didn't take pictures). <br />
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Max took the day off on Friday to hang with me and he finished our compost! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max and Toulouse show off the new compost</td></tr>
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While Max was working away on the compost. I cut some zinnias and dahlias to put around the house. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinnias</td></tr>
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Our dear friends Mike and Eva came over for some grilled sausages, a fire, and some dog romping.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walter and Toulouse playing the night away.</td></tr>
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The capstone of our evening may have been this beauty.<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQab6XItqt_kJ7W1WJtSgPv1wWO5tFOf8LoKpw7MQ-78EIAI4C2Nm9RYtTbQUQJn3TiDulDTugt2vYezGQmsfxYXOg_tS_W0nHt6JjpxmHZ5EePfX_5A2KuPXp2vjMtkuGXpEV8GeWKp7A/s1600/image+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQab6XItqt_kJ7W1WJtSgPv1wWO5tFOf8LoKpw7MQ-78EIAI4C2Nm9RYtTbQUQJn3TiDulDTugt2vYezGQmsfxYXOg_tS_W0nHt6JjpxmHZ5EePfX_5A2KuPXp2vjMtkuGXpEV8GeWKp7A/s1600/image+%25282%2529.jpeg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berry & Whipped Cream Chocolate Cake</td></tr>
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I made this surprisingly easy <a href="http://blog.madhungry.com/2011/05/recipes-from-today%E2%80%99s-show-calder%E2%80%99s-birthday.html">summer cake</a> for dessert. </div>
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According to my self-created rubric, I scored a 100%. I know, I know, I sound like I'm bragging but friends, family, dogs, delicious eats, and the reapings of our backyard is what best describes my delightful summer. </div>
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penny ala modehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14753444629989631164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-11842285446768289732013-08-06T20:35:00.002-07:002013-08-06T20:36:51.964-07:00Sunday Morning Pannekoekenby Leslie<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIY4RmoVnsfWsJzMAdeRNfDXVeg0VElyhvrVj0BJ01mT3ohd_4DzQCUY5nrGc8aNKkYIyZBNPmAybP98OdpERCOWC8kfrQmfJkwBJ6piDUmIyLG3s7mYqxl5f5ZfiJsiupZ2LXwpduphv/s1600/DSC04234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIY4RmoVnsfWsJzMAdeRNfDXVeg0VElyhvrVj0BJ01mT3ohd_4DzQCUY5nrGc8aNKkYIyZBNPmAybP98OdpERCOWC8kfrQmfJkwBJ6piDUmIyLG3s7mYqxl5f5ZfiJsiupZ2LXwpduphv/s400/DSC04234.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Weekend mornings have always been a time for a special breakfast in my family. My dad often made waffles and pancakes and my mom would whip up coffee cake and <a href="http://www.thetestnest.com/2012/02/monkey-bread.html" target="_blank">Monkey Bread </a>. I love to do the same, but let's face it. I also like to sleep in. A few Sundays ago, Jaime and I were really jonesing for a special breakfast, so we thought we'd go to a local restaurant, <a href="http://www.pannekoeken.biz/" target="_blank">Pannekoeken</a>. The problem was, we had gone out for a meal the night before, and we decided we needed to save the funds. So, I decided to attempt my own pannekoeken. Deliciousness ensued. <br />
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These are not at all hard to make! I dare you to make one and eat the heck out of it. We ate the whole thing.</div>
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I added some raspberries for a little pizazz. They were a definite plus!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BVPEFdzCZNTLa_Uf5xBIGadRUDb1vFwrk5CQnlgVdDq-pBaLwEj9nn0xUNbOyrb76Z2bIr4Yj3gvQvtwnwZzdE3SDFgyO0YkVrf87tHC42cfReVTeZHzAQvnIlJvDlleIR-N2b1ivuZZ/s1600/DSC04235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BVPEFdzCZNTLa_Uf5xBIGadRUDb1vFwrk5CQnlgVdDq-pBaLwEj9nn0xUNbOyrb76Z2bIr4Yj3gvQvtwnwZzdE3SDFgyO0YkVrf87tHC42cfReVTeZHzAQvnIlJvDlleIR-N2b1ivuZZ/s400/DSC04235.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Look at that moon-like surface!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAodOZZ92fwc_U3jni6LEyLeNqsgrElZLhR0mGGM4WyHX3KKcFP0so2B0uRzdd08Hr1HFR145BJW1qbq8VS5dK34YM3uvthDGYaKj0REWpm62NAndYuBasVG3FgXdDXCBilRbv0F64llox/s1600/DSC04236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAodOZZ92fwc_U3jni6LEyLeNqsgrElZLhR0mGGM4WyHX3KKcFP0so2B0uRzdd08Hr1HFR145BJW1qbq8VS5dK34YM3uvthDGYaKj0REWpm62NAndYuBasVG3FgXdDXCBilRbv0F64llox/s400/DSC04236.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Add a little powdered sugar and let's call this breakfast!</div>
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Basic Pannekoeken (also known as a Dutch baby pancake)</div>
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Original recipe found <a href="http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/60403684/dutch-baby-pancake/" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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2 T unsalted butter</div>
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3 eggs</div>
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3/4 cup milk</div>
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3/4 cup flour</div>
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2 tsp. sugar</div>
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2 tsp. vanilla</div>
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Berries or fruit of your choice (optional)</div>
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Powdered sugar for garnish</div>
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Maple syrup</div>
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1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If you have time, bring all of your ingredients to room temperature. Word on the street is, this helps the pancake puff. I didn't have time and it turned out fine!</div>
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2. Put the butter in a 12" skillet and place it in the oven to melt. Whilst the butter melts, put all other ingredients (except berries) in a blender and blend until smooth.</div>
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3. Take skillet out of oven and swirl it around to distribute the butter. Add egg mixture to skillet (as well as berries, if you choose) and return to oven. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the pancake puffs up and gets brown around the edges. </div>
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4. Garnish with powdered sugar and slice into wedges. Serve immediately with maple syrup. </div>
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Enjoy!</div>
Davenport Damehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16643117999163496649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-74450215885908582262013-08-02T08:43:00.001-07:002013-08-02T08:43:34.112-07:00From 'Just' Curtains to Window Treatmentsby Erin<br />
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We recently<a href="http://www.thetestnest.com/2013/03/stairway-runner.html"> painted our staircase</a> up to the second floor. The Stair Room, as we call it, was shaping up nicely but needed one last addition. . . window treatments. I started here:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFn5_nNJE72n2W45xcRK2qxV2HjitDn_Ohybt-H82r_7o5ngj9pexwGrzrEBkauySlFzWaRFCKBZj5in7TN_fjsme7Qd60Fj8LOmS40fYRVjimx79QHUsimtp92RUqfwxT2RpoWDt_Jqdw/s1600/curtian_noshade_ikat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFn5_nNJE72n2W45xcRK2qxV2HjitDn_Ohybt-H82r_7o5ngj9pexwGrzrEBkauySlFzWaRFCKBZj5in7TN_fjsme7Qd60Fj8LOmS40fYRVjimx79QHUsimtp92RUqfwxT2RpoWDt_Jqdw/s1600/curtian_noshade_ikat.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phase 1: Stair Room curtains</td></tr>
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This beautiful ikat fabric came from <a href="http://www.theneedleshop.net/">The Needle Shop</a> and really adds some much needed pizzazz to the Stair Room. I really like panel curtains because I can easily open (and keep open) my curtains like this: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCb1KgRisQjehuUuMH7vMs920STGYX3OxBugvbU9VTJ-k-Heq2NFdV9N3KlPMRyBUErJxTLSzXK4AxdRZzsj5ImDqwWQWPczvxLlEdUmLi9XgBVZ8aeITf8gWMt7mM8q1FGhvkvgniOo6/s1600/ikat_open_noshade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCb1KgRisQjehuUuMH7vMs920STGYX3OxBugvbU9VTJ-k-Heq2NFdV9N3KlPMRyBUErJxTLSzXK4AxdRZzsj5ImDqwWQWPczvxLlEdUmLi9XgBVZ8aeITf8gWMt7mM8q1FGhvkvgniOo6/s1600/ikat_open_noshade.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cafe curtains </td></tr>
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You can really fling them open in a dramatic fashion. <br />
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They are also impossibly easy to make because you basically just hem, iron, pin, and sew some straight(ish) lines. I decided to hang my rod higher than the window since that is what <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/">Apartment Therapy</a> tells me to do. I would have like to have tried to gone higher, but I didn't have enough fabric. <br />
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So there we are, curtains. <br />
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Somehow this wasn't enough for me. <br />
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If the curtains were closed the stairway was too dark and if they were open "they don't offer the privacy we wanted," says the people walking upstairs from the bathroom in their towels. <br />
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Luckily I had signed up for the <a href="http://www.theneedleshop.net/collections/classes/products/roman-shades-9-1">roman shade class </a>at The Needle Shop as an end of the school year gift to myself. So the day after my class (which was awesome. . . as always). I got straight to work on my own roman shade for this very room.<br />
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Behold!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-D8-x4aLCWkQXAURjKBvQaVgEy2LxSy7HKwXLRbKRw32a-5qkYRk6mR1xFrYapitwzC7VXjsWfY53Q11FWMA1KA5GZWalsNFNcDFr84wkNdi-6Erl4bS9JP-9ytbNYizruHIpBauMZtRm/s1600/romanshade_withikat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-D8-x4aLCWkQXAURjKBvQaVgEy2LxSy7HKwXLRbKRw32a-5qkYRk6mR1xFrYapitwzC7VXjsWfY53Q11FWMA1KA5GZWalsNFNcDFr84wkNdi-6Erl4bS9JP-9ytbNYizruHIpBauMZtRm/s1600/romanshade_withikat.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curtains with roman shades</td></tr>
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The whiteness of this beautiful Robert Kaufman fabric from <a href="http://www.selvedgestudio.com/">Selvedge Studio</a>, a great fabric store in <a href="http://www.thetestnest.com/2013/07/big-sky-country.html">Missoula, Montana</a>, now lets in the light but adds the privacy factor. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-ODlP6rYw3T-YyNMuhmeH-JiCpT3kdR9pXAyy9hRZjYuRILgC2qmv6JuwZBXL4-wuBS2C5oEqfCd1AF1L7OMFkveOV5wzo95p-ABiKwXBuWnrp67yWDyEZQqwkU2mhit1lbjB86fxB70/s1600/shade_curtain_steps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-ODlP6rYw3T-YyNMuhmeH-JiCpT3kdR9pXAyy9hRZjYuRILgC2qmv6JuwZBXL4-wuBS2C5oEqfCd1AF1L7OMFkveOV5wzo95p-ABiKwXBuWnrp67yWDyEZQqwkU2mhit1lbjB86fxB70/s1600/shade_curtain_steps.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stair Room - chandelier and all</td></tr>
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The roman shade has dowels evenly placed on the back of the fabric and as you pull up the shade folds up into itself. Making for a very clean and functional shade. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5b2W9BNm9HDJjisna0DAE_DE6VwSwyT4WhaeVkfn7NR4CMJi7l4uRxfC9EdywbUqw2cIxKXJtRgKT3ocgXwywUkj2IjYDZSgHsI2lFP3BakAy12Mk1EsdqUQiiR958NZcdRXSf2ACBJPt/s1600/back_romanshade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5b2W9BNm9HDJjisna0DAE_DE6VwSwyT4WhaeVkfn7NR4CMJi7l4uRxfC9EdywbUqw2cIxKXJtRgKT3ocgXwywUkj2IjYDZSgHsI2lFP3BakAy12Mk1EsdqUQiiR958NZcdRXSf2ACBJPt/s1600/back_romanshade.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">casings for dowels - Robert Kaufman fabric was lined with muslin</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNwklcj1rNMc4SeWnYIBKT0z0OvFliyjhHlQzT_cnjRChs5X2QzHtan8tn1AjBp4Jkq5ciyn-UAsTHECHMtQRXkp-AginUbxK-va4gJ3R6fe_aG5Fx-QKolcfnsaVfOrDucD627jAlOUk/s1600/pulley_romanshade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNwklcj1rNMc4SeWnYIBKT0z0OvFliyjhHlQzT_cnjRChs5X2QzHtan8tn1AjBp4Jkq5ciyn-UAsTHECHMtQRXkp-AginUbxK-va4gJ3R6fe_aG5Fx-QKolcfnsaVfOrDucD627jAlOUk/s1600/pulley_romanshade.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulley mechanism</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiLxTTNJwYVjhD1cN7suGyD9yE6P89QQUUVSSPwJPqRoG74HE0u2fyqBUtP-eYSQPHo0ruaQhASoK1ez41Ss5mxkAxqg_h5hHM0_uGKdHAY-a_fYI23gsgc1OoW0RteoswsBWuC5rSiNJ/s1600/shadefoldup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiLxTTNJwYVjhD1cN7suGyD9yE6P89QQUUVSSPwJPqRoG74HE0u2fyqBUtP-eYSQPHo0ruaQhASoK1ez41Ss5mxkAxqg_h5hHM0_uGKdHAY-a_fYI23gsgc1OoW0RteoswsBWuC5rSiNJ/s1600/shadefoldup.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">partially folded shade </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcjum1fc1u87sbBIO138cOMOET6IWSsQBfUeJ3_IXneBqktjdnTU6WqbK3NaBArgBAUaAUIv_YpduJ-uYJ8u0pnwtFhzxDytUkad_tz8HWDaCjBunzMtW2u-GNSOCU_TDQtdQbVS3fnIs/s1600/tieup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcjum1fc1u87sbBIO138cOMOET6IWSsQBfUeJ3_IXneBqktjdnTU6WqbK3NaBArgBAUaAUIv_YpduJ-uYJ8u0pnwtFhzxDytUkad_tz8HWDaCjBunzMtW2u-GNSOCU_TDQtdQbVS3fnIs/s1600/tieup.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tie off</td></tr>
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For as fancy as this shade looks, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, though I wouldn't have wanted to take this project on without the class. Allison of <a href="http://www.theneedleshop.net/">The Needle Shop </a>really did a nice job of explaining the finer points to me. It took some precision and patience, which is good for me since I have a lacking in<span id="goog_210355677"></span><span id="goog_210355678"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a> both of those qualities. </div>
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Now these two can keep their windowsill, interspecies love private from the rest of the household members.</div>
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penny ala modehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14753444629989631164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-7894654125586301592013-07-28T18:08:00.000-07:002013-07-28T18:08:06.474-07:00Sweet Tea Brined ChickenBy: Laura<br />
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The title of this post sounds like it should be coming from the south, doesn't it? Well, that's where it originated, but I brought right here to the Midwest to give it a try and let me tell you, those Southern BBQ folks know what they're doing. <br />
A couple of weeks ago, I was at the library browsing and they had some grilling cookbooks on a display. I walked past a couple of times and then realized that I really wanted to give one a try called, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Fired-Up-secrets-pitmasters/dp/0848736486/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374544075&sr=1-1&keywords=all+fired+up">All Fired Up: Smokin' hot BBQ secrets from the South's best pitmasters</a>. I was intrigued and from what I saw in the few pages I perused, hungry. I tried a number of recipes from this cookbook and plan to check it out again (or maybe purchase it), to get my fill of BBQ before the summer is up. <br />
