tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82889624681292143692024-02-20T11:59:57.693-07:00Square Muffin Topwriting, running shoes, lesson plans, date nights, and the kitchen <br>
~Adventures in Finding Balance~squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-65578624861928123532012-12-24T22:30:00.000-07:002012-12-27T22:44:24.431-07:0024th Day of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">he Littlest Things Make Magic</span></span></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: Morning Matthew.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Matthew: <Looking to find Daddy, then crying when he realized that Daddy is at work.></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: I miss him, too! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I wish he was home with us.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> Don't worry, he will try to be home earlier tonight.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Matthew: (perking up after realizing what today is) It's Monday and tomorrow is Christmas!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: I know! It's so exciting! What do you want to do today?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Matthew: I want to go to the park to play in the sand.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fast forward through early morning Mommy and Matthew hair cuts, picking up lunches to take to the park, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chatting about our day in texts with Daddy...</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Huddled together at the park </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">(It was chilly!)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> eating our take-out lunch and who pulls up to the park to surprise us at 2 pm? Daddy! He said he'd been 'following us' since our hair cut pic/text. At one point, I remember him texting asking, "Where are you now?" but I was driving so didn't answer it immediately. I remember thinking he must have been lonely at work and was just asking to be connected with Matthew and I. When we arrived at the park, I texted a pic of Matthew and I eating lunch. Minutes later, he pulled up.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">It is the littlest things that make magic.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Christmas Eve Dinner</span></i></span></span></h2>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Matthew's advent activity for today was to build a gingerbread house together with Mommy and Daddy. He was excited to do it but even more excited when he saw that it was a gingerbread train.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">A gingerbread train? This would be minor detail to most...a major deal to him.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">We have Christmas Eve dinner at my Mom's house so we took the gingerbread kit along with us. It was the perfect place to put together. Matthew had a little bit of help from many hands.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHSqUdhGZ_xhLvsXXVfPOWe9AyJp0fEPDd_oSN98Je6SenlR9-bANDEymG49TG36wJ-D7WlDWALaunO4QFyG8G0gWDluyWB5DHptSUefFyhhIBOpmNfN21tm5TVfXPZbnpOHLfnNewLk/s1600/IMG_2346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHSqUdhGZ_xhLvsXXVfPOWe9AyJp0fEPDd_oSN98Je6SenlR9-bANDEymG49TG36wJ-D7WlDWALaunO4QFyG8G0gWDluyWB5DHptSUefFyhhIBOpmNfN21tm5TVfXPZbnpOHLfnNewLk/s320/IMG_2346.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><i><b>Family was the magic of my evening. </b></i></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Where do you find magic?</span></span></span>squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-26867446996299286622012-12-23T21:09:00.000-07:002012-12-26T21:09:28.039-07:0023rd Day of Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">
Lazy mornings...are good. </div>
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Lazy family mornings...are sublime.</div>
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Sunday morning, we all slept in. As soon as Matthew woke up, he climbed into bed with Daddy and I. We laid there chatting and enjoyed the quiet of the morning. Peaceful. When we finally got up to start the day, I needed to run some errands with my Mom. Matthew and Daddy decided to stay home together. I picked up my Mom and we were successful finding what we needed and the last minute shopping crowd wasn't so bad. We had a great afternoon together.</div>
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Sunday evening ended with Matthew, Daddy, and I relaxing on the couch together. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gilbert...the perennial beggar!</td></tr>
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Seems so simple, but we don't get enough time just relaxing together.<br />
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Do you get enough time with your family?</div>
squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-50256924264624890822012-12-22T00:45:00.000-07:002012-12-24T01:03:15.127-07:00The 4th through 22nd Days of Christmas ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Here's what we've been up to...</i></span></span></div>
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With a little help, Matthew selected a 5 year old boy's request from the Angel Tree. The request was for a pair of shoes. For an added smile, we tucked a Hot Wheels car inside each shoe.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdE_7B3cSn-6rwf8Gx1onik-xRp1Ctk0O4zS-CQjty1_twEMsdFO8Z1IXJ9ENMpyCoyqPUvF-YjE-4G-X-bWzW7OB2TP2tGrtvmiKl-g7A-Qw8x7hRQrtL_6pCdw7N_lHM3bcXTsJWl_c/s1600/IMG_2170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdE_7B3cSn-6rwf8Gx1onik-xRp1Ctk0O4zS-CQjty1_twEMsdFO8Z1IXJ9ENMpyCoyqPUvF-YjE-4G-X-bWzW7OB2TP2tGrtvmiKl-g7A-Qw8x7hRQrtL_6pCdw7N_lHM3bcXTsJWl_c/s320/IMG_2170.JPG" width="238" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side-tracked:<br />
Trying out the Angry Birds Helmet ~ <br />
because you never know when you'll need it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEsRUaLUgJLwa8bw2N4f66qGzegU97M61kylqcdFCi8lS0pFMCYRrlVS6ULjZ6EB47WBpd4AXzmOwQQ8se_ojMVwmDUuju0soeQJCMdpWA6vm6rcR2gJWpTswMKG1RwQ0XNGcF4myZj8/s1600/IMG_2335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEsRUaLUgJLwa8bw2N4f66qGzegU97M61kylqcdFCi8lS0pFMCYRrlVS6ULjZ6EB47WBpd4AXzmOwQQ8se_ojMVwmDUuju0soeQJCMdpWA6vm6rcR2gJWpTswMKG1RwQ0XNGcF4myZj8/s200/IMG_2335.JPG" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angel Tree~ Mission Completed!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzni5YzevR-6VTYeq_3FT6YD246jWjPnLDLjaIcYAznPpsVRo9ERQvke1IFtWvxzADm0VYYWPF8JBPNpOb_FDsmF6J1AxDTwQYBH5D770OtxxSYDMB9boRfRWRAIDLCAkPyUGMNfC_PmQ/s1600/IMG_2103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzni5YzevR-6VTYeq_3FT6YD246jWjPnLDLjaIcYAznPpsVRo9ERQvke1IFtWvxzADm0VYYWPF8JBPNpOb_FDsmF6J1AxDTwQYBH5D770OtxxSYDMB9boRfRWRAIDLCAkPyUGMNfC_PmQ/s320/IMG_2103.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Matthew made a picture for his grandparents, whom he affectionately calls Nanay and Tatay because that's what everyone else calls them. =)</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcdeLC_ZoRZ5NSJVDmFpPFS24Sbxio_rB487KdI1mw1K9c_RldTGUnVBPgo0_DuTr6d9RpHxe033M1sCaAOWYdoKJFZvaY0M64TIgEBx13N061N7jZHgIeONxJNFgxYOvFI-iiyvnjcc/s1600/IMG_2336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcdeLC_ZoRZ5NSJVDmFpPFS24Sbxio_rB487KdI1mw1K9c_RldTGUnVBPgo0_DuTr6d9RpHxe033M1sCaAOWYdoKJFZvaY0M64TIgEBx13N061N7jZHgIeONxJNFgxYOvFI-iiyvnjcc/s320/IMG_2336.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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He created a picture for his Grandma and delivered</div>
