tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52572252200865894622024-03-19T04:34:53.061-04:00Mine Goes to 11Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-91764241248009300212014-09-26T00:08:00.000-04:002014-09-26T00:08:16.368-04:00Dee's Peanut Butter Cup CheesecakeBy popular demand, here is the recipe for Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake made famous by my mother-in-law.<br />
<br />
Dee's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake<br />
<br />
Crust:<br />
1 1/4 c graham cracker crumbs<br />
1/4 c crushed Oreo cookies<br />
1/4 c sugar<br />
6 tbsp butter, melted<br />
<br />
3/4 c creamy peanut butter<br />
<br />
Filling:<br />
8, 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, sofened (in a pinch, take off the paper box, and line them up on your stove while you pre-heat the oven for the crust...turn frequently)<br />
1 c sugar<br />
1 c sour cram<br />
3 eggs, lightly beaten<br />
3 tsp vanilla<br />
1 c hot fudge topping, divided<br />
6 peanut butter cups, cut into small wedges (8 per cup)<br />
<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Pre-heat oven to 350.</li>
<li>Prepare crust</li>
<ol>
<li>Combine graham cracker crumbs, Oreo crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. (A food processor is handy for this task.)</li>
<li>Press into the bottom of a greased and floured spring form pan. Press up the sides 1 inch.</li>
<li>Place pan on a baking sheet and bake for 7-9 minutes or until set.</li>
<li>Cool on a wire rack.</li>
</ol>
<li>Place cake pan with water 1/2 way up on the bottom rack of the still hot oven.</li>
<li>In a microwave safe bowl, melt the peanut butter. Spread it over the prepared crust within 1 inch of the edges. Set aside.</li>
<li>In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and sour cream until smooth. Add eggs. Beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in vanilla. </li>
<li>Pour 1 c filling into a bowl, and set aside.</li>
<li>Pour remaining filling over peanut butter and crust.</li>
<li>In a microwave safe bowl, melt 1/4 c hot fudge for 30 seconds or until thin.</li>
<li>Fold into set aside filling.</li>
<li>Carefully spoon over filling and cut with a knife to swirl.</li>
<li>Place pan on baking sheet. Bake for 55-65 minutes or until center is almost set.</li>
<li>Remove cheesecake and water pan (I always forget that guy).</li>
<li>Cool on wire rack 10 minutes.</li>
<li>Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen cake.</li>
<li>Cook an additional hour.</li>
<li>Garnish with peanut butter cup wedges, and drizzle with softened hot fudge.</li>
<li>Chill overnight, eat, and become comatose. Serves 12-14. </li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9PKYK6KCKzBfaV5Lw226GMKRrLLXSPwDD7jy72_TGHa7TdGZxq_aaJY9_X3fpUys6pUFjcIPWdhADcuUA6LAPnFUa3MM_4WbGnZIYGZ1SDlf_knPHUXW30PehU3g9pTVtb_Lp78Wf5ZH/s1600/cheesecake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9PKYK6KCKzBfaV5Lw226GMKRrLLXSPwDD7jy72_TGHa7TdGZxq_aaJY9_X3fpUys6pUFjcIPWdhADcuUA6LAPnFUa3MM_4WbGnZIYGZ1SDlf_knPHUXW30PehU3g9pTVtb_Lp78Wf5ZH/s1600/cheesecake.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-44573899836695323662013-12-16T22:39:00.002-05:002013-12-16T22:39:50.903-05:00Luckily we have extra sheetsPoor poor Katelyn. I should have known that something was wrong. When a 2 year old tells you there is an owie in her tummy, she wants to snuggle, and doesn't mind you watching Julia Child...something is up. She had a long weekend, and didn't fall asleep until almost 10:00 last night, so I thought she was just tired...I. was. wrong.<br />
<br />
I started to carry her upstairs enjoying the snuggly toddler in my arms. I displayed her cuddly cuteness to Al and walked longingly passed the mirror to see the snuggled in kiddo with her head on my shoulder. Then it happened. <br />
<br />
Half way up the stairs she puked. By the time we reached the top, she had puked again. By the time we were in the bathroom a third time. At this point my cardigan, turtleneck, and bra were soaked in puke. I just stood in the shower while she continued puking. While Al gathered a bucket and vomit filled my socks, I looked at myself in the mirror...not so cute anymore.<br />
<br />
K and I took a bath together, and she went to bed. She's already been up once sick all over her bed. Tonight will be a long night...luckily we have extra sheets.Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-37057069060641303282013-11-25T21:44:00.003-05:002013-11-25T21:44:56.852-05:00Nancy Owen's Sweet Potato SouffleUsually I like to post recipes with step-by-step photos, but I wanted to send this out with enough time for people to add it to their Thanksgiving tables.<br />
<br />
I was lucky enough to meet Mrs. Owen through my neighbor in Virginia and dear friend Jen. Jen and I shared a wall for 4 1/2 years, and that wall was barely there most days. We walked each other's dogs through grad classes, hand infections, and the day-to-day crazy that life brings. We ran countless miles including a 1/2 marathon, and hosted many fabulous parties using both small apartments' ovens/storage/seating to the max. <br />
<br />
Jen's parents would visit on a regular basis, and I was able to get to know Mrs. Owen. She had raised two intelligent, beautiful, and strong women, and she loved to throw a party as much (or more) as Jen and I did. Sadly Mrs. Owen passed away earlier this year, and she is dearly missed.<br />
<br />
The first time I had her souffle, Jen brought it to a potluck Thanksgiving celebration. I had two servings with my meal and a third as my dessert. I didn't think that what she had done to a sweet potato was even legal, but if I was going to go down for buttery, pecan, sweet potato bliss, I was going to make it worth it. Here is the recipe:<br />
<br />
Nancy Owen's Sweet Potato Souffle<br />
3-4 medium to large sweet potatoes<br />
3/4 stick of butter<br />
3/4 c sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
1/3 c evaporated milk<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
<br />
Topping:<br />
1 c brown sugar<br />
1 c pecans, chopped<br />
1/2 c flour<br />
1/3 c melted butter<br />
<br />
1. Peel and boil sweet potatoes until very soft. Strain. Pre-heat oven to 375.<br />
<br />
2. Mix sweet potatoes, stick of butter, and sugar until smooth.<br />
<br />
3. Beat eggs with evaporated milk, and combine with sweet potato mixture. Add vanilla.<br />
<br />
4. Pour into a greased casserole dish.<br />
<br />
5. Mix topping ingredients and spread over the top of the souffle.<br />
<br />
6. Bake for 1 hour, and serve warm with a smile!Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-23719748296930199902013-11-17T21:27:00.002-05:002013-11-17T21:36:36.097-05:00Advent Calendar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year because Katelyn can begin to understand and remember the holiday traditions. I wanted to have an Advent calendar for her, but I had a long list of criteria: not all chocolate, not too expensive, reusable for next year, sturdy enough that she won't destroy it, and affordable (aka...less than $20). Pottery Barn had lovely, wood calendars that I couldn't afford, and Pinterest had a lot of ideas that were too easy to destroy. (Advent would be over in one, big, hit...<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/284641638922331930/">http://www.pinterest.com/pin/284641638922331930/</a>.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A friend of mine (hi Kelli) was pinning for her boys. She found a bunch of cute Advent calendars, but this one caught my eye.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEjtycwbPT4rpj62vxBU-Gdy2rgAXuxByKSH7PJ2jrbJFTbpC-X32BUunfB_mh7e-kGDImnKByIyrtCMowDMBt1-LQS3qWf1PODnfGYfZ-1x75YMoQQx6pNmBhisGITZhdwgWr7-FvHCbKjn/s1600/Pinterest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtycwbPT4rpj62vxBU-Gdy2rgAXuxByKSH7PJ2jrbJFTbpC-X32BUunfB_mh7e-kGDImnKByIyrtCMowDMBt1-LQS3qWf1PODnfGYfZ-1x75YMoQQx6pNmBhisGITZhdwgWr7-FvHCbKjn/s320/Pinterest.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/20477373279333553/">http://www.pinterest.com/pin/20477373279333553/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was super cute, but I wanted to incorporate some color and make it reusable. Here is what I did:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I cut paper towel rolls into thirds and spray painted 1/2 white and 1/2 red. Boxes helped to keep the spray paint contained.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjySxMnLDbiZXOPE79QtTh2TWL8SwL_l2ta9E6VCB2OFIAcIeou8WhWHs9fqcJlNVgQ_Mhhf9irL7bJJdqgKVA46gYqU6t5p1VbzJqJUf7FCZrBRxQ0mblkAUn9yYWAXIyWj1aptyDXdm_/s1600/Paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjySxMnLDbiZXOPE79QtTh2TWL8SwL_l2ta9E6VCB2OFIAcIeou8WhWHs9fqcJlNVgQ_Mhhf9irL7bJJdqgKVA46gYqU6t5p1VbzJqJUf7FCZrBRxQ0mblkAUn9yYWAXIyWj1aptyDXdm_/s400/Paint.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next I Mod Podged wrapping paper to 1/2" foam board that I had trimmed to fit the 24 tubes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWE-AG44KKGOfaPD8wTbH6sH1llu-YQveNVt42VNd2U2IPbSEtr90KpUJI81DmmjzM6d1v9p1CleuukaBim2FKePybQxMaAPJdgO7oP7e_lgEE-fW0H8AnnIm0ZEsIgs84w-evUV1lKAr/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWE-AG44KKGOfaPD8wTbH6sH1llu-YQveNVt42VNd2U2IPbSEtr90KpUJI81DmmjzM6d1v9p1CleuukaBim2FKePybQxMaAPJdgO7oP7e_lgEE-fW0H8AnnIm0ZEsIgs84w-evUV1lKAr/s400/Slide1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wrapped the paper around the back and used more Mod Podge and tape to secure it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6LV1EIzi33fJ4DDyZrAUpKJUm8SI9Gat89y0p1P0dXWM1q8_-cef4A5pVLxI3cKyFxzVCNvnnbtFiykDhldUyxVfgZF0PQC_lu2LuUwA6WTCcEPZKKc9SFf6w35gic-2CIYxjv3WMLY9/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6LV1EIzi33fJ4DDyZrAUpKJUm8SI9Gat89y0p1P0dXWM1q8_-cef4A5pVLxI3cKyFxzVCNvnnbtFiykDhldUyxVfgZF0PQC_lu2LuUwA6WTCcEPZKKc9SFf6w35gic-2CIYxjv3WMLY9/s400/Slide1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Keurig lended a helping hand to drying. (A Keuring is not necessary for this project, but wine is critical.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJaW7G8VfbNRFDhM1FJ4XQXzUI2qIpxeji-xAf8zmUkGCdyoJgNHV83U-EMKIcDBqeq6MIJcfeMUdzaghfCaubuTvfUMSMuroqJfi4uGWXIR-IWuIiBxPapzNDeKayta0Y2T9n6wBf0VR/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJaW7G8VfbNRFDhM1FJ4XQXzUI2qIpxeji-xAf8zmUkGCdyoJgNHV83U-EMKIcDBqeq6MIJcfeMUdzaghfCaubuTvfUMSMuroqJfi4uGWXIR-IWuIiBxPapzNDeKayta0Y2T9n6wBf0VR/s400/Slide2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I measured the remaining foam board and used a Wildtree catalog to cut it in half to make the roof. (Wildtree catalog is not required for this project, but wine is.)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia75WnISmm9hW9_A0ThzwshBpmjXK_B8YR4RWQENSZkrQRMfYv-vlDR2Lex0K6Mmpi9SXbIfDyTMi5LSmCxqIyGLEc6hGbTfahcPKXwRkLdMZd3u5RbXuGpzvQk0AyvE2X3Zvdrpx4jHkR/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia75WnISmm9hW9_A0ThzwshBpmjXK_B8YR4RWQENSZkrQRMfYv-vlDR2Lex0K6Mmpi9SXbIfDyTMi5LSmCxqIyGLEc6hGbTfahcPKXwRkLdMZd3u5RbXuGpzvQk0AyvE2X3Zvdrpx4jHkR/s400/Slide3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I wrapped each piece in another color wrapping paper. It is reversable...this is the inside of the paper.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagxGTYUA4M_5weXJQXOIZidYXHEgNMc1Tx9DDAqQIkK0U6949kZmb7PT2vgtytGgOnNo_u6nQPEZWFlOg1JTlAZ4K5u4CG9KfiMquXjA7oeEzujQDF5nLnDbu80TYnlhiBPyM-7_fue_a/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagxGTYUA4M_5weXJQXOIZidYXHEgNMc1Tx9DDAqQIkK0U6949kZmb7PT2vgtytGgOnNo_u6nQPEZWFlOg1JTlAZ4K5u4CG9KfiMquXjA7oeEzujQDF5nLnDbu80TYnlhiBPyM-7_fue_a/s400/Slide4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I wrapped it, I realized that I didn't have enough (I blame the wine), and white would show on the underside of the roof. Wrapping fail.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDSTFAe6MffVzVtMizo8dGeUAVFZVPUP-uvPCTJxRMCb85jCdVfTM5GcFMTndO-VWDJcNKyrEuYTZIPPXTD5Uq9ViZ87e6XW7RanBaBzwC9z1RdNu_a_TKYwDZ52SwemKkTbEjZU9agOq/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDSTFAe6MffVzVtMizo8dGeUAVFZVPUP-uvPCTJxRMCb85jCdVfTM5GcFMTndO-VWDJcNKyrEuYTZIPPXTD5Uq9ViZ87e6XW7RanBaBzwC9z1RdNu_a_TKYwDZ52SwemKkTbEjZU9agOq/s400/Slide5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