I chose to feature this recipe first because it was something new for me: brining. I have never attempted brining, mostly because I haven't had the time, but summer allows for a little more of that. To brine is basically to marinate in salt and water, as well as other things (you'll see). I loved the idea of sweet tea in the brine and so did my hubby, who loves his sweet tea (he's lived in the South a bit, so he knows what's what!). And that was that, I started up the brining process. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE82IqONp__yV4aMsCLTjHOE7UnisY8d_KzBw3wg2UIixL0eq4c_0D71dQdtn812XQSFWejspFb3eUxPJAIxFyZVHV-8vSopusLa7I4Xi2CW_1vGZDKwlEZdM4JzWQnCnqMbs04j55ZBGx/s1600/P7100002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE82IqONp__yV4aMsCLTjHOE7UnisY8d_KzBw3wg2UIixL0eq4c_0D71dQdtn812XQSFWejspFb3eUxPJAIxFyZVHV-8vSopusLa7I4Xi2CW_1vGZDKwlEZdM4JzWQnCnqMbs04j55ZBGx/s400/P7100002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I began by preparing some sweet tea, which meant I brought 4 cups of water to a boil and added two family sized tea bags. The bags had to steep for 10 minutes and then the good stuff was added:sugar! Not only did I add the sugar...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc-K5N0UjsoIvaetWMTTMGSiFPdT3MvLvsyL4XWYuRJH3LwVdCkB05bPUwgQf6U5rAUACT6hpleG5P6bLTW1o09dqhBRAdl12CwdE0BN8ZLDHn2N6CPJ5pG0QMAEwZ2FJqLAzvXmUdRNU/s1600/P7100003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc-K5N0UjsoIvaetWMTTMGSiFPdT3MvLvsyL4XWYuRJH3LwVdCkB05bPUwgQf6U5rAUACT6hpleG5P6bLTW1o09dqhBRAdl12CwdE0BN8ZLDHn2N6CPJ5pG0QMAEwZ2FJqLAzvXmUdRNU/s400/P7100003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">There was some more goodies; including a small sweet onion, lemon, garlic, rosemary, and of course, a whole lotta salt! Doesn't it look splendid? The aromas made the whole house smell delicious!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After 45 minutes, when the mixture was cooled, 2 cups of ice cubes were added to make sure things were real cold.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yMJXnJy4hH38DB2TwAtTnXzi8dipcMvSTUunPIUqg25f_gO0SmFwNfQ-6DINgu9o1Minn7yWC3j3Nc43flBlDtdz_gkfzt3k-jdIDzjjVyIzg127k-7UXb8au7h1HYlRrDm4A4OH8LRw/s1600/P7100005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yMJXnJy4hH38DB2TwAtTnXzi8dipcMvSTUunPIUqg25f_gO0SmFwNfQ-6DINgu9o1Minn7yWC3j3Nc43flBlDtdz_gkfzt3k-jdIDzjjVyIzg127k-7UXb8au7h1HYlRrDm4A4OH8LRw/s400/P7100005.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally, I grabbed my chicken pieces (I had thighs and drumsticks on hand) and put them in my plastic baggie. I had the baggie standing up and was adding the brine when I took my hands off the baggie for a moment and it slumped over! Ahhh, this was a huge mistake. At least 1/4 of my brine mixture ended up all over my counter (as evidenced in the picture above). It was a stupid move on my part, so this is your warning: keep your hands on the baggie at all times. <br />(It's called the test nest, we ain't perfect, y'all)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDHNZ0bynSRIaxIC-aqSi4cO3wCrmWyyoVQKmbFN_VgZ745AnArdEZF8_2YOsuOgMIFVLQ1Y0zLueL5gFukibBbXLPV-ASuGe9WKkO6aVTe0GYnreFAoDacPXXsBLSZPwo1HFSEpvKhza/s1600/P7110006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDHNZ0bynSRIaxIC-aqSi4cO3wCrmWyyoVQKmbFN_VgZ745AnArdEZF8_2YOsuOgMIFVLQ1Y0zLueL5gFukibBbXLPV-ASuGe9WKkO6aVTe0GYnreFAoDacPXXsBLSZPwo1HFSEpvKhza/s400/P7110006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After 24 hours of refrigeration, the chicken was ready to hit the grill!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqYs11M1IoCO8aXYC_eEqJMtGx7RuyV2JfbjJBAnsCFugyjK8u4x3NlXkKUdZdMe3fMlLu9geWxZptpeq4bgyD3Ck2-ECoHnCz1uop-Hkvk3kWFHB6mxndGqxYgmp9kI41x4KuIpW1TYH/s1600/P7110007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqYs11M1IoCO8aXYC_eEqJMtGx7RuyV2JfbjJBAnsCFugyjK8u4x3NlXkKUdZdMe3fMlLu9geWxZptpeq4bgyD3Ck2-ECoHnCz1uop-Hkvk3kWFHB6mxndGqxYgmp9kI41x4KuIpW1TYH/s400/P7110007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, I got these babes on the grill, but the heat was indirect (meaning only one side of the grill was lit, while the chicken was on the unlit side). They were on there for about 20 minutes, then I flipped them and they went for 45 minutes more. Finally, the chicken went over the the lit side of the grill, skin side down, to get crispy for two to three minutes. (or 5-10 if your child needs to be pushed on the swing, then your skin will get very crispy, dare I say, burnt)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nxk-L40dPM5T2YKO4PrXlL9R4D04hLF_TlCm9oBQzkK85ILU6s6CZCN980gu-Q9G0_LOdMrBCooc02HR0VBv2nu8TuY2c2PHcHFe2oPOshHa1z7YL0vkyLk-LQ29s96t6snZO1aPAq2p/s1600/P7110008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nxk-L40dPM5T2YKO4PrXlL9R4D04hLF_TlCm9oBQzkK85ILU6s6CZCN980gu-Q9G0_LOdMrBCooc02HR0VBv2nu8TuY2c2PHcHFe2oPOshHa1z7YL0vkyLk-LQ29s96t6snZO1aPAq2p/s400/P7110008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, other than my two mishaps of losing a lot of the brine mixture and nearly burning all of my chicken, I did come out with a few killer drums and thighs. The flavor was dynamite and it was really worth my time and effort. <br /><br />I should also mention that the potatoes and beans are fresh from the garden. Now that makes a lady proud. Come on over y'all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Here is the link for <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/sweet-tea-brined-chicken-50400000112190/">Sweet Tea Brined Chicken</a>!</span></div>
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Laura Betty at the Readyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08078117831469325076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-86059404633176595472013-07-24T06:14:00.000-07:002013-07-24T06:14:20.792-07:00Urban Picnicking - Quick Fried Chicken by Erin<br />
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I've never made fried chicken. It always felt a little intimidating to me. However, I decided to take on the challenge when I read that one of my most beloved bands, <a href="http://www.handsomefamily.com/">The Handsome Family</a>, was playing at <a href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html">Millennium Park</a> during Monday night's <a href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park8.html">Downtown Sound</a>. I often do the traditional cheese, baguette, fruit, and <a href="http://undergroundfoodcollective.org/meats">Underground Meats</a> for picnic style concerts, but I decided to go the traditional southern style and give fried chicken a whirl. <br />
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I used <a href="http://blog.madhungry.com/">Lucinda Scala Quinn's</a> recipe for <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/284705/quick-fried-chicken">Quick Fried Chicken</a> from her cookbook <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Hungry-Feeding-Men-Boys/dp/1579655122">Mad Hungr</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Hungry-Feeding-Men-Boys/dp/1579655122">y Feeding Men and Boys</a></i>, a new favorite of mine. Lucinda says you can have this on the table in 45 minutes and I would agree. Minus soaking the chicken (not necessary) and my fumbling around with cutting apart a chicken, that is. <br />
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Timing was of the essence with this picnic item, so I'm going to write this blog post as a timeline. I wanted the chicken to be warmish by the time I got to Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, so I planned my schedule backwards from there.* I didn't write it down, but this was my timetable floating around in my head.<br />
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<b>1:30</b> - Soak the chicken in a mixture of buttermilk and hot sauce. Lucinda says you can do this for as little as 10 minutes or for as long 24 hours. Mine ended up being about 2 hours.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHW1Kc9U5Zpnik57J-QtZ0asLyUfkaRtrOUMozPatZh0NrvrKcuMzpzQhgpPcvC17pJ2RyEzUl96ySgC2AYJiiFIUEdmWfO95xApLLbmb4yYBnKqmIt8LdFAcm25WMW4_zjkF8TN6aFAm4/s1600/P1000191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHW1Kc9U5Zpnik57J-QtZ0asLyUfkaRtrOUMozPatZh0NrvrKcuMzpzQhgpPcvC17pJ2RyEzUl96ySgC2AYJiiFIUEdmWfO95xApLLbmb4yYBnKqmIt8LdFAcm25WMW4_zjkF8TN6aFAm4/s400/P1000191.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">buttermilk and hot sauce</td></tr>
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<b>3:30</b> - Heat up oil. Since it was pushing 90 degrees yesterday, and I don't have AC, I opted to dirty two pans, so I didn't have to do two sets of chicken frying. I reused some peanut oil I had previously used on french fries. Score. <br />
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<b>3:35</b> - Coat chicken with flour and seasoning mixture in a brown paper bag. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmHCukNx2gzHa3mNMo7L8Ea2a-VSuUNVN4Sj32F-awHDGEmnroEnfQBO-WkjT3Vygk5jQCuTYrbMs9geuDDOi9Txip0rArwbAP2alanwjQ10h0O1UXYogQPwz6Gv0QCxnR0qkjM7j0ntd/s1600/P1000192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmHCukNx2gzHa3mNMo7L8Ea2a-VSuUNVN4Sj32F-awHDGEmnroEnfQBO-WkjT3Vygk5jQCuTYrbMs9geuDDOi9Txip0rArwbAP2alanwjQ10h0O1UXYogQPwz6Gv0QCxnR0qkjM7j0ntd/s400/P1000192.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coated chicken</td></tr>
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<b>3:45 </b>(or when the oil is ready) - Fry chicken. Let the chicken fry untouched for about 12-15 minutes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi98d2eu5KmAOVwNKyAUELSxF6loeo3G_PSxEfaTVPQCYDhA77e0K_70EDucevABin0NyXw6y-MlF-bnzNFsWb7legRI6msXz_deT85oFJBBnxlgyxOh0HTbgtlspwBT06khG9kJAlmIVL/s1600/P1000193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi98d2eu5KmAOVwNKyAUELSxF6loeo3G_PSxEfaTVPQCYDhA77e0K_70EDucevABin0NyXw6y-MlF-bnzNFsWb7legRI6msXz_deT85oFJBBnxlgyxOh0HTbgtlspwBT06khG9kJAlmIVL/s400/P1000193.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sizzlin'</td></tr>
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<b>4:00</b> - flip chicken.<br />
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<li>In the meantime, you can start packing your picnic bag/basket. Mine just happens to be a bike pannier.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDW3Xmh6cohit-nJQMcVd0Vxm3YbO-gusebpHzQnNVI73_TTPeWiAlxDc_hsqXPqYLXcJh34WGUMnGVdszTE6zdn26gqTtI656MgBZRnVNw874na1gPGvBHzGn56RvRQfTJ9uhTIAxKIpl/s1600/P1000198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDW3Xmh6cohit-nJQMcVd0Vxm3YbO-gusebpHzQnNVI73_TTPeWiAlxDc_hsqXPqYLXcJh34WGUMnGVdszTE6zdn26gqTtI656MgBZRnVNw874na1gPGvBHzGn56RvRQfTJ9uhTIAxKIpl/s400/P1000198.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sheet, bug spray, grapes, radishes, boxed wine, <br />
reading material (while waiting for others to arrive),<br />
scarf (wildly unnecessary)</td></tr>
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<b>4:15</b> - Take chicken out of the oil and let the oil drip off on a rack onto a brown paper bag to soak up the mess.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCninmZAIVo6CU39tx88d_mHgCI2aUbRBpI4fZuXNAk9kWMf492as-oep7zBhjvaHMvggo98sDhjzEFsveyYSbxDwonJproOvQUWZ2cqe2gQZLZE9W-17x_MHDPb0avDUjsWBv0RD5VJd/s1600/P1000196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCninmZAIVo6CU39tx88d_mHgCI2aUbRBpI4fZuXNAk9kWMf492as-oep7zBhjvaHMvggo98sDhjzEFsveyYSbxDwonJproOvQUWZ2cqe2gQZLZE9W-17x_MHDPb0avDUjsWBv0RD5VJd/s400/P1000196.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resting chicken</td></tr>
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<b>4:30</b> - Pack up chicken. I put the chick in a doubled brown paper bag. Lightly salt in the chicken.<br />
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<b>4:35</b> - Ride my bike downtown to Millennium Park. <br />
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<b>5:30 -</b> Arrive at MP (it was windy). Stake out a spot. Admire the scenery. Try not to eat the chicken until Max, Danielle, Jason, or Hunter arrive (difficult).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5OlFrILD9mF-wJOCQ3bG4rBdB0ZfN7m-uU3n0YFO6wDrg9vPVUGinUNzXSMvGFyfQ6A3bYvYEqvgn-x7yo4bS2M4Wc0VUYyCzgMGlznwp8BPtfoGKo_TM1JU2fpY6nuatEUy3dCI0DMA/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5OlFrILD9mF-wJOCQ3bG4rBdB0ZfN7m-uU3n0YFO6wDrg9vPVUGinUNzXSMvGFyfQ6A3bYvYEqvgn-x7yo4bS2M4Wc0VUYyCzgMGlznwp8BPtfoGKo_TM1JU2fpY6nuatEUy3dCI0DMA/s400/photo.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jay Pritzker Pavilion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>6:15</b> - Max arrives! Chicken time!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sVc7TWfYaCku4BqJch32E7Gm5MTsn1z-Rl8eJUwZZVsrPXy-SviVQp5xrc5a4jP7iAIub3F2tBbLTFmuXpDfYrCgcShhAVvDzKlrvEmjHVMi9O_Cp2ecWUaW4GzCTMYpak9Bbjsg7-vY/s1600/photo-21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5sVc7TWfYaCku4BqJch32E7Gm5MTsn1z-Rl8eJUwZZVsrPXy-SviVQp5xrc5a4jP7iAIub3F2tBbLTFmuXpDfYrCgcShhAVvDzKlrvEmjHVMi9O_Cp2ecWUaW4GzCTMYpak9Bbjsg7-vY/s400/photo-21.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin eating a chicken wing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm not sure I look like I'm enjoying the chicken, but I am. Totally. It was do flavorful and, uh, the crispy skin. Fabulous. Whether you are picnicking or just in the mood for some fried chicken, this recipe by Ms. Quinn is a winner!<br />
<br />
<i>*Obviously the chicken wasn't piping hot, but it was warm, and as I pigged out on more pieces throughout the night I enjoyed it as much cold as I did warm. </i><br />
<br />penny ala modehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14753444629989631164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-28996243048488877812013-07-21T09:53:00.000-07:002013-07-21T08:10:41.414-07:00Pantry Reorganizationby Erin<br />
<br />
It makes me sad when I have to start off a post with an apology, but I must. I am posting today about the reorganization of my pantry, and I apologize because I forgot to take the 'before' picture! What a knucklehead! Though the transformation may not be as evident to you all because there is not actual photographic evidence, I think you will still <i>sense</i> the dramatic transformation.<br />
<br />
My mom was in town this weekend and pantry reorganization is the project we decided to tackle. She's a gifted organizer and tremendously motivated, so I knew that she would give me the advice as well as the get-up-and-go I needed to accomplish this large task. <br />
<br />
Our first step was to remove everything from the pantry. The amount of stuff, some junk and some not, piled in there littered three rooms. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMUNz7X75sPYtbfexNgMRuz19dBt5oHTEHxwV63FSyPbjwQOaM8p9lqIOfz3n5og2N7IRtfv4fYP9-13YwUJfOslaz2bVZ9mvnfpURDysYJCf0J75sP1l24h03cOOt58PmRxj6-TAH03Y/s1600/pantryreorg_stuff2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMUNz7X75sPYtbfexNgMRuz19dBt5oHTEHxwV63FSyPbjwQOaM8p9lqIOfz3n5og2N7IRtfv4fYP9-13YwUJfOslaz2bVZ9mvnfpURDysYJCf0J75sP1l24h03cOOt58PmRxj6-TAH03Y/s400/pantryreorg_stuff2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the contents of the pantry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFYMxVhahfegY0IymNWIEEBcn7bHQicMo_SeEmltDwB9XTYoRbfPog_65OLvjAiShOFTFrNvNOAmduzqzuWatVqPquVwx6VYpvM2hVqKL7p0IlllvPWVlkisMiXqUUZ-FtdG-OxDEbUqG/s1600/pantryreorg_sutffwhoa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFYMxVhahfegY0IymNWIEEBcn7bHQicMo_SeEmltDwB9XTYoRbfPog_65OLvjAiShOFTFrNvNOAmduzqzuWatVqPquVwx6VYpvM2hVqKL7p0IlllvPWVlkisMiXqUUZ-FtdG-OxDEbUqG/s400/pantryreorg_sutffwhoa.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more contents - I find this one particularly frightening</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY76zsmy3wZxjNbWtY_tvZCc9B-9v7yz37KVN3X5ftvY5AVyQ7tLPMQRmC3Rxgowf8lfj1Y-jKCUjKhBD4jkqBEJNBnMVVUBViVksATdLifrkmi7jG7yIOLAk4IcXY17xv68brh8ZTksxk/s1600/pantryreorg_stuff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY76zsmy3wZxjNbWtY_tvZCc9B-9v7yz37KVN3X5ftvY5AVyQ7tLPMQRmC3Rxgowf8lfj1Y-jKCUjKhBD4jkqBEJNBnMVVUBViVksATdLifrkmi7jG7yIOLAk4IcXY17xv68brh8ZTksxk/s400/pantryreorg_stuff.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">even into the dining room (I always keep roses in my pantry. Ha!)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After we got everything out of there and purged all the expired items, we gave the walls and shelves a good scrub down. Here we have it looking clean and bright.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wkUEITLnbJKLlkJarf0-YoOOHPiJUCaSnITYIxsJ46AzfFJYLdguWP9l9lejnd7NYNrLizGSE4XREVdZLkjW30d5BemyrrSjacOLRebhMfu5ZyjKxbojiEsCnUesouPofj4dJOr6CzY2/s1600/empty+pantry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wkUEITLnbJKLlkJarf0-YoOOHPiJUCaSnITYIxsJ46AzfFJYLdguWP9l9lejnd7NYNrLizGSE4XREVdZLkjW30d5BemyrrSjacOLRebhMfu5ZyjKxbojiEsCnUesouPofj4dJOr6CzY2/s400/empty+pantry.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an empty pantry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We removed some dusty white plastic mini-blinds and replaced them with this bamboo roman shade. I had this around the house, in anticipation for just the right place and voila!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCEo6x9bc4bdeCvlFeElnkZfVYVn8zmcZ7heeGbbzwRghWw4Vu9AsPG2EzlUCjfZMnjq-uHIT2DZPnJsd5mvWlpkTkMb-DciJl9ewH7WJq-FR9SN3laYcISk9a_XSDrcCjmjtd2Ueo4um/s1600/pantry_bambooromanshade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCEo6x9bc4bdeCvlFeElnkZfVYVn8zmcZ7heeGbbzwRghWw4Vu9AsPG2EzlUCjfZMnjq-uHIT2DZPnJsd5mvWlpkTkMb-DciJl9ewH7WJq-FR9SN3laYcISk9a_XSDrcCjmjtd2Ueo4um/s400/pantry_bambooromanshade.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bamboo roman shade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Once the shade was up, Mom and I took a good look at what everything Max and I had accumulated in there. Most of the items were pantry appropriate, but some obviously just got put in there to put someplace. For instance, we had a growing area of small household repair items like screws, nails, a drill and bits, and duck tape. Yes, we absolutely want these items handy, but the pantry was just not the best place for them. I found a spot in another closet for those items. After those items were removed, Mom and I made a plan. Here were our priorities:<br />
<ol>
<li>put bigger lesser used items up or in back</li>
<li>group food items together (cans together, pastas together, cookbooks together)</li>