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it with a package of Gingerbread flavored coffee.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We watched special, sparkling night-time parachuters land.<br />
What an amazing night!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made lefty-hand prints!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0QHxiY0tzbwewgB7RS5043bvo3cS2pL-z4CqdQkQMusMmb2CMYZ2kveTknq7LbaoxBwhGDZSK-q3sRZRYopRoW8G-XieraQKfARHLKpNAO1JRrt3eiuvcT5FuAmbMOf_LdDskK8rglo/s1600/IMG_2286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0QHxiY0tzbwewgB7RS5043bvo3cS2pL-z4CqdQkQMusMmb2CMYZ2kveTknq7LbaoxBwhGDZSK-q3sRZRYopRoW8G-XieraQKfARHLKpNAO1JRrt3eiuvcT5FuAmbMOf_LdDskK8rglo/s320/IMG_2286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We ate dessert before dinner. Oh the silliness!<br />
He was tickled by the thought!</td></tr>
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Matthew made Christmas cards for all 6 of his preschool teachers and aides. We've danced, we've splashed in the rain, we had a pajama party and baked cookies, we've had family movie nights cuddled on the couch, we've recreated Christmas songs with our own lyrics that make no sense at all...</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we're taking the time to enjoy Christmas together.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">M</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">e</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">r</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">r</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">y </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">C</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">h</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">r</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">i</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">t</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">m</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">.</span></span></u></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Are you spending Christmas in a way that fulfills you?</span></span></div>
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squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-11677237640426394252012-12-03T22:16:00.005-07:002012-12-03T22:16:57.419-07:003rd Day of ChristmasTonight was Matthew's Christmas program at his preschool but he didn't get to go because he's sick. He missed school and spent the day cuddling with Grandma. When he got home he went straight to the calendar and asked, "What's today, mama?" <div>
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On the 3rd day of Christmas, Matthew created a card for the little girl next door. He was a bit surprised that the calendar had the neighbor's name on it, "Hey, how did they know her name?" <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><img alt=";)" aria-label="wink" class="emote_img" src="https://s-static.ak.facebook.com/images/blank.gif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v2/ym/x/JeLhH4gSUuu.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -80px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 16px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; vertical-align: top; width: 16px;" title=";)" /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vEwp5oB65P-oPNl41Ua4HqjsvPRPPYULEHSd738hTQ8_IFZLTvtnVO8Ha34_1bzw5NktWkq5dVtLaHgIVYGsqKwCoE9OcHPjBvJMVvZg5r757JVR7NYPoJUA9GHKHe6fqG0vfKzhESg/s1600/IMG_2097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vEwp5oB65P-oPNl41Ua4HqjsvPRPPYULEHSd738hTQ8_IFZLTvtnVO8Ha34_1bzw5NktWkq5dVtLaHgIVYGsqKwCoE9OcHPjBvJMVvZg5r757JVR7NYPoJUA9GHKHe6fqG0vfKzhESg/s320/IMG_2097.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZ-jyjeGqdLRDtIL-gtYwmZ4NFNx8C5tqY__7Oo0BUFgQw5nPuCjmU92EH-m3cND7KA9bSgvJoPT65jD_TWqkNBsPX3Je_j4rItP6rZCiSOb42ZMreReRpOZL9JoYgTSIjd2QWPzpqhI/s1600/IMG_2098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZ-jyjeGqdLRDtIL-gtYwmZ4NFNx8C5tqY__7Oo0BUFgQw5nPuCjmU92EH-m3cND7KA9bSgvJoPT65jD_TWqkNBsPX3Je_j4rItP6rZCiSOb42ZMreReRpOZL9JoYgTSIjd2QWPzpqhI/s320/IMG_2098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We got busy and made a card, stashed a few chocolates, and a candy cane in a festive little box and left it on her door step. He was so excited to leave it on her doorstep for her to find. </div>
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There really hasn't been any"thing" for him on the calendar (yet). There are a few things on his "adventure" calendar that have a prize for him along with his "adventure" task but so far he's just excited to see what each day brings. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><img alt="<3" aria-label="heart" class="emote_img" src="https://s-static.ak.facebook.com/images/blank.gif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v2/ym/x/JeLhH4gSUuu.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -224px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: 16px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; vertical-align: top; width: 16px;" title="<3" /> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas</span></span></span></div>
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squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-63896692473743018682012-12-02T16:28:00.001-07:002012-12-02T16:28:30.250-07:001st and 2nd Days of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Since this the first year Matthew has an advent calendar he just wanted to open all the presents on it. We told him he could only open one a day and that they were to celebrate the countdown to Christmas. We tried explaining that they weren't "presents" but more like things to do together. Anyway, he is calling this <i>his</i> "adventure" calendar.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let the adventure begin...</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On the <i>first</i> day of Christmas we made the classic chain to countdown to...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">...Christmas.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">...New Year's Eve.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">...New Year's Day.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">...Matthew's 5th Birthday...his 5th birthday is the year that he says he will eat apples...