No worries. I cut a piece the same size as the back, and Mod Podged it right on top. Wrapping win!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-TEdCrxOAcqSR-fCoGERUQshnohWDf4x5Wd-FerSgK7jX8oBXIs29HVyZgsIO-t91fYw67_8iBGmLYJWVjMiEztkoL7wsMaRVJSkBTe9OiT76_50_bgf7UiOsIbyliOdQh1LlWKRWRM3/s1600/Slide6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-TEdCrxOAcqSR-fCoGERUQshnohWDf4x5Wd-FerSgK7jX8oBXIs29HVyZgsIO-t91fYw67_8iBGmLYJWVjMiEztkoL7wsMaRVJSkBTe9OiT76_50_bgf7UiOsIbyliOdQh1LlWKRWRM3/s400/Slide6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I cut squares of red tissue paper and numbered them 1-24 with a Sharpie. Make sure to write over something, or you will Sharpie your counters.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAxfdBmvDZ9s4R4dFIzpjMBQvt5HIeMcYrMvFXSVd4V81s1g7c5JIZlJrkxiGv_JNbbKd6ozn1JgY5MhrJBCCQy6tTuV8g_zPWbnWrdBJzUqlTG5iKndlivWmZmmgGByD6ivDbTAm_uc5/s1600/Slide7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAxfdBmvDZ9s4R4dFIzpjMBQvt5HIeMcYrMvFXSVd4V81s1g7c5JIZlJrkxiGv_JNbbKd6ozn1JgY5MhrJBCCQy6tTuV8g_zPWbnWrdBJzUqlTG5iKndlivWmZmmgGByD6ivDbTAm_uc5/s400/Slide7.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next I put everything out playing with different layouts to see what I liked. I eventually measured a grid of 24 dots to be the center of each tube.</div>
<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/AVvXsEi4W5SF0Ef1WgB0FRfs6slPBmQc_DX27lnY2i1_ZlRcEPvaqA-wsOP7ckYMljQ8JILHxCmCBUYHbDndtpwkUKNUrimctAlrCaDex_pNI7aVR9eXsuz2r5ZfHB2h3fUSP7dtjsCm6AJFnHZn/s1600/Slide8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4W5SF0Ef1WgB0FRfs6slPBmQc_DX27lnY2i1_ZlRcEPvaqA-wsOP7ckYMljQ8JILHxCmCBUYHbDndtpwkUKNUrimctAlrCaDex_pNI7aVR9eXsuz2r5ZfHB2h3fUSP7dtjsCm6AJFnHZn/s400/Slide8.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey's Anatomy is as vital to this endevor as wine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I traced each tube with a small box cutter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQ6mhyphenhyphenRlLj5UcLB-RcKjlJe1BVJPZ-5_liG_enhwN7MhPfHIC48wex3SaAHfXixgEdnP3gZ87zyfi1bZjBxwfzXBvJ7nC6egnJeBOB36M0Z5B7qwhmDpuFwX4lS-B8bz2RguhsKJ3iC5U/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQ6mhyphenhyphenRlLj5UcLB-RcKjlJe1BVJPZ-5_liG_enhwN7MhPfHIC48wex3SaAHfXixgEdnP3gZ87zyfi1bZjBxwfzXBvJ7nC6egnJeBOB36M0Z5B7qwhmDpuFwX4lS-B8bz2RguhsKJ3iC5U/s400/Slide2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then I cut on the inside of the circle that I drew with the knife.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gztsTHzhTfE1K0Ppj7X9wmXPxMX8ReoJZKH2x49lcPUeXAhnct96AW3fNk1HoOCImkhw7Ss4HXZtBJhlWtxwP5DFf67275YC_hfuJXxDnjWQOzydVGywdZphbOKslABjHNQlz80nmkJj/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gztsTHzhTfE1K0Ppj7X9wmXPxMX8ReoJZKH2x49lcPUeXAhnct96AW3fNk1HoOCImkhw7Ss4HXZtBJhlWtxwP5DFf67275YC_hfuJXxDnjWQOzydVGywdZphbOKslABjHNQlz80nmkJj/s400/Slide3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I shoved the tube back in to the cut outline to ensure that it fit. For the 24 red and white tubes, I kept them all in until I was ready to glue. Keeping them in without glue helped me to line them up. Once all of the circles were cut, I glued the circle and put the tube back into the slot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KeadmX8QOE1h8rYjQj9DXIfKr_g9b8Lg0gyGLM8jtqnpJa0FIMtrnnKmBzFPcHYOXvyyyHiz19sKK1msmdRhmxhjEExmQSAwaNieiGdXdQGyO3AkLFyMKenRvhEJdHnTcl52BjzE0EW9/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KeadmX8QOE1h8rYjQj9DXIfKr_g9b8Lg0gyGLM8jtqnpJa0FIMtrnnKmBzFPcHYOXvyyyHiz19sKK1msmdRhmxhjEExmQSAwaNieiGdXdQGyO3AkLFyMKenRvhEJdHnTcl52BjzE0EW9/s400/Slide4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcszQe3yoy5hKKbBWYjrVMHgTIkvKtAMPzsfyUiKVGAFMcWBrdAmFfxos7-Vu3wId9tzt_OqDmpBUsFzWXj6ZLFyWs8FC4AiJtCtwTQGtJRifASCNCaLZqqwGwFfd_JSWcllIKnKp7d98c/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcszQe3yoy5hKKbBWYjrVMHgTIkvKtAMPzsfyUiKVGAFMcWBrdAmFfxos7-Vu3wId9tzt_OqDmpBUsFzWXj6ZLFyWs8FC4AiJtCtwTQGtJRifASCNCaLZqqwGwFfd_JSWcllIKnKp7d98c/s400/Slide5.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the red and white tubes, I removed one row at a time, glued one at a time, and replaced it into the pre-cut circle. Since the tubes aren't perfectly round, the traced circles aren't perfectly round...so it is important to keep each tube with its traced place on the board.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3WhHRe2VvC7BZWbtSU203dnAj6vEUu-Wz1jor97VbXVrN4wxUh98yV9JIhcSv4tjuEMJfMWw63I-Lt5XjV03Ul3xWs2V52YK6SQjUaHqoSRn9Lx9nbdi33rxRkxgODjYvFKS2tVgt-o0/s1600/Slide8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3WhHRe2VvC7BZWbtSU203dnAj6vEUu-Wz1jor97VbXVrN4wxUh98yV9JIhcSv4tjuEMJfMWw63I-Lt5XjV03Ul3xWs2V52YK6SQjUaHqoSRn9Lx9nbdi33rxRkxgODjYvFKS2tVgt-o0/s400/Slide8.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrHtXATXgAwJutmiugoDQ-5INkinyHjz42Q2mP20otYQLG2M_pQW5kdUIiruZkWFtMgV7RcBnOKJR1n7UXAK2-1lbvhXoHU0HiTX9ZRhNe7wiWmuQJD7pNedJOTc6zx7wzj0sxnHCTnpA/s1600/Slide10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrHtXATXgAwJutmiugoDQ-5INkinyHjz42Q2mP20otYQLG2M_pQW5kdUIiruZkWFtMgV7RcBnOKJR1n7UXAK2-1lbvhXoHU0HiTX9ZRhNe7wiWmuQJD7pNedJOTc6zx7wzj0sxnHCTnpA/s400/Slide10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I used toothpicks to create the roof. I used one toothpick cut in half to connect the two roof pieces, and two toothpicks to connect the roof to the house. I "pre-drilled" the holes, lined everything up, and removed the toothpicks.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMnCrCBxZ7gLTr1UzZaA3e2q_-YDYg19o_9xiXCyPy70a0TDW5shpy-MYMXE6wjocFouS20ASy_gjRGwttTPSmWGeOHFKH_g4Gf8ST6eAkmM2NJPb50t3TmKZFp42z2Zh9Srq6coUCk37/s1600/Slide9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMnCrCBxZ7gLTr1UzZaA3e2q_-YDYg19o_9xiXCyPy70a0TDW5shpy-MYMXE6wjocFouS20ASy_gjRGwttTPSmWGeOHFKH_g4Gf8ST6eAkmM2NJPb50t3TmKZFp42z2Zh9Srq6coUCk37/s400/Slide9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I put hot glue into the holes, put the toothpicks back into the foam, and pushed the pieces together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflxcBzGDOhGD_3UOYwhio_L4b9WGyMpAfN2cSfYUzyHTQDsjUhnCizQOKY1nD1pzJCOt8vA3PKJOAx92JLdhyphenhyphen785kIL-JlbrUpa4WWmLBom_3U3ZwDz4S2RIH07GsywdXc3Gkgg3Ds4vB/s1600/Slide6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflxcBzGDOhGD_3UOYwhio_L4b9WGyMpAfN2cSfYUzyHTQDsjUhnCizQOKY1nD1pzJCOt8vA3PKJOAx92JLdhyphenhyphen785kIL-JlbrUpa4WWmLBom_3U3ZwDz4S2RIH07GsywdXc3Gkgg3Ds4vB/s400/Slide6.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once everything was shoved together, I used the hot glue to "caulk" the back of the house..keeps the cold air out.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQAHrwTIusXG4ExnPBKuQXfKOsNbwS8ek8JNZaFCZHDcgNo-4fxXFASJVcKx6evi2-DXMLWTPPMKV7aSbD6CeAW_F3WTQZsdxIFbxnoX361GPwJyVaLwFWjDlCE-PTUauyFd9y4gLwvln/s1600/Slide7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQAHrwTIusXG4ExnPBKuQXfKOsNbwS8ek8JNZaFCZHDcgNo-4fxXFASJVcKx6evi2-DXMLWTPPMKV7aSbD6CeAW_F3WTQZsdxIFbxnoX361GPwJyVaLwFWjDlCE-PTUauyFd9y4gLwvln/s400/Slide7.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I gathered up my loot for the gifts. I only bought the stickers, necklaces, and bracelets. I found the jewelry in the party favor section of Target. The rest of the items I had around the house and included: sparkly letter stickers, foam hearts, and leftover Halloween candy. I shoved them in the tubes, covered them with the numbered tissue squares, and secured with a rubber band.<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/AVvXsEgB9QFrYL3tR9dC2zXGXNVTZ-RMgINXrzqQe82jDaWW-PhRHpm92u7w3GDjPHvRKEyR8mf37UYtWg8iPR5bUNORVzw05ifE5wbRhg8GfZ_mb2bP-Dazm95DAwos9OrMj8afPAuvRQ-4WGnx/s1600/Slide9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9QFrYL3tR9dC2zXGXNVTZ-RMgINXrzqQe82jDaWW-PhRHpm92u7w3GDjPHvRKEyR8mf37UYtWg8iPR5bUNORVzw05ifE5wbRhg8GfZ_mb2bP-Dazm95DAwos9OrMj8afPAuvRQ-4WGnx/s400/Slide9.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using Halloween candy for the Advent calendar...parenting win!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally I dug a hole in the back with the knife, hammered a nail in the wall, and hung up the calendar.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlIBzxuQBbDEcavXKRftjz9YlTDuCbsgEaK4OVaQ6o6gI5QKQKg4PwTAueGIhLTJP2VcIxqvf5X0tr0x4O6oqxdv-L3XTJbR3vG8N3bdGoMk_GhdgAMv4b2O4ujp9Fdi1K9UmYrtToKdS/s1600/Slide10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlIBzxuQBbDEcavXKRftjz9YlTDuCbsgEaK4OVaQ6o6gI5QKQKg4PwTAueGIhLTJP2VcIxqvf5X0tr0x4O6oqxdv-L3XTJbR3vG8N3bdGoMk_GhdgAMv4b2O4ujp9Fdi1K9UmYrtToKdS/s400/Slide10.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It is sitting at the bottom of the stairs so she sees it every morning, but is in the gated off section of the house, so she won't be able to raid the goods with my back turned.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLZXVkwiU59ELmRoiCirouM5DJdVZlKjrL3uqc6cx9oZAEd5h71Ig-UEPakmX9Twqp1F-KZ39NiAvn7G9U0kfHcp1aYzC7NG5t__5EFpuT6Egyzx8oWbMFEYnC84ceS_8x81rlEGHGxnC/s1600/Slide11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLZXVkwiU59ELmRoiCirouM5DJdVZlKjrL3uqc6cx9oZAEd5h71Ig-UEPakmX9Twqp1F-KZ39NiAvn7G9U0kfHcp1aYzC7NG5t__5EFpuT6Egyzx8oWbMFEYnC84ceS_8x81rlEGHGxnC/s640/Slide11.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In addition to wine, this project requires good supervision...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEjSeHSn8TejsaiXbCnOi24fQwXufljr8NgOk0o5L8KImeiAVk0xQ8zYaBGUSdcSDtWjRGP2Rdz8A4uLuzW_NBT758jXMySx5a4WwkIeTkMQJzMMqyiEBaJ_FLB2iddOqSdQsuzSmQ9vZXIS/s1600/Slide11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeHSn8TejsaiXbCnOi24fQwXufljr8NgOk0o5L8KImeiAVk0xQ8zYaBGUSdcSDtWjRGP2Rdz8A4uLuzW_NBT758jXMySx5a4WwkIeTkMQJzMMqyiEBaJ_FLB2iddOqSdQsuzSmQ9vZXIS/s400/Slide11.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Could you get us some more pillows...or perhaps a peanut butter cocktail??"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This project cost $10 ($5 foam board and $5 for gifts...I had the rest of the supplies), two naps, and one evening's worth of work. It took longer than expected, but I'm happy with the way it turned out.Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-46441954057977614492013-08-25T22:10:00.001-04:002013-08-25T22:10:10.181-04:00House Party with KeurigA few months ago I started seeing ads on TV that weren't ads. "House Party with Keurig"...and there would be smiling women with a Keurig coffee maker in a random kitchen...then it was over and onto the next commercial. "Wait...what the F was that?? That wasn't a commercial!" I thought that I must have misunderstood. So the next time it came on TV, I really paid attention. Keurig...women...coffee...kitchen...W.T.F??? It still made no sense at all. Then I started seeing the ads on my Facebook feed. The non-ad was following me!! The only logical conclusion was to click on it.<br />
<br />
After filling out my address and a survey, I found out that <a href="http://www.houseparty.com/">House Party</a> sends different products to a host's house for them to share with their friends. I applied for the Keurig party, and a few weeks later was accepted to host! The only rules were that I needed to invite 10 people via email, take a photo of the party, and agree to give away a Keurig...no problem. I received two Keurigs in the mail and a huge box of coffee and Keurig swag.<br />
<br />
Today a great group of friends came over to our house. This was NOT your typical Tupperware party. I couldn't decide what kind of <a href="http://haskerj.wordpress.com/2013/08/25/the-best-chocolate-chip-scone-recipe/">scones</a> to make, so I made raspberry with white chocolate chips, toffee and chocolate chips, and cinnamon chip.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUwsu_ytWxT0x-dHapMmvUOUyWJE-VZ1LpYLl2JFUTX8gFbKcQUUClFsMZVNcRHhDkl5Q7_eVzRdlIvAqgERNdbMso8T2FxLa-1ZBSwOoxZTKdnaDq-vmJjxSSUJlQ-bbkwKHMoVZ1BYf/s1600/DSCN3701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUwsu_ytWxT0x-dHapMmvUOUyWJE-VZ1LpYLl2JFUTX8gFbKcQUUClFsMZVNcRHhDkl5Q7_eVzRdlIvAqgERNdbMso8T2FxLa-1ZBSwOoxZTKdnaDq-vmJjxSSUJlQ-bbkwKHMoVZ1BYf/s400/DSCN3701.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Al made a brilliant pyramid of Keurig iced coffee/tea sippy cups.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuwbBMScWEsUkx4lj3N1c20jqZbIN_u0U7ux8naFzOb0WTn6LaRCzxQ-GU-m2CKkFN1RBh-VLaoqVmAl3TvXDZSK3WgGQvKOB6RQ87OVEd5nQycSD7En5UmAVXe1hZ-jCiK_Q1spIoAe7/s1600/DSCN3704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuwbBMScWEsUkx4lj3N1c20jqZbIN_u0U7ux8naFzOb0WTn6LaRCzxQ-GU-m2CKkFN1RBh-VLaoqVmAl3TvXDZSK3WgGQvKOB6RQ87OVEd5nQycSD7En5UmAVXe1hZ-jCiK_Q1spIoAe7/s400/DSCN3704.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