<li>organize dishes in a manner that made them easy to pull out and put back </li>
</ol>
We started with the big items because it seemed the easiest. All electronics and larger bowls went to the back two shelves. Notice my new step stool! Compliments of my mama who knows what it's like to have a daughter who is vertically challenged. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTu-zxxgIqkx2Vs0zZKL7mEGTsL7ZKaeNG3KeIC2csBoPdNPt0XK8ElEy8rhE_RBbtp9v5go_dKoc90bB6-x51qWU8ZyIgkh7OagKKL6knmE7NeLPaoRmLEAotuUC9pmAK6XbV6Qny2FR/s1600/pantry_appliances.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTu-zxxgIqkx2Vs0zZKL7mEGTsL7ZKaeNG3KeIC2csBoPdNPt0XK8ElEy8rhE_RBbtp9v5go_dKoc90bB6-x51qWU8ZyIgkh7OagKKL6knmE7NeLPaoRmLEAotuUC9pmAK6XbV6Qny2FR/s400/pantry_appliances.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser used items to the back</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I found these boxes on a sale an the dorm section of The Container
Store. You can write on those orange tab things. For whatever reason, I
am apprehensive about it. I am thinking I might go back for one more
for my cookie specialty items (cookie cutters, spritz cookie maker).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpiCKAIIppj3ezaut-CBMIbN-wLzZxNwIN2VjJFDh3XEDAFzsUN9UtsPGBx1_uLJwBnxXX0Am-ZpsKE3wgqvo055q3qp1ucm80E5-ruKbCoFEt2YFRCBl_YOqXCmog8Xuf_LUVNBu-aun/s1600/pantryreorg_boxes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirpiCKAIIppj3ezaut-CBMIbN-wLzZxNwIN2VjJFDh3XEDAFzsUN9UtsPGBx1_uLJwBnxXX0Am-ZpsKE3wgqvo055q3qp1ucm80E5-ruKbCoFEt2YFRCBl_YOqXCmog8Xuf_LUVNBu-aun/s400/pantryreorg_boxes.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from left to right: plastic silverware | paper napkins, votives | tea lights, cake pedestal (partial) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So once we got the big items up we jumped ahead to point number three. Organize dishes. Before this makeover, I was asking for a major dish disaster. Bowls were stacked on bowls topped off with a precariously placed tray. I can't believe nothing broke in there. I had already had these lifty things that I found at a thrift store, but we put them to better use.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSiAcSMQvSa9TfIJrqU_3_f6fgyN6YQi0EzTI5GnF47DbxJjr-8_KAlTlcfYgHtZqX3xq-Illw93QGU4SmCYzJES7wL5Ycu2ExRKJq5VwJWrnHHXX8HtCF8wQ-63QI34v9RmzbSnobCxJ/s1600/pantry_dishes_lifts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSiAcSMQvSa9TfIJrqU_3_f6fgyN6YQi0EzTI5GnF47DbxJjr-8_KAlTlcfYgHtZqX3xq-Illw93QGU4SmCYzJES7wL5Ycu2ExRKJq5VwJWrnHHXX8HtCF8wQ-63QI34v9RmzbSnobCxJ/s400/pantry_dishes_lifts.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dishes organized!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The hanging of the cupcake tins was a great idea because they don't fit anywhere. I think hanging them is a great use of space and I love their texture, so why not feature it?!<br />
<br />
Our final and biggest task was grouping everything together. This was the hardest part because, of course, some things just don't fit. <i>Which of these things is not like the other?</i> Here is how we went about it. I will show you some of the bigger successes. <br />
<br />
What I knew for certain is that I wanted my cookbooks at eye level (second shelve for this short girl) and right next to the door so I could quickly grab one. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesOWHv1IdtFcqdezwg49Fek0F22CqxiyXFonoh6xffm2BSC5AgLwF9Ujym-_8XaTkxZYpSSy0LtdR1sPCsz_s0CvyOdtn_LByg_NWuQuLumcNNBCnAxWMM8yN1SQjXZ62ecmj5TBC6Y2P/s1600/pantry_reorg_cookbook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesOWHv1IdtFcqdezwg49Fek0F22CqxiyXFonoh6xffm2BSC5AgLwF9Ujym-_8XaTkxZYpSSy0LtdR1sPCsz_s0CvyOdtn_LByg_NWuQuLumcNNBCnAxWMM8yN1SQjXZ62ecmj5TBC6Y2P/s400/pantry_reorg_cookbook.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love cookbooks. Aren't they pretty? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next we put nuts and grains in these pretty storage jars that we received as a wedding gift. My mom was adamant about only putting items in the approriate sized jars. Meaning if I had a bag of almonds, I should be able to fit that entire bag of almonds in the jar, not just a half of bag. I dig your style, Ma!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tLzKikRwcgmh81q81cNUE2VaeCkPeOw6gEF_AMcre0JD3-vNKMzIIG6VvYhAtyiSDAAUe4-kDaFLjpRbSi-ehJe5nROVWwAn2JEC5u6YHSNsEO-qMfSYVxTacTOZLOvayRMxy9RrARH5/s1600/pantry_reorg_grainsandnuts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tLzKikRwcgmh81q81cNUE2VaeCkPeOw6gEF_AMcre0JD3-vNKMzIIG6VvYhAtyiSDAAUe4-kDaFLjpRbSi-ehJe5nROVWwAn2JEC5u6YHSNsEO-qMfSYVxTacTOZLOvayRMxy9RrARH5/s400/pantry_reorg_grainsandnuts.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grains, nuts and whatnots</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next I outfitted the pet shoebox. In this box, we have treats for the cats and dog (needs to be formally introduced on tTN) as well as flea, tick, and heartworm medication. This crap was kind of all piled up on each other in resealable bags before. To the right you can see the top of a pink Tupperware. The dog's bigger dog biscuits go in there. I like this much better.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9s0rc9KTy4PvW-oa8XaSkG1Ejo556os57MZosmvAFWlgslXlsg5V6a_8ZOWLPQWvJCwf7d267LukNIDzE6bxhHSYoFfVXNU-xRtSaMfmphYGwWmCjZuqapeD47IGK6Kd_SFcNHjiX1wAV/s1600/pantryreorg_pets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9s0rc9KTy4PvW-oa8XaSkG1Ejo556os57MZosmvAFWlgslXlsg5V6a_8ZOWLPQWvJCwf7d267LukNIDzE6bxhHSYoFfVXNU-xRtSaMfmphYGwWmCjZuqapeD47IGK6Kd_SFcNHjiX1wAV/s400/pantryreorg_pets.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pet shoebox</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I purchased these little dividers for $1.99 each at The Container Store. We like tea around here, especially in the winter, so tea need it's 'place.' According to Max, so do his Cliff shots. In fact, he's concerned this isn't enough room. Hmmm. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GpCzLoedGe6TA6Cxao__nsKF8AfPt0Vl0BgGW2BABTKTWcSU5tkO5LdShhklAqyQ9G9M5FZ5EGHEcXhpjKmqghNI293PyN1c_aBfn5njiepMc67OUVHDlvXIfB7oKraDhRFZAmhT6LKh/s1600/pantry_reorg_teas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GpCzLoedGe6TA6Cxao__nsKF8AfPt0Vl0BgGW2BABTKTWcSU5tkO5LdShhklAqyQ9G9M5FZ5EGHEcXhpjKmqghNI293PyN1c_aBfn5njiepMc67OUVHDlvXIfB7oKraDhRFZAmhT6LKh/s400/pantry_reorg_teas.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">teas and Cliff shots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also got to hang my pretty fruit basket, a gift from Leslie. We will keep potatoes in the bottom, onions (none available at time of picture) and garlic in the second and something else in the top (what? leftover space?).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmyYmstRR0ghGTtAVngCGfqy0Ca8e8yIo9beBqeeJE5TCyaoIqRr254Hiz6uELlW2NK6_XyzQqIZuNTnrts_IWovapUQn_-1jeQ-6kpoUZ2IJL6IybuapNdekgTALff4SU2lGF3DRjYtP/s1600/pantry_fruitbasket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmyYmstRR0ghGTtAVngCGfqy0Ca8e8yIo9beBqeeJE5TCyaoIqRr254Hiz6uELlW2NK6_XyzQqIZuNTnrts_IWovapUQn_-1jeQ-6kpoUZ2IJL6IybuapNdekgTALff4SU2lGF3DRjYtP/s400/pantry_fruitbasket.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging veggie basket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ok, so those are some highlights. Here is the zoomed out finished pantry photo. Those baskets hanging from the the top shelve are so great. We have one that contains foil, parchment paper and all that stuff, one for pastas, and one for other sundries. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKJiKYvsANikMm2fkLemnYJRQQBSP9tCvqbPaxu6t4KTMRlvoRjmg5muB1RCfDmjq0vQxrV2x-z5Pgfx_i58LUqp8sMeTGOGvsVfCMVRs0QidY5WoPyRxBQrIfBB9Y0kV3Pyahz4_By1Y/s1600/pantryreorg_Complete.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKJiKYvsANikMm2fkLemnYJRQQBSP9tCvqbPaxu6t4KTMRlvoRjmg5muB1RCfDmjq0vQxrV2x-z5Pgfx_i58LUqp8sMeTGOGvsVfCMVRs0QidY5WoPyRxBQrIfBB9Y0kV3Pyahz4_By1Y/s400/pantryreorg_Complete.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pantry completed</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Isn't it lovely? What I love most is that I still have shelve space. We didn't pack it choked full of stuff, we left space because we knew more 'stuff' would come. <br />
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You'll notice that we have our recycling in that blue bin and next to that is our 'hamper' for napkins, dishtowels and dish rags. Maybe someday I'll find a prettier container for those items, but that is by no means a necessity to me.<br />
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In the future I'd like to get some pretty hooks for the east wall for aprons, our plastic bag holder, trays (I'm not loving that one on the floor), and grocery sacks. That is for another time and another post though. <br />
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Mom and Dad left on Wednesday morning and this little note was tucked inside the pantry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g_S2IyWd4phBZ76ejC-z2tgnR1MsSdpyL49sPHlbbqQCz7EMvAffahRkt5WmQUDPwVI1x6BSp5Qn8wJ_f_9aqLEKquWQZmKV-ta7R9amTHUqTgXWJYpHk2cjhl10qRpa7m_ya1h0xsMH/s1600/pantrycompliment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2g_S2IyWd4phBZ76ejC-z2tgnR1MsSdpyL49sPHlbbqQCz7EMvAffahRkt5WmQUDPwVI1x6BSp5Qn8wJ_f_9aqLEKquWQZmKV-ta7R9amTHUqTgXWJYpHk2cjhl10qRpa7m_ya1h0xsMH/s400/pantrycompliment.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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No wonder I love notes so much. Thanks for your help, Mom, and the same goes to you. ;)penny ala modehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14753444629989631164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-87395144500301469992013-07-18T12:17:00.001-07:002013-07-18T12:17:59.631-07:00Battle for the Blue Ribbon: Who's the winner?By: Laura<br />
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I know, the suspense is killing you, isn't it? Well, the results are in and the news is this, neither Mom nor I won the blue ribbon at the county fair! It was, unfortunately someone who placed their chocolate chips on top of the cookie right before baking and that just ain't right, but who knows what the judge was looking for...obviously not the perfect cookie. <br />
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Anyway, I would like to mention that I did manage to squeeze into the runnings with a white ribbon (3rd place), while Mom was left with nothing (this is sad, really, her cookies looked and tasted fantastic. I was worried, really!). Therefore, by default, I won our challenge as well as a prize of $5. Whoop! Whoop! I'll take it and I'll take my "win." Mom, the challenge is on for next year, and brownies are the next on the list, so start searching for the perfect recipe!<br />
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Here are some shots at the fair:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifM59ePSMrOl-usj5cu2FwhcMSkL2L5ej-13DeFwldrL2sBoXBfmGVp_QbpNmYmI2St-ynu9NA1e-Yz2USLBFEK65_q1_Lpv4H5hyphenhyphen0Zp5Ka9rz_U08Ey_rdUXbbgzT3BtxN7sXjjPvjRwh/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifM59ePSMrOl-usj5cu2FwhcMSkL2L5ej-13DeFwldrL2sBoXBfmGVp_QbpNmYmI2St-ynu9NA1e-Yz2USLBFEK65_q1_Lpv4H5hyphenhyphen0Zp5Ka9rz_U08Ey_rdUXbbgzT3BtxN7sXjjPvjRwh/s400/photo-2.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here I am with my white ribbon winning cookie (I know it's hard to see, but it's there!)</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWR9cL-smTNn1IwgngiY1VrBn8y54rUtLPxLS8hgcOFXwfbCyqieEk-9FHi8XWkFzRqTS2zl4muK2f7eC-6UtBb09MO29S7KwXaUrHzWzJ3CYqwb3o45pBc5Skl4QBqI9Nme2EANztA3ti/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWR9cL-smTNn1IwgngiY1VrBn8y54rUtLPxLS8hgcOFXwfbCyqieEk-9FHi8XWkFzRqTS2zl4muK2f7eC-6UtBb09MO29S7KwXaUrHzWzJ3CYqwb3o45pBc5Skl4QBqI9Nme2EANztA3ti/s400/photo-3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mom and I with our delectable cookies. Way to go, Mom! You are the best when it comes to baking, thanks for teaching me all I know!<br /><br />Here is Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe if you'd like to give it a whirl!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Omaha World Herald Winning Chocolate Chip Cookies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">2 3/4 cups flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">1 t. baking soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">1/2 t. salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">1/2 cup butter (room temperature)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">1/2 cup shortening</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">1 cup packed brown sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">3/4 cup white sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">2 large eggs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">2 t. vanilla</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">2 cups chocolate chips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Cream butter and shortening together. Add sugars, eggs, vanilla. Slowly add flour mixture (your mixer's lowest setting). Do not overbeat. Add chocolate chips. Make cookies into little balls and chill for at least an hour. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 9 minutes. Baking times vary with oven types. </span></div>
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<br />Laura Betty at the Readyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08078117831469325076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-25460927252909942152013-07-16T12:59:00.001-07:002013-07-16T13:01:42.248-07:00Battle for the Blue Ribbon!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97w9amVhzT_DvZ84SKM_rlBRqAmyQfGhHNnZsUXssSW_KRhJuhqm7SNbHPNq6Bx7XYDC-aJWJbl6hVUU3B8w52cYFhF06PyUGVTIf3g-K6uabD7bS4TGsGU2DpHcQPYWTuslfe47bUVQz/s1600/IMG_2433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97w9amVhzT_DvZ84SKM_rlBRqAmyQfGhHNnZsUXssSW_KRhJuhqm7SNbHPNq6Bx7XYDC-aJWJbl6hVUU3B8w52cYFhF06PyUGVTIf3g-K6uabD7bS4TGsGU2DpHcQPYWTuslfe47bUVQz/s400/IMG_2433.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!</span></td></tr>
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By: Laura<br />
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You may remember from many posts ago, that I entered a <a href="http://www.thetestnest.com/2011/02/county-fair-county-fair-down-home.html">carrot cake</a> into the County Fair and won the blue ribbon. This year, I'm going to be entering a few things, including carrot cake, but none of those things matter as much as the classic chocolate chip cookie. <br />
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Mom and I decided to battle it out to see who had the best recipe for the All American snack, and let me tell you; it's been intense. Mom's doing a bit of trash talking, and I can't say I haven't been returning the favor, but it all boils down to the judges' pick at the fair. May the best baker win! <br />
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First, let's check out the recipes:<br />