(that is another post lol).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Proud teacher-mama watching him cut along the line. Such skills!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Good times.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">TaDa!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On the <i>second</i> day of Christmas Matthew was supposed to learn about the Angel Tree program and head to the store to select an Angel and buy something. But our lil man-cub has a stomach bug. He hasn't held down anything all day (and he hasn't been eating or drinking much). So today, we spent quality time cuddling on the swing in the backyard until he fell asleep. Today was a sunshine vitamin D day. We'll take care of the Angel Tree donation when he feels better. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feel better man-cub.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He did eat the Hershey's kiss in today's package.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">=)</span></div>
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squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-14002783169597621302012-12-01T20:26:00.000-07:002012-12-01T20:26:27.357-07:0031 Days of Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Reflecting on Christmas seasons of years past...</span></div>
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Each year, when December rolls around, I have many thoughts and plans of how I want to spend the Christmas season. And each year, when I wake-up on January 1st and reflect on the holiday, I realize that my time wasn't spent doing as many of the <i>quality</i> family things that I wanted to do. There was certainly quantity (hustle and bustle) but not enough <i>quality</i>.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>This year will be different.</i></span></div>
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<i>I want to wake-up on January 1st, 2013 with the feeling that I was my best this Christmas season. I want to feel like I spent my time doing <b>quality things with my family</b> instead of feeling like I need to recuperate from the hustle and bustle.</i></div>
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How does this <s>shabby</s>, <s>trashy</s>, <i><b>crafty Advent Calendar</b></i> have anything to do with spending the Christmas season filled with quality family time?</div>
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Our advent calendar is filled with activities that we thought would give us quality time together ~ making the most of each day~ in the true spirit of Christmas.</div>
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Here is what we have on our calendar... We printed a few extra 'just in case'. The cards were put inside one of the containers and some of the them have a Hershey's Kiss inside. </div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Make a chain to count down the days to Christmas.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Learn about the Christmas Angel Tree and buy a gift to donate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Have a pajama party and watch a Christmas movie while snuggled on the couch in Daddy’s blanket. Snuggle with Mommy and Daddy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0.5pt; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: initial; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0.5pt; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; height: 1in; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 5.4pt; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-top: 0in; width: 212.95pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Roast marshmallows and sing Christmas songs while wrapped up in Daddy’s blanket by the chimnea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Make cards for your Pre-school teachers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Pick-up Grandma and drive around to look at Christmas lights. Everyone should wear their pajamas and bring a snuggly blanket to cuddle. We’ll bring hot (warm) cocoa to drink!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Call 1 family member and 1 friend to wish them a Merry Christmas!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #514640; font-family: Copperplate;">Bundle up and watch for shooting stars. Snuggle up and cuddle with Mommy and Daddy!</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Decorate a gingerbread house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Go bowling and wear Christmas colors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Read a Christmas book together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Make paper snowflakes and hang them on the tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Have a pajama party and watch Polar Express.<span> </span>Eat buttery popcorn and drink hot cocoa! Ask if you can invite your cousins and a friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Make Christmas Cookies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Paint or draw a Christmas picture for Grandma.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Send gifts to your cousins in Chicago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Pick a few things from your collection of toys to donate to kids who are less fortunate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Make handprint and footprint ornaments. Give one to<span> </span>each Grandparent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Paint or draw a Christmas picture for grandparents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Invite Cousins to drive through the Festival of Lights. Everyone should wear their pajamas and bring a snuggly blanket to cuddle. We’ll bring hot (warm) cocoa to drink!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Go grocery shopping to buy food to donate to the food bank.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Mail a Christmas card to a soldier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Draw a Christmas picture for Grandparents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Play music and dance with Mommy and Daddy. Get silly!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Make a Christmas picture for your neighbor and leave it on her door with a candy cane.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #514640; font-family: Copperplate;">Get dressed-up, go to the mall and get your Christmas picture taken.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;">Get silly! Eat Christmas cookies first, and then have dinner!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #514640; font-family: Copperplate;">Attend a special Christmas church service.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Copperplate;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #514640; font-family: Copperplate;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate;"><i><i></i></i></span></div>