The big prize was set out in the center of the living room with a pretty red bow.<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/AVvXsEhN0-cPe9eGZ1h-ekoLaxINdEGuU9gFiwZXLtvl8hEcON5v8pJ1Mn_dGEg_xKnI-CoahN_eylu_SODB6BWtuiEbS3HQUo7k-39D49B8HlHmqq6dxK8hbCjl1HfG8FQE2hjBzU2RDFSChdFu/s1600/DSCN3707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0-cPe9eGZ1h-ekoLaxINdEGuU9gFiwZXLtvl8hEcON5v8pJ1Mn_dGEg_xKnI-CoahN_eylu_SODB6BWtuiEbS3HQUo7k-39D49B8HlHmqq6dxK8hbCjl1HfG8FQE2hjBzU2RDFSChdFu/s400/DSCN3707.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super fast Guinness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not only did the guests get free coffee, free scones, free swag, and a chance for a free Keurig, they also got a coupon for 50% off a Keurig brewer. I of course created my own side by side comparison of each Keurig available with the features and price with discount.<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/AVvXsEhco61ygO50_No_gL8oQnhpw82JqzeCgNYILKgEGSgavFEhxwCZ53Sbog4lZJjKs2FaH6n5c7mHTBftsp6M-ScD7g5oT8t4ZAsIdCYUGpGvqGd-hsCoXTC41VRu8xTSC6W86d9YSCS_SfJS/s1600/DSCN3706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco61ygO50_No_gL8oQnhpw82JqzeCgNYILKgEGSgavFEhxwCZ53Sbog4lZJjKs2FaH6n5c7mHTBftsp6M-ScD7g5oT8t4ZAsIdCYUGpGvqGd-hsCoXTC41VRu8xTSC6W86d9YSCS_SfJS/s400/DSCN3706.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is normal to create product comparisons complete with logo...yes?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We all grabbed a coffee or tea (iced or hot...some with Bailey's or Kahlua).<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/AVvXsEgCuUxqnTWe3r17CCIh4pcxtmuGgfa-Nj8E47BGy2Ixb316qjpk1tk73s1EvSFpM5UyE1Bw2daeARGUEkopWu4Iuozikc8f4h4G7bcONBkc7FAFoUu-mq5QMydaVW_VSEG9gBldnnXtqqWn/s1600/DSCN3708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCuUxqnTWe3r17CCIh4pcxtmuGgfa-Nj8E47BGy2Ixb316qjpk1tk73s1EvSFpM5UyE1Bw2daeARGUEkopWu4Iuozikc8f4h4G7bcONBkc7FAFoUu-mq5QMydaVW_VSEG9gBldnnXtqqWn/s400/DSCN3708.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decisions...decisions...decisions...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then we needed a way to give away the Keurig. Al wanted to be sure that he had influence over the great power that we had of determining the lucky winner of the Keurig. Clearly the only option was to play two rounds of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cards-Against-Humanity-LLC-CAHUS/dp/B004S8F7QM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377481284&sr=8-1&keywords=cards+against+humanity">Cards Against Humanity</a>..."the card game for horrible people". Everyone had a great time!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMaNOO6Ri-OL-XEe_XuJyCxJR2FIqr_3PnwJDNgTngVhS_4Sw0EjXJXFgi0IRnbKLNxhW1OuubcikCz2_jYflzfTO1unkLkzycZi7HRrrpGKUGOQkqZ3Im8TRJQT2Y5bFWi5sJr36Ze6V/s1600/DSCN3710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDMaNOO6Ri-OL-XEe_XuJyCxJR2FIqr_3PnwJDNgTngVhS_4Sw0EjXJXFgi0IRnbKLNxhW1OuubcikCz2_jYflzfTO1unkLkzycZi7HRrrpGKUGOQkqZ3Im8TRJQT2Y5bFWi5sJr36Ze6V/s400/DSCN3710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ben was the big winner for the day. He took an early lead, and nobody was able to catch up. Congratulations Ben and Shanna on your new Keurig!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEhpmwORzHVBv4OqNXZOX3Sbdn_V17u5Hw3HrI0tFfzQXDG4gTYQ0MEU1ScKAyavBj7QqgraOjHpTUWVnG7KNTi07vugWCoMjjnlZYiU4O9QhiZA2T5_tz6oJYBTLB36K0J_eF5lCCSFlnDP/s1600/DSCN3711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmwORzHVBv4OqNXZOX3Sbdn_V17u5Hw3HrI0tFfzQXDG4gTYQ0MEU1ScKAyavBj7QqgraOjHpTUWVnG7KNTi07vugWCoMjjnlZYiU4O9QhiZA2T5_tz6oJYBTLB36K0J_eF5lCCSFlnDP/s400/DSCN3711.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy couple with their new Keurig!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a great afternoon with friends, coffee, and CAH...also not a bad day when you get a free Keurig! I've applied to host a Yellow Tail Moscato party...how awesome would that be?? Keep your fingers crossed for me!</div>
Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-33911554820448628242013-08-22T22:12:00.008-04:002013-08-22T22:12:50.658-04:00Irish DumplingsHere's one of my favorites for a cool day. I used Penzey's Spices "Mural of Flavor", but you can use any herb blend. <br />
<br />
2 cans reduced fat condensed cream of chicken soup<br />
3 cups water<br />
3 medium onions<br />
1 package carrots<br />
1 package celery<br />
salt and pepper<br />
2 tbsp Penzey's Mural of Flavor (or other herb blend)<br />
family pack of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs<br />
6 medium potatoes, peeled<br />
1 package frozen peas<br />
3 cups Bisquick<br />
1 cup low-fat buttermilk<br />
1/3 c fat-free half and half or low fat milk<br />
<br />
Sprinkle boneless, skinless chicken breasts and/or thighs with the seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bake at 350 for 15-25 minutes until the center is 165 degrees.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLV6cwseusiztkm_YpPOO49ZpHWTHQ-F1nznSyNDyZ_dk2_gwokPZTm-m9ZzGPRbCsuxtAKGEy8pw_XEGBZIaXajmoZjd73CB_Hxgz3CAut1i1GuxRxM3USF9wMdcvi0m48MinDIQ3bAm/s1600/DSCN2725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLV6cwseusiztkm_YpPOO49ZpHWTHQ-F1nznSyNDyZ_dk2_gwokPZTm-m9ZzGPRbCsuxtAKGEy8pw_XEGBZIaXajmoZjd73CB_Hxgz3CAut1i1GuxRxM3USF9wMdcvi0m48MinDIQ3bAm/s400/DSCN2725.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Chop carrots, celery, and onions into equal sized pieces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2hvgs2gNiulvo_gIpQo3T83E2WmOh6EVsD9b3twQfvlDsuzqPHJ9aXpqXjLuvVf7ErAhleXwlcud_c4morRvF244ECYZDmHJ3JkNaYn64q4opiryHnVM_4qrntymWFy3ZQmiO64NuDQs/s1600/DSCN2727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2hvgs2gNiulvo_gIpQo3T83E2WmOh6EVsD9b3twQfvlDsuzqPHJ9aXpqXjLuvVf7ErAhleXwlcud_c4morRvF244ECYZDmHJ3JkNaYn64q4opiryHnVM_4qrntymWFy3ZQmiO64NuDQs/s400/DSCN2727.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Heat olive oil in a large pot.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9mzDtlcHPnTu9uIEnDKplxl357hvCzS06ChXx7QZE8qSP_dqzVwhtaRz7OmY0j1M40-2VM8rsfej2qQo2Rlr30GmfbehEEqccqwWDPGkxoSPEnirWI08ZsfV9Bsh6k9ezMCtcKuZbYBM/s1600/DSCN2730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9mzDtlcHPnTu9uIEnDKplxl357hvCzS06ChXx7QZE8qSP_dqzVwhtaRz7OmY0j1M40-2VM8rsfej2qQo2Rlr30GmfbehEEqccqwWDPGkxoSPEnirWI08ZsfV9Bsh6k9ezMCtcKuZbYBM/s400/DSCN2730.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Cook the veggies with salt and pepper for 10 minutes on medium high heat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP3ApLQSm3wlBrfPfmM0EIPaVV5L2aTYZjvdPehQhvI2ixIXlDqBiqnwesVYLheRLnApKjAYIN1jCQR5z867_mD_Hlt8AkPALRTWATLJQ07SUJfq9ENeZWlaNI6g_x9v7tF3rogKoeVCM/s1600/DSCN2732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP3ApLQSm3wlBrfPfmM0EIPaVV5L2aTYZjvdPehQhvI2ixIXlDqBiqnwesVYLheRLnApKjAYIN1jCQR5z867_mD_Hlt8AkPALRTWATLJQ07SUJfq9ENeZWlaNI6g_x9v7tF3rogKoeVCM/s400/DSCN2732.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Remove chicken from the oven.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYT9kGhyLzsCDNpbsDj_WLUCRKeet_TwAOdBawDKvSyBtC0_pld7PuQwspx9kDc1sLE7lSORJqrRy7KWvlNy8iSlsvlgdU9h6Kh7OdzC_bGd0JhDHBF5-_zAfEy5wq51BxcAZ8_RoI7TTz/s1600/DSCN2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYT9kGhyLzsCDNpbsDj_WLUCRKeet_TwAOdBawDKvSyBtC0_pld7PuQwspx9kDc1sLE7lSORJqrRy7KWvlNy8iSlsvlgdU9h6Kh7OdzC_bGd0JhDHBF5-_zAfEy5wq51BxcAZ8_RoI7TTz/s400/DSCN2733.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Chop potatoes into 1" pieces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoBLQ3gInG336gwI9ok49CPa4wQUbb3e3NYMjHEOXUFOGXb519xjMx1xC_e_nAvvP27gkrr4vMNReiYsIZamBgN36waHv6xbhDdXTnHMz8DadeGgA1BY484fLOtAP6XvkMiBsUMvcxAtv/s1600/DSCN2737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoBLQ3gInG336gwI9ok49CPa4wQUbb3e3NYMjHEOXUFOGXb519xjMx1xC_e_nAvvP27gkrr4vMNReiYsIZamBgN36waHv6xbhDdXTnHMz8DadeGgA1BY484fLOtAP6XvkMiBsUMvcxAtv/s400/DSCN2737.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Add soup, water, potatoes, peas, and chicken to the pot and simmer for 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYn8Fhy5T8P6qm64QkVhIGojhBfG1d0jHekNKFpLbzl9VTpg0q0DDAtHrtR5abqlLZy3fnp0-z33wMAdl5b77Mg9y4yS-YSeEk0QrC1hyphenhyphenulnSpgdA95wFH5-Ciln84YcvRflS1pSAdWux/s1600/DSCN2738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYn8Fhy5T8P6qm64QkVhIGojhBfG1d0jHekNKFpLbzl9VTpg0q0DDAtHrtR5abqlLZy3fnp0-z33wMAdl5b77Mg9y4yS-YSeEk0QrC1hyphenhyphenulnSpgdA95wFH5-Ciln84YcvRflS1pSAdWux/s400/DSCN2738.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I noticed that the chicken pan had all sorts of tasty goodness stuck on it...and I want ALL of the tasty goodness!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNambNdJY2Mb6ireCMikuexJ0XKkl_a1adHL9pYacESkceft_AbIGjwmKIPaGV_5ZLYLZWmhlS2YOioY43KnL3InSe7-aFM0vhGAe7yCoVLjjOLI7dOW2DYrcbg02TYt42udT2rPuH5t7l/s1600/DSCN2739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNambNdJY2Mb6ireCMikuexJ0XKkl_a1adHL9pYacESkceft_AbIGjwmKIPaGV_5ZLYLZWmhlS2YOioY43KnL3InSe7-aFM0vhGAe7yCoVLjjOLI7dOW2DYrcbg02TYt42udT2rPuH5t7l/s400/DSCN2739.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I took two ladles of the broth, fired up two burners, and deglazed the pan.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGyGn_qNi6f4OOE92K6rsQ9ltnSMmCXndxRe86V_lUAjl5uJzfgWxoL-rDaYDsNF7AUQngey0YnsGE9cPDd9gDdWHsiZ_z90znWE81WvcnDRd5ayTnJQLQbSAxDXL11oeTBjllj7vIw5Z/s1600/DSCN2741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGyGn_qNi6f4OOE92K6rsQ9ltnSMmCXndxRe86V_lUAjl5uJzfgWxoL-rDaYDsNF7AUQngey0YnsGE9cPDd9gDdWHsiZ_z90znWE81WvcnDRd5ayTnJQLQbSAxDXL11oeTBjllj7vIw5Z/s400/DSCN2741.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Scrap the pan with a wooden spoon using the broth to clean off the cooked on pieces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87B_PZucOn7UFl_u-NYuk1gNlu6fXz5IhoLkMTApwh8eIGk3PX2Ui6Jc16it9O4vPZvbzgyiYkU8sYdtrfn0Br4t3KhgQT0rZyXO-Ze9x6yYpLJugApsoK40nCqsqC_rd3UptqhyphenhyphenJBahu/s1600/DSCN2742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87B_PZucOn7UFl_u-NYuk1gNlu6fXz5IhoLkMTApwh8eIGk3PX2Ui6Jc16it9O4vPZvbzgyiYkU8sYdtrfn0Br4t3KhgQT0rZyXO-Ze9x6yYpLJugApsoK40nCqsqC_rd3UptqhyphenhyphenJBahu/s400/DSCN2742.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Drain the liquid into the pot, and now you've not only put all of that flavor into the stew, but you've cleaned most of the pan!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiZ0sRmbnb7YFhuNqdSeZSaaulfM50zoJybWjNgoMdnIKE70cJfxRpCzfRkkt9F5pBr5gbtJEnnfOeF0wR7GRGIK0NxowwiZZRArlPQTQc0J9-BstAe6WB5ojQhAWJHaK5jP4tztCt4kv/s1600/DSCN2744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiZ0sRmbnb7YFhuNqdSeZSaaulfM50zoJybWjNgoMdnIKE70cJfxRpCzfRkkt9F5pBr5gbtJEnnfOeF0wR7GRGIK0NxowwiZZRArlPQTQc0J9-BstAe6WB5ojQhAWJHaK5jP4tztCt4kv/s400/DSCN2744.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Mix up the Bisquick, buttermilk, and milk to create the dumplings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MVzIXKU_5Dm5K0bMZU0CHIhTKDUptKi235m-TCs8sb6OB4EFIrmw2FNzNxTz_hDRENVw1e7mgDn_CxV4hUuSnyXK91K9M0PhcEM2X43lxSJwrb13znNcfIbNIX8MxA0E20vQLxq736Yz/s1600/DSCN2748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3MVzIXKU_5Dm5K0bMZU0CHIhTKDUptKi235m-TCs8sb6OB4EFIrmw2FNzNxTz_hDRENVw1e7mgDn_CxV4hUuSnyXK91K9M0PhcEM2X43lxSJwrb13znNcfIbNIX8MxA0E20vQLxq736Yz/s400/DSCN2748.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Plop them into the pot in small batches turning after 2 minutes to cook all sides.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aAlMiw6MCFeWQ8ScGejGBIHFy8vHnlVUx005Ai8jLW1yIXufw1FRDsHZk0dr0QQ2sUcEBpn8cTOdKX73wkPCdYr6jz-A0GQ4U87rKl0XYCfKp1cskpsA1mKQ30uKU7AZBE9bS9LdXKwr/s1600/DSCN2751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aAlMiw6MCFeWQ8ScGejGBIHFy8vHnlVUx005Ai8jLW1yIXufw1FRDsHZk0dr0QQ2sUcEBpn8cTOdKX73wkPCdYr6jz-A0GQ4U87rKl0XYCfKp1cskpsA1mKQ30uKU7AZBE9bS9LdXKwr/s400/DSCN2751.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Enjoy! This is a great meal to double and put half in the freezer. You can also put it into small containers and make all of your coworkers jealous with your awesome leftovers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMZGc0dy_-V9qW7T22qHWHMfORjB2wszmELTaroIR5-oXbJ9eIQMLHt7A0bgQhhYGoeI2XJqQCgZIMm3L1bE2V1CELRE49d51_hHobslvCk-I0dsw1Hz9_d6_k2kamIaTTuF45_Nx4FqV/s1600/DSCN2753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMZGc0dy_-V9qW7T22qHWHMfORjB2wszmELTaroIR5-oXbJ9eIQMLHt7A0bgQhhYGoeI2XJqQCgZIMm3L1bE2V1CELRE49d51_hHobslvCk-I0dsw1Hz9_d6_k2kamIaTTuF45_Nx4FqV/s640/DSCN2753.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-83455684002913657372013-06-02T22:55:00.000-04:002013-06-02T22:55:17.666-04:00Flowers, flowers, flowers! The veggies have already been planted, and the tulips have come and gone, so it was time to plant some annuals. Last year I planted what I thought were annuals in the front yard. They had cute, little, red flowers. My only complaint was that they weren't very big. Turns out they were perennials because they came right back up twice as big as last year. Only one of them has new flowers, but the rest should be in soon. I planted a flat of white impatiens around them. Hopefully it all fills in soon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZA0cfJwpGW4zdg5SYN8n0K9kGG62WVufUEjhBIkm0awyl1uRD3loqOhvxw0iW_RB0nRC6ZVKraDnRS0JnKVfnzPsZfknIfEL3v9G_GiZ47NVhLsLcBJ4DAyOgAUPL-WYQY6kSIeeQT5Y9/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZA0cfJwpGW4zdg5SYN8n0K9kGG62WVufUEjhBIkm0awyl1uRD3loqOhvxw0iW_RB0nRC6ZVKraDnRS0JnKVfnzPsZfknIfEL3v9G_GiZ47NVhLsLcBJ4DAyOgAUPL-WYQY6kSIeeQT5Y9/s400/Slide2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9dXIgJUmvsrZzhs7ydnoYgugnO9iwpA6WO3jsIoGK7Jm0z6InFC9ShSADGSvwWrSW2YuBIa78G_3qIhC7DIWWDVc03r3s1mmyE_YkdLuf78EZl3AWd_CPqsk3wqTetKItKFzpznTVRsA/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9dXIgJUmvsrZzhs7ydnoYgugnO9iwpA6WO3jsIoGK7Jm0z6InFC9ShSADGSvwWrSW2YuBIa78G_3qIhC7DIWWDVc03r3s1mmyE_YkdLuf78EZl3AWd_CPqsk3wqTetKItKFzpznTVRsA/s400/Slide1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the flowers around our lamp-post, I went a little nuts. I wanted to add another color to the mix besides red and white. These cute little neon flowers caught my eye, and I went for it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIT82hE6GhMX09CPHPM9aaRQGdT25Q7BNE-5NMxSSXijxnjiSfaOoqLp9e1vuv2UFIRmjz_XdZSue0aS-aI2soBTh4awpUn95BcTi4vh_AWBa6C5glOim4E1X7n8q2DgsL9sa4JG5PIIK/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIT82hE6GhMX09CPHPM9aaRQGdT25Q7BNE-5NMxSSXijxnjiSfaOoqLp9e1vuv2UFIRmjz_XdZSue0aS-aI2soBTh4awpUn95BcTi4vh_AWBa6C5glOim4E1X7n8q2DgsL9sa4JG5PIIK/s400/Slide2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrdo8wQSpZPjAHA7R86iY9VCRkIcZpbSUeVF3o45aAngZ-3oQav1-ZOdtgNt7DfuRVV-FQkbQcosmqdROirm8g2HDI9rrLcoSUWT8LWs7ZaPX0rbTTS0gBxZ_h5Z2ocKbOwTR2VXvuT_v/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrdo8wQSpZPjAHA7R86iY9VCRkIcZpbSUeVF3o45aAngZ-3oQav1-ZOdtgNt7DfuRVV-FQkbQcosmqdROirm8g2HDI9rrLcoSUWT8LWs7ZaPX0rbTTS0gBxZ_h5Z2ocKbOwTR2VXvuT_v/s400/Slide3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kzUa0nExP7ccBeRM8f9slcR5uhZnUE7hK9QKtCR4aISqkCaItqTImg8sqrFI_RZ13CAmIUd5uZBrFagA_D4QeSgc6kwruP1hKhxt0t8wa9GL0dhUznXr6Sq9VBZIvuf9kQvZ08CUm9NH/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kzUa0nExP7ccBeRM8f9slcR5uhZnUE7hK9QKtCR4aISqkCaItqTImg8sqrFI_RZ13CAmIUd5uZBrFagA_D4QeSgc6kwruP1hKhxt0t8wa9GL0dhUznXr6Sq9VBZIvuf9kQvZ08CUm9NH/s400/Slide3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then because I wasn't tired of digging yet, I decided to move some hostas. I usually hate hate hate hostas, but these weren't so bad because they were solid colored and weren't the size of a small bus. I didn't take a before picture (because I suck), but they were to the right in the grass. Al would have to mow around them. The mulched area by the sidewalk was completely empty. I moved them over, dug up some rouge grass, and replaced the hostas with grass.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd73P4fkTH_jvgQFSi2KeGQkhucjcMwN8AxghOBppHMDwsBlikfd5TrOEVRp_FEgMNhle6MQFbMEqvvr5I-Os_tPT-ZwLb8xM9rNR1Xoty97rZHK89n5fDEo3idnresflnLJd7ohwWUFj/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd73P4fkTH_jvgQFSi2KeGQkhucjcMwN8AxghOBppHMDwsBlikfd5TrOEVRp_FEgMNhle6MQFbMEqvvr5I-Os_tPT-ZwLb8xM9rNR1Xoty97rZHK89n5fDEo3idnresflnLJd7ohwWUFj/s400/Slide4.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiad-9MAUyuPzTTKKDHLKi6IDV8VD_T3yG0IpDW5bLC5ToGJwxBZV0WrVHyIlF7BJpAmv6G23J38O7acSi4f51uQ03hSbdyHxsDXh00NPuR_VOTJG6SM84JRI8Dl2TI8PShmOhNtFJcNav/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiad-9MAUyuPzTTKKDHLKi6IDV8VD_T3yG0IpDW5bLC5ToGJwxBZV0WrVHyIlF7BJpAmv6G23J38O7acSi4f51uQ03hSbdyHxsDXh00NPuR_VOTJG6SM84JRI8Dl2TI8PShmOhNtFJcNav/s400/Slide4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEjcAevf0lXXQhADrPM1yTkURgsCsur5N-6tF4LN9JFTBtTgQ_ZhTIZZzzQjVrdPHIEf1jl0PqRLu2VwXwT_-fVA0YKiOXDIINs9M10aKW7O0MTtzF-h_5G4rHpsIYMqBxAHe-UUVPPFFEMY/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAevf0lXXQhADrPM1yTkURgsCsur5N-6tF4LN9JFTBtTgQ_ZhTIZZzzQjVrdPHIEf1jl0PqRLu2VwXwT_-fVA0YKiOXDIINs9M10aKW7O0MTtzF-h_5G4rHpsIYMqBxAHe-UUVPPFFEMY/s400/Slide1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My supervisors tell me that I'm doing it wrong.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On a random note, I'm in love with my <a href="http://www.clinique.com/product/1599/21954/Makeup/Foundations/Stay-Matte-Oil-Free-Makeup/index.tmpl">new foundation</a>. I decided to spend a little more money than the drug store, and I'm really happy. This is 8 hours after I applied it with no touch ups and 3 hours of gardening.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgru3kkFlXphn_zwNfOmbMWIdBuV4IcI7lWSIVMNO-M43YmcoQ-TA6dSwcikYtK7xrJkkF4sw-McuUDFP9qgEmvQ7hOzwnMK43KKlYHtuulViFlx_FXM5g-t8TBneAhaqFJqAsHF_qSjBV7/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgru3kkFlXphn_zwNfOmbMWIdBuV4IcI7lWSIVMNO-M43YmcoQ-TA6dSwcikYtK7xrJkkF4sw-McuUDFP9qgEmvQ7hOzwnMK43KKlYHtuulViFlx_FXM5g-t8TBneAhaqFJqAsHF_qSjBV7/s400/Slide5.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-37510437810377663742013-04-13T15:31:00.003-04:002013-04-13T15:34:06.390-04:00Thank God...because I couldn't live without buttercream or wineMy legs used to itch...a lot. Like itch through my jeans so much that my legs would bruise...and at night, I would itch until I bled. Good times. I would always have to wear panty hose or tights because my legs were so damaged. There was no rash...just itching. I tried lotions, creams, prescriptions, seances, an exorcism, etc. Nothing worked. <br />
<br />
When I was pregnant, one of my midwives suggested trying a gluten free diet. I was waaaay too hungry at the time to eliminate any sort of food. Plus I had been tested for Celiac's Disease twice, and was negative...twice.<br />
<br />
I decided to give a gluten free diet a try...just to show that it was totally not gluten. Two weeks without bread, and I could totally cross this off the list. So I made up a bunch of lunches of chicken, veggies, and potatoes. "It isn't gluten!" I kept telling myself. <br />
<br />
It totally was gluten...$%$@#$%!!!<br />
<br />
After only two days, I noticed that the itching was gone. After two weeks the large eczema patch on my stomach that had been there for over a year disappeared. Shit, this was not the plan.<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/AVvXsEhl26UOoUzig5hx7mN1JyvrAPEb8Qu5QkNi-CRlh3hC9nfyN9OiPwpkErQO02OYlWmiXIF8PN4aNZJZT783Z-LS7p3zOrEPJpRShps17wKeW05jceNVPicGanVORZ7tZqJZJlON2eHghl0Y/s1600/bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl26UOoUzig5hx7mN1JyvrAPEb8Qu5QkNi-CRlh3hC9nfyN9OiPwpkErQO02OYlWmiXIF8PN4aNZJZT783Z-LS7p3zOrEPJpRShps17wKeW05jceNVPicGanVORZ7tZqJZJlON2eHghl0Y/s1600/bread.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: start;">I really like bread...really. like. bread.<br />And also cake...mmmm....cake. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've been 80% gluten free for two months. Basically I avoid anything with flour. Dairy, potatoes, rice, fat, potato chips, buttercream, and wine are all ok...thank God...because I couldn't live without buttercream or wine. It also isn't an allergy; it is just an intolerance...so if I eat gluten it isn't the end of the world...my world is just a little itchier. <br />
<br />
So if you see me throw away the yummy roll that Panera gives you, don't think that I've completely lost it, but if you taunt me with warm, fresh baked bread, I am likely to punch you...just FYI.Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-9102078197834306722013-03-10T15:28:00.002-04:002013-03-10T15:28:53.400-04:00New Year's NailsAl and I went out for sushi with friends of ours for New Year's Eve. I decided to try out something new on my nails. I used Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail polish strips that were $7 at Target. The best part is that you don't have to wait for the nail polish to dry! It took me about 20 minutes to put them on my nails, but I think it would only take me 10 the second time (I ready the directions roughly 30 times).<br />
<br />
You get 16 nail polish strips and each strip has a different shape on each side...so that is 32 combinations to make sure you have the perfect fit. Make sure that you clean the oil off of your nails with nail polish remover (even if you aren't wearing any polish) to be sure that they stick.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKsQoEktQX57mQNUeTIqEJzhCc8CIw3KkX2eMvpi5ehlCC34O24fAoqNoxNs7Vw91LgKe4P5pl1Z32h-xDIAuLoiCBxzlknCHfREteZkEHsTyF6BiOVv-jxPO3g22ROI9U8cFz6FdHEjv/s1600/DSCN2704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKsQoEktQX57mQNUeTIqEJzhCc8CIw3KkX2eMvpi5ehlCC34O24fAoqNoxNs7Vw91LgKe4P5pl1Z32h-xDIAuLoiCBxzlknCHfREteZkEHsTyF6BiOVv-jxPO3g22ROI9U8cFz6FdHEjv/s400/DSCN2704.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
After putting on the nail polish strips, we went to the Children's Museum...so these babies got a good test drive. They held up great, and looked great for our dinner that evening. They only lasted about a week (like regular nail polish), but the speed and the fun designs are worth the higher price tag (still a lot cheaper and faster than a professional manicure).<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/AVvXsEg5VB62ofKkw9Keo_q6uGBh9EZStN24y9OM0O-p76dP5iH2gi58wtH3K5ZqC4c5DFztcuGETe3a8mVLp_YdUzgArCbI71anGxYEp61wvcR8edn4zmfE7O7OTmQLPYQiODAtBG1sniwi-NB6/s1600/DSCN2705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VB62ofKkw9Keo_q6uGBh9EZStN24y9OM0O-p76dP5iH2gi58wtH3K5ZqC4c5DFztcuGETe3a8mVLp_YdUzgArCbI71anGxYEp61wvcR8edn4zmfE7O7OTmQLPYQiODAtBG1sniwi-NB6/s640/DSCN2705.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Festive Nails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-90668021673283028272013-02-27T21:46:00.000-05:002013-02-27T21:46:04.116-05:00Salsa ParfaitsOk, not really. I love those yogurt parfaits at the coffee shop, but they are $5...five dollars! That is lame. So I made a big batch of parfaits layering frozen berries and vanilla Greek yogurt. I used old salsa jars that Al had been saving up, and taped baggies of granola to the lid. (I may or may not have been a super nerd and calculated the exact ounces per parfait and weighed the granola baggies on a scale.) The frozen berries have melted over the week and their juice has soaked the yogurt...so they get better as they age a bit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQ2ERdDBw7c2bAwJYn4p5GCbOOGyfaU208OtQ6vnl889vmLIfGft0OqRtVUYHviKyON4wK80dmM4j_Z8HB_TC0SBk67S9v2wb0snp02lH27a2NRh9mUxHBs_EJaQUmTt8GeqCyw_u_bqE/s1600/DSCN2834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQ2ERdDBw7c2bAwJYn4p5GCbOOGyfaU208OtQ6vnl889vmLIfGft0OqRtVUYHviKyON4wK80dmM4j_Z8HB_TC0SBk67S9v2wb0snp02lH27a2NRh9mUxHBs_EJaQUmTt8GeqCyw_u_bqE/s640/DSCN2834.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-22465379307129263772013-01-27T21:47:00.001-05:002013-01-27T21:48:25.668-05:00Candy Corn BrowniesAs you can see, I am a little behind in blogging...at least I took pictures! That has been my plan. Take pictures now, blog latter...well, I accomplished the first part!<br />
<br />
Back in October I wanted to experiment with making a candy corn brownie because what's better than brownies?...buttercream on brownies!<br />
<br />
I put a brownie mix in round cake pans.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J4fR5XZ9OcYMQoCUOXpy16IrgXpMExGYbpxp1-5sDtlLT9bS1DUX5YBolEB-8vILvD506EBpMJGN5yTTPpaoIQ2ho_sTyizQFkOXPpumS1d6W66RF84kt_8TCq0QnRSSsrSY8mzvrhaB/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J4fR5XZ9OcYMQoCUOXpy16IrgXpMExGYbpxp1-5sDtlLT9bS1DUX5YBolEB-8vILvD506EBpMJGN5yTTPpaoIQ2ho_sTyizQFkOXPpumS1d6W66RF84kt_8TCq0QnRSSsrSY8mzvrhaB/s400/Slide1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I lined the pans with wax paper and ran a knife around the edge before using two cutting boards to flip the brownies.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zwd240eawvA0yiJaRmiwXokmb_Ik9d5ph9XrcfMfQ_b_NtR0tG3pFsdLHCItfkmg3SimShYslhTifJHoduK0Anf8W5MVdtT20s2ypDP4mW3_hbPDNVXDuawRoq-NNtJTNXCUo8flnoOh/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zwd240eawvA0yiJaRmiwXokmb_Ik9d5ph9XrcfMfQ_b_NtR0tG3pFsdLHCItfkmg3SimShYslhTifJHoduK0Anf8W5MVdtT20s2ypDP4mW3_hbPDNVXDuawRoq-NNtJTNXCUo8flnoOh/s400/Slide2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I used a pizza cutter to divide the brownie into eight pieces and cut off the tips.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryF3jGMtmzEhStez3j8pTxvNmGzjJB9XZt56lt2Aj35pEir-Qym5638MAQHm3EFY5XPnbtHkJYVtkdT9kBdrWi_OB9Lfh1YVhOGTV_EqNlqwvJeYEavAdRksb1MK5ZiYk12gme-jSAgvG/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryF3jGMtmzEhStez3j8pTxvNmGzjJB9XZt56lt2Aj35pEir-Qym5638MAQHm3EFY5XPnbtHkJYVtkdT9kBdrWi_OB9Lfh1YVhOGTV_EqNlqwvJeYEavAdRksb1MK5ZiYk12gme-jSAgvG/s400/Slide3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-64Jk8zgxcwx4ct5dpbE-lwqnPGetPMIhG_xNWQtFgyxbkSMe-HFy8R-ytypLvU6-6Vg9WunyQeUN3WK86cH3p0gH6t2idX_6zniiJ1dg7NhSM6biGDmQDaW01MLzTI8A0E-TLI0Wb6JJ/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-64Jk8zgxcwx4ct5dpbE-lwqnPGetPMIhG_xNWQtFgyxbkSMe-HFy8R-ytypLvU6-6Vg9WunyQeUN3WK86cH3p0gH6t2idX_6zniiJ1dg7NhSM6biGDmQDaW01MLzTI8A0E-TLI0Wb6JJ/s400/Slide4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My original plan was to use buttercream because mmmmmmm. Buttercream won't ever be completely white (even if you don't add vanilla) because butter is yellow. I made an icing out of corn syrup and powdered sugar to ensure the whitest white. <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/AVvXsEhqXyyw9iiydlWB3yiAkNvrKsOS3Bc8nkLjEENz3se3ev6znwsGO9H5ttzJMGOsb427CRfy5rd2wO05c79CTujH_WMQq1AYhAFvTWXdhC1UMaGxCqpr01IQNbF2K3BnxPkK-Mo22LCV8IwN/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXyyw9iiydlWB3yiAkNvrKsOS3Bc8nkLjEENz3se3ev6znwsGO9H5ttzJMGOsb427CRfy5rd2wO05c79CTujH_WMQq1AYhAFvTWXdhC1UMaGxCqpr01IQNbF2K3BnxPkK-Mo22LCV8IwN/s400/Slide1.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: Buttercream<br />
Right: Corn Syrup and Powdered Sugar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally I pipped the frosting on top. These were a hit at work and more fun than a regular brownie. Look forward to a Christmas tree brownie post sometime in July.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-NuuVGbHU0c-8s22hhAi_8C-Hp5JbSIgRgCncOlUt6XgGItYRGPsVQ9eqbs9_TvSCb6Qk8oqFkaIDySWUhsHgoGZgZGYi1IZcTrluewyA-i6zTjFv8M9x_wlQvbf8Uy9IxfBI0q1dXSg/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-NuuVGbHU0c-8s22hhAi_8C-Hp5JbSIgRgCncOlUt6XgGItYRGPsVQ9eqbs9_TvSCb6Qk8oqFkaIDySWUhsHgoGZgZGYi1IZcTrluewyA-i6zTjFv8M9x_wlQvbf8Uy9IxfBI0q1dXSg/s400/Slide5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lD7hl0IPxuh7fXUer0Vjq5KBTIp21KGTMa0PMStmSYd4JpasN6mziQCJTMos2t-nmVJf8bVDP3XJUK18ovmAcPBXz1Ke9xz9JV3-PK5WDd-HuQSsyT7fZ4DfpKrooWrnnQ7aYjQys-_V/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lD7hl0IPxuh7fXUer0Vjq5KBTIp21KGTMa0PMStmSYd4JpasN6mziQCJTMos2t-nmVJf8bVDP3XJUK18ovmAcPBXz1Ke9xz9JV3-PK5WDd-HuQSsyT7fZ4DfpKrooWrnnQ7aYjQys-_V/s400/Slide2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-90959243617820966562013-01-21T16:00:00.001-05:002013-01-21T16:19:34.705-05:00Bacon Porn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
***Dear Googler, this is a post about a bacon recipe, not porn. You will have to continue on your Google way.***</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I first read the words Bacon Jam on my friend Tracy's Facebook page, I thought, "eeew...gross." I was imagining grape jelly and bacon. Once she listed the ingredients, I was completely on board. I invited my friend Jono* over to take photos...he works for bacon. Below is our journey to Bacon Jam.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Ingredients<br />
<br />
1 1/2 pounds sliced bacon cut crosswise into 1 inch pieces<br />
2 medium yellow onions, diced<br />
3 garlic cloves, smashed, peeled, and minced<br />
3/4 cup strongly brewed coffee<br />
1/2 cup cider vinegar<br />
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar<br />
1/4 cup maple syrup<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY1aLT294yfv-JI-gBZ9XxL_Oo7bNt86qg93nWRwA-VU9isBK4Z_MwCp9IlOGH2dMX7K6c2CYeCJAx8F6J3TkTRMvUGWR_3CeUZ_sYgiA2YfOGSOSW71Na8pOuN-5wq3o2thmf_8ZBMmo/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvY1aLT294yfv-JI-gBZ9XxL_Oo7bNt86qg93nWRwA-VU9isBK4Z_MwCp9IlOGH2dMX7K6c2CYeCJAx8F6J3TkTRMvUGWR_3CeUZ_sYgiA2YfOGSOSW71Na8pOuN-5wq3o2thmf_8ZBMmo/s640/Slide1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEgwM_1O8Zn4K-9Y8heq-Ar5oXhEpQoY4yWb1c-W-Aw_ZfhCwqUHUcxqEHGEcqNHZadRY0ZseeolkoVjW5FPE3va9yAoCQ6RCmwgGsxx06duHvD64_YP_OqTUWFKEcTuM6o8NlQVunu1G85s/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwM_1O8Zn4K-9Y8heq-Ar5oXhEpQoY4yWb1c-W-Aw_ZfhCwqUHUcxqEHGEcqNHZadRY0ZseeolkoVjW5FPE3va9yAoCQ6RCmwgGsxx06duHvD64_YP_OqTUWFKEcTuM6o8NlQVunu1G85s/s640/Slide2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artsy Onion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhZUjwLhs2dgYNkjC6M1PsEan9LBurgTQ1UN-1fPKnSLR3ABitAsVDRFy1qEbXuicDEv0PDZ3fK8-2F6Nc8EAamVZv6ctzv02fkB5OHuJqKqVlg126BClZPb4ftFA03mwAuSveYtGVAWMsW/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUjwLhs2dgYNkjC6M1PsEan9LBurgTQ1UN-1fPKnSLR3ABitAsVDRFy1qEbXuicDEv0PDZ3fK8-2F6Nc8EAamVZv6ctzv02fkB5OHuJqKqVlg126BClZPb4ftFA03mwAuSveYtGVAWMsW/s640/Slide3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BACON!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgSc9bfI4hTpI5L-mOmB6IAhDw8PDQUsxeN50YID9OkM2qGK1jL9D4PPIIUkNd8L3QGy3UrxuOvhPtbb-dWZx4LBcDY3On69aXw7TRPI26B-BU3xeBoK9D3avbgg7ceobP9WFAozMbIyu-B/s1600/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSc9bfI4hTpI5L-mOmB6IAhDw8PDQUsxeN50YID9OkM2qGK1jL9D4PPIIUkNd8L3QGy3UrxuOvhPtbb-dWZx4LBcDY3On69aXw7TRPI26B-BU3xeBoK9D3avbgg7ceobP9WFAozMbIyu-B/s640/Slide4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So basically it is a lot of bacon with syrup and sugar...what could go wrong.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1BeQ5uOsLrNEo2vm1p0qP_htYMlEvpMRqsMT7tXfqIPUJ1XDATeRHDbrfCXZHi5qCLgk6stQt6zZM05SYOcdgklDokpzHbM0xnE53kAoitaZtUMU7_Hi55CMsNzLox9arltVuWG0Yha9/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1BeQ5uOsLrNEo2vm1p0qP_htYMlEvpMRqsMT7tXfqIPUJ1XDATeRHDbrfCXZHi5qCLgk6stQt6zZM05SYOcdgklDokpzHbM0xnE53kAoitaZtUMU7_Hi55CMsNzLox9arltVuWG0Yha9/s640/Slide5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally until the fat is rendered and the bacon is lightly browned, about 20 minutes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEM0k0PPSKW9JxpQA1MEnIZyMhn24Pdo7FMK-Xie1ePEp19_LdADevsOEML7H9yROcdCAELbDK-_94AiySf5wYwgdwsb4qzDb0_PEPGke7xbzkPAUq26RZWIZs7n66vs328rQN3QCl8Ri/s1600/Slide7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDEM0k0PPSKW9JxpQA1MEnIZyMhn24Pdo7FMK-Xie1ePEp19_LdADevsOEML7H9yROcdCAELbDK-_94AiySf5wYwgdwsb4qzDb0_PEPGke7xbzkPAUq26RZWIZs7n66vs328rQN3QCl8Ri/s640/Slide7.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<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/AVvXsEjVF44lYo1ehWbalg0UznPzy0ZeMlqpuX-CqMLbxoAobUe9DXO-se6XA6O5i2ijCQV2GfRS52BgqzdIboU1Ucj1bEA6S8i18GGXtGYNhcLKPIH0UlWkLRcKjZQDt9B37ouumy0FhRJmw4im/s1600/Slide6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVF44lYo1ehWbalg0UznPzy0ZeMlqpuX-CqMLbxoAobUe9DXO-se6XA6O5i2ijCQV2GfRS52BgqzdIboU1Ucj1bEA6S8i18GGXtGYNhcLKPIH0UlWkLRcKjZQDt9B37ouumy0FhRJmw4im/s640/Slide6.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamy Bacon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEhkKlpEhHqwyNgLuP7wuo6OrdOFRtOdDBuDFGJ-XA2DIVq2u5OYsegMnoJRSUwM98QX5VxAHh3Cg6U_qlyhsSqS-rpPPPV9Xzr99Izv4dqh8YT7PXbx9psxeQhFRhL-7rcrV-iJHEsS9qiN/s1600/Slide8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKlpEhHqwyNgLuP7wuo6OrdOFRtOdDBuDFGJ-XA2DIVq2u5OYsegMnoJRSUwM98QX5VxAHh3Cg6U_qlyhsSqS-rpPPPV9Xzr99Izv4dqh8YT7PXbx9psxeQhFRhL-7rcrV-iJHEsS9qiN/s640/Slide8.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most difficult part of this recipe...do not eat the crispy pile of bacon...it was my Everest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the drippings from the skillet and reserve for another use. Add the onions and garlic to the skillet and cook until the onions are translucent, about 6 minutes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-_8oZ1KVhbikDiaD5ysJP_9GX64MDC7KTatQ9ZheQCmSk1Oi-qEHkN-m2YJV1jxvqa7iHBmhHRGsjFkJqAj_FFd_eyKL6KvnrQD3p95l6rcUUuqoC18XPcx2KQJ2eI5ypZOylHXd-39k/s1600/Slide9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-_8oZ1KVhbikDiaD5ysJP_9GX64MDC7KTatQ9ZheQCmSk1Oi-qEHkN-m2YJV1jxvqa7iHBmhHRGsjFkJqAj_FFd_eyKL6KvnrQD3p95l6rcUUuqoC18XPcx2KQJ2eI5ypZOylHXd-39k/s640/Slide9.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Add the coffee, vinegar, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Bring to a boil. Cook, stirring and scraping up any of the browned bits from the skillet, 2 minutes. Add the bacon and stir to combine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEjeU5C5a7nJkrEmqRtSOJxn3IyxPoINblf__iiZGPHknKLQ5Sx4JPSM4yzdojo5wXWmhjyaIlawwRrqY_xkptoxjrJ4wdzLLjHFBwud4ilnxQ4LwQUa_bPNqtQTsZhGVEw0gx_nCd4lCYH5/s1600/Slide10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeU5C5a7nJkrEmqRtSOJxn3IyxPoINblf__iiZGPHknKLQ5Sx4JPSM4yzdojo5wXWmhjyaIlawwRrqY_xkptoxjrJ4wdzLLjHFBwud4ilnxQ4LwQUa_bPNqtQTsZhGVEw0gx_nCd4lCYH5/s640/Slide10.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh yea...pour the syrup.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>If making this on a stove top:</b> Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the liquid almost completely evaporates and turns syrupy, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>If making this in a slow-cooker:</b> Transfer the mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker and cook on high, uncovered, until the liquid almost completely evaporates and turns syrupy, 3 1/2 to 4 hours.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I used the stove top because I had the time, and the pan was already dirty. It took an hour, but my stove is gas and cooks very quickly. If you need to head out, the slow cooker is your best bet...and your house will smell like baaaacoooon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYxYB2EeXTrbUQ-pgA-vE6wkFLChFGQlmpJe03FgQuONw9w_wSSGC09XkzzMCUoSfpGvGUvPa4ECE6ffO8VCOji_qF1X3BqCgG-8HtAtOXi0e_bK_8syZcM8aeDshGjCaTF45ygr8TTnQ/s1600/Slide11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYxYB2EeXTrbUQ-pgA-vE6wkFLChFGQlmpJe03FgQuONw9w_wSSGC09XkzzMCUoSfpGvGUvPa4ECE6ffO8VCOji_qF1X3BqCgG-8HtAtOXi0e_bK_8syZcM8aeDshGjCaTF45ygr8TTnQ/s640/Slide11.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Let the bacon concoction cool slightly before transferring it to a food processor and pulsing until coarsely chopped.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMjFxByPcldzcUGKjXwWP6ww1q36JblJL8LqfcxEo0VmfHsm7m_hOY4WWn0vec-mt45BF5Eqddn-Ejj6Wg_GENKaQKoLyxA8v6kxSbk7V7ZQnfxTsKAtOKVZnlJmx8iLGNrSEfbynnb6d/s1600/Slide12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMjFxByPcldzcUGKjXwWP6ww1q36JblJL8LqfcxEo0VmfHsm7m_hOY4WWn0vec-mt45BF5Eqddn-Ejj6Wg_GENKaQKoLyxA8v6kxSbk7V7ZQnfxTsKAtOKVZnlJmx8iLGNrSEfbynnb6d/s640/Slide12.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RgJ5telD8_gXI-HPPzqDqpLVB8YuAX3Z5Ty9wFxE0C94s_VgDW1HRAZNs_1k2YAgEya8yeyKltYAYsAWQrMgQyTfDVTp67EbareFO2lwp0Vql54_Tm9kJS0ibkVsRUTEfNh08J_jZK5d/s1600/Slide13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RgJ5telD8_gXI-HPPzqDqpLVB8YuAX3Z5Ty9wFxE0C94s_VgDW1HRAZNs_1k2YAgEya8yeyKltYAYsAWQrMgQyTfDVTp67EbareFO2lwp0Vql54_Tm9kJS0ibkVsRUTEfNh08J_jZK5d/s640/Slide13.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Spoon the bacon lusciousness into individual jars or other resealable containers (don't eat it all yourself in one sitting, it will make you very ill). It can be refrigerated for up to 4 weeks. Transfer to a pan and rewarm gently over low heat prior to indulging. (I used a tablespoon of olive oil to help reheat it.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_fN-M1LuFn0G4sRGFy330i_9fNZtyOe8adLUiB7ACZvG70_LtIgD9FKC5Y52hvVMTvSgNrlCm1pVN7-1_4y4EZjcGExLHiNC_DAF5Ggr83DqUjMcrVG6ymWvp92Fr2CelWwvrf8bFDms/s1600/Slide14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_fN-M1LuFn0G4sRGFy330i_9fNZtyOe8adLUiB7ACZvG70_LtIgD9FKC5Y52hvVMTvSgNrlCm1pVN7-1_4y4EZjcGExLHiNC_DAF5Ggr83DqUjMcrVG6ymWvp92Fr2CelWwvrf8bFDms/s640/Slide14.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF1S5Zg5o5d9WtnkNhXswEa4mWigiPp4rQ6ktiwsKkxT8Qs3sweCEoBTmxoXwaqCYWqR2tm1w22sg1KjYud2QY7gwyjr2_0LiqYN74bNEt5x9HVlgtRlonov8akLImzKpA1zUH9CbhOs2/s1600/Slide15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF1S5Zg5o5d9WtnkNhXswEa4mWigiPp4rQ6ktiwsKkxT8Qs3sweCEoBTmxoXwaqCYWqR2tm1w22sg1KjYud2QY7gwyjr2_0LiqYN74bNEt5x9HVlgtRlonov8akLImzKpA1zUH9CbhOs2/s640/Slide15.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The bacon jam is great on crusty bread, apples, and crackers. Jono also reports that it is excellent on toast with an egg.<br />
<br />
To keep it real, Jono took a picture of me slicing the apples. We did most of the shoot during K's nap, but she woke up while the jam was cooking.<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/AVvXsEg4IW55kjtCAoq-N8UvhDDtfaTPgzWO6d5pIyPQB-jjDnKX77A3TMUFSb3_zsilCmxtqDClm8p-g84V8FvhfpLV1a8VgjaeXmG82l3UEVo_o9ntB_g6B7rrnw3wENdXawjNCj-X4HVHucuv/s1600/Slide16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IW55kjtCAoq-N8UvhDDtfaTPgzWO6d5pIyPQB-jjDnKX77A3TMUFSb3_zsilCmxtqDClm8p-g84V8FvhfpLV1a8VgjaeXmG82l3UEVo_o9ntB_g6B7rrnw3wENdXawjNCj-X4HVHucuv/s640/Slide16.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a knife while holding a toddler...Mother of the Year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Jono doesn't just take pretty pictures of bacon, he is also a professional lighting designer. If you want him to work in your theater, you can contact him on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jonathan-de-leon/27/984/500">LinkedIn</a>. (Don't worry, he also works for cash...not just bacon.)Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-8041265366749746442013-01-12T16:32:00.005-05:002013-01-12T16:38:13.477-05:00Damn You Calphalon!!!Sorry about the swearing, but even though it has been a few months since I had to buy a new set of pots and pans, I am still bitter about it. When Al and I registered, I wanted to get stainless steel pots and pans. The lady at Bed Bath and Beyond conned me into hard anodized since "it is like non-stick but doesn't chip." It is my fault for listening to her, but I'm also a little mad at her too...damn you Bed Bath and Beyond lady!!! Long story short, the $300 set started to chip after 3 years...ugh. We always washed them by hand, and they were never in the dishwasher...but alas, still chipping and the beginnings of rust...UGH!!!<br />
<br />
After about 6 months of pretending like it wasn't a problem, I started looking into a new set. Throwing $300 away every 3 years, seemed like a bad idea. Spending $1,000 on an All Clad set also seemed like a bad idea (because the bank prefers it when I pay the mortgage rather than buying new pots and pans...lame). I asked my good friend Monica what she used (because she is an awesome cook and is smart enough not to be conned at Bed Bath and Beyond). She stated that she could not help me since she uses her grandmother's copper bottom set. That had me thinking...I received two copper bottom pots from my grandmother...hmmm. Monica confirmed that they were the same brand! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://reverewarehistory.wordpress.com/">Revere Ware</a> started making cookware in the 1880s. Although they are still around, their product is now made overseas, and the quality has been compromised for a lower price. The good news is that their products from the 60s are so good, that many of them survived today. Stop by any estate sale, and you'll probably find a pan or two. I started my search on ebay, and quickly acquired the rest of my set. I also found two pans at an estate sale, but one was in bad shape. I used Bar Keeper's Friend to clean them up.<br />
<br />
The large skillet was purchased for $25 with shipping from Ebay and included a lid. The large stock pot in back was $30 with shipping. The small skillet was $1 at an estate sale, but you'll see that it is a huge mess on the bottom. The following day I found another skillet at the same estate sale (2nd day they reduce prices and with more stuff gone, you can find more treasures). I think it was under $5 and came with a lid. The two sauce pots came from Grammy.<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/AVvXsEhQI5FxkkkflhDCpJpi8YUf_R-NxSJ5y9EjPgvy9fkmQqdPOboQBDTfcXJFnzJ_5NPSpfhS1BG-oBsCKjbwz5labIOyxKrvETdOpkbITWI2B-CMh2BWvJJiveeiLrM-9nrJxsJK8ek6ojiC/s1600/before+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQI5FxkkkflhDCpJpi8YUf_R-NxSJ5y9EjPgvy9fkmQqdPOboQBDTfcXJFnzJ_5NPSpfhS1BG-oBsCKjbwz5labIOyxKrvETdOpkbITWI2B-CMh2BWvJJiveeiLrM-9nrJxsJK8ek6ojiC/s640/before+I.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEgpfJiKcHm_D0Ha5iDeeTIgl33XduHAejIlXhy91_CjKCLU8NgIZ85GTlJj05Yar9qweWuYsVGpRc7cFx5VIm4FIoDM817JmRBTAA8V7cPZkgkyDXobqTtLSkWuRscrPJaZylfdmvyFZsXs/s1600/before+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfJiKcHm_D0Ha5iDeeTIgl33XduHAejIlXhy91_CjKCLU8NgIZ85GTlJj05Yar9qweWuYsVGpRc7cFx5VIm4FIoDM817JmRBTAA8V7cPZkgkyDXobqTtLSkWuRscrPJaZylfdmvyFZsXs/s640/before+II.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...hence why it was a dollar. I actually forgot to take a<br />
real "before" photo of the $1 pan...so this is after some cleaning...yikes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCfcimBC7bB8tPFNM4jBdOPVwLRuwg7HI5dbfGP0nEgMhxChsdpmsPhPnGy_5fPmV54GSlQsQqhkgXCiTXeRO7iHP4iuJqmLTq6ijSq5P3JtmQDErSua4mk-PxlACJpKp4ZDQadLxX4TI/s1600/bar+keepers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCfcimBC7bB8tPFNM4jBdOPVwLRuwg7HI5dbfGP0nEgMhxChsdpmsPhPnGy_5fPmV54GSlQsQqhkgXCiTXeRO7iHP4iuJqmLTq6ijSq5P3JtmQDErSua4mk-PxlACJpKp4ZDQadLxX4TI/s320/bar+keepers.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEgO6dJKupl4e_Hewl_SxAcm2LZyedjc5x5P987qJuhd08jg9WpVuyN05Fyg7H-LOIV9DZKfULW4qhhuv2MBoEz1UsOEDYETyrNnQnXwtiZswu6RNjoT9Ge0q2CgkqLkMcOgEJJ4kmYM0Vks/s1600/cute+gloves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6dJKupl4e_Hewl_SxAcm2LZyedjc5x5P987qJuhd08jg9WpVuyN05Fyg7H-LOIV9DZKfULW4qhhuv2MBoEz1UsOEDYETyrNnQnXwtiZswu6RNjoT9Ge0q2CgkqLkMcOgEJJ4kmYM0Vks/s640/cute+gloves.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty gloves make it feel less like work...since I am fancy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These four cleaned up fairly easily with a little scrubbing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SvaJfOjrwxowxiebEoxE7l4t7OEJaEkwAjj3gSwf1kp7507T-YgkHvGZnYj6UNEZoNsBL5yr7BVDFydrEx-mBxMQKBREYgMF0dKj11vs4-ZZbBcvwX9_jypq-AJ1Uicads1vkfIAtlWb/s1600/after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SvaJfOjrwxowxiebEoxE7l4t7OEJaEkwAjj3gSwf1kp7507T-YgkHvGZnYj6UNEZoNsBL5yr7BVDFydrEx-mBxMQKBREYgMF0dKj11vs4-ZZbBcvwX9_jypq-AJ1Uicads1vkfIAtlWb/s640/after.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This one did not clean up so well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXenSwo6oLWSV6CRZteEw50OZ934BT4jDBNBIPZ8k4LkfHfcNFvHI8yrot6afjPYtnN7o-MijIE51O4sVrrDJiDkO3oK17uzDYAUU7ySlgd1gzLwiPv9JtZ8kOgNrUjthO-8lrrqndaTG5/s1600/yucky+pan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXenSwo6oLWSV6CRZteEw50OZ934BT4jDBNBIPZ8k4LkfHfcNFvHI8yrot6afjPYtnN7o-MijIE51O4sVrrDJiDkO3oK17uzDYAUU7ySlgd1gzLwiPv9JtZ8kOgNrUjthO-8lrrqndaTG5/s400/yucky+pan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I made a paste with the Bar Keeper's Friend and some water and slathered it all over the pan for a good soak.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T4LjUxfa5TI4un-vGihfvT_VImLtHWcBXNysme0E8J-e2JHaFWxdR6eumXTZbCk7LwmtPNhTtXRgSTQjjldOGzdPXzWWqrnnYw2G5L_XzPTe4oGNG_yexkc5oPBMU3rEichM4q4stywb/s1600/paste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8T4LjUxfa5TI4un-vGihfvT_VImLtHWcBXNysme0E8J-e2JHaFWxdR6eumXTZbCk7LwmtPNhTtXRgSTQjjldOGzdPXzWWqrnnYw2G5L_XzPTe4oGNG_yexkc5oPBMU3rEichM4q4stywb/s320/paste.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr9hmegKuwnKXEYuU_AfY8jjkhfBmWqa-4AjCfl3ZRobi7rR8hYYa2GqKfB9t6YNEr2l8fJc92a6MsEEJToDr6kvgdBMLosXX5PHRl4psPRb5KPAVvwXByeDlz4tBHKrrddx659KxrdYq/s1600/paste+on+pan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr9hmegKuwnKXEYuU_AfY8jjkhfBmWqa-4AjCfl3ZRobi7rR8hYYa2GqKfB9t6YNEr2l8fJc92a6MsEEJToDr6kvgdBMLosXX5PHRl4psPRb5KPAVvwXByeDlz4tBHKrrddx659KxrdYq/s640/paste+on+pan.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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/AVvXsEgrNX_4Dj_dx_u9RGSPm5pjZh89vhKc-1YrKM1EpUtzoVQjdQU1rekFKshJeI46mtjrKbOkfCqqsnjwzMMVUQNDiMddZVEXOkgafhxtjH6OOJ_uZuk2jHA1z1851w05jGbC_a1y1QG0vUt4/s1600/progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNX_4Dj_dx_u9RGSPm5pjZh89vhKc-1YrKM1EpUtzoVQjdQU1rekFKshJeI46mtjrKbOkfCqqsnjwzMMVUQNDiMddZVEXOkgafhxtjH6OOJ_uZuk2jHA1z1851w05jGbC_a1y1QG0vUt4/s400/progress.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after one round of paste</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/AVvXsEhLnqN6aF16xHUa5921s-DSSe8fsPVVIOv0zMk1xh8whdWX5aIvaXBUhNBZQEq3AHNdaN4sTwc-A8bm51CJbmWbNqvx0apo-nG1rGxfgyVxui5oAkCKs3GKAKI-wDekgg2Qo1JwgZvDnXgh/s1600/after+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnqN6aF16xHUa5921s-DSSe8fsPVVIOv0zMk1xh8whdWX5aIvaXBUhNBZQEq3AHNdaN4sTwc-A8bm51CJbmWbNqvx0apo-nG1rGxfgyVxui5oAkCKs3GKAKI-wDekgg2Qo1JwgZvDnXgh/s640/after+II.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after two rounds of paste and one round of Oh My God Get Clean! scrubbing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the end it cost me under $100 for a new set of cookware. After a few months of cooking with them, I like them better than the Calphalon set. The copper heats up the pans super fast, and the stainless steel makes a great sear and cleans up easily. Clearly I should have listened to Grammy and Monica a lot sooner...they are both very wise women. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-29990063319641920372013-01-10T10:40:00.000-05:002013-01-10T10:48:49.167-05:00Excuses ExcusesIt may seem like I have fallen off the face of the planet, but I'm alive!! The past few months have been a little nuts. Here's why...<br />
<br />
<u>List of Excuses for Not Blogging</u><br />
1. Al got pneumonia before Thanksgiving.<br />
2. We hosted Thanksgiving.<br />
3. Al got better but then got worse...antibiotics round 2!<br />
4. I went on a business trip to California. (It sounds fancier than it is. To sum up...traveled for a day, spent a day in a conference room, ate a fabulous dinner, threw up fabulous dinner, and traveled for a day to get home.)<br />
5. While on the trip, Al threw out his back so badly that the chiropractor told him to get drugs. He almost couldn't get K out of her crib. :(<br />
6. I interviewed for a new job which involved me giving a 1 hour presentation on a 40 page paper on regression analysis.<br />
7. Christmas...which involved 460 miles and 8 hours of driving with a toddler and 2 dogs.<br />
<br />
Sooo, those are my excuses. They aren't earth shattering. Nobody died, but we were fairly crazy over at our house...so crazy that I didn't even ask Al about hosting our annual holiday party. Hopefully next year we can get our turkey on with friends again.<br />
<br />
The <strike>good</strike> great news is that I got the job! It was crazy to prepare for such a difficult interview, and I thought that they hated me. But this new position will give me a lot more career opportunities. I start on Monday and am very excited. <br />
<br />
The sad news is that I won't be able to teach econ this spring. Although my position will be in research, it will be at UW-Madison which has a rule about not working an overload. I will miss teaching, so anyone who wants to stop by my house on Monday nights for a free 3 hour econ lecture is welcome (crickets).<br />
<br />
Somehow I started the tradition at my office that when someone leaves, I make them a cake. This includes emailing The List (a list of cake, frosting, and filling options). When I told a coworker of my departure, I said, "the good news is there will be cake." Her response was, "yea, but it will be the last one." Here are the cupcakes I made. <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2007/07/you-are-owed-chocolate-cake/">Smitten Kitchen double chocolate cake</a> (the best chocolate cake EVER) with almond buttercream (made the buttercream for the first time last night, and my official tester (aka Al) was very impressed...and he is a tough critic).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEUuKARNJeDGTnGIjZyR0q_od8n7ISLGlQbPSkAYjinNm35ewuXGL7GuFQ6WogltbSnL-rAlckg2lS0re5cnWh3ErQQ1oZRZliR7VXCNyziEAQ76Wiin2ncKtkRu9bibc07m-5H_4Bshm/s1600/cupcakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEUuKARNJeDGTnGIjZyR0q_od8n7ISLGlQbPSkAYjinNm35ewuXGL7GuFQ6WogltbSnL-rAlckg2lS0re5cnWh3ErQQ1oZRZliR7VXCNyziEAQ76Wiin2ncKtkRu9bibc07m-5H_4Bshm/s400/cupcakes.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-5366429864783150302012-10-30T22:01:00.001-04:002012-10-30T22:09:39.115-04:00I Love Lamp!!I went back and forth between that title and "Re-wiring an Estate Sale Lamp...and only getting shocked once." Not sure which one is better.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I found a gigantic metal lamp at an estate sale a few weeks ago for $10. We need more light in our living room since there is no built in lighting. It was old and dirty, but I could tell it just needed a little love.<br />
<br />
At home I dusted it off and realized it was a lot dirtier than I thought it was when looking at it in the basement of the estate sale.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKJyLZlpXoX6QHqRKthwv0w8Z6aUt7KXVpy7SH5EpCtGeuOXHxvsmkkRMJU44ZBzXzVejM1Aijw5olLZi32ExLp1eaSP3yDN6g5x37-HDUHbOUsY5LfQ5hsPK9pRK7qpwHa55h8AQowQ5/s1600/DSCN2245.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKJyLZlpXoX6QHqRKthwv0w8Z6aUt7KXVpy7SH5EpCtGeuOXHxvsmkkRMJU44ZBzXzVejM1Aijw5olLZi32ExLp1eaSP3yDN6g5x37-HDUHbOUsY5LfQ5hsPK9pRK7qpwHa55h8AQowQ5/s400/DSCN2245.2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I took it apart and scrubbed it down with Bar Keeper's Friend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdI4GDYPCyp96WWFXhlFH0NzvlvHmg8eurt1xOcb3bgLOfv-LqaT_GudvGkokupNYiu95kL9m4SyukDBtFzwnh9vKgMRlQVU_xmITdk5r_4o2cjwOORfPszpJk33DRy2Zj_1EXBIB6B7F/s1600/DSCN2272.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdI4GDYPCyp96WWFXhlFH0NzvlvHmg8eurt1xOcb3bgLOfv-LqaT_GudvGkokupNYiu95kL9m4SyukDBtFzwnh9vKgMRlQVU_xmITdk5r_4o2cjwOORfPszpJk33DRy2Zj_1EXBIB6B7F/s400/DSCN2272.2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In order to get the grime off, I needed to scrub down to the bare metal...and that would take hours of work. So I decided to give it a good soap and water clean and spray paint it.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to this past weekend. I spray painted the lamp with Rustoleum's oiled rubbed bronze metallic spray paint with primer. I am having difficulty finding a tall enough lamp shade, so I also bought a non-glossy beige spray paint for the lamp shade. It is only a short term solution until I find the proper lamp shade.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbitKCQ86t4gDQbgJQZq_v4Qg3eZrcBF6NG_K6YNa8zwbVEtZzpzdUUevXo_WmfadIfbI5Kb9LvhHVGEoWswzr2Mpo7ciqxPI6bIp8V_dSus1CUuD4JVTRFFanzzwaQCmwSj5O3NDfJq0Q/s1600/DSCN2378.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbitKCQ86t4gDQbgJQZq_v4Qg3eZrcBF6NG_K6YNa8zwbVEtZzpzdUUevXo_WmfadIfbI5Kb9LvhHVGEoWswzr2Mpo7ciqxPI6bIp8V_dSus1CUuD4JVTRFFanzzwaQCmwSj5O3NDfJq0Q/s400/DSCN2378.2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<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/AVvXsEisD5i4Q7E0jw7PCJ4ta0rQICKAYGbvaawEZp9eC2I-hdPbr6HKABX62TT-ZnKs4F6odX9OY9nmrBsRvn4yT468OOw-0Skst68kFv7of5vaPQUKRMLvJ4yHTdEk3rVV7T1Xw-3wOthft7pd/s1600/DSCN2379.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisD5i4Q7E0jw7PCJ4ta0rQICKAYGbvaawEZp9eC2I-hdPbr6HKABX62TT-ZnKs4F6odX9OY9nmrBsRvn4yT468OOw-0Skst68kFv7of5vaPQUKRMLvJ4yHTdEk3rVV7T1Xw-3wOthft7pd/s400/DSCN2379.2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes I used a bush as a table so that I wouldn't risk<br />
getting my outdoor furniture covered in paint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I followed the directions on the can applying very thin coats every minute. I let it set for 24 hours, then did a few thin touch up coats. After 48 hours for the pieces to cure, I was ready to assemble the lamp.<br />
<br />
There was one hang up. The lamp needed to be rewired. The wiring in the old lamp was very old and non-safe looking. Al helped me pick out a new lamp wire. (Helped = said "here are the three they have...what color do you want?") Unfortunately Al was going to be working tonight...and I REALLY wanted to assemble the lamp tonight. So I was going to be brave and play with electrical wire...what could go wrong?<br />
<br />
First I unscrewed the old wiring and got that out of the way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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/AVvXsEhUahLYS9_rQmQIspgVMrKayIrqTaEHJ7K1X_s5xqWEgulsdBeJ9dpL0xbsqC9IFq3YWf_YF3_3OMvxCaLbwEXBf78rR3e03IySIUYKvYmLEjHAcWLz9QeURGGrb7glPUsYzlM08HIDUkZz/s1600/DSCN2388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUahLYS9_rQmQIspgVMrKayIrqTaEHJ7K1X_s5xqWEgulsdBeJ9dpL0xbsqC9IFq3YWf_YF3_3OMvxCaLbwEXBf78rR3e03IySIUYKvYmLEjHAcWLz9QeURGGrb7glPUsYzlM08HIDUkZz/s400/DSCN2388.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How funny is it that I am building a lamp <br />
on my husband's lighting design homework??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then I assembled the lamp with the new cord through the center. When I took the lamp apart I made a cheat sheet to put it back together. I was very happy to have this now...my past self is a genius!<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/AVvXsEjGDepY_ggOUXOZQYYBws9LP2PmWngJPlP6rQYTr49cN1jO3AT5KsGQHy9a-xlJ6ZvEAjucYp2ib_OjIL79p13WNrL9I_I56R81Nxg-xfQDhnKDH04viM5Ykp3BJsSSWh7Ash78o8k7AATp/s1600/DSCN2396.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDepY_ggOUXOZQYYBws9LP2PmWngJPlP6rQYTr49cN1jO3AT5KsGQHy9a-xlJ6ZvEAjucYp2ib_OjIL79p13WNrL9I_I56R81Nxg-xfQDhnKDH04viM5Ykp3BJsSSWh7Ash78o8k7AATp/s400/DSCN2396.2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly I should have been an art major.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I wound the new wiring around the screws and screwed them back in. This is where I got dumb. I wanted to test the whole thing out before assembling the rest of the lamp. I plugged in the cord without covering up the exposed wiring...ZAP! (Another title to the post could be "Lack of Patience Leads to Electrocution"...but that would scare the crap out of my mom.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoy6fM8LOZnAu4tWifj0f3OALep_Z5yJ6tPDCMFraG7z5Z3kZSf7WPXkxhEOe-NRkLAylkvOmRtKfRGrL7HA3kzb8NhyphenhyphenIjkb7GX9DwHZ2yOYiqDbTpqp74PeT4nqQPzxEPPSgtIYhOJVF/s1600/DSCN2391.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoy6fM8LOZnAu4tWifj0f3OALep_Z5yJ6tPDCMFraG7z5Z3kZSf7WPXkxhEOe-NRkLAylkvOmRtKfRGrL7HA3kzb8NhyphenhyphenIjkb7GX9DwHZ2yOYiqDbTpqp74PeT4nqQPzxEPPSgtIYhOJVF/s400/DSCN2391.2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
After the shock of the shock (hehe), I put the old cover around the wiring parts. (Don't be frightened by my highly technical lighting terms.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7u4S51QltdlUzb_4IyDHNl9IeLzPsYKwCEtv4FIiGoYJ7zDoAkCzThlea-RMLYJJlql6I9HyqdtmCln4BkZ5aL0IUQPF22IRBXczZ4b6aBVnzYFvlKWcgPe2-hrZvN3YZTDEgmtrHX8Ef/s1600/DSCN2399.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7u4S51QltdlUzb_4IyDHNl9IeLzPsYKwCEtv4FIiGoYJ7zDoAkCzThlea-RMLYJJlql6I9HyqdtmCln4BkZ5aL0IUQPF22IRBXczZ4b6aBVnzYFvlKWcgPe2-hrZvN3YZTDEgmtrHX8Ef/s400/DSCN2399.2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
...and screwed the switch on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf69OoKZxRLaNaovWLqxx9hEYzo6mGSpxvjS6NfV-T4qdduLxCryNMySTicGCjHQK20R93dwikcHNXMl0m6yWaroPidPAiIv6JOh2BkFSBpSnv3fXJ-Kr9WwQVUEluXmOh4DV34d7FiFOh/s1600/DSCN2401.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf69OoKZxRLaNaovWLqxx9hEYzo6mGSpxvjS6NfV-T4qdduLxCryNMySTicGCjHQK20R93dwikcHNXMl0m6yWaroPidPAiIv6JOh2BkFSBpSnv3fXJ-Kr9WwQVUEluXmOh4DV34d7FiFOh/s400/DSCN2401.2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This time...no shock!! (Amazing what happens when you don't intersect a body part into the circuit.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexvHpz1D4C2Xm3EsLvHXoCyIV9ShQ7M_4ZePn_dH6wPXofVkBuTSEMXZCWXUJqndLUT2nQUrYJ7e1ejTAdWwo9KhIoHwNgWpLtKDLJThmTU0YOTcdS63cpPmxQdaHEJn5nfk3EQrK2SZI/s1600/DSCN2403.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexvHpz1D4C2Xm3EsLvHXoCyIV9ShQ7M_4ZePn_dH6wPXofVkBuTSEMXZCWXUJqndLUT2nQUrYJ7e1ejTAdWwo9KhIoHwNgWpLtKDLJThmTU0YOTcdS63cpPmxQdaHEJn5nfk3EQrK2SZI/s400/DSCN2403.2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Here is the living room before. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvyhZsUIix7i95PurQPwAGQZ-eKMRH_oqooiZJqogAHrp3ZxOw9uq6YFgcY1glpS_eFe7nojWPeVbnLooIjFSGqFPPehDIS_9A1wPryEI6nWO2fEZIp1RXBYu8nBVISWc7rHTUVLSsKLS/s1600/DSCN2411.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvyhZsUIix7i95PurQPwAGQZ-eKMRH_oqooiZJqogAHrp3ZxOw9uq6YFgcY1glpS_eFe7nojWPeVbnLooIjFSGqFPPehDIS_9A1wPryEI6nWO2fEZIp1RXBYu8nBVISWc7rHTUVLSsKLS/s640/DSCN2411.2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
...and here is it after!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi5DItw16BL1oVpllqnMErvmSlYfQ_bO1YqcFTNW09fbFHOnbpge6bImmJ8lb22TP94OwDKLVBJULxzIqGFisb2ss8WneMCBdhMrFwtaznxbGtwzumBMlDWpOuC4wiwlxbQYWNoZMkVeU/s1600/DSCN2412.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi5DItw16BL1oVpllqnMErvmSlYfQ_bO1YqcFTNW09fbFHOnbpge6bImmJ8lb22TP94OwDKLVBJULxzIqGFisb2ss8WneMCBdhMrFwtaznxbGtwzumBMlDWpOuC4wiwlxbQYWNoZMkVeU/s640/DSCN2412.2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The side by side of before/after is pretty great.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKJyLZlpXoX6QHqRKthwv0w8Z6aUt7KXVpy7SH5EpCtGeuOXHxvsmkkRMJU44ZBzXzVejM1Aijw5olLZi32ExLp1eaSP3yDN6g5x37-HDUHbOUsY5LfQ5hsPK9pRK7qpwHa55h8AQowQ5/s1600/DSCN2245.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKJyLZlpXoX6QHqRKthwv0w8Z6aUt7KXVpy7SH5EpCtGeuOXHxvsmkkRMJU44ZBzXzVejM1Aijw5olLZi32ExLp1eaSP3yDN6g5x37-HDUHbOUsY5LfQ5hsPK9pRK7qpwHa55h8AQowQ5/s400/DSCN2245.2.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZyISPdqgSrWkaJCMQR3alxoxrGwMvSRGpyAwFGbHkyi2zcZR8r0eBFizi6wpkneNu_pjrlNQbQoDXmLVUaf4I218MLgtfaKeIRfoQEhJuKUFPbr1W07xhPE-mxuY_6XuvGA-rvLphj2P/s1600/DSCN2417.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZyISPdqgSrWkaJCMQR3alxoxrGwMvSRGpyAwFGbHkyi2zcZR8r0eBFizi6wpkneNu_pjrlNQbQoDXmLVUaf4I218MLgtfaKeIRfoQEhJuKUFPbr1W07xhPE-mxuY_6XuvGA-rvLphj2P/s400/DSCN2417.2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The painted shade does not allow light through, but it looks nice and it will work until we find a replacement. Here is a cost break down...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
lamp......$10<br />
ORB spray paint...$8<br />
beige spray paint...$5</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
new wiring...$6</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Total = $30</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The new shade will probably be $30-$50, so the total will likely double, but I'm still very happy considering well made lamps of this size are over $100. Hopefully I can score a deal on a lamp shade.<br />
<b><br /></b>
What have you DIY'd lately?</div>
Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-89028467320956389392012-10-13T13:49:00.002-04:002012-10-13T19:39:40.437-04:00Don't forget to drug the baby!<div>I can barely manage to remember my vitamin every day, so when Katelyn had her first ear infection last spring, remembering to give her medicine twice a day was not going to be easy. The odds of Al and me getting exactly 2 doses (not 0, 1, 3, or 4) each day was not likely.<br />
<br />
In the past when Penny or Guinness needed meds, I would tape a med schedule on the front door so that we would remember. Once you give meds, you check off the time. This way we would not over or under dose.<br />
<br />
Here is the schedule I made for K and taped to her door.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBcGv7dEAAbxvqTyjygv0Iwzn05O0zjEc6O8FK5eFzRPPpG13bRtd4R68Wzb7IiwOTJZMqj0tkxqOGOHryhPuelvowhP_2kyVRGA34ndYkUnPZRgcdF0P-WmBnt3yItMWT3uizmkMG8Fb/s1600/DSCN1763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBcGv7dEAAbxvqTyjygv0Iwzn05O0zjEc6O8FK5eFzRPPpG13bRtd4R68Wzb7IiwOTJZMqj0tkxqOGOHryhPuelvowhP_2kyVRGA34ndYkUnPZRgcdF0P-WmBnt3yItMWT3uizmkMG8Fb/s640/DSCN1763.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It may look silly, but it keeps us from forgetting to dose her or doubling her up on the sauce.Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-56406760663572946132012-08-10T20:48:00.002-04:002012-08-10T20:51:37.048-04:00Disaster of a Photo ShootI wanted to have Katelyn's 1 year photos taken by the photographer who took her newborn photos. We used <a href="http://www.liviamariephotography.com/">Livia Marie Photography</a> out of Sun Prairie, WI. Apparently I was too exhausted from having a baby and feeding her every hour to post her newborn photos...I'm such a slacker. Here are two of my favorites.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyyEjC4n4oeNxcOz2fj1VsmCPliQuEuvxD5nTYu783AxjCCpyVh2E653pgc1m4VOm2cMWbpPOEjRnZmf_lvKQmCHx5ABMhAXdP2xwL5uyjKmti79FK0vBXyhF_0pcc2HcKq3y2CMMcINS/s1600/fbedit5374.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyyEjC4n4oeNxcOz2fj1VsmCPliQuEuvxD5nTYu783AxjCCpyVh2E653pgc1m4VOm2cMWbpPOEjRnZmf_lvKQmCHx5ABMhAXdP2xwL5uyjKmti79FK0vBXyhF_0pcc2HcKq3y2CMMcINS/s640/fbedit5374.2.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZ3YFjplEACIBt6uB5SJ7M8JHZSgxtCGOUpEnM49KComQROz9b6JB3iBgijuLiAAUh9aBY6iMQlFkUVcS6q3KbtHQfGzc9zb7RqvNSNhDTVWb58d8p-1jPlLYRMl4tntAO3RG1GfDlHTK/s1600/fbedit5488.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZ3YFjplEACIBt6uB5SJ7M8JHZSgxtCGOUpEnM49KComQROz9b6JB3iBgijuLiAAUh9aBY6iMQlFkUVcS6q3KbtHQfGzc9zb7RqvNSNhDTVWb58d8p-1jPlLYRMl4tntAO3RG1GfDlHTK/s640/fbedit5488.2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
How cute was she??? That photo shoot wasn't easy either. 6 day olds are supposed to fall asleep easily, and you can put them in funny positions, and take photos of them (and laugh a little)...sort of like your drunk friends in college. Katelyn was having none of that. We were able to trick her into closing her eyes for just long enough for Livia to snap the photo.<br />
<br />
Anyway, back to the most recent disaster. K cried the whole way to Sun Prairie, and there was traffic on the Beltline, so it took an additional 10 minutes (our past selves would laugh at that compared to DC...but with a crying baby, 10 minutes extra is like an hour extra). She was cranky the whole time we were there only wanting to be held by me, we were getting near her bed time...oh, and she smacked her head on a bridge. Mother of the year right here folks.<br />
<br />
Livia had this cute bench that K was sitting on. K decided she wanted off, and instead of catching herself with her hands, she caught herself with her face! Here is a photo of the damage. It ended up looking worse after it scabbed over.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJtXze92gt7TtbzbtuCCk8lGWkQUOCgO82GNtaeggBBkyzMYj8q128EU4xbFLT8VM0rzeOlfru9wX9zdRtEqzapavo4qMCmGV1vTUcjnJUCvpbzrL0RooS-qLn-CSJUiDTej4vQySWrx5/s1600/DSCN2152.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJtXze92gt7TtbzbtuCCk8lGWkQUOCgO82GNtaeggBBkyzMYj8q128EU4xbFLT8VM0rzeOlfru9wX9zdRtEqzapavo4qMCmGV1vTUcjnJUCvpbzrL0RooS-qLn-CSJUiDTej4vQySWrx5/s400/DSCN2152.2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
She also cried the whole way home. I thought it was a complete waste of time and money. But I remembered how K was difficult even at 6 days old, and Livia did an amazing job then. I just needed to have faith. The following day Livia posted this picture to her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Livia-Marie-Photography/116296305059737">Facebook page</a>.<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/AVvXsEjeAw-_yhKDVwPp_WSBS4tg0dOQ_z_2LYFWhpidGI7e62g14k4dReup0HDCjTxo000coQwx19dQRH_mA-vHvLwxZj8lprvUbXaXYSvJ9I6KKGiSlrV5Q92xrvDyf2Hw4WqqgQLiKm9qSxWr/s1600/4683-2.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAw-_yhKDVwPp_WSBS4tg0dOQ_z_2LYFWhpidGI7e62g14k4dReup0HDCjTxo000coQwx19dQRH_mA-vHvLwxZj8lprvUbXaXYSvJ9I6KKGiSlrV5Q92xrvDyf2Hw4WqqgQLiKm9qSxWr/s640/4683-2.2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hey, I'll bet it would be lots of fun to fall off of this<br />
thing...it's ok, I'm pretty sure my face will catch me"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
She did it!!! Al and I gazed at our computer screen. Somehow Livia was able to capture the 1/2 second of happiness from that evening. Here are a few more...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvd8F7sWShY3dsZAf3749ICkQm_WwU_6XEVBkUXJBu-pvbNf8pAoJi0mTzYNHyxcE1XTzNedddzSZyXvXSkF8ynIVWKl-iv-zFVxDdWT90Mscy0rrLDU3QAlrOIXF-4SnFYKGEI3-umTvz/s1600/FacebookCollage1.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvd8F7sWShY3dsZAf3749ICkQm_WwU_6XEVBkUXJBu-pvbNf8pAoJi0mTzYNHyxcE1XTzNedddzSZyXvXSkF8ynIVWKl-iv-zFVxDdWT90Mscy0rrLDU3QAlrOIXF-4SnFYKGEI3-umTvz/s640/FacebookCollage1.2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkQhiezf0OMJJ7QTWVjOit1uoBUtqlg4Z5rTtp_4VoOlpIqSVT_p88Scm_1MRkTwLQlYjXZ8AoaeKNPhv5E5ITRqR4wCb2LP2282TqwXXt4OMhbixWU2xOvAM0t_YOdTeOkBUcg22zzVQ/s1600/FacebookCollage2.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkQhiezf0OMJJ7QTWVjOit1uoBUtqlg4Z5rTtp_4VoOlpIqSVT_p88Scm_1MRkTwLQlYjXZ8AoaeKNPhv5E5ITRqR4wCb2LP2282TqwXXt4OMhbixWU2xOvAM0t_YOdTeOkBUcg22zzVQ/s640/FacebookCollage2.2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We are very pleased with our "disaster" photos. I imagine some day Katelyn will be good for a photo shoot...maybe when she is 35.Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-25578240417928078582012-08-09T22:18:00.001-04:002012-08-09T22:21:13.698-04:00Backyard PathWe can't afford to do any major renovations to the house/yard until Al is done with school, but we like to continue to spruce things up wherever we can. The layout of one corner of our yard didn't make any sense. The gate in our fence opens to nothing but grass, and you have to walk all through the yard to get to the patio. <br />
<br />
I started the project while Al was working in DC for 5 weeks. I was able to get the logs cleaned up and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xvvvJ7hvo8">shrubbery</a> removed (with my dad's help). Here is the before...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJXSDeky33QOVSMnVfL09788JWdIUxZBn2EQjpzstuvsDjWIvDJqHIRe7TW1RwaZKzFhNsNaNLXy72M2OfBQFXs-M4GZuGNHFulfX5FFUAmLufiE3GQAPyLjlaQLTY9OPejZw1qnNyNNR/s1600/before+II.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJXSDeky33QOVSMnVfL09788JWdIUxZBn2EQjpzstuvsDjWIvDJqHIRe7TW1RwaZKzFhNsNaNLXy72M2OfBQFXs-M4GZuGNHFulfX5FFUAmLufiE3GQAPyLjlaQLTY9OPejZw1qnNyNNR/s640/before+II.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvnNLvtJk6TSC6sF96WzytsyBnhjTJuxUr-p7x2QsiBv7rwoO2hi8TqxCM4ftOp2U6pSZvvnSLw4prmrN8NSLE8WibgpGp2rKlVnKIXE43Vj1HhAf8i26VUKH9t72RNyrUv7D9_kuoQgd/s1600/before.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvnNLvtJk6TSC6sF96WzytsyBnhjTJuxUr-p7x2QsiBv7rwoO2hi8TqxCM4ftOp2U6pSZvvnSLw4prmrN8NSLE8WibgpGp2rKlVnKIXE43Vj1HhAf8i26VUKH9t72RNyrUv7D9_kuoQgd/s640/before.2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
1 - Here's the gate in the corner, but there's no where to go when you get in.<br />
2 - Mud pit created by Penny. When the UPS man makes deliveries across the street, we are at a threat level 5, and the only solution is to kick up dirt and grass.<br />
3 - The wood pile is very sad. Al had been asking for a log rack for a while...guess what he received for his birthday??<br />
4 - This hosta may look tiny, but it was April when I took this photo. All of my backyard hostas grow to be at least 4' in diameter.<br />
5 - This random bush had a root that was almost 6" thick. I dug and dug, and eventually, after calling my dad to help, I was able to remove the darn thing.<br />
<br />
Once Al was home, we were able to move the mulch, stones, and edging out of the way. We purchased sand, dirt, patio blocks, and grass seed for about $75. We dug a place for the patio block, filled the hole with sand, hammered the sand flat, and placed the patio block. Once the patio block was level, we filled around the block with soil. We worked after K went to bed and only got 1 or 2 blocks done a night. The project is finally finished, and we are thrilled with the results.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgapRTMWkZIVVb2KY4f-P8gS8xSX6L14KHBuKddvBIdYpTe6rfg5gJtnt6FR4HKR8gIPH0N-U1soS1Bo7_OlPtycxnOQ1zZ_aEf8rdu5j1Gk75HWR4Dv7wJqF-VAwr223AY_wTvqXEcYpe/s1600/after.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgapRTMWkZIVVb2KY4f-P8gS8xSX6L14KHBuKddvBIdYpTe6rfg5gJtnt6FR4HKR8gIPH0N-U1soS1Bo7_OlPtycxnOQ1zZ_aEf8rdu5j1Gk75HWR4Dv7wJqF-VAwr223AY_wTvqXEcYpe/s640/after.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<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/AVvXsEiFY3idmQuneoPiK2NPsqcURw1zvgye6g0bVNoRKCrUqUotRkka3m8eHl5o4NpV02rrxfsxUY8JQK0dtiuPwRN4l4mMqaPel43FEjZaCAkDTyjgYLBNgkZdY1hY0QALSHwTI6VqDjd0AlnD/s1600/patio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFY3idmQuneoPiK2NPsqcURw1zvgye6g0bVNoRKCrUqUotRkka3m8eHl5o4NpV02rrxfsxUY8JQK0dtiuPwRN4l4mMqaPel43FEjZaCAkDTyjgYLBNgkZdY1hY0QALSHwTI6VqDjd0AlnD/s640/patio.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What are you doing?" - Al</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you can see we are waiting for the grass to fill in the blank spots. It is very difficult to grow grass in a severe drought, but we are watering daily and trying to be patient. We have a temporary fence up to keep the dogs out of the corner until the grass fills in.Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-3100416936473029752012-07-30T13:12:00.000-04:002012-07-30T13:12:16.397-04:00K's 1st Birthday PartyKatelyn is a year old...we made it! We celebrated her birthday on Saturday with friends and family at our home. Here are some photos from the day. First, here are the simple decorations I chose. I didn't want too much pink, and I don't like themes. I used purple and pink streamers and made tissue paper poofs.<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/AVvXsEiSfBgThBCKnhYzGGcpWT-ODy8lKz7U1YAfHcUOU7ZJ-68ksDzr6uBzfkVuAoJV5wsYHaVpg-_AW0Ay6-Gwk3TJhG1dGxc5WxRMO9t43ljNFUUuYk3m7gexeADpITNG2zty1Uq25OfGIFDI/s1600/balloon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfBgThBCKnhYzGGcpWT-ODy8lKz7U1YAfHcUOU7ZJ-68ksDzr6uBzfkVuAoJV5wsYHaVpg-_AW0Ay6-Gwk3TJhG1dGxc5WxRMO9t43ljNFUUuYk3m7gexeADpITNG2zty1Uq25OfGIFDI/s400/balloon.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you know how difficult it is to find a girl's<br />1st birthday balloon without "princess" on it??...very.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXhEfEtJitK2X1ZWFHsRntizFRBg8m7U6pZEXxhnUk-NUw3c_SAMyUr3LE5L-TnJ7AtVEePqfiT0h2ZzZGZygYQIpuJ8RRoar7rUuUckt3COtbTvHh1emSZBgr8PradoqbJVsApw2mZ2e/s1600/entry+II.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXhEfEtJitK2X1ZWFHsRntizFRBg8m7U6pZEXxhnUk-NUw3c_SAMyUr3LE5L-TnJ7AtVEePqfiT0h2ZzZGZygYQIpuJ8RRoar7rUuUckt3COtbTvHh1emSZBgr8PradoqbJVsApw2mZ2e/s400/entry+II.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<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/AVvXsEjHOLfCuX_bYnJPe1GzQGRwNgXYqBqtqr5mQroYwpRp6c0lF494VFNkHwWXp5wt-WYO75EwyUAGa2X9CvdxKaIKlS-UrJBNTdN4UIcBm3ITz2mAOOhin-IFDZvMeZyDvfntJ15HS0XF_HK3/s1600/entry+I.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOLfCuX_bYnJPe1GzQGRwNgXYqBqtqr5mQroYwpRp6c0lF494VFNkHwWXp5wt-WYO75EwyUAGa2X9CvdxKaIKlS-UrJBNTdN4UIcBm3ITz2mAOOhin-IFDZvMeZyDvfntJ15HS0XF_HK3/s400/entry+I.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the entry of our house. There were also purple poofs in the kitchen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We are blessed with many wonderful family and friends who showered Katelyn with gifts.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8uFpLm43X4Afw1iYslH0UNnbcaKjXURiNSqqc__gRh4ELg0t9Aly0t6PiuDaIp8jJIIWkl1ILxYBd782D8C3ewjTN9wZdNhao0oowwkUNTRvTDitvpjT2llxiLG1Gn6eEB8McgySpTos/s1600/presents.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjHZwuxY76BFVS6wymzhUgyX4c9M1ibuEwzS27ypIB941bmNW4-UB3-ga7BItKWUyOyboAmKOvv7vy98I9C-EJbiq82rgKI1Fux3z7iuqf-T-2YKiO2uJEvDXKkbzQRBtiAWy-Q0zWyF9up/s1600/rocker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZwuxY76BFVS6wymzhUgyX4c9M1ibuEwzS27ypIB941bmNW4-UB3-ga7BItKWUyOyboAmKOvv7vy98I9C-EJbiq82rgKI1Fux3z7iuqf-T-2YKiO2uJEvDXKkbzQRBtiAWy-Q0zWyF9up/s400/rocker.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She now has her own rocking chair!</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/AVvXsEgh_4mfv7PMgHA1mhUPNKrYqINUwJVfh9Vospc-WyUx3RmYLH9Ub6gxwnimwJ4WxrWiYA5dun-KOuA2BtX6gFShBrqIeJkFl8u8