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We'll begin with my cookies (because first is best):<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirjSuoje28c81IcMunnwuJQn6LxZaMJvpyju4FOMENw7Bl0w__pK3HG4xOjX2SBdVsxCpOLuaf6ntG7j8_w4tYxJ1QtCNeZNhhyphenhyphengA-1dYUqgmcjJuZYUAx6-0T1dl3WBIOTi0cBwzC3tq/s1600/IMG_2419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirjSuoje28c81IcMunnwuJQn6LxZaMJvpyju4FOMENw7Bl0w__pK3HG4xOjX2SBdVsxCpOLuaf6ntG7j8_w4tYxJ1QtCNeZNhhyphenhyphengA-1dYUqgmcjJuZYUAx6-0T1dl3WBIOTi0cBwzC3tq/s400/IMG_2419.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look at that creamy richness. I've got the butter, eggs and sugar going here. One of the major differences between Mom and I's recipes: BUTTER! I'm all in on the butter, mom goes half and half with some shortening (lame).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7GsQB1c65QEnH6yBm0v5hrhFzMkAcJeakBl8lFI6Wa-wBDg-ToPKm6NaznQ7QBUigTKEYt-S6CJa7Uyfc_b0qat1fBiuO58uTf8ZwWxJpkJapbZlDBG74uwQMXO1coZbMXqU-xwyjzq3/s1600/IMG_2420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7GsQB1c65QEnH6yBm0v5hrhFzMkAcJeakBl8lFI6Wa-wBDg-ToPKm6NaznQ7QBUigTKEYt-S6CJa7Uyfc_b0qat1fBiuO58uTf8ZwWxJpkJapbZlDBG74uwQMXO1coZbMXqU-xwyjzq3/s400/IMG_2420.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is the finished dough. Lovely, I know. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhR3kNvhGeJ_b-4aoCj4JjnuLqA3heDUd-kTOT-mt1mJ_YS6IDsMWGUZbNS2tG4uKwXNTLgaoDHsoWDiEYL0tEZ-TgtHUzv8UkVSlqxjbgihD_EcAC1l5tBYeZ40GG3abtbXvcTVpLsYG/s1600/IMG_2422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhR3kNvhGeJ_b-4aoCj4JjnuLqA3heDUd-kTOT-mt1mJ_YS6IDsMWGUZbNS2tG4uKwXNTLgaoDHsoWDiEYL0tEZ-TgtHUzv8UkVSlqxjbgihD_EcAC1l5tBYeZ40GG3abtbXvcTVpLsYG/s400/IMG_2422.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My cookies, ready for the oven...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZajtazhb6oRKd2UoFcSbd_45CMY1n2seOAKIL5Bmgy28AyLQ-5Mko5lQJocmrlNzG0aaWB_574OQ22p2r33BOkY79B_DAcH7Bt3-TKkIbOsUgnrzennzGDVliDT_ODFPUzWoRAmQH2J-9/s1600/IMG_2423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZajtazhb6oRKd2UoFcSbd_45CMY1n2seOAKIL5Bmgy28AyLQ-5Mko5lQJocmrlNzG0aaWB_574OQ22p2r33BOkY79B_DAcH7Bt3-TKkIbOsUgnrzennzGDVliDT_ODFPUzWoRAmQH2J-9/s400/IMG_2423.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The main event! I was a bit worried that mine were spreading out too much, so I refrigerated them for an hour or so. I had much better results after that. Here is the <a href="http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/the-best-ever-chocolate-chip-cookies/">recipe</a> I used from the excellent blog, <a href="http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/">My Baking Addiction</a>.<br /><br />So, these cookies looked and tasted amazin', but you know that my Mom ain't no fool in the kitchen, she can bake like nobody's business, so here is my competition:</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAFkaguGO-FP-djbWVpkSjB81aa7iK89oHJkGJ_N3AzGnhFYCxaCYKCH24YEilGwEDVcAm0xYXVUVuFNvIw-jtfrwOS9uNHaOGWNdkLH8rJMof-tHl0PSL7WWoPZaDvjeMTlF9xqCwBjH/s1600/IMG_2426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAFkaguGO-FP-djbWVpkSjB81aa7iK89oHJkGJ_N3AzGnhFYCxaCYKCH24YEilGwEDVcAm0xYXVUVuFNvIw-jtfrwOS9uNHaOGWNdkLH8rJMof-tHl0PSL7WWoPZaDvjeMTlF9xqCwBjH/s400/IMG_2426.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mom has some ingredients above (she even had to take better pictures than me, ugh!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adding some dry ingredients...looking good in the old apron!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That dough looks good...too good!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganFQwjblhYdxNBx64s7ytuIgx5rc8iNeAVCJ-cMuLhdY_6PPwV61u3kdTJVg0N6s9DlpwM5ZEoHiRuAx924Z7kFZSuYvflBiOdSWw-Me-2LXKrRR7D18omsqIOzHr0nqaYpaSpkNPlqOf/s1600/IMG_2432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganFQwjblhYdxNBx64s7ytuIgx5rc8iNeAVCJ-cMuLhdY_6PPwV61u3kdTJVg0N6s9DlpwM5ZEoHiRuAx924Z7kFZSuYvflBiOdSWw-Me-2LXKrRR7D18omsqIOzHr0nqaYpaSpkNPlqOf/s320/IMG_2432.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mom rolling out her cookies. Look at that technique!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjrwfz_llvIHG1-aff0CIuujxnyoe5UcevuDTtGYiLUXyq1vCUH_4blid30MyzCs_7zfqQNnB3cQHnjjr8D4PaaFGWbJkCbQrZFXdNOpQ71t05NlWj8ndhrH9G8Xob1d8MpNupKcPUQcO/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjrwfz_llvIHG1-aff0CIuujxnyoe5UcevuDTtGYiLUXyq1vCUH_4blid30MyzCs_7zfqQNnB3cQHnjjr8D4PaaFGWbJkCbQrZFXdNOpQ71t05NlWj8ndhrH9G8Xob1d8MpNupKcPUQcO/s400/IMG_2430.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, this is just ridiculous; rolling them out by hand may make them too perfect. Too much, really, too much Jacque. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvouyRSANeD4M1ZjGJ6wt7wk875ri-KRq8gZ0vKPArHaSMxC9iL2CPKZlC_AlZtOb67TG6ePFON545YgiWugLqUHd9mQajqYo45hMEGVrryrkyYrLs1KgcDCUoAmuSLSUjOAO_kqhvW-df/s1600/IMG_2431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvouyRSANeD4M1ZjGJ6wt7wk875ri-KRq8gZ0vKPArHaSMxC9iL2CPKZlC_AlZtOb67TG6ePFON545YgiWugLqUHd9mQajqYo45hMEGVrryrkyYrLs1KgcDCUoAmuSLSUjOAO_kqhvW-df/s400/IMG_2431.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Okay, now I admit when I saw these beauts come out of the oven, I was getting a little nervous and that's when mom said, "you still might win, Laura." (imagine a lot of sarcasm here)<br />
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So, now we can't wait to see what the judge has to say, maybe one of us will get first, second, or perhaps not even place, but it's been fun, no matter what. Stay tuned for the results and for Mom's recipe! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ella was our little helper!</span></td></tr>
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<br />Laura Betty at the Readyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08078117831469325076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-80884411217452535852013-07-11T08:36:00.000-07:002013-07-11T08:36:48.055-07:00Big Sky Country<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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by Erin<br />
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School ended June 25, so Max and I promptly got out of town for our summer vacation. We headed west to Missoula, Montana where our nearest and dearest friends Jen and Buck moved this fall. We spent six relaxing days sight-seeing, hiking, ladder-golfing, biking, eating, and simply enjoying. <br />
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Max nor I had been to Missoula before and we loved the long days that summer in Montana provided us. The sun didn't even start to go down until 9:30pm (I don't know when it came up. <i>Hello</i>, we were sleeping; it was vacation!). Montanans seemed to fill their full days plenty full of tubing down the Clark Fork River, being nice to people, and eating ice cream at the Big Dipper. Here's me with my feet in the river. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrze27cwfP5b5rvnkgcivDNawL5EoaZeVYI8AB2kvfQyY41N-hNN34ZGCOi62NZdDnZMJvnQKLZjQ7edQocUyYiRtNlF4N-ayb6UmmgdgGdCL0vFgVkzAKONgJnrb4yI-CJD5QUvTtE2dq/s1600/erinclarkfork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrze27cwfP5b5rvnkgcivDNawL5EoaZeVYI8AB2kvfQyY41N-hNN34ZGCOi62NZdDnZMJvnQKLZjQ7edQocUyYiRtNlF4N-ayb6UmmgdgGdCL0vFgVkzAKONgJnrb4yI-CJD5QUvTtE2dq/s400/erinclarkfork.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool Tour</td></tr>
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Jen and Buck organized a couple of day trips; the first of two was to a forest fire look out tower at Gerd Point (yes, Jill, gerd).<br />
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We drove a crazy 14.4 mile windy side of the mountain road and hiked about .5 miles to arrive at our lookout tower, formerly used to spot potential forest fires. I could write a bunch about our lookout tower, but I think our pictures can better do the talking. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOHrbii5l7kRpBHQDg8lsS8G3BxEC4JavAHL5yqpsoQJX9uZeM4qIaQWfvX50H1qou-eknmguVtU4ZVqSm1anTi-sibSNObBVj4DqyOvDo1CavV4tLgxnwyqPCtLEOuaFuc7voxD4yfgz/s1600/hiketolookover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOHrbii5l7kRpBHQDg8lsS8G3BxEC4JavAHL5yqpsoQJX9uZeM4qIaQWfvX50H1qou-eknmguVtU4ZVqSm1anTi-sibSNObBVj4DqyOvDo1CavV4tLgxnwyqPCtLEOuaFuc7voxD4yfgz/s400/hiketolookover.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">half mile hike to the lookout tower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlabAeMvP2rjCCixLHGHC5zOdWWbexqEmRz_8Ml-Po3hAuGr-aF3ZvAST60ry_O7C7vGtFQ8ToXyl2snnuBId6nz2nogP_gJ753DVbbA9YZDbhG_f792DWrYLZU0u1ieAe60sIXbPbitf/s1600/bucklookout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlabAeMvP2rjCCixLHGHC5zOdWWbexqEmRz_8Ml-Po3hAuGr-aF3ZvAST60ry_O7C7vGtFQ8ToXyl2snnuBId6nz2nogP_gJ753DVbbA9YZDbhG_f792DWrYLZU0u1ieAe60sIXbPbitf/s400/bucklookout.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buck at the lookout tower. He's probably going to go look for a grouse. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-y0oOj2LoX00y1aEw3jaevxfS1U0iJzE2C80W2YybWBpnDbd_upbs8KgGRryyULohF-Q2tAtLeF_m17QGhTOviGlXZDVolA4M4pDBwQK2MVU-OgYr_U1R1u7Yz4meL1R98e_Ovffw6Gm/s1600/lookoutmax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-y0oOj2LoX00y1aEw3jaevxfS1U0iJzE2C80W2YybWBpnDbd_upbs8KgGRryyULohF-Q2tAtLeF_m17QGhTOviGlXZDVolA4M4pDBwQK2MVU-OgYr_U1R1u7Yz4meL1R98e_Ovffw6Gm/s400/lookoutmax.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max: looking for fires</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHFcduA5ZgDjG5W3qVS_P1yjo78oe2dXobqegcAkFvbO5NQRnakVZZ7XnevrlB_DfG7kmRZTXdADUluuP45yKnjI3bvkQGgjG_al7zSlPuALJZpRHBchEY6VhSviTpMVBtX8vONs3W5in/s1600/gerdpointjenmax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHFcduA5ZgDjG5W3qVS_P1yjo78oe2dXobqegcAkFvbO5NQRnakVZZ7XnevrlB_DfG7kmRZTXdADUluuP45yKnjI3bvkQGgjG_al7zSlPuALJZpRHBchEY6VhSviTpMVBtX8vONs3W5in/s400/gerdpointjenmax.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jen and Max scoop out scene. The beautiful white flowers called Bear grass - they were everywhere. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyHisRAYX9s3yzdh-jVLNQUYVx9NQYgr9ygt2EwxQ-JC3Tpxad_ImVCbXiKzwStODXgT_8PSNnRJDAGo8M4C3UPHrNfrSWxEszyovy7HacBCuAfl-JuQJryokxCnK8Azamsvga4WD97j9/s1600/gerdpointoverview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyHisRAYX9s3yzdh-jVLNQUYVx9NQYgr9ygt2EwxQ-JC3Tpxad_ImVCbXiKzwStODXgT_8PSNnRJDAGo8M4C3UPHrNfrSWxEszyovy7HacBCuAfl-JuQJryokxCnK8Azamsvga4WD97j9/s400/gerdpointoverview.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the lookout tower - who are those hot babes?!</td></tr>
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After our evening on top of Gerd point we headed back to Missoula for some chilling and grilled pizzas. The next day, July 4, we took off for Glacier National Park! I can't think of a better way to celebrate America's birth than a visit to a national park - one of our government's true successes. </div>
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We drove on the Road to the Sun to Logan Pass and hiked the Hidden Lake Trail. The trail was about 3/4 snow covered. So on this 90+ degree day, we scaled the snowy hills in t-shirts and tank tops.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4Vjak1q3O7l0WMeECVmCt59yx5OXHLGglycM6LjrNPzT6rM-y2MqmtCuiP6dSprWSxINWHhJ-puPtlBD21c1R9wRUFLJrcWIhEOoaDpTXKDZFwEVXvYibncEQxQ5PIIIGBKUHH44CHnm/s1600/glaciermax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4Vjak1q3O7l0WMeECVmCt59yx5OXHLGglycM6LjrNPzT6rM-y2MqmtCuiP6dSprWSxINWHhJ-puPtlBD21c1R9wRUFLJrcWIhEOoaDpTXKDZFwEVXvYibncEQxQ5PIIIGBKUHH44CHnm/s400/glaciermax.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max hikes in the rare portions of the trail that were not snow covered.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFdKT2mucVMN-6IX3WbXcB0pBccSvO7vruNGA2cSGu1duCr8a_tAyNS_3_aZ3LqP8KkMRiDjT_S4cYOwu71VmOKbzITfyfygoHZ6KB7XyPx9t_HsTvgVusXx6rQVdhFeWthQnFv0vVz1F/s1600/glacier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFdKT2mucVMN-6IX3WbXcB0pBccSvO7vruNGA2cSGu1duCr8a_tAyNS_3_aZ3LqP8KkMRiDjT_S4cYOwu71VmOKbzITfyfygoHZ6KB7XyPx9t_HsTvgVusXx6rQVdhFeWthQnFv0vVz1F/s640/glacier.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The namesake of the trail: Hidden Lake. Breath-taking. Slowly diminishing glaciers are behind on the mountains. <br /> </td></tr>
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Wildlife was fairly abundant in Glacier. The mama mountain goats and their kids were seemingly unafraid. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVpLuWdHlSCOeuPnWpwNIsOMUmq5FGqm8Ggp_ZeIvkZu5y_xWtdEF8oPOb-CaN1nTjdAg9vX2cBwi4OatG_50lreYt92kv3hOXtFuMVmE7AGBea9N5sclaD4izUUhWqvhJl8JehGQJVXI/s1600/mountaingoating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVpLuWdHlSCOeuPnWpwNIsOMUmq5FGqm8Ggp_ZeIvkZu5y_xWtdEF8oPOb-CaN1nTjdAg9vX2cBwi4OatG_50lreYt92kv3hOXtFuMVmE7AGBea9N5sclaD4izUUhWqvhJl8JehGQJVXI/s400/mountaingoating.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#mountaingoating</td></tr>
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We also saw these marmots who are said to spend their summers eating and sunbathing. This is the life I want to start leading. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwexPXp6tkKKf5SanG58FLa9uigcxnm0aH3_HJW2rddaQAwvQnO9RlQH9gsi-I5Qr2J0ThGCFDwsR3HYMegiz-05JZtKVvdgwlJr7sv-KXAhPiPC9bzWNSkiyNfAB0i0bwRbYeYcLxzJWu/s1600/marmot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwexPXp6tkKKf5SanG58FLa9uigcxnm0aH3_HJW2rddaQAwvQnO9RlQH9gsi-I5Qr2J0ThGCFDwsR3HYMegiz-05JZtKVvdgwlJr7sv-KXAhPiPC9bzWNSkiyNfAB0i0bwRbYeYcLxzJWu/s400/marmot.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin and the marmot</td></tr>
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That evening we watched a rousing fireworks show on Whitehead Lake in Whitefish, Montana. Residents were out on the lake on their boats to get a good view of the fireworks. <div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOz2iEXzatYGtdaaTBLlu8PGRhGloFmWSlcfygG7Bp7DQTayhPaV0MFoIcv5i-oHeqw5NaQrCJy_5atqbxDLHJt8R-yM-u-emIDieSZnpTIn8uTlBr7f6akLJbdljoUw4H-uTU3nallZ2q/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOz2iEXzatYGtdaaTBLlu8PGRhGloFmWSlcfygG7Bp7DQTayhPaV0MFoIcv5i-oHeqw5NaQrCJy_5atqbxDLHJt8R-yM-u-emIDieSZnpTIn8uTlBr7f6akLJbdljoUw4H-uTU3nallZ2q/s400/IMG_0385.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th of July - Whitehead Lake</td></tr>
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Of course the boats started distancing themselves from the barge with the fireworks when it started on fire! The fire department was kind enough to let the fireworks finish before they put out the fire. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OcOV3KnwhEaFKe9jlJH3snNQcM1mACRFFbL1mXIRpfvOh158WxqyWpG16KNl8D6r3gz2ygAs_-RTl8gCRP_C7LXDRRAav412LLZJBA-ZAl00LDZ5Y3-zjn_Zcn5NpvBMGfQcdjL17nZ3/s1600/whitefish4thfire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OcOV3KnwhEaFKe9jlJH3snNQcM1mACRFFbL1mXIRpfvOh158WxqyWpG16KNl8D6r3gz2ygAs_-RTl8gCRP_C7LXDRRAav412LLZJBA-ZAl00LDZ5Y3-zjn_Zcn5NpvBMGfQcdjL17nZ3/s400/whitefish4thfire.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th of July - Whitehead Lake fireworks fire<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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All of this vacation beauty was surrounded by the true beauty of seeing our dear friends Jennifer and Buck. Time apart and distance doesn't seem to hinder our conversation or friendship and when we are together it's like we'd never been apart. Here they are surrounded by the beauty that is their new home. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3qJWSdl0CC1YdqpWTdHVKXNeP8p39LaBWVDjdqX49XorK1v3g9GAtrdjEEhXazZTdanR7g9JXFNesV1zlUcLSL3rjjm5uaHE0QAb4oe96Kte8mDEcDrXtWrXm87QsPg0BgE-GW_7dPKt/s1600/buckjengerd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3qJWSdl0CC1YdqpWTdHVKXNeP8p39LaBWVDjdqX49XorK1v3g9GAtrdjEEhXazZTdanR7g9JXFNesV1zlUcLSL3rjjm5uaHE0QAb4oe96Kte8mDEcDrXtWrXm87QsPg0BgE-GW_7dPKt/s640/buckjengerd.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buck and Jennifer</td></tr>
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<div>
We miss you both so much. Thank you for a beautiful and memorable trip. </div>
penny ala modehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14753444629989631164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-75283950340359318972013-07-08T06:54:00.004-07:002013-07-08T06:54:48.803-07:00Skillet Apple Goodieby Leslie<br />
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Wow. It's been a long time, but I'm glad to announce that I am back! Things are crazy-busy this summer, but in a good way. I am taking a couple classes, organizing summer reading at the library, and trying to take care of a garden. It has been really fun, and now that it actually feels like summer outside, I am enjoying it all the more.<br />
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We're also gearing up for guests here, so I have been experimenting to come up with some meal ideas. My best friend and sister will be here for a couple days, so I've got to give them something inventive, decadent, and delicious. Jaime's sister and mother will be here shortly after. For his mom, I've got to come up with something low in carbohydrates with small portions (she says that looking at a huge plate of food makes her full!). I think I came upon the best of both worlds here. Although this dessert probably couldn't be considered "healthy", you might be able to call it "healthy-ish". <br />
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My grandma gave me this recipe and I jazzed it up a bit with some ground almonds and lemon zest. She calls it "crustless apple pie", but I am calling it Skillet Apple Goodie because I love to use my cast iron skillet, and "goodie" is just way more fun. My mom always called her apple crisp "goodie." I'm not sure if there is a "goodie" category on the whole cobbler/crisp spectrum, but I'm sure it could find its place.<br />
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This dish is crunchy, tart, and melt-in-your mouth. Try it with ice cream, Greek yogurt, or fresh whipped cream. Or, be like me and eat it solo out of the skillet with a wooden spoon . . .<br />
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Apples are cooked slightly in water, sugar, and cinnamon.<br />
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Finished product--see those gooey edges?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1J6MOMP_2abpwagWTQKecyaBnoJ-kLOxoQey78oZ7buoaSgGX0ZtJX7uijiynWIuXOyA_fSE41Rjs8XMP-3xmxS-dV-UaUh_6FNXnVPyW67cj1A754ZG70qMFeEx7s8MAHOuIUcSzl6RV/s1600/DSC04239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1J6MOMP_2abpwagWTQKecyaBnoJ-kLOxoQey78oZ7buoaSgGX0ZtJX7uijiynWIuXOyA_fSE41Rjs8XMP-3xmxS-dV-UaUh_6FNXnVPyW67cj1A754ZG70qMFeEx7s8MAHOuIUcSzl6RV/s400/DSC04239.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There is no crust, but the almond mixture gives it a bit of a crunch!<br />
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We ate ours with a generous helping of vanilla greek yogurt. Yum!<br />
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Skillet Apple Goody<br />
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about 6 apples, peeled and cut into eighths<br />
1/2 c. water<br />
1/2 c. sugar<br />
1 tsp. cinnamon<br />
zest of a lemon<br />
juice from half a lemon (about 1 tablespoon)<br />
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cook the first 4 ingredients on the stove over medium heat in a saucepan or small cast-iron skillet until the apples are partially cooked and softened.<br />
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Topping:<br />
1/2 cup ground almonds (or flour)<br />
3 tablespoons cold butter, cubed<br />
1/4 c. packed brown sugar<br />
1/2 t. baking powder<br />
1/2 t. salt<br />
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Mix the above until crumbly, then pour over the apples (if not using a skillet, transfer apples to a baking dish). Bake for around 40-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the apples are bubbling.<br />
<br />Davenport Damehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16643117999163496649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-63510590481141406802013-06-27T12:38:00.000-07:002013-06-27T12:38:32.519-07:00Toddler Activity 2: Glitter MonoprintsBy: Laura<br />
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I know what you're thinking; Laura, you're way behind! I know, I know, but I'm trying to get going! Here was our next craft endeavor: glitter monoprint. It was quite fun and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_0_17?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=side+by+side+20+collaborative+projects+for+crafting+with+your+kids&sprefix=side+by+side+20+c%2Cstripbooks%2C171&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aside+by+side+20+collaborative+projects+for+crafting+with+your+kids">author</a> of the book where I found this project was right, kids really do love to squeeze as much glitter glue out of the tube as possible! <br />
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We started this project in the morning with some old glitter glue that I had leftover from school ornament projects, unfortunately, after starting the craft, I realized that 99% of the glitter glue tubes were dried out. (nothing like planning ahead, eh?) So, after lunch Ella and I ran to Target and she actually spotted a 16 pack of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-16ct-Washable-Squeaks-Glitter/dp/B001KW068I">glitter glue</a> for $4.21. I didn't think that was so bad. When we got home, we then got down to business. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqxoyxgSqtSnssSON-NMQnhRwxKrsNWcfwxow1ZTmUaRrHXGijZT-bIFbKhYVaTPDQR6EIxa-w2QjloZkG_q5jZJGUxrVe-Hko2lNznw7DvNLGyFuJdKVkXUAvWZxCGvPI4vzDUsdKL0p/s1600/P6170006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqxoyxgSqtSnssSON-NMQnhRwxKrsNWcfwxow1ZTmUaRrHXGijZT-bIFbKhYVaTPDQR6EIxa-w2QjloZkG_q5jZJGUxrVe-Hko2lNznw7DvNLGyFuJdKVkXUAvWZxCGvPI4vzDUsdKL0p/s400/P6170006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is Ella opening up some of the glitter glue. This glitter was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-16ct-Washable-Squeaks-Glitter/dp/B001KW068I">Pipsqueaks</a> brand, so it was very easy for her to use by herself, which is what most 2 year olds love! We just laid out some newspaper and then got different colored construction paper out to put glitter on and to print on. Simple!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDN6-172XFrpvWV5UfgRZBceuFg5okssywR4bATp7w3G1Dx5dTx3UmXqdcTyDX4iKJA5PUH3mBlWgY4YpQCsl2thH53GYvzahyphenhyphenO4_d7xJcS3OoDcxgiA8hj4bC6-2FIbH6em_5z7F_xpPy/s1600/P6170007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDN6-172XFrpvWV5UfgRZBceuFg5okssywR4bATp7w3G1Dx5dTx3UmXqdcTyDX4iKJA5PUH3mBlWgY4YpQCsl2thH53GYvzahyphenhyphenO4_d7xJcS3OoDcxgiA8hj4bC6-2FIbH6em_5z7F_xpPy/s400/P6170007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here comes the big globs of glue! What fun!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKdYH-jeyUmlt94dR-CDEK8JcEhCu-rq1KngdM9YwLLfyCGkGfeCMSQsJyvZ5qCQNBER0ZwVyZS6PSMAphQ0LNjPhHsg85QDo24Ero7cumycPxZKHbSka1tHrfJ5CfZlqlrJM604CBySr/s1600/P6170008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKdYH-jeyUmlt94dR-CDEK8JcEhCu-rq1KngdM9YwLLfyCGkGfeCMSQsJyvZ5qCQNBER0ZwVyZS6PSMAphQ0LNjPhHsg85QDo24Ero7cumycPxZKHbSka1tHrfJ5CfZlqlrJM604CBySr/s400/P6170008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now it's starting to look fancy! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMzlE-QQksFIl01E6EcwhFbN1q-vYbGD3_IyDvY-DP9IpEIC7sBKAoC4PkaXvqMrZOO-cnI7p2cUzz6gQBkdJoFYbc4e2CDQ-drW_3owK2GuvAChx9e_D44De7JF6he4QeU1e_30_e5BD/s1600/P6170009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMzlE-QQksFIl01E6EcwhFbN1q-vYbGD3_IyDvY-DP9IpEIC7sBKAoC4PkaXvqMrZOO-cnI7p2cUzz6gQBkdJoFYbc4e2CDQ-drW_3owK2GuvAChx9e_D44De7JF6he4QeU1e_30_e5BD/s400/P6170009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I believe "ta da" was being said at this point. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNyQ2mMyVP36OvIpLOM1gL5y_0BzRfGAc3h5u4vIj93I3wy5jCwKnApb8aNmS5NH5-FS8sQU9xdLUNWXUQJw8pW0ISHbTv9a5O158FdJ0bU14UD0107Sc7YC5AiC3zf_X7FYNqmIWpQyw/s1600/P6170010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNyQ2mMyVP36OvIpLOM1gL5y_0BzRfGAc3h5u4vIj93I3wy5jCwKnApb8aNmS5NH5-FS8sQU9xdLUNWXUQJw8pW0ISHbTv9a5O158FdJ0bU14UD0107Sc7YC5AiC3zf_X7FYNqmIWpQyw/s400/P6170010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A couple more dabs 'el do ya!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dVOz2Cxks7fiPptc_SF6CA5Z9oPxUF8lAzqN7DQE6odTTMBZHwZNB4P_OJOwH8mPlEE5H_x2wyRwidP-_BQxevdB2rwntbwkP90mChK3JomFKjSDCg1I28HevH-ON6698hM6aA8V3ZD_/s1600/P6170011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dVOz2Cxks7fiPptc_SF6CA5Z9oPxUF8lAzqN7DQE6odTTMBZHwZNB4P_OJOwH8mPlEE5H_x2wyRwidP-_BQxevdB2rwntbwkP90mChK3JomFKjSDCg1I28HevH-ON6698hM6aA8V3ZD_/s400/P6170011.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now it was time to go into printing mode. Ella and I positioned the paper and then she pressed down on it to make the print.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghti-jyrA8E7xoEIeF8JYiDAfCv9xUaqgc-ifchZ27kY34uEe3s1il-Xhi-iPy8g0Ndn3qfY8yJTLi-Gxt_6hVWMgnuYhq7ey6SK7SxENnKn8DoxySt6KJwmpFK1bhq0i9E-H2lzCLUCzN/s1600/P6170012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghti-jyrA8E7xoEIeF8JYiDAfCv9xUaqgc-ifchZ27kY34uEe3s1il-Xhi-iPy8g0Ndn3qfY8yJTLi-Gxt_6hVWMgnuYhq7ey6SK7SxENnKn8DoxySt6KJwmpFK1bhq0i9E-H2lzCLUCzN/s400/P6170012.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love the little smile here when she sees her finished product!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pKOb0A-mxIKl2SoOxYUT7lBesa3qHeQSRh4KWH0oWmLpMekPp771dJeSGZ-kRi5CgE3aaUxTPNBOKATw_gHOSxVMAet_1ffZNwsIu6ep5sl1XHbUC6yKUp7CRuEqzbOithDZfHsQmNKe/s1600/P6170013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pKOb0A-mxIKl2SoOxYUT7lBesa3qHeQSRh4KWH0oWmLpMekPp771dJeSGZ-kRi5CgE3aaUxTPNBOKATw_gHOSxVMAet_1ffZNwsIu6ep5sl1XHbUC6yKUp7CRuEqzbOithDZfHsQmNKe/s400/P6170013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is one look at the print. (we could have used even more colors and glue, but this works!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuA5UdeXguJGqHeDnRV-ngd9h3YbDV4m08WL6-xS3DjL-hjZchoN_wrXxH1QH6FPToCg4n2qwTjADRTWK4b8z0pJ7zC0I577JCxp0y2FjQhF9nnGAd2QmRKFMlVUImjTzzKI9ckW6P1LP/s1600/P6170015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuA5UdeXguJGqHeDnRV-ngd9h3YbDV4m08WL6-xS3DjL-hjZchoN_wrXxH1QH6FPToCg4n2qwTjADRTWK4b8z0pJ7zC0I577JCxp0y2FjQhF9nnGAd2QmRKFMlVUImjTzzKI9ckW6P1LP/s400/P6170015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The proud artist!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUX1BJwp14UbyTpuKmhSwoHBxD4U58dKIfSjrBC8j8FwPVpgJt0Ho2o8zLCIQKEey757PrAPTmSt3M5JQSiNvEZSD3mG7aTQs_9sVmaNOE2oa2u9OS9esZJcRDm9FYq9t4tBdRG13ewIg2/s1600/P6190016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUX1BJwp14UbyTpuKmhSwoHBxD4U58dKIfSjrBC8j8FwPVpgJt0Ho2o8zLCIQKEey757PrAPTmSt3M5JQSiNvEZSD3mG7aTQs_9sVmaNOE2oa2u9OS9esZJcRDm9FYq9t4tBdRG13ewIg2/s400/P6190016.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And here are the finished products. I think they turned out very nicely and Ella loves to look at them as she walks by. <br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As I stated in my <a href="http://www.thetestnest.com/2013/06/summer-activities-for-toddler.html">previous</a> post, the author of this craft book liked the idea of making a meaningful craft that was artistic and not junky. I think this is very artistic and I like the fact that it could be used as a backdrop to something or it could be framed and placed in your child's room or playroom. It is something that would make both mom and daughter proud. Now, on to the next project: pipe cleaner bracelets. </span></div>
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Laura Betty at the Readyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08078117831469325076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-1274339811225714872013-06-03T13:33:00.000-07:002013-06-03T13:33:05.351-07:00Summer Activities for a Toddler: Inspiration! By: Laura<br />
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My little lady Ella Jane will soon be turning three and now that summer has finally arrived, it's time to get into some exciting, educational and engaging activities. I vowed last summer that I would try to create some things for Ella to play with and learn from, but I must admit, that my ambition didn't last and I never did follow through. This summer though, I want to challenge her with more activities that require thought, fine motor skills and, of course, fun! <br />
The key, though, to my activities is to keep it simple and on the cleaner side. I don't want to do a project that entails an endless amount of prep work or a mop and bucket kind of clean up. So, I found inspiration from the following <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> sites. <br />
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The first activities I found were from the blog "Toddler Approved." I loved the idea of sorting activities. I teach first graders and we do a lot of sorting, but it makes sense for toddlers too, they are capable, I do believe. The file folders are another great idea. This might take some more time to create, but they might last for another child as well! <br />
<a href="http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2013/05/simple-independent-play-activities-for.html">http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2013/05/simple-independent-play-activities-for.html</a><br />
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This next blog, "Mess for Less" has some awesome fine motor activities that I think would be great to try with Ella. I especially like the fact that most of the items used for the activities can be found around the house (no prep work, sweet!)<br />
<a href="http://www.messforless.net/2013/02/18-fine-motor-activities-for.html">http://www.messforless.net/2013/02/18-fine-motor-activities-for.html</a><br />
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Finally, the "Blissfully Domestic" blog has some nice craft and game ideas, especially for rainy days. <br />
<a href="http://blissfullydomestic.com/life-bliss/50-sensational-summer-crafts-for-kids/124409/">http://blissfullydomestic.com/life-bliss/50-sensational-summer-crafts-for-kids/124409/</a><br />
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Now, not only have I found some excellent websites with ideas, but I happened upon a lovely little craft book at the library as well today entitled, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_0_17?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=side+by+side+20+collaborative+projects+for+crafting+with+your+kids&sprefix=side+by+side+20+c%2Cstripbooks%2C171&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aside+by+side+20+collaborative+projects+for+crafting+with+your+kids">Side by Side, 20 Collaborative Projects for Crafting with Your Kids.</a>" In this book, I found at least five suitable activities to do with a toddler, and then there are more to do with older kids, but the ideas are simple; from autumn crowns (a band of paper that fits arounds your child's head is decorated with autumn leaves and the like) to glitter glue mono prints. It was great to look through all these fun ideas and know that Ella and I could accomplish them! I also liked that the author of the book stated that crafts now a days seem to be "junky" and considered junk because they are not useful and they're ugly, therefore, her goal was to make useful, pretty crafts. I say, yes to that! <br />
So, let's get going, I'm challenging myself to complete one activity or craft a week, which is very doable, so who's with me? See you back here in a few days with some action shoots! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99AjURY6uYFrCBV4iUeFAMAiNAQAQqsyjEvIUFOCJvIEO6XWSCoWSnaCBeAkwOdkvC9wB39QKNhVtPFvMIiF-azDDAgznUuliV0vSWUQUZjadYnyW3MOBQpfr2T6-OGNsag5Gj1j5-f2y/s1600/P4300009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99AjURY6uYFrCBV4iUeFAMAiNAQAQqsyjEvIUFOCJvIEO6XWSCoWSnaCBeAkwOdkvC9wB39QKNhVtPFvMIiF-azDDAgznUuliV0vSWUQUZjadYnyW3MOBQpfr2T6-OGNsag5Gj1j5-f2y/s400/P4300009.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Can't wait to see more smiles from Ella when our projects begin this summer. See you soon!<br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />Laura Betty at the Readyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08078117831469325076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-51909038548696676012013-05-10T20:07:00.001-07:002013-05-10T20:08:22.628-07:00Homemade BubblesBy: Laura<br />
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Winter is officially over (I think) and spring is in full bloom here in Nebraska. It's been a long time coming, but it finally feels like we can go outside without bundling up to the nines! Ella and I have been enjoying fun in the sun with many activities, such as park adventures, sidewalk chalk drawings, tricycle rides, and, of course, bubbles. I mean, no toddler home is complete without bubbles. Unfortunately, I was without bubbles earlier this week and Ella was in total bubble mode, so instead of getting in the car and heading to the store, I decided to get on Pinterest to find a quick recipe. Now, there were a ton there, but I needed one that was fast, easy, and included ingredients I had at home. The following recipe was the easiest I found and therefore the best:<br />
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1 cup of water<br />
1/3 cup of dish soap<br />
1/6 cup of honey<br />
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All we had to do was dump them in a container, shake them up and we were ready to go bubble crazy. Take a look at that.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IYBH3B1fmPXlgDBiSjgnmEXxWhtyP0xdevb7h3FIMzYHhUYsrch8eDf3SQbNBLjHshFgxRcTWaNdY5r6Z4UFPzt5IeO3P91QVbB1kYCAM8EwTYXnUn6KTCjhz1RNtYoTujvYnt_oy1Co/s1600/P5050035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4IYBH3B1fmPXlgDBiSjgnmEXxWhtyP0xdevb7h3FIMzYHhUYsrch8eDf3SQbNBLjHshFgxRcTWaNdY5r6Z4UFPzt5IeO3P91QVbB1kYCAM8EwTYXnUn6KTCjhz1RNtYoTujvYnt_oy1Co/s400/P5050035.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is Ella getting the bubbles ready. We just used an old bubble container we had in the garage. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOI7VOyR4UNCaPmii9IE5usX6SEaM_GKzR5zSxOH8G_D8p9zM555cDJVKiijJ6VNJJikqadIH9PFFfzwTTRk64dfGja6aYFxs_UFyzSac3pOdUEFfmJuV8GXIQyGmYbuPrUQP6LDJNlNMR/s1600/P5050036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOI7VOyR4UNCaPmii9IE5usX6SEaM_GKzR5zSxOH8G_D8p9zM555cDJVKiijJ6VNJJikqadIH9PFFfzwTTRk64dfGja6aYFxs_UFyzSac3pOdUEFfmJuV8GXIQyGmYbuPrUQP6LDJNlNMR/s400/P5050036.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More dipping...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5Ak9R9Sifp06EahnTFTHexwO779YYcm9TXZ8s2oc1HZQaYWv6TXSH-TmVEleO1yG6MLLVjtfxkZ5vkc2LgyK9C0MhKoWLoFE2Tp1jjDoAemNwubjGckbT2uEXQQw_HvR-Pnqz9kFfXr3/s1600/P5050037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp5Ak9R9Sifp06EahnTFTHexwO779YYcm9TXZ8s2oc1HZQaYWv6TXSH-TmVEleO1yG6MLLVjtfxkZ5vkc2LgyK9C0MhKoWLoFE2Tp1jjDoAemNwubjGckbT2uEXQQw_HvR-Pnqz9kFfXr3/s400/P5050037.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nearly ready...</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd3sTOH6thzKO30qo3iPKLIRO-KGe-yobnSBPHZI8LQhOt7hm5AG5_SdDdmOQArsgQ4RsfMla8gET5r9e8qyfog-eEv8QdIpuNlpFO7GJ9ztNC_uKAQzUo20Misrr7qr88LPIQxQaqyWF/s1600/P5050038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqd3sTOH6thzKO30qo3iPKLIRO-KGe-yobnSBPHZI8LQhOt7hm5AG5_SdDdmOQArsgQ4RsfMla8gET5r9e8qyfog-eEv8QdIpuNlpFO7GJ9ztNC_uKAQzUo20Misrr7qr88LPIQxQaqyWF/s400/P5050038.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And there you have it, beautiful bubbles!</span></td></tr>
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Now, I will say that this recipe worked just fine, but the bubbles weren't very plentiful. Meaning, if you're looking for bubbles galore, this might not be the recipe for you, but if you have a bubble emergency, these will do the trick. I think Ella and I will continue our search for the best homemade recipe, but that should be easy considering summer is fast approaching. Laura Betty at the Readyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08078117831469325076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-63607321754989588482013-05-05T06:20:00.002-07:002013-05-05T06:20:30.129-07:00Colors of Summerby Erin<br />
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I've been planting and transplanting and coddling plants for about three weeks now. I am patiently awaiting their leaves and blooms in hopes that my care has paid off. In the meantime, I'm bringing color to my backyard and garden by my own accord. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65OyWULN9jiYMTYcRtTrnQPtaMHRZxm4GV4kNndMUOEg_SDMDdCqlxSUegepasdNY5KNLcaqpy2kNMjnuvX21kyvO5WF6vx-eDuNEWQJwthg7NFGpaezmHq6l9HQtFTTwKMjiaPnPNsjp/s1600/gardentote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65OyWULN9jiYMTYcRtTrnQPtaMHRZxm4GV4kNndMUOEg_SDMDdCqlxSUegepasdNY5KNLcaqpy2kNMjnuvX21kyvO5WF6vx-eDuNEWQJwthg7NFGpaezmHq6l9HQtFTTwKMjiaPnPNsjp/s400/gardentote.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden Tote</td></tr>
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I made this vibrant garden tote in the dead of winter after finding this fabric on sale at <a href="http://www.theneedleshop.net/">The Needle Shop</a>. It has been hanging on a doorknob all winter and now it is out in the yard in full affect. After three weeks of use I have yet to yell, "where the hell did I put my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gardena-38754-ByPass-Pruner-38754-10/dp/B0017QKTNE/ref=wr_it_dp_o_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1QZLKCKWB3LIH&coliid=I12YNHNAM8V0OG">pruner</a>?" to no one in particular. Everything in one place. It can hold all my tools plus whatever it is I am planting. It is not, however, this clean anymore nor will it ever be I assume. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyHn9kacjatYagrN4FA8rAZZGE38O7vzJE2-1TleiioeZZUtWWn7__7dL70neumSJAIkbVJSLppQ-VbniCpdt0qWGzVDRk_KqmXpGusG1KCwMDhV5LCpfiXC-t_Jj8ou64qeYB1hreI30/s1600/solarlanterns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyHn9kacjatYagrN4FA8rAZZGE38O7vzJE2-1TleiioeZZUtWWn7__7dL70neumSJAIkbVJSLppQ-VbniCpdt0qWGzVDRk_KqmXpGusG1KCwMDhV5LCpfiXC-t_Jj8ou64qeYB1hreI30/s400/solarlanterns.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar Lanterns</td></tr>
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I hung these lovely s<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70266138/">olar powered garden lanterns</a> yesterday. My friend Eva and I took a weekday trip to Ikea in March and I found these. They were $10 each. Not bad, especially since I've had good luck Ikea solar lights. They work, and I've had <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00223963/">one string</a> for 4 years now and it still faithfully lights up. I don't know why I thought any different with these lanterns, but last night when I looked out my window at the garage I didn't expect to see these lit up, but they were, in fact, glowing in the moonlight (streetlight). Immediately a smile came to my face - they made me so happy (I get it now, Mom). <br />
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I should put up a picture, but I know they won't look as good via picture, so I will selfishly keep the image in my mind and invite you over for a BBQ or something fun like that so you can see them for yourself. <br />
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...more summer colors to come...<br /><br />
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<br />penny ala modehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14753444629989631164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-45480749789344988832013-03-31T17:15:00.000-07:002013-03-31T17:15:10.307-07:00Stairway Runnerby Erin<br />
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I am on the final hours of my glorious spring break this evening. I felt as though I did a nice job of balancing relaxing, working, and entertaining this year. Often times, I have a to do list as long as my leg which usually ends in disappointment. This year, I had one task that for the sake of my heart and soul I had to finish. It is a project that has been going on since winter break. You know how that goes right? But I got that huge, big, magnificent task checked off our to do list. <br />
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Our staircase runner and pinstripes have been painted. CHECK!<br />
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For to see the full transformation one must go back to the beginning.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyHagqo6aoAenjGJznHHkYYGzLeYJ3RLVedSyap2QRwO2TFLRhGmf3zwXBlR2-ygirRkXJv9cbsou3x0VqXR3gi1wQqYmDGcNYkDT1ASaUnymoGlUq36wJKeVRBt4Bb_cNazQTpuG8X-7/s1600/stairs_old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyHagqo6aoAenjGJznHHkYYGzLeYJ3RLVedSyap2QRwO2TFLRhGmf3zwXBlR2-ygirRkXJv9cbsou3x0VqXR3gi1wQqYmDGcNYkDT1ASaUnymoGlUq36wJKeVRBt4Bb_cNazQTpuG8X-7/s400/stairs_old.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">------> ugly stairs</td></tr>
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Of course, I only have this picture. Lucky for you it has Max in it (hot!). See the stairs to the right. The stairs were built to have carpet on them, that is for sure. There were some pretty largish gaps between the boards and a couple of those gaps were 'filled' with duct tape. Brilliance! I 'fixed' that by filling the gap with a epoxy/sawdust combo and then a bit of sanding. It looked pretty gnarly until it was painted. Picture? You would like to see a picture? Sorry. I'm an amateur blogger. I forgot. Anyway, that stuff isn't exciting anyway.<br />
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So way back in December I primed the stairs. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyOOpLK076n8HAedz7bQYhOfusHDmKJ2DFVdxI8bhyphenhyphen3BAh8F4BMgSRWmq0gO655yvbbAIbc4hNk9sb1gvxCyUD81rwg93nbEUi8Mh3vDGdB7gFeaLjSsqzCuioOY_hREUMAMtXdJC5-YV/s1600/primedstairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyOOpLK076n8HAedz7bQYhOfusHDmKJ2DFVdxI8bhyphenhyphen3BAh8F4BMgSRWmq0gO655yvbbAIbc4hNk9sb1gvxCyUD81rwg93nbEUi8Mh3vDGdB7gFeaLjSsqzCuioOY_hREUMAMtXdJC5-YV/s320/primedstairs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Primed staircase</td></tr>
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About two months later (yes, I realize the significant time gap). I painted the outer trim white, or if you wanna be high brow about it - Fragrant Jasmine.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PA0tiznadOQjyTZDpQAkL9CCkWz0dn7_VK9atJDnITcera6Zxe225cQAHygoHuJHBVcuipBM56-wntFHYnhe7TwQXSO4abK9mrE8aoNR-m5dX-p44JLLqns_nbrGGCh5b5emCBRki_gL/s1600/stair_trim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PA0tiznadOQjyTZDpQAkL9CCkWz0dn7_VK9atJDnITcera6Zxe225cQAHygoHuJHBVcuipBM56-wntFHYnhe7TwQXSO4abK9mrE8aoNR-m5dX-p44JLLqns_nbrGGCh5b5emCBRki_gL/s400/stair_trim.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trim and outer edges</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then I had to call in the reinforcements. I know myself, and I know that precision is not my specialty. I had to call upon the careful expertise of Max to measure and tape the runner. It took him all afternoon, poor guy. But, damn, does it look good.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3YMogwQlTT82lsDRc_4Ql0bYQSavQZLJrcR9Z8-tv0zpfeW6uTfyKqgF-Q0PQO-oz6BNHO6ZgkCdo68_5lXdoFiim_9wO4OThprLcojAFp1uUPfHnEmt5BO0XZXRZ-X46uoOJg6Gt-3_/s1600/stairs_runner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3YMogwQlTT82lsDRc_4Ql0bYQSavQZLJrcR9Z8-tv0zpfeW6uTfyKqgF-Q0PQO-oz6BNHO6ZgkCdo68_5lXdoFiim_9wO4OThprLcojAFp1uUPfHnEmt5BO0XZXRZ-X46uoOJg6Gt-3_/s400/stairs_runner.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Runner!</td></tr>
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I painted the runner while Max was away at work and he came home to another taping job. This time the pinstripes on either side. We left the existing tape on and added another strip 1/2" from the inside. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GqJe_bwuTMf2BTvah6UPi7_WlwKd3tAlda1Kd7IbjjM9VyDscJH4ZSsagMaLs_-lABe1uhXZxrh9ljP3Gm37pyklN3wr2FqkDi5rdx1IvRSG0kouJMM4IrQqrRCHjjWhGggirmHi1_qm/s1600/stairpinstripe_tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GqJe_bwuTMf2BTvah6UPi7_WlwKd3tAlda1Kd7IbjjM9VyDscJH4ZSsagMaLs_-lABe1uhXZxrh9ljP3Gm37pyklN3wr2FqkDi5rdx1IvRSG0kouJMM4IrQqrRCHjjWhGggirmHi1_qm/s400/stairpinstripe_tape.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tape mania!</td></tr>
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I was nervous about painting the pinstripes. I thought for sure the paint would bleed through, but I didn't have much trouble. There was one spot I had to clean up which just took a little doing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_wy0ctZiowmE-BiQj4CvLGqcuQzRXVh5ixr5FFFazDFA4oTFS0dwlu3QbtprbIoUX8qITP52IgsaGVRv1bXjB_PG_TskBEpEDoSKuzD6ffTSLy_-dmPYZ6H2lTCucKo39hDpgIoMO4iS/s1600/stairrunner_prepoly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_wy0ctZiowmE-BiQj4CvLGqcuQzRXVh5ixr5FFFazDFA4oTFS0dwlu3QbtprbIoUX8qITP52IgsaGVRv1bXjB_PG_TskBEpEDoSKuzD6ffTSLy_-dmPYZ6H2lTCucKo39hDpgIoMO4iS/s400/stairrunner_prepoly.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinstripes</td></tr>
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Tada! Look at those stripes! We have such purpose and direction now when we go up and down the stairs. Like royalty or something.<br />
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The final and probably most important step was the polyurethane. We had to do quite a few touch ups to the yellow and white before we put the poly on - and that was just a few days of us walking up and down the stairs. The paint got dirty and scuffed quite quickly. So if you take on stair painting project, don't skip this step, especially if you are using light colors. So are you ready for the tape free, polyurethaned staircase? Here it is. . .<br />
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Done and done. penny ala modehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14753444629989631164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-49663436572601942772013-03-05T09:00:00.000-08:002013-03-05T09:22:39.047-08:00Turning Minnesotanby Leslie<br />
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I am accustomed to cold winter weather--I mean, I grew up in Nebraska. We are known for hot summers, cold winters, and lots of wind. The other thing I have learned is that often Nebraskans fight against whatever season it is. For example, you will see nary a person walking down the street in the winter. On a cold, rainy fall day, you will witness people walking in shorts and a t-shirt. In the summers, the topic on everyone's mind is the heat.<br />
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This is not to say that this doesn't happen everywhere, but I felt it a lot when I was living there. Now that I live in Minnesota, my mentality has shifted a bit. Winters are longer here--they're drawn out with very few sunny days to break through the cold. I have found that people "embrace" the winters more here. They get out and go on walks (even the 90 year old ladies that visit the library), they outfit themselves in hi-tech winter wear, and they spend their winters PLANNING. Planning for warmer days. <br />
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I have found that this is one of the best ways for me to deal with the winter is to plan my garden. I recently bought a little seed starter kit at <a href="http://www.fleetfarm.com/" target="_blank">Fleet Farm</a>, my new favorite place to wander the aisles. I bought several packs of seeds--peppers, tomatoes, and a few other things you can start indoors. I have been reading my <a href="http://www.seedsavers.org/" target="_blank">Seed Savers</a> catalog like nobody's business. I am obsessed with the stories behind the seeds and am amazed at the long journeys some seeds have made.<br />
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In addition to having the garden on my mind, I'm trying lots of new recipes. You'll hear more from me on that later!<br />
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Before I go, I have to share with you some pretty winter photos. <br />
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Frosty tree Monday morning.<br />
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This is an unedited picture of our backyard at midnight last night. The sky was bursting with snow--no lights or flash necessary. <br />
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This is what I woke up to this morning. I love the little mounds of snow. We got a lot!<br />
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Branches heavy with snow. Embrace it if you can!<br />
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<br />Davenport Damehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16643117999163496649noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-28334125824556801822013-02-24T14:59:00.001-08:002013-02-24T15:00:27.510-08:00There's a baby a'comin party!<div style="text-align: left;">
by Erin</div>
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About a week ago my friend Danielle and I threw a baby party for our dearest friends Lisa and Patrick. Lisa is pretty much the cutest easy goin' pregnant gal you could imagine. She had only two requests when we asked her what she wanted in a baby shower: boys and girls shall both be invited, sweets were a must - as were cocktails. How do you like that? Love it! </div>
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So anyway here is the bad news. In our flurry of setting up and visiting with Lisa and Patrick's lovely friends and family, neither of us took any photos. Fortunately Lisa took some good ones of her nursery after the fact (more on that after the food) and Dan took this cute one of us below. That's Danielle on the left feeding Lisa some sort of gummy item. There's that short girl on the right. :) I told you Lisa was cute, didn't I?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCo0AOHjWEHjt8fRnGqh6Orw32dX-hbzgzaC4cTFvz4mfLst9G6KKXu79z-pjOzTBXvvRsn1y18hqdWcL3VJ31JW2l_N1iT1DtIM2NjNi9d2GdHPFcUArLdZhyC6Ub1gJ7voAZHLJyEC-/s1600/babyparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMCo0AOHjWEHjt8fRnGqh6Orw32dX-hbzgzaC4cTFvz4mfLst9G6KKXu79z-pjOzTBXvvRsn1y18hqdWcL3VJ31JW2l_N1iT1DtIM2NjNi9d2GdHPFcUArLdZhyC6Ub1gJ7voAZHLJyEC-/s400/babyparty.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danielle, Lisa, & Erin with the candy bar in the background</td></tr>
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So anyway, I still thought it might be nice to have our menu out there in cyber, test-nest space for anyone that needs any baby party appetizer ideas. I've tried to link to any recipes I can. Danielle and I split the jobs down the middle so it didn't end up being a ton of work for either of us, especially since we both started earlier in the week. <br />
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Menu<br />
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<li>Sour cream coffee cake cupcakes infused with cream cheese frosting - rescued from Danielle and Jason's kitchen table by another guest coming from Pilsen. Whew!</li>
<li>Bacon wrapped dates</li>
<li><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/herbed-ricotta-bruschettas-recipe/index.html">Ricotta and herb dip</a> </li>
<li>Lil' Assholes - pickles wrapped in cream cheese and ham </li>
<li><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/herbed-ricotta-bruschettas-recipe/index.html">Jalapeno and cheddar crackers</a></li>
<li>Veggie tray - celery, carrots, radishes, mozzarella balls, grape tomatoes </li>
<li><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/savory-palmiers-recipe/index.html">Savory palmiers</a></li>
<li>Spicy Hungarian sausage from <a href="http://www.lincolnqualitymeatmarket.com/">Lincoln Quality Meat Market</a></li>
<li>Hummus</li>
<li>French bread</li>
<li>Hot apple cider </li>
<li>The CANDY bar </li>
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I'm feeling like I am forgetting something delicious. Ugh! If someone was at the party and remembers, comment please! The food was eaten all up, and I'm not even kidding. I distinctly remember eating the last of the radishes. So I do believe the food was a success and made clean up a total breeze. <br />
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So as we were snacking and visiting we would breeze in and out of the baby's new nursery. Lisa and Patrick had it all set up for their guests to see.
Gifts were collected there and Lisa would open one or two when she felt
like it, or when someone requested her to open their gift. It was very easy and fun - I've never much been a fan of the 'sit in a circle and open gifts' model, so I was glad that Lisa decided to go this route.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaJ223OSrBreANDVJOKkf0VEnr8GEC1szx0UADE11WuZEL8F_n_Eelb8P0vMP1b847LehFakMhxZ_Q1H-TDn8GLp4quJ48VksWJg2EqySE5ZgDiZ8b9n9_hyphenhyphenzFxIKfVPFQWkGbtV1xDU3/s1600/Nursery_Blanket_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcaJ223OSrBreANDVJOKkf0VEnr8GEC1szx0UADE11WuZEL8F_n_Eelb8P0vMP1b847LehFakMhxZ_Q1H-TDn8GLp4quJ48VksWJg2EqySE5ZgDiZ8b9n9_hyphenhyphenzFxIKfVPFQWkGbtV1xDU3/s400/Nursery_Blanket_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the nursery</td></tr>
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Isn't this nursery just the sweetest? This baby is going to be so happy and I'm going to be so happy to have it close. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs23lM-sZUW1sC3NWxL67y05CJYH5jRGx2JC43zjDyEhvtNLxsfkeia-sw7tiXNr8Gga0IOGhe-lT-42zCCNWSGXcoBUKFBePjbODvFzVGrRYu9CoDd3PL-cSBKalzA5cHFN4saChh1Nl1/s1600/Nursery_Blanket_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs23lM-sZUW1sC3NWxL67y05CJYH5jRGx2JC43zjDyEhvtNLxsfkeia-sw7tiXNr8Gga0IOGhe-lT-42zCCNWSGXcoBUKFBePjbODvFzVGrRYu9CoDd3PL-cSBKalzA5cHFN4saChh1Nl1/s400/Nursery_Blanket_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby blanket</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RCjltkvsE56aGw1toX-XpKXbvB4KBecOQ4BV_Ttb1_eJFGzAhL2UrIz4Z8a-ju_wm1h7__X8LRrPvf-CmTE9epFKRNOMM8hmwYzC6Zyia0bRIS-N8On0AuA4bL9W1ifCNAgX09_HDi9u/s1600/Nursery_Blanket_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_RCjltkvsE56aGw1toX-XpKXbvB4KBecOQ4BV_Ttb1_eJFGzAhL2UrIz4Z8a-ju_wm1h7__X8LRrPvf-CmTE9epFKRNOMM8hmwYzC6Zyia0bRIS-N8On0AuA4bL9W1ifCNAgX09_HDi9u/s400/Nursery_Blanket_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you think Captain will be watching over the baby like this all the time? Me too. </td></tr>
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So that is the blanket I made for a shower gift. Aren't the fabrics lovely? I am in love with that hidden fox fabric. All of fabrics were purchased at <a href="http://www.theneedleshop.net/">The Needle Shop</a> here in Chicago - although they do have an <a href="http://www.theneedleshop.net/collections/store">Etsy shop</a> for those of you far away. I have made versions of this heavy duty playtime blanket for my friend Meagan and my co-host, Danielle a couple of years ago. The blanket is modeled after the pattern in <a href="http://www.facebook.com/lottajansdotterofficial">Lotta Jansdotter's </a>baby book which I love. <br />
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Speaking for the two of us (Max and I), the evening delightful and to the best of my knowledge Lisa and Patrick had a wonderful time. We can't wait for the baby to come.<br />
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Cherrio! <br />
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<br />penny ala modehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14753444629989631164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-63750669502350548012013-02-10T12:22:00.001-08:002013-02-10T12:22:14.287-08:00New Year's Project--Pantry Cabinetby Leslie<br />
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If you checked out the blog a couple weeks ago, you would have read my post about my <a href="http://www.thetestnest.com/2013/01/january-cure-project-cleaning-up-my.html" target="_blank">January Cure Project</a>. It just so happens that I finished several projects in the month of January. Although I was certainly happy about my <a href="http://www.thetestnest.com/2013/01/january-cure-project-cleaning-up-my.html" target="_blank">kitchen cart revival</a>, I also finished a project that had been over a year in the making. <br />
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Remember my <a href="http://www.thetestnest.com/2011/10/kitchen-pantry-project-is-in-works.html" target="_blank">kitchen pantry cabinet</a> I started working on? Well, I finally finished it! Let me tell you, this project was well worth the work, but when I think back to all the layers of paint, sanding, and hardware work that needed to be done---well, let's just say it was a labor of love. <br />
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I might add that I am not a perfectionist. I guess I should let you know this beforehand. I have always been one of those "it's good enough" type of people. This project was no exception. <br />
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Here is the cabinet right after I bought it. It is a bit grubby, with layers and layers of paint. And check out the Peanuts comic on the front! Timeless. <br />
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I bought it at the local Salvation Army for $20. They actually brought it in while I was there. I think they knew I really wanted it, so they upped the ante on the price. It was still quite affordable, I thought.<br />
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Who doesn't love a green interior?<br />
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For some unfathomable reason, I thought I would strip this puppy to the wood. It was a bad choice. There were at least 5 coats of paint on it and the paint stripper wouldn't take the first (green) layer off. I did the best I could, but I was still left with globs of paint and a less than smooth surface. <br />
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This is the moment when I felt like a mad scientist. The wonders of toxic chemicals! Here you can see where I removed the hinges. The hinges turned out to be a major problem.<br />
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Frustration was setting in right here. I decided to let it go until we moved into our house last June. I then sanded the whole thing using my dad's palm sander (thanks, Pop!). That made the process go much faster!<br />
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On to the next step! The former owners of our house left a whole cabinet of paint for us, so I just used their leftovers and painted the cabinet white. It took A LOT of coats, though. I skipped primer. MISTAKE!<br />
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Getting closer! The final step was adding new hardware. Unfortunately, they no longer make hinges like those that were on the cabinet originally. I tried a few new ones, but nothing fit properly. Fast forward several months and in my desperation to finish the project, I decided to use the original paint-coated hinges. The only problem? I had thrown out one of the three! <br />
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I decided to move forward with only two hinges and it worked fine. To strip the hardware, I boiled it in water for 10 minutes on the stove. I then scraped off the old paint (I ended up using my fingernails--they worked best!). It actually worked like a charm!<br />
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Here's the finished product! It hangs out in our dining room.<br />
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I used it as storage for our china. We have used it so much more since it has been handy. Hurrah!<br />
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Finished projects! Yes!<br />
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<br />Davenport Damehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16643117999163496649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-60922483063554390382013-01-27T09:07:00.000-08:002013-01-27T09:07:45.116-08:00January Cure Project--Cleaning up my "Catch All"by Leslie<br />
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I'm sure many of you out there make New Year's resolutions. I'm sure there are just as many of you out there that don't. Although I usually don't even think about making a resolution, there is something about January that feels like a fresh start. I often let the month go by without doing anything of significance, but it just so happened that I started of the month okay this time.<br />
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I was led to the <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-january-cure-182076" target="_blank">January Cure</a> project on the <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/" target="_blank">Apartment Therapy website</a> through Facebook. Basically, the January Cure was a day-by-day calendar that led you through a little facelift for your home. I started by taking a walk through my house and listing all the things I wanted to do in each room. This process covered everything, from de-cluttering a closet to painting the walls in a room. My list was long, but I have been amazed to discover that I have crossed a lot of my list merely by knowing what needed to be done! I had a ton of lightbulbs that had burned out and by making a list of what I needed, I only needed to take one trip to the store to buy them all. <br />
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Other "assignments" for the Cure were buying flowers each weekend, deep cleaning your floors, and framing a picture that you have been meaning to hang. I mean, this stuff isn't hard, it just doesn't always get done. That's why I liked having assignments.<br />
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The goal of the month was to complete ONE of the projects on your list. I chose to re-organize my kitchen cart. I have had <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80035920/" target="_blank">this</a> plain, wooden, Ikea kitchen cart for about 5 years now. I bought it when I lived in an apartment that had approximately 8 inches of counter space. My grandma bought it for me and I have mentally thanked her A MILLION times. Since I moved out of that apartment, it has been more of a "catch all" than kitchen cart and has become a real mess. I mean a REAL MESS. Watch out. The following photos might be disturbing.<br />
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This photo shows the cart in its "before" state. The top held mail, Christmas cards, bills, books, keys, pens, and stacks and stacks of papers with no home. </div>
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The center rack held napkins, dish towels, and table cloths--none of which belonged there.</div>
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The bottom rack held a bunch of items that get little to no use. CDs, travel guides, phone books, and (strangely) our wedding guest book. Isn't it gross?</div>
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A close-up of the clutter. The flat files on top were the worst for me. It took me one evening just to sort through them. Once I did, though, things moved much more quickly. (Although I have to admit, this project still took me a week!)</div>
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More clutter!</div>
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This photo shows the finished product. We got rid of the flat files because they only served as a temptation to stack things. One of the catch-all bowls was removed because we found homes for a lot of things. </div>
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We made a library book pile on the second shelf to catch the books and media that I always bring home from work. The baskets now hold our respective winter gear and they are working WONDERFULLY! We used to have all of our winter gear mixed in only one of these baskets. You can only imagine the overflow. Now, we each take care of our own things and more specialized hats and gloves are in the coat closet. </div>
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The bottom shelf still has magazines, but I added an old library file to hold greeting cards and letters that I want to keep.</div>
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We kept this small metal organizer to hold notepads, address labels, and coupons. NOTHING ELSE! I think the flowers add a touch of freshness!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzrz4hqomc71sUQi3oT1XSLSuM08PDDLwdj1qmMqndeWXevYzCWAu9ApJ_iD4Fe6BCw_HtqtgddqekW6s0G5JLYj3w3ML0JplR2dYamCRPVB_KsYRAJbr0_-z5ePZa5UwTjbAz2ZcpTcH/s1600/DSC04045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzrz4hqomc71sUQi3oT1XSLSuM08PDDLwdj1qmMqndeWXevYzCWAu9ApJ_iD4Fe6BCw_HtqtgddqekW6s0G5JLYj3w3ML0JplR2dYamCRPVB_KsYRAJbr0_-z5ePZa5UwTjbAz2ZcpTcH/s400/DSC04045.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is a close-up of the baskets. The file in the middle holds paid bills and pay stubs. </div>
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If any shelf still needs work, it's this one, but I am so happy that my little library file fit here. It had been floating around the house for ages and i think this is a perfect spot for it.</div>
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You would not believe how great it felt to finish this task! I am going to attempt my own February Cure just to keep the momentum going. If you missed the month of January, join me!</div>
<br />Davenport Damehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16643117999163496649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-14898922448922710452013-01-20T12:50:00.002-08:002013-01-20T12:50:43.879-08:00Tequila Lime ChickenBy: Laura<br />
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Yes, it's me, I'm back after a long fall/winter break. To be honest, I was losing my cooking motivation and was in another slump, until, that is, Leslie came to town for the holidays. Whenever I have another friend/sister to cook with, it's so much easier and obviously, more fun! <br />
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Leslie came into my kitchen with a recipe in mind: <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">The Pioneer Woman's</a> Tequila Lime Chicken. I was all for it. I'd always wanted to try it, but alas, never wanted to buy the Tequila, but again, Leslie helped with that too (she provided the tequila). So, we went for it ranch style in this Midwest kitchen in the middle of winter, and looked what happened....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTjn39ovsNmOXatKGjdVU4NQEbA1mi0spi5oN-xxNwpvwwG56KGgnwGf2CLyRTaqaRxdHqiQey9OPz29e-qGGCdm7z3nXSDSHc2HcVYmgAXRyLfz4nywX-2-8vQC0CtJFEyyCHroFI7ml/s1600/PC310103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTjn39ovsNmOXatKGjdVU4NQEbA1mi0spi5oN-xxNwpvwwG56KGgnwGf2CLyRTaqaRxdHqiQey9OPz29e-qGGCdm7z3nXSDSHc2HcVYmgAXRyLfz4nywX-2-8vQC0CtJFEyyCHroFI7ml/s400/PC310103.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">To begin this easy marinade for the chicken, grab your food processor and add some lime juice, olive oil, garlic, tequila, jalenpenos, and salt. Blend them until they are combined.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next, put the chicken breast, along with the marinade into a couple of ziploc bags. Refrigerate for several hours or up to overnight. (we were on a time crunch, so several hours didn't really pan out...)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BQTNqIHPgK9EF8X6pDA-DN6HuqZKJsKyZNPRZG4ryucuBBXh9frk-l0dRXFBWr55ON7uCxKJdiglTPTjTr9nTj9PkUiTweMSdmcxWkHLcjyMPIT1xJFpDhyXZuFWaEc798XGmOwOM_mA/s1600/PC310105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BQTNqIHPgK9EF8X6pDA-DN6HuqZKJsKyZNPRZG4ryucuBBXh9frk-l0dRXFBWr55ON7uCxKJdiglTPTjTr9nTj9PkUiTweMSdmcxWkHLcjyMPIT1xJFpDhyXZuFWaEc798XGmOwOM_mA/s320/PC310105.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After marinating the chicken, put those babies on the grill and cook them for four to five minutes per side. (This grilling was done in 20 degree weather (thanks to myself), but well worth it for the end result.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally, cheese was melted over the top of the chicken (yeah, we recommend this) and laid on a bed of cilantro lime rice with black beans. Oh, and there was some cauliflower on the side, (poor old bland-colored cauliflower, not to fiesta-like but oh well!)<br /><br />And there you have it, Tequila Lime Chicken! Yes, it was delicious and what else would you expect from the pioneer women. So call your sister, brother, mom or friend and grab a bottle of tequila for the chicken and the margaritas to go with it. You'll be glad you did. Thanks, Leslie!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/tequila-lime-chicken-recipe/index.html">Tequila Lime Chicken </a></span></td></tr>
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Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe<br />
By: Leslie<br />
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2 cups cooked brown rice<br />
Juice of two limes<br />
1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)<br />
2 T. chopped cilantro<br />
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Stir to combine and serve with your favorite mexican dishes<br />
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<br />Laura Betty at the Readyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08078117831469325076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012003181901278969.post-45454228966622404262013-01-13T10:51:00.000-08:002013-01-13T20:07:48.502-08:00Bucaramanga, Colombia--my trip in photosby Leslie<br />
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Hi all! Wow, it seems like it's been quite a long time since I've connected with you all here at The Test Nest. I have missed it! One of the reasons I've been gone is because I was literally...gone. Jaime and I took our second (!!) trip of the year to Colombia. <a href="http://www.thetestnest.com/2012/01/colombia-my-trip-in-photos.html" target="_blank">The first was in January</a>. The trip in January was great, minus a horrible bout of food poisoning, but this trip was excellent, as well.<br />
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We went with the intention of helping Jaime's mom recover from knee surgery. Jaime's sister had been there for several weeks and we caught her at the tail end of her trip. Although the circumstances weren't the best, we still had a great time and Jaime's mom is making a full recovery! <br />
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Here are a few photos and tips from our trip this time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanuEBC5YD1dwCYNRaX5XOzZva4B1gMzKOWmdItWzoH9f0_XGTMC40gHIU_eKH7jB4GxWkk5NjqTgvO7Qd-rafC6VXh0wVyy_ZskpCB3ZhMtXrjMmNH9cAk2Iiy7LsIxJbA_B57wz_h6Er/s1600/DSC03938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanuEBC5YD1dwCYNRaX5XOzZva4B1gMzKOWmdItWzoH9f0_XGTMC40gHIU_eKH7jB4GxWkk5NjqTgvO7Qd-rafC6VXh0wVyy_ZskpCB3ZhMtXrjMmNH9cAk2Iiy7LsIxJbA_B57wz_h6Er/s400/DSC03938.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We stayed in the sweet <a href="http://deals.alofthotels.com/Aloft-Bogota-3600/so.htm?PS=LGEN_AA_DNAD_CGGL_TPRP" target="_blank">ALoft hotel</a> the one night we were in Bógota. We got there at 11 pm and left at 4 am. I doubt we got to experience all the amenities.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPPBQ_DKdV7o0j54ZjTUqQlQ3Mofp1k-EwP26vkBCLMKRwDzhUtNW1q75OPvImWfykxBYs_qnvUhgeRv7rY1mxWevgYJ8qofXHl7jVMiq1G0_gWhhCgOy4ktk1_OeoNSUyMaJrzUkkNsk/s1600/DSC03939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPPBQ_DKdV7o0j54ZjTUqQlQ3Mofp1k-EwP26vkBCLMKRwDzhUtNW1q75OPvImWfykxBYs_qnvUhgeRv7rY1mxWevgYJ8qofXHl7jVMiq1G0_gWhhCgOy4ktk1_OeoNSUyMaJrzUkkNsk/s400/DSC03939.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Loved the showers. You could vaguely see the person showering if you were in the bedroom part of the hotel. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eWsjBM5jSVt4u_lILg2zjUTCzo3RCj8vLlwF5GG0STN4aMQ3SBZHMvlFHR3whLqFjWdvpzQnIt7FFRX2n4susXLXuE7J1vhYkK0NeA-I_ASzk2AgpEoGkCpl11vsC8pD6-dFEneQ-ixW/s1600/DSC03943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eWsjBM5jSVt4u_lILg2zjUTCzo3RCj8vLlwF5GG0STN4aMQ3SBZHMvlFHR3whLqFjWdvpzQnIt7FFRX2n4susXLXuE7J1vhYkK0NeA-I_ASzk2AgpEoGkCpl11vsC8pD6-dFEneQ-ixW/s400/DSC03943.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As soon as we reached Jaime's mother's apartment, I had to see progress on the building going up across the street. They are moving along quickly and soon the beautiful mountain view will be all but a memory. :(</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZr6ZuSjdRwXtdkIWLFuScGz4Ql4j7dkGs0dFoHDWBOXLWaYnQUQcj67SuucznQ8siTCN1iu72TpphPH2GX7ji0D2M-MpbqdJCsoPcgJr9mXlcP_1NBI5TYYYmscTm2271xXGTLLxkdYA0/s1600/DSC03946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZr6ZuSjdRwXtdkIWLFuScGz4Ql4j7dkGs0dFoHDWBOXLWaYnQUQcj67SuucznQ8siTCN1iu72TpphPH2GX7ji0D2M-MpbqdJCsoPcgJr9mXlcP_1NBI5TYYYmscTm2271xXGTLLxkdYA0/s400/DSC03946.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We got to go to the fruit market to buy a week's work of fruits for the family. Look at the size of those avocados! They are bigger than the mangos, which are even larger than mangos here!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5BFdQPa4pI8ZZC6OoGxlKMDhFzirbUspj8Zgg0rGyxQx_BQaVuojlJgGWPK_8NyWtVIE9UGom2AKZpWIgHz0kc1H58hJDbINa82LluiidkVTAFrb_yc-Kq-0R0TDX-CR04uiJBfhXJyj/s1600/DSC03948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5BFdQPa4pI8ZZC6OoGxlKMDhFzirbUspj8Zgg0rGyxQx_BQaVuojlJgGWPK_8NyWtVIE9UGom2AKZpWIgHz0kc1H58hJDbINa82LluiidkVTAFrb_yc-Kq-0R0TDX-CR04uiJBfhXJyj/s400/DSC03948.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My favorite part of our daily visit to Carrefour (the grocery store) was the bread section! They had walls of fresh sweet breads. My favorite was the roscon--a donut-shaped sweet bread filled with arequipe, a dulce de leche-like caramel. Delicious!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm-qmSe4Msruf7Bh3cusH6hLcyeWe5txtRB0nhrbNhnH31Hvcy0ivDw78JDOkd85hUFlw8wM2XVIOjUn60UMQnNzW-C9iF1MIvOpbRcqbO6Tba20p53Y0SDKLCiTWgB-Mlmoprl_RwmEd/s1600/DSC03950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm-qmSe4Msruf7Bh3cusH6hLcyeWe5txtRB0nhrbNhnH31Hvcy0ivDw78JDOkd85hUFlw8wM2XVIOjUn60UMQnNzW-C9iF1MIvOpbRcqbO6Tba20p53Y0SDKLCiTWgB-Mlmoprl_RwmEd/s400/DSC03950.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Although the weather didn't put me in the holiday spirit, the abundance of Christmas lights did! Notice the lady in the bottom of the picture fanning the coals of her grill. She was selling meat kabobs and grilled corn on the cob.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlctRnsVBAMFycIYHQrwdDQLNxukM1eeYfPvN7aupNqoVrv0bOSieKRO2GavhtquLKXGiAOnL-JFtL_1zPqnwIIu1yhm0xY8KPQ4Ez-dtp_NoGJ0AWR_HxM7qbMyJtCy2zJYvQyjkkgaq/s1600/DSC03951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlctRnsVBAMFycIYHQrwdDQLNxukM1eeYfPvN7aupNqoVrv0bOSieKRO2GavhtquLKXGiAOnL-JFtL_1zPqnwIIu1yhm0xY8KPQ4Ez-dtp_NoGJ0AWR_HxM7qbMyJtCy2zJYvQyjkkgaq/s400/DSC03951.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bucaramanga has an awesome statue by the famous Colombian artist, Fernando Botero.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDTYPreNyaoQCTmFn8NH9LLxJ-hpyFfJsQpaaxU9XMOhDflqDxMXSBPEpqbiUkIfpcz6RYUcECpJhspok9nZA1t1bWV8oV3UmkQVM_5yChTBQhlCFeLLG4uct2MsX1AFhChRXvuxCm9F2/s1600/DSC03952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDTYPreNyaoQCTmFn8NH9LLxJ-hpyFfJsQpaaxU9XMOhDflqDxMXSBPEpqbiUkIfpcz6RYUcECpJhspok9nZA1t1bWV8oV3UmkQVM_5yChTBQhlCFeLLG4uct2MsX1AFhChRXvuxCm9F2/s400/DSC03952.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Every night the mall had a special holiday music program. This particular night we got to see a huge mariachi band. I love their white outfits!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2B3JqUZNUCVh0LJTznbf7ARETs-61QPs2a7MZPjNgBmLHr_vtSZqxutJnrZMu_vIR2m1jBCJdCGqAyE4tp23CmrlFeaPO1532-3Dr_nkhxkpe2Rv9GHo7KdVWD2p_2JSAPqZPMAub8pRA/s1600/DSC03956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2B3JqUZNUCVh0LJTznbf7ARETs-61QPs2a7MZPjNgBmLHr_vtSZqxutJnrZMu_vIR2m1jBCJdCGqAyE4tp23CmrlFeaPO1532-3Dr_nkhxkpe2Rv9GHo7KdVWD2p_2JSAPqZPMAub8pRA/s400/DSC03956.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I had to make a stop at my favorite snack place, Fruchetta. They make chocolate dipped strawberries. This woman was so nice. She had already closed and made ours anyway!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGbp4_wU7Wrfcz7uoaz2USPSZNhvLRe-aTH4U5dwJfn9B4pDscu-mQ7lZbrIPZcoL9K2HxwUPCUHbP-ENazA7TMzNbR32CVJUAyI1xNLE65_JUo-JfcB6PPfW8Rql8Db-_kD2zlGmsxXp/s1600/DSC03958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGbp4_wU7Wrfcz7uoaz2USPSZNhvLRe-aTH4U5dwJfn9B4pDscu-mQ7lZbrIPZcoL9K2HxwUPCUHbP-ENazA7TMzNbR32CVJUAyI1xNLE65_JUo-JfcB6PPfW8Rql8Db-_kD2zlGmsxXp/s400/DSC03958.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCPVh6AOOCnz5rw1sTuuwE3-LfVOXfRAkVJAZHFNCLyd4pK4jHlcIjzd9DNXAkI2csAP8a575p7SpcsCx_38yIqRdqrW1XYjBqO7NRLW63Qq2R3DkII5bfJbb1ZfI0CRo63Y27ITV9tPn/s1600/DSC03959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCPVh6AOOCnz5rw1sTuuwE3-LfVOXfRAkVJAZHFNCLyd4pK4jHlcIjzd9DNXAkI2csAP8a575p7SpcsCx_38yIqRdqrW1XYjBqO7NRLW63Qq2R3DkII5bfJbb1ZfI0CRo63Y27ITV9tPn/s400/DSC03959.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We even got in a little babysitting in. This is Jaime's cousin's son, John Alejandro. Too cute, right?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-n6wVYuKeG59OT2pT-nHf6Qk424GE3bvaVX0DB4Knj3_Fv_i_eyACiSAVo3gfRq65GZz0vieBQuqxWY1bForURylyECwb15eINUwUi9u91SBvgMNe8gkVk5S9GpF0x91AyZc9mKKpuh6t/s1600/DSC03962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-n6wVYuKeG59OT2pT-nHf6Qk424GE3bvaVX0DB4Knj3_Fv_i_eyACiSAVo3gfRq65GZz0vieBQuqxWY1bForURylyECwb15eINUwUi9u91SBvgMNe8gkVk5S9GpF0x91AyZc9mKKpuh6t/s400/DSC03962.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is Jaime's cousin's house. He grew up in one much the same. The upstairs is a separate apartment.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJInHbMrHI8-McwAa_Xz7_xm-SQoAwrpDd42UxVKWpVBU_3z4ACg-XwtnKGx68cIh59H7UH4ZEQCta_HmB2chyP_ZNRW-JVh0vRcToKKAUlCiuWb74FHcaBzLt16VQT0lROog2_mvOoFb/s1600/DSC03968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJInHbMrHI8-McwAa_Xz7_xm-SQoAwrpDd42UxVKWpVBU_3z4ACg-XwtnKGx68cIh59H7UH4ZEQCta_HmB2chyP_ZNRW-JVh0vRcToKKAUlCiuWb74FHcaBzLt16VQT0lROog2_mvOoFb/s400/DSC03968.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We saw these lovely flags on our visit to San Francisco, part of the leather district. If you like shoes and handbags, this is your place! Santander is known for its leather, so they manufacture tons of shoes there. Surprisingly, I didn't buy any shoes, but I did buy two purses!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzN3Yz6YftYLtH3FpOF2ANib5oDdGrUyI46rmew2Qae2Ovj8MoMnqZRyJXiXobAF3BWFRlb8oQ2E2_j5fcKkqKw-JZL9lW43STC90IdavZulhNDmcIGunynPZiBEDdkIPnNoDI28h00882/s1600/DSC03966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzN3Yz6YftYLtH3FpOF2ANib5oDdGrUyI46rmew2Qae2Ovj8MoMnqZRyJXiXobAF3BWFRlb8oQ2E2_j5fcKkqKw-JZL9lW43STC90IdavZulhNDmcIGunynPZiBEDdkIPnNoDI28h00882/s400/DSC03966.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Miles of shoes! Every store window looked like this and there were HUNDREDS of stores, all in a row. How does one choose?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdgyzoRR2WvsPq1WORWCSNB6AvG3Xrya2aESYY7iTdbPELpK6poheF5C9LhGziwxHioLoYnuoAD7CC8c7pE_NPkw1frov4XBF5BXxU_TtcMtqL9EzWcP2R-ulPGJsvnJf0ij4-eqeSEvi/s1600/DSC03965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdgyzoRR2WvsPq1WORWCSNB6AvG3Xrya2aESYY7iTdbPELpK6poheF5C9LhGziwxHioLoYnuoAD7CC8c7pE_NPkw1frov4XBF5BXxU_TtcMtqL9EzWcP2R-ulPGJsvnJf0ij4-eqeSEvi/s400/DSC03965.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Holiday traffic jam. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7_0GfQgNfyR8fyaw-a9nkFgdk41svGi-vJUqa0wjjydNvqvyc_iyppW8Csehq0c8tsBktWJTCB9McokD9KTokwwWvnx4lHKOqCwL5Owg7Kyg9Pok9gHJaEGICh8kFLyPSr_TREjJu5Mp/s1600/DSC03971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7_0GfQgNfyR8fyaw-a9nkFgdk41svGi-vJUqa0wjjydNvqvyc_iyppW8Csehq0c8tsBktWJTCB9McokD9KTokwwWvnx4lHKOqCwL5Owg7Kyg9Pok9gHJaEGICh8kFLyPSr_TREjJu5Mp/s400/DSC03971.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is Jaime's mother's church. Isn't it beautiful? All of those small squares are filled with colored glass. It is very airy and fresh inside.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQxH5MzWWM2DAWwKsYEJfuuJeguef3ODKtA55_TN73D4omcq92d_BHHCKvqU8VkT0SQuuHEzQq_lQBw495xQz4HTHYcpdP1F13He92YNjsTWednJfMQYAuCRTP96vCCikggsID8Zz0X06/s1600/DSC03973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQxH5MzWWM2DAWwKsYEJfuuJeguef3ODKtA55_TN73D4omcq92d_BHHCKvqU8VkT0SQuuHEzQq_lQBw495xQz4HTHYcpdP1F13He92YNjsTWednJfMQYAuCRTP96vCCikggsID8Zz0X06/s400/DSC03973.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A long hard walk to the mall calls for a banana split and a mandarina (fresh mandarine juice blended with ice).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJc4LBH7__1igl0Wnhqs8oSBh1nEIplMfQlC5YCPNtXf72MM3qVyoQN8kAyqEVANki4hDmREHjJpdlrU33VTg4J5zoFtRNvB8z69mHSVOFw9IFTsCQckmyglegNzQF98kUxvaUXVfGT7rn/s1600/DSC03978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJc4LBH7__1igl0Wnhqs8oSBh1nEIplMfQlC5YCPNtXf72MM3qVyoQN8kAyqEVANki4hDmREHjJpdlrU33VTg4J5zoFtRNvB8z69mHSVOFw9IFTsCQckmyglegNzQF98kUxvaUXVfGT7rn/s400/DSC03978.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">During a visit to Jaime's uncle Alvaro's we checked out his garden. Look at that Poinsettia bush!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo4U6zBwnIigi8U3w8JBgfSLf3MwKD0CanH761T4wjy0r2gJkrPVXexioi_AQgF5mcBqejXvifTuEPjJouaF7-TncLkqfSV7mkEm76uScoumyPl-IBSO3XGYXnOnvd-AtmErhAct-U8w2/s1600/DSC03989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo4U6zBwnIigi8U3w8JBgfSLf3MwKD0CanH761T4wjy0r2gJkrPVXexioi_AQgF5mcBqejXvifTuEPjJouaF7-TncLkqfSV7mkEm76uScoumyPl-IBSO3XGYXnOnvd-AtmErhAct-U8w2/s400/DSC03989.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jaime, his cousin, and I took a visit to El Parque de Agua in Bucaramanga. They have it decked out for the holidays.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13NmL5jyB-aSO_rZub-hpb3LkH-wos8Fdipb8y_WXv5Xblrg2XQ1cvjxe4-N7M44w7GIxL51Q0WR_cVD7KzCqNab3JOjS78mdF0KG71PgV_uVy1FKrN6dnFBve-5wpvmMfAxWEETT6yJE/s1600/DSC03984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13NmL5jyB-aSO_rZub-hpb3LkH-wos8Fdipb8y_WXv5Xblrg2XQ1cvjxe4-N7M44w7GIxL51Q0WR_cVD7KzCqNab3JOjS78mdF0KG71PgV_uVy1FKrN6dnFBve-5wpvmMfAxWEETT6yJE/s400/DSC03984.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Jaime and his cousin Aminta.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeoqFzi6bUQvk-6HhZbnXbZRp6UdGBk-0RQ_8ahJjVnV6DIAz488RFTCTN09K1hL9wHDgMhe65bM3U1YALKSAPf964V9oBZx8wZR0DF_hiDUmcsX-FWFwklxAEvmxfRh1IhmVnnqIGjaK/s1600/DSC04000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeoqFzi6bUQvk-6HhZbnXbZRp6UdGBk-0RQ_8ahJjVnV6DIAz488RFTCTN09K1hL9wHDgMhe65bM3U1YALKSAPf964V9oBZx8wZR0DF_hiDUmcsX-FWFwklxAEvmxfRh1IhmVnnqIGjaK/s400/DSC04000.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sweet lights!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygfTuiH7CLrdHEbxbmXLYdSNCYZzxwZbPqmgKTAGAAnAs6S7EWDCvWm7u6bd_gaM9pGyJ-eBm9hyphenhyphenBRRWi8Q2lKA70PPCddPifEGHn9OaOOo7YlfplgWfQLSgRYKe44BVjjUT-Baq-yfUk/s1600/DSC04003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhygfTuiH7CLrdHEbxbmXLYdSNCYZzxwZbPqmgKTAGAAnAs6S7EWDCvWm7u6bd_gaM9pGyJ-eBm9hyphenhyphenBRRWi8Q2lKA70PPCddPifEGHn9OaOOo7YlfplgWfQLSgRYKe44BVjjUT-Baq-yfUk/s400/DSC04003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jaime and I stopped for an afternoon snack. For me, pan de yucca. For him? Mystery meat stuffed in mystery meat.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJWwQbcXUAN8nc9YZ96w9OU1gHdGp6yMGEKHGF_fONhG02imtgoszm9vAqNjMORkmBgu1jo8yJ23v6a7mrqpK7XzK5aNgPsxtdZNk8rxDEV9eczAkpjHc-PXOP1iLV3MazHCJSDQs6I_i/s1600/DSC04004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJWwQbcXUAN8nc9YZ96w9OU1gHdGp6yMGEKHGF_fONhG02imtgoszm9vAqNjMORkmBgu1jo8yJ23v6a7mrqpK7XzK5aNgPsxtdZNk8rxDEV9eczAkpjHc-PXOP1iLV3MazHCJSDQs6I_i/s400/DSC04004.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Jaime had to stop for a hot dog at some point. They really do gourmet dogs. I don't remember what was on this one, but it was pretty good. Lots of sauces and cheese. They enjoy their mayonnaise in Colombia.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaANSsfhcsXOR61UfIkt6N3yhVzwKM-WKbY1V0cbzeoJtqjQk0nvtydWGuKPoSM4c3Khe0MDqHegVUc8sEC-NuktXC5nEuprl65JaemK9FH-6zgrCDqeJwJTPkP39Q4WeqbAuLinQBX1j/s1600/DSC04010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaANSsfhcsXOR61UfIkt6N3yhVzwKM-WKbY1V0cbzeoJtqjQk0nvtydWGuKPoSM4c3Khe0MDqHegVUc8sEC-NuktXC5nEuprl65JaemK9FH-6zgrCDqeJwJTPkP39Q4WeqbAuLinQBX1j/s400/DSC04010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A beautiful park with beautiful trees.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHkqwtJJiUELZADhy684dKb-b5ZN3Vq-dQNLMfcxJu7P-p9ogGOj3QzuQtTi9O9_irCnUNpxMIJoCdjj_2hLPe1N9_BaxHnjWT-gCEVN0oc5E8LJ1-3qfIcxJqKHgF_i3f63-p2F7tiQf/s1600/DSC04013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHkqwtJJiUELZADhy684dKb-b5ZN3Vq-dQNLMfcxJu7P-p9ogGOj3QzuQtTi9O9_irCnUNpxMIJoCdjj_2hLPe1N9_BaxHnjWT-gCEVN0oc5E8LJ1-3qfIcxJqKHgF_i3f63-p2F7tiQf/s400/DSC04013.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tutti Frutti!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEivA6-NoP3TfPoK7efV3NvaBOdhMW9EHkl83XQYDOYtK8aeZ1w_7xEs8OTXC5tPBdgQX7ixAw54UoceS2fK67tP3E0cX90VexeJ7S74k2uPITpX0ksUfYRZ27j95Zzg6dgMplyyBCv4s/s1600/DSC04019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEivA6-NoP3TfPoK7efV3NvaBOdhMW9EHkl83XQYDOYtK8aeZ1w_7xEs8OTXC5tPBdgQX7ixAw54UoceS2fK67tP3E0cX90VexeJ7S74k2uPITpX0ksUfYRZ27j95Zzg6dgMplyyBCv4s/s400/DSC04019.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I had a to grab a photo of Jaime and his mom in front of some animatronic singing bears!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7EbM-fuxPE6aehvhxiWVblz1gr3G5mknujgUBnPx-seq53Se_s2Eup_VomJS12JYh_UVTfc-rvXi4wR5bb1D3vyPEkwkumHoJvLFqqcpkGZDy5OInMgJe2yx3OSuPB1tTC7Vi2DTOgLC/s1600/DSC04023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7EbM-fuxPE6aehvhxiWVblz1gr3G5mknujgUBnPx-seq53Se_s2Eup_VomJS12JYh_UVTfc-rvXi4wR5bb1D3vyPEkwkumHoJvLFqqcpkGZDy5OInMgJe2yx3OSuPB1tTC7Vi2DTOgLC/s400/DSC04023.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This sunrise marks the end of our trip. It was taken from the airport!</span></td></tr>
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<br />Davenport Damehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16643117999163496649noreply@blogger.com2