<i><i><div style="display: inline !important; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So why the 31 Days of Christmas?</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Because this year will be different.</span></b></div>
<br />I'm not sure what we'll do after the 24 Days of Christmas on our advent calendar, but I do know we're going to create a countdown to the New Year~ 2013. This way, my family and I will send 2012 out with a true bang ~ we'll create our own new New Year's Countdown tradition ~ and I will wake-up on the first day of 2013 feeling fulfilled that we used our time in the name of family and love...<b>quality</b>.</i></i></i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What do you want to do different this Christmas? How will you make it happen?</span></i></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">day before </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the first day of Christmas, </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">my true love and I </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">made an Advent calendar </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">for our man-cub.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktIpH4cP-9ah21929OkSwCpuI6-n2Bf69BKytldEVkl_h8Q1a04-t3iaoWINZO64dQOpavHfGTOU9oX6ZveT3_3_SYlmtcDrsngR-TP1EEW1P29mFGJtDBu0wSLc136l6zmXz5JkVsAM/s1600/Dec+1+Advent+Calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktIpH4cP-9ah21929OkSwCpuI6-n2Bf69BKytldEVkl_h8Q1a04-t3iaoWINZO64dQOpavHfGTOU9oX6ZveT3_3_SYlmtcDrsngR-TP1EEW1P29mFGJtDBu0wSLc136l6zmXz5JkVsAM/s640/Dec+1+Advent+Calendar.jpg" width="475" /></a></div>
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squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-48013459973509352242012-11-30T01:00:00.002-07:002012-11-30T01:00:48.736-07:00Happy Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Somehow, I volunteered to host Thanksgiving.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You know those conversations. You walk away squinting wondering if you just volunteered for something or if you were elected (elected without actually running for anything). Either way, </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">sick</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> excited and nervous butterflies fluttered in my belly at the </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">stress</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> anticipation of the big day.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanksgiving was beautiful no matter how it came about that we were hosting it at our house. From the beginning of the break from school on Wednesday to Saturday afternoon when we were still washing dishes, it was beautiful. And to be honest, as the hosts our job was rather limited compared to the actions and help of others. Chairs, tables, and other outdoor furniture made its way to our backyard with the efforts of loved ones. Beautifully starched table cloths made their way to the tables through no effort of mine. Pretty borrowed place settings didn't magically appear on the tables on their own, each was placed with care </span>(although we did break two expensive butter dishes! Seems like an oxymoron, I know)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Loved ones prepared food that overflowed the counters, tables, and refrigerator. Then in the </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">aftermath</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> after glow of the meal, dishes were washed by smiley faces chatting, filling the air with </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">overstuffed wallowing</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> glowing spirit.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><s>It was a beautiful day even if I was elected</s>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>It was a beautiful day filled with the people we love most.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2-pFci_ThbWxRE249N21u2eYKlXjggnHcyOgscudXUx4LTzYX8K-BhfBo50v2Jxqx5mHmLQAxctY_hRJNdPSuklz5iYKM22a5s4gfSswpldFoE0p2xK5Uux0ZjGyB4fkvvTJXqsUe8s/s1600/IMG_1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2-pFci_ThbWxRE249N21u2eYKlXjggnHcyOgscudXUx4LTzYX8K-BhfBo50v2Jxqx5mHmLQAxctY_hRJNdPSuklz5iYKM22a5s4gfSswpldFoE0p2xK5Uux0ZjGyB4fkvvTJXqsUe8s/s320/IMG_1972.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Tables, outdoor couches, settees...Thanks Mom, Big Chris, Armon, and Andy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEQzGLNDuI2k244mW2raaRBVbiYlwnkzwXpMTuMl9hlzre3iKkcmTIQKDC8Yk8APd_JEoLpjqKf0c0mzNe2OACOAQDCJPI9hHGaXsMRAmJwmx-sIdYOR2igRKLWGQHZPX7b1_az8aZJo/s1600/IMG_1974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEQzGLNDuI2k244mW2raaRBVbiYlwnkzwXpMTuMl9hlzre3iKkcmTIQKDC8Yk8APd_JEoLpjqKf0c0mzNe2OACOAQDCJPI9hHGaXsMRAmJwmx-sIdYOR2igRKLWGQHZPX7b1_az8aZJo/s320/IMG_1974.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Susanna ironed every table cloth.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWQC1AaTrtAeKlnDBpg6-tRYXSiDsj677_xEIokI6C61RJMlCKezj9RhfSYPzvNzGz9MMR0XAQDNOXvxb5MbZOjHGrlC7Aaf5MpFnai4gbQQGAKZGV1N-ByPFhyphenhyphenQ2BNQ-JPROiverpOE/s1600/IMG_1975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWQC1AaTrtAeKlnDBpg6-tRYXSiDsj677_xEIokI6C61RJMlCKezj9RhfSYPzvNzGz9MMR0XAQDNOXvxb5MbZOjHGrlC7Aaf5MpFnai4gbQQGAKZGV1N-ByPFhyphenhyphenQ2BNQ-JPROiverpOE/s320/IMG_1975.JPG" width="239" /></a><br />Candace set the tables. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8M74VIGbKAbJmwNiq67AbSswchuYgfk8cWin_DZcVcmh2C7Ova2-uXkgY1mjoESZcvWyplyzeO72ukYYFAoH5-ibV2noDAgzIfxXkzDDrt8hFyRBgA4VMxj0ZK8pYNacFI7u1hLI5M4/s1600/IMG_1982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8M74VIGbKAbJmwNiq67AbSswchuYgfk8cWin_DZcVcmh2C7Ova2-uXkgY1mjoESZcvWyplyzeO72ukYYFAoH5-ibV2noDAgzIfxXkzDDrt8hFyRBgA4VMxj0ZK8pYNacFI7u1hLI5M4/s320/IMG_1982.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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It was Andy's idea to try lining up all the tables to see if they'd actually fit. It worked! Dream set up!</div>
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Beautifully done.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The 'ideal' Thanksgiving wish for me has always been to have the tables lined up with everyone sitting at the same table. You know, the kind of set up you only see on tv or in the movies but nobody in real life has that kind of space to make it happen. 27 people is a lot of people to fit in any house. Thankfully, the southwest affords us the luxury of Thanksgiving outside.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The only thing that would have made my day better would have been </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><u>warm</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> food and more than a fleeting moment to sit down and relax and really be with my family. Either way, it went off without any major catastrophes. And besides, I have it planned out for next year if <s>I'm </s></span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">elected</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I volunteer again. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do you have a vision of what an 'ideal' gathering would look like if you hosted it? Be it Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or ? What do you envision? How will you make it happen?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I owe my niece Candace, a gargantuan THANK YOU for all the work she put into helping prepare for the family Thanksgiving. She chopped, she stirred, she mixed, she sprinkled, she boiled, she baked, and she did it all while smiling, laughing, and chatting away the day. Several times, she said, "I can't wait for tomorrow!" For me, it had become something to prepare for then clean up after. But after spending all day Wednesday (seriously all day, sun-up to long after sun-down) with her, I was feeling excited too. Not to mention, she kept me from wandering aimlessly into the street as we made our way to the store with our final 'list'...tired but accomplished. We made a good team. We made wonderful memories. Thank you Candace. </span></span><br />
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<br />squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-25904605894570796742012-11-13T22:40:00.000-07:002012-11-13T22:40:21.597-07:00Adventures in Balance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Spent quality time with my BFF</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_vSIMyLPgFg24cUNAakSsqqIMOZrpxbQ-heaypUJN1keAABbPjRCztwgm1bSx14BsT5vQxganOMIiJpqkH-T5Zkua1j1TkicplpVzwVkOrSu38d0kRCuC_bg7Q1JDtjFR09-O2l8Vww/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_vSIMyLPgFg24cUNAakSsqqIMOZrpxbQ-heaypUJN1keAABbPjRCztwgm1bSx14BsT5vQxganOMIiJpqkH-T5Zkua1j1TkicplpVzwVkOrSu38d0kRCuC_bg7Q1JDtjFR09-O2l8Vww/s320/IMG_0901.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My sister found 2 FREE chairs and foot stools for my back patio. </div>
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Only one problem (if you could call it that)...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRC1m0apsMh0Fm9m-n9GoB5CtB4symotpn6h6GU7o0maP5lVWcpypmebxobY1qiZNksB-WxRRPlXGV0_sbHEovgjC6LZjPKs0kwC6UG7d0I_5ONfJwbPzBBX7lv3jSY-slU5sxxr31eBE/s1600/DSCF0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRC1m0apsMh0Fm9m-n9GoB5CtB4symotpn6h6GU7o0maP5lVWcpypmebxobY1qiZNksB-WxRRPlXGV0_sbHEovgjC6LZjPKs0kwC6UG7d0I_5ONfJwbPzBBX7lv3jSY-slU5sxxr31eBE/s320/DSCF0055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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No cushions!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjs8z03uYRDEafeXWOI1TLmW2wfVaZD2LZPELc80YyA7ckhfYgs26E2nCJDQg1d60nWdLoRSzr_Xdg9K3W8ZgWzC3mrbV7UAiCYKt1tvBG7iOwIM3241jXVLJ6nyLNy7_aE6Mh2H8qQEE/s1600/DSCF0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjs8z03uYRDEafeXWOI1TLmW2wfVaZD2LZPELc80YyA7ckhfYgs26E2nCJDQg1d60nWdLoRSzr_Xdg9K3W8ZgWzC3mrbV7UAiCYKt1tvBG7iOwIM3241jXVLJ6nyLNy7_aE6Mh2H8qQEE/s320/DSCF0057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I made some...no problem!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd-XdVin-NYns02lUFgEoKVSuh6gFQKs-4QUME37Xn4z17bFwj3XRnqvoTFrn4N7uRTyC58N3idNBSEvKb48saBqV4Zetdi7LftD9uHg_YfSg_I6Epmo-_ixLwEw5VmXtInUl0MTPE4Q/s1600/DSCF0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd-XdVin-NYns02lUFgEoKVSuh6gFQKs-4QUME37Xn4z17bFwj3XRnqvoTFrn4N7uRTyC58N3idNBSEvKb48saBqV4Zetdi7LftD9uHg_YfSg_I6Epmo-_ixLwEw5VmXtInUl0MTPE4Q/s320/DSCF0076.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overcast days never turned me on (Prince) or took good pictures (me).<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Refinished a desk for my lil man-cub. A left handed desk for my lefty!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34Wv-XkGn4hnXSBm3PxuZ24lTrHXc71fXeMNtY3Jf3tT8SO7UMQNofbYcI3z05F3a5YJSBXPYMHlm0vhX_NkqEElbN_b_AjQODKRanZ1Mqm7fYKToX9zHoBz_mdeadCFu19nXtFwS-30/s1600/DSCF0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34Wv-XkGn4hnXSBm3PxuZ24lTrHXc71fXeMNtY3Jf3tT8SO7UMQNofbYcI3z05F3a5YJSBXPYMHlm0vhX_NkqEElbN_b_AjQODKRanZ1Mqm7fYKToX9zHoBz_mdeadCFu19nXtFwS-30/s320/DSCF0063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before...institutional beige<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzE6mY8plbJPG_yVyuhmaYtyz89VMOgWM0GlnxFxT9LmnJYV7kHeyNzzR-fdVj8AI4cAQKdB0qG7m2-Oerfsg5X6nVnuaczB_2h2vtp2fWOaMxumt-DzwyRjW0UcdEAc9dh6YONHLs9uU/s1600/IMG_1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzE6mY8plbJPG_yVyuhmaYtyz89VMOgWM0GlnxFxT9LmnJYV7kHeyNzzR-fdVj8AI4cAQKdB0qG7m2-Oerfsg5X6nVnuaczB_2h2vtp2fWOaMxumt-DzwyRjW0UcdEAc9dh6YONHLs9uU/s320/IMG_1924.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After...eye catching RED...<br /></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyzB5NojwanThe715K-DR34r1yskIe6QLdh_scgDVYxu_rgCO8DwxOeA-Fr1QuOPBu2xojGvDOmetEIdbNGJNsv-vZiJm0YyNlMDCC7DiHsJh9TEHBQGsYGGiULQVW7KcyxykTNiIN1E/s1600/IMG_1926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyzB5NojwanThe715K-DR34r1yskIe6QLdh_scgDVYxu_rgCO8DwxOeA-Fr1QuOPBu2xojGvDOmetEIdbNGJNsv-vZiJm0YyNlMDCC7DiHsJh9TEHBQGsYGGiULQVW7KcyxykTNiIN1E/s320/IMG_1926.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>
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with chalkboard painted top!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLrfiO9eo5ad3XashQpbwpKzEy8CD3UJd7rdAw19bwYaqSI7uVDK1wsTzWQLOF5o8SEusq2XK4myHh7B91mEknjZFtROo4YrNT6dTU1klOu_iqHygoW6lrbzNWjUlstUINvbnPa28RWQ/s1600/IMG_1917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLrfiO9eo5ad3XashQpbwpKzEy8CD3UJd7rdAw19bwYaqSI7uVDK1wsTzWQLOF5o8SEusq2XK4myHh7B91mEknjZFtROo4YrNT6dTU1klOu_iqHygoW6lrbzNWjUlstUINvbnPa28RWQ/s320/IMG_1917.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made upcycled lanterns<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Started container gardening..</b>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers up top, garlic down below<br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gkfVM0K_FkgCvR0OEX_ijkl_ajGgYbRNknrTMRxiGe3yHPgaYkG1Paop-idLDrLHPWKRGzy8ntri2ysm4_ljhl05AzeHH0XZpsiHDq32ifR0ZbMzcCArXTrKhFwpHkZrYCGk4w5PhP4/s1600/IMG_1889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_gkfVM0K_FkgCvR0OEX_ijkl_ajGgYbRNknrTMRxiGe3yHPgaYkG1Paop-idLDrLHPWKRGzy8ntri2ysm4_ljhl05AzeHH0XZpsiHDq32ifR0ZbMzcCArXTrKhFwpHkZrYCGk4w5PhP4/s320/IMG_1889.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chives up top, ornamental gourds below</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksX_XhQZ_L0BjW_IrLnOGass5Pou7QgNBmpcx3BOPrXbtnNVcc7AZiuLNC9MgllVCCcZYI2OGXpWAkPaNpdvdrWBXLRQUKUeiRUDLB2KXsmsABCPuJMNjA7uGR701_4GPIZ2T2kgXEPI/s1600/IMG_1890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksX_XhQZ_L0BjW_IrLnOGass5Pou7QgNBmpcx3BOPrXbtnNVcc7AZiuLNC9MgllVCCcZYI2OGXpWAkPaNpdvdrWBXLRQUKUeiRUDLB2KXsmsABCPuJMNjA7uGR701_4GPIZ2T2kgXEPI/s320/IMG_1890.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green beans...<br />not shown...romaine lettuce, cilantro, strawberries and flowers.</td></tr>
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squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-53309188231202973662012-06-15T23:22:00.000-07:002012-06-15T23:22:46.855-07:00First blog post of 2012 is NUTS!My BFF Kathy recently asked me, "What happened to your blog?" My response? "Life happened. I got busy with school and didn't have time to update it." I guess that was an acceptable answer because she didn't ask any more questions. <div>
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I reflected on her question and my answer. I started blogging during a break from school. Blogging was supposed to be my <i>effort</i> to release my inner-self~ an outlet~ a chronicle of craftiness, baking, running, and writing. Admittedly more baking posts than anything else, so far (Yum). My <i>intention</i> was to blog to help balance the scales of being a wife, mother, teacher, writer, and wannabe runner. I <i>intended</i> to keep working on it each day, week, or month ~ <i>intended to</i>. Ahhh, good intentions and the road. What's that saying? The purpose of blogging for me, was to find balance. That did not happen. Plenty of <i>intentions</i>, not enough <i>effort</i>. </div>
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Here it is June of 2012. To start off the first post for 2012 (Did I mention, it's June, already?!), I give you the gifts I made for Father's Day. My sister saw the framed idea on pinterest.com. She bought wooden letters and decorated them with sparkly jewels. Since I am not the 'sparkly jewels' type~ I opted to trace the letters on scrap booking paper. I like the idea and think the project came out just as cute! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLGvK_fPIzlZslwzqC0kMN5x4U1MhFfx63r-q6rxiUm093zgjgUal_Xg1OeHtaVJnlM9xrn1sP4nDppmMtKDPXOSRRVuOK1-4uiDCzlKWDfnfxGUSAzfmg2Q3JjQfsRWNe807SVGQMPw/s1600/IMG_0782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLGvK_fPIzlZslwzqC0kMN5x4U1MhFfx63r-q6rxiUm093zgjgUal_Xg1OeHtaVJnlM9xrn1sP4nDppmMtKDPXOSRRVuOK1-4uiDCzlKWDfnfxGUSAzfmg2Q3JjQfsRWNe807SVGQMPw/s320/IMG_0782.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gimme a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">D. A. D.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">4x6 framed prints</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWKbDaQ6itnqxBMhNhB3-X5uiLWmBdU3aGmQeUkUa-WzuZ4cvYShsUttqjYhk7DAVwJ7wmE0wuiyarW3TitXBrzzoLnUJCXDN4ANMokquwwaTXbFQh2XJAUqn8dLB9Dqpkc3xkotnKVs/s1600/IMG_0787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWKbDaQ6itnqxBMhNhB3-X5uiLWmBdU3aGmQeUkUa-WzuZ4cvYShsUttqjYhk7DAVwJ7wmE0wuiyarW3TitXBrzzoLnUJCXDN4ANMokquwwaTXbFQh2XJAUqn8dLB9Dqpkc3xkotnKVs/s400/IMG_0787.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lids aren't finished yet. They're painted brown (and drying).<br />The middle jar will hold Dad's spare change.<br />~Made using recycled jars~<br /></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><h2 style="text-align: center;">
Happy Father's Day!</h2>
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<br /></div>squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-37286891114035578492011-12-10T16:00:00.122-07:002011-12-11T03:25:44.374-07:00A good day, all around.<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This morning, Andy, Matthew, and I woke up with a somewhat lazy Saturday in mind. Lazy day of playing trains, Transformers, a load or two of laundry, and baking homemade goodness for Matthew and I. And Andy? He had plans to attend a toy drive at a local comic book store. Local sketch card and comic book artists are donating their time during the toy drive. Donate a toy to benefit the Children's Cancer Network- and receive a free sketch from one of the artists.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fast forward to Andy getting ready to walk out the door. Matthew is begging to go with him. Neither consoled nor convinced staying home with Mommy would be fun, Matthew insists he is going with Daddy. What can ya say? The boy loves his Daddy. Remedy: Lightning McQueen backpack filled with juice boxes, crayons, coloring books, and animal cookies. Matthew is going to spend the morning with Daddy at the comic book store's toy drive.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQi_ZKyN-_Nib5eJxwrnIZwhWZV0-0H3mDkcvV9jKbktRCWxBLltP0Oy8WUrpRI3JxjxD6KSiYEDGf13D0rE2rAsL-ZetfZqEh4PSSLXEnDQlWoQu1J4ZXEP2BS5f3RE-L32Z8dYXQ7ns/s1600/DSCF0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQi_ZKyN-_Nib5eJxwrnIZwhWZV0-0H3mDkcvV9jKbktRCWxBLltP0Oy8WUrpRI3JxjxD6KSiYEDGf13D0rE2rAsL-ZetfZqEh4PSSLXEnDQlWoQu1J4ZXEP2BS5f3RE-L32Z8dYXQ7ns/s200/DSCF0013.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And my day? My day began with 6 cups of Beech-Nut brand apple-blueberry baby food. Matthew's daycare class needed 12 baby food jars for a Christmas project they're making. I volunteered to bring the jars knowing I could find a recipe to use the apple-blueberry baby food.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHSBqP2X0FqtPoCpSm-A-57OArpwYhlnwJljWkXcSTG6aXBnfJN2ebM17rD2LWG264D-m3ajTKcAfNvarPHrvV9B0VzwLdoAtIoHbi_u_0SByGU61xL6aTVjNb-sFvU4XX0SRegzncMY/s1600/DSCF0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHSBqP2X0FqtPoCpSm-A-57OArpwYhlnwJljWkXcSTG6aXBnfJN2ebM17rD2LWG264D-m3ajTKcAfNvarPHrvV9B0VzwLdoAtIoHbi_u_0SByGU61xL6aTVjNb-sFvU4XX0SRegzncMY/s320/DSCF0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Chocolate Chip and Walnut</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Covered Apple-Blueberry Cake</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So here is my first batch. It is beautiful and delicious (just ask Andy who sampled it on his way out the door). I'm doing my best to stay away from sweet treats so I had just a small taste. This was quite possibly the moistest cake I've ever made or eaten. (And I've eaten a lot of cake.)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkyW7b91rHE4JQbeCgWmdqCo2tfvQvBdZtISp5RiU_AVXxI1Hl5MecvTHgKqo4YBFeMbGRtVbLP8BSulBLDic_l16-4EqtHG6k2rGKGEzK586lTZ1lENOrofZ_b-oJNQFrH0z7bUfojE/s1600/DSCF0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkyW7b91rHE4JQbeCgWmdqCo2tfvQvBdZtISp5RiU_AVXxI1Hl5MecvTHgKqo4YBFeMbGRtVbLP8BSulBLDic_l16-4EqtHG6k2rGKGEzK586lTZ1lENOrofZ_b-oJNQFrH0z7bUfojE/s320/DSCF0031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Square Muffins<i>!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Second batch, naturally I had to try making them in the square muffin pan. They were a challenge to get out of the pan because they couldn't be turned over without losing all their chocolate-y goodness on top so one by one they were unloaded with care. Square and beautiful.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wMibXZFtJpYIYT2gHt7GZpnEhsV2yQT3DZDeCDpEsdeH-sjInX_cv3WJQJJWlXWx4V4HcHxPifLFA8_0tIE5BS0-E8BOsX7anJxSb4tnVM94f9NP_LOUc2_m5ZsjphF8jBgKXzA8CLU/s1600/DSCF0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wMibXZFtJpYIYT2gHt7GZpnEhsV2yQT3DZDeCDpEsdeH-sjInX_cv3WJQJJWlXWx4V4HcHxPifLFA8_0tIE5BS0-E8BOsX7anJxSb4tnVM94f9NP_LOUc2_m5ZsjphF8jBgKXzA8CLU/s400/DSCF0060.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chocolate Chip and Walnut Covered<br />
Apple Blueberry Cake</span></i></td></tr>
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</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I liked the look of the muffins, but wanted the cake instead of muffins. The cake from the first batch was beautiful with one exception: I don't like serving baked goodness </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">in</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> the baking pan. Remedy: Phone Mom and ask to borrow a spring form pan. Here is batch three and the remainder of the apple-blueberry baby food. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hopefully, this afternoon after Matthew's nap, we'll be headed to one of my student's baseball game. A good day, all around.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">M</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">e</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">rry Chr</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">stmas</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><i>!</i></span></b></span></span></div>squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-80697277218328220702011-11-30T00:30:00.000-07:002011-11-30T00:30:32.736-07:00It's not writer's block...For a long time, I have been toying with the idea of trying to write a children's book. Fear of failure coupled with avoidance as a coping mechanism is not a productive mix of character traits. Avoidance <i>and</i> lack of creativity (call it over worked and tired) to come up with a subject matter to write about have prevented me from even trying my hand (pun-tastic!) at writing. Enough of the excuses, I'm not getting any younger. So here it is, in black and white to keep me motivated and accountable..<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8cUnnhNYoTxp-RWbeVgQzBJCSaCN8d53f70E1fNNdL7Zgj1L57EUadc48vs9aA6WCNYN3of0PReKV6ZqIEkWc4r1_6NRqhUcuhrFo96jpLeZsUr7T3D2TqXyZ-PqW17zCXk9MkOvmVE/s1600/DSCF0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8cUnnhNYoTxp-RWbeVgQzBJCSaCN8d53f70E1fNNdL7Zgj1L57EUadc48vs9aA6WCNYN3of0PReKV6ZqIEkWc4r1_6NRqhUcuhrFo96jpLeZsUr7T3D2TqXyZ-PqW17zCXk9MkOvmVE/s400/DSCF0268.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Gilbert "Gilby-Do" Gilbmeister "Gilb-man" Gibby...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
By December 31, 2011, I will have a rough draft of my story. My subject? None other than Gilbert. <br />
<br />
With Andy's artistic skills, my book will have better illustrations than story line. That's it! The art will sell the book!<br />
<br />
Truthfully, I'm excited to get started. I have a few ideas for a picture book or two. What do I have to lose?<br />
<br />
Nothing like a self-imposed deadline to get ya crackin'.squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-81051978589679719492011-11-23T14:21:00.011-07:002011-11-23T15:59:04.017-07:00Adventures in Carrots part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table 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/AVvXsEgQl6MZiQESTtvY0Gh1mM-GWxte6bL1gf0m5Hw823a5LygAbMYJyzoOBlLDuSSAyzO4mhOJgM9fCSKBD2FLifufjkBJjSlsYtVyrgmTJS2nYhYT01-zLP23s7XkOYirsfV293kOTqdXFbU/s1600/DSCF0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQl6MZiQESTtvY0Gh1mM-GWxte6bL1gf0m5Hw823a5LygAbMYJyzoOBlLDuSSAyzO4mhOJgM9fCSKBD2FLifufjkBJjSlsYtVyrgmTJS2nYhYT01-zLP23s7XkOYirsfV293kOTqdXFbU/s320/DSCF0047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Old fashioned fun.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ever since Matthew was invited to his first friend birthday party from school he's been obsessed with turning 4. In fact, we already have the #4 candle sitting on the counter because as he says, "We need it." Today, we made a chain to count down the days until his birthday. We included Christmas and New Years along the way but he is more excited about turning 4 than anything else.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_ttn8zbnydErTVcVbxIpyK3Pg7hVK92XjCTo_wKZ6O9UaviTL1UxecP43qH86S8AP8jdxnUxW-8cjSG0Q0BkdSBVT0Jw4FfFpmfPkOGLwm1OkOwdmGcTnbxn-fGp3G0AHEf1Uhzm9P4/s1600/DSCF0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_ttn8zbnydErTVcVbxIpyK3Pg7hVK92XjCTo_wKZ6O9UaviTL1UxecP43qH86S8AP8jdxnUxW-8cjSG0Q0BkdSBVT0Jw4FfFpmfPkOGLwm1OkOwdmGcTnbxn-fGp3G0AHEf1Uhzm9P4/s320/DSCF0038.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Who is excited?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now back to those carrots from my in-laws. Today's adventure in Beta Carotene. <br />
<div><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Carrot and Potato Latke</span></span></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNF_gSZw13WJ5-XD9UTfBJ7I_FgjEYzsz65MccQtcSxz-vuqj3Cfzw5d5g_Sa1ZGVgapVOugg_08Av-BZ_RSw62wmUj9vClMwXxebjECAaIt5vAn17aPPF20dVh_HvFTqFQh1xvx7uCM/s1600/DSCF0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNF_gSZw13WJ5-XD9UTfBJ7I_FgjEYzsz65MccQtcSxz-vuqj3Cfzw5d5g_Sa1ZGVgapVOugg_08Av-BZ_RSw62wmUj9vClMwXxebjECAaIt5vAn17aPPF20dVh_HvFTqFQh1xvx7uCM/s320/DSCF0051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadUEi95G7T3Zfiy55Ze_3f5Teq4QZL0wTekAQgtsPnlyNnnnpvfJ9BZW5XpmrLL67zsC_8N_EPtkchbJ6VKAmkK77FJjbE5u-ON8KEzlAjqGSryPt11yOSLsms_0iNX6TGA_6OvB-RKc/s1600/DSCF0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadUEi95G7T3Zfiy55Ze_3f5Teq4QZL0wTekAQgtsPnlyNnnnpvfJ9BZW5XpmrLL67zsC_8N_EPtkchbJ6VKAmkK77FJjbE5u-ON8KEzlAjqGSryPt11yOSLsms_0iNX6TGA_6OvB-RKc/s320/DSCF0073.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There is nothing more beautiful than a purple onion! <br />
Neither my camera nor my camera skills do it justice.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5NRtVl936q8ekBCUn3lVlUm2eWA8VVdtes0k2mNyzPhh0qi7R3a0UErPTeLCFYsXEM3sMVH6rY3XQEvPsAQnn-YdJKNYEP0zKsq0JcmyIb1R7apHlaMGeyxekcWLkpm8m9d86wELWH8/s1600/DSCF0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo5NRtVl936q8ekBCUn3lVlUm2eWA8VVdtes0k2mNyzPhh0qi7R3a0UErPTeLCFYsXEM3sMVH6rY3XQEvPsAQnn-YdJKNYEP0zKsq0JcmyIb1R7apHlaMGeyxekcWLkpm8m9d86wELWH8/s400/DSCF0076.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">2 c. shredded carrots</div><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">1 c. shredded potatoes<br />
3/4 c. purple onion</div><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">3/4 c. herbed bread crumbs</div><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">3 large eggs</div><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">salt, pepper, and garlic powder</div><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">Mix it up then drop by spoonful on to preheated pan with non-stick spray. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNyDABOdiqMEbrip_pZtjY9JC9WHGrP1WIrZOXHKSowmb7SLTdkSd3mfli3y4Qf9OmItywcbUHEVxdpecHYq83t-9PcvYXe8nRVNwmcVlHnB4UZ1Ilgnbyz7pSQGtsMlBv9OMxOv-SyU/s1600/DSCF0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNyDABOdiqMEbrip_pZtjY9JC9WHGrP1WIrZOXHKSowmb7SLTdkSd3mfli3y4Qf9OmItywcbUHEVxdpecHYq83t-9PcvYXe8nRVNwmcVlHnB4UZ1Ilgnbyz7pSQGtsMlBv9OMxOv-SyU/s320/DSCF0080.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookin' on cast iron - my Granny would be proud.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7ydeTshMFV9FGz9tyCe98Qs8AyaXrhh0eTSfr2Euw4K45TTbn3S5344dzulvaUTtlPhFB4wBfrG1N4UpNa9UE8QCNddTSU5uTesF0bziC56x7tRN7DVyMwO2vEGS2g_2fnpUCS1anaY/s1600/DSCF0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7ydeTshMFV9FGz9tyCe98Qs8AyaXrhh0eTSfr2Euw4K45TTbn3S5344dzulvaUTtlPhFB4wBfrG1N4UpNa9UE8QCNddTSU5uTesF0bziC56x7tRN7DVyMwO2vEGS2g_2fnpUCS1anaY/s320/DSCF0082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzPQSkmwtU94p-OVw7_3UjXPfIV-5SgKC5sycrE6m2cBKTSQ3aXnheU1dZYmj-eLyxfQXE0kbhnLj1TcGmRgugtEZtFBkyJYYL7oUWLbIPghriSRaBM-Gouc8uFIugrc0ByenXvX_vZ0/s1600/potato+carrot+latke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzPQSkmwtU94p-OVw7_3UjXPfIV-5SgKC5sycrE6m2cBKTSQ3aXnheU1dZYmj-eLyxfQXE0kbhnLj1TcGmRgugtEZtFBkyJYYL7oUWLbIPghriSRaBM-Gouc8uFIugrc0ByenXvX_vZ0/s320/potato+carrot+latke.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Three dozen latke later, I'm latke'd out but I have finished bag #1 of oversized carrots. I still have another bag of carrots in the refrigerator- <i>oh no</i>! Not to mention these beauties left in the teacher workroom free to a good home...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7n7HpJHNWxrGv8l2b2S_Qgg2RpQNQpxqzZ9KFJOAVWidFD6iEmYyL_fYPcHvHXlzWbgVLBNsjH1jYIw4HM8hM7J6zi__Io8JK4nawhhOii7A7MTlSIXYyErNs2sCZTS06IagS18Cx_E/s1600/zucchini+11+21+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7n7HpJHNWxrGv8l2b2S_Qgg2RpQNQpxqzZ9KFJOAVWidFD6iEmYyL_fYPcHvHXlzWbgVLBNsjH1jYIw4HM8hM7J6zi__Io8JK4nawhhOii7A7MTlSIXYyErNs2sCZTS06IagS18Cx_E/s320/zucchini+11+21+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have just the plan for these! </div><div><br />
</div></div></div>squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8288962468129214369.post-19175958860396361772011-11-21T00:32:00.003-07:002011-11-21T01:01:41.239-07:00Make Cake, of Course!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What do you do when your mother-in-law gives you a small bag of Herculean size carrots? Offer to make her a carrot cake. What does your Father-in-law do? He reaches into the refrigerator and takes out another bag of carrots on steroids. What do you do? Bake cake, LOTS of cake.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxaQRtMNicscz1_HZJB2e_wgteHpb5RoVXnwNARq0DSyFSPRacAFyDuGowInX37cf8Xc1P0IaYu_Nc2fLvaYxJ-WYpTMB0c9p7JQkwiEErUpzkgpQlYT_CnU6MHJcj3qaM0H0WNTUWZ0/s1600/DSCF0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxaQRtMNicscz1_HZJB2e_wgteHpb5RoVXnwNARq0DSyFSPRacAFyDuGowInX37cf8Xc1P0IaYu_Nc2fLvaYxJ-WYpTMB0c9p7JQkwiEErUpzkgpQlYT_CnU6MHJcj3qaM0H0WNTUWZ0/s320/DSCF0038.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4Hjq-zxNXJlu7WKiMooSQx55lQqGMh6vfyJNzsAN6cWnJSMSYQBvaNuXmB16IzUzA6_iIeStjx4jkiVQlaNEKgEw6mtYlJXlq0j9dlUjzzkH7RXKPFEHIxdSzWt1R_e3GN-2UuqYnhY/s1600/DSCF0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4Hjq-zxNXJlu7WKiMooSQx55lQqGMh6vfyJNzsAN6cWnJSMSYQBvaNuXmB16IzUzA6_iIeStjx4jkiVQlaNEKgEw6mtYlJXlq0j9dlUjzzkH7RXKPFEHIxdSzWt1R_e3GN-2UuqYnhY/s320/DSCF0039.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was the whopper from bag #1 of gargantuan carrots. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10.55 ounces!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GdB3HulsbuoJ9gXf8ZMxd8-jQKKi75PsSeyMnofRca_GKN07bQ8YrY5cETaBPojAQmWHiqNyKAfUiHJwlo6zixqRpdk0DGuKrr6M0z0e4McBHDbG2E9kwmKj583UF0Ac1Yw8UItKFZo/s1600/DSCF0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GdB3HulsbuoJ9gXf8ZMxd8-jQKKi75PsSeyMnofRca_GKN07bQ8YrY5cETaBPojAQmWHiqNyKAfUiHJwlo6zixqRpdk0DGuKrr6M0z0e4McBHDbG2E9kwmKj583UF0Ac1Yw8UItKFZo/s400/DSCF0040.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Here are the <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">'Sweet Delights' </span></i>of the day:</span><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 Square Carrot-Raisin-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Cakes</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3MNV9dfv2_OIomxT9IFxm5NcD44ofImVTi9-l8nu0g-WajJrE4sRGeG2hEtYCShjpKuYNbzdAaNPr-xpE39zJw_fRJOPkecN4oqyo-cwLvzQ0ILVO8LJH-jUaKxxx_vGQ9I2XcI_RRc/s1600/DSCF0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3MNV9dfv2_OIomxT9IFxm5NcD44ofImVTi9-l8nu0g-WajJrE4sRGeG2hEtYCShjpKuYNbzdAaNPr-xpE39zJw_fRJOPkecN4oqyo-cwLvzQ0ILVO8LJH-jUaKxxx_vGQ9I2XcI_RRc/s320/DSCF0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LtInz1kg3LYiG14lZvMs_CoUyP_Gi5qSuiUQvGvvsIqi1hPzv2gsMAqeNybvUZnw_Tx3Hy1WclXYCTM7C4VcVZBglF1IeZ5XC8TrP8qDexrMaikQvdN_7ZDQh7cdTsw9abtMzYo074M/s1600/DSCF0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LtInz1kg3LYiG14lZvMs_CoUyP_Gi5qSuiUQvGvvsIqi1hPzv2gsMAqeNybvUZnw_Tx3Hy1WclXYCTM7C4VcVZBglF1IeZ5XC8TrP8qDexrMaikQvdN_7ZDQh7cdTsw9abtMzYo074M/s320/DSCF0098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And 24 Square Carrot-Raisin-Pineapple-Upside-Down-Muffins with Toasted Coconut on top.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WLVPSAdmc4HBFsxPJ9pQpliOVimnPyke6GN81m84aXOQ_ls3CWT4znObxJy62Lz2gu_TFbo9AwRpwuuJJZXOZV4O8tmp0dYetxJDAHHOJCagevMhJl0kdgBW33oIzUuaJqsRDB9TwUY/s1600/DSCF0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WLVPSAdmc4HBFsxPJ9pQpliOVimnPyke6GN81m84aXOQ_ls3CWT4znObxJy62Lz2gu_TFbo9AwRpwuuJJZXOZV4O8tmp0dYetxJDAHHOJCagevMhJl0kdgBW33oIzUuaJqsRDB9TwUY/s320/DSCF0082.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batch Number 1- all 12 muffins are accounted for...until hubby comes in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwbz5E_oBUhJ65tKCwS9mF68PpfosEGhAKEAtAnRyK86Uuj96WEUlbI4M044FX2sP-DFBz79YFkAkakN11L50XPi3aJQ-8vP8Scz2En5Lxp60YFXL__Cv-nmnpdlewos7Xq-wpbOGg5M/s1600/DSCF0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwbz5E_oBUhJ65tKCwS9mF68PpfosEGhAKEAtAnRyK86Uuj96WEUlbI4M044FX2sP-DFBz79YFkAkakN11L50XPi3aJQ-8vP8Scz2En5Lxp60YFXL__Cv-nmnpdlewos7Xq-wpbOGg5M/s320/DSCF0108.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batch 1 & 2 sans 2 muffins...hubby has arrived.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIv3LbaRzmRZ9yv30VK0LNqJSV2ILnXFpWzhBV0VWudx5e2dpW5Es-e6VU5GOKWDbGr5DYJSyf0CzbkVgy9rRXy4Pcwu-efFhIP157kXTHOAmfZ33X3AHJh29XOKTqhOF5DzUKm6xgs_I/s1600/DSCF0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIv3LbaRzmRZ9yv30VK0LNqJSV2ILnXFpWzhBV0VWudx5e2dpW5Es-e6VU5GOKWDbGr5DYJSyf0CzbkVgy9rRXy4Pcwu-efFhIP157kXTHOAmfZ33X3AHJh29XOKTqhOF5DzUKm6xgs_I/s400/DSCF0083.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrot-Raisin-Pineapple-Upside-Down Muffin w/ Toasted Coconut</td></tr>
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I still have half of the first bag of carrots left. The second bag hasn't been touched...yet. <br />
In search of carrot baked goodness.squaremuffintophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00923347644989002702noreply@blogger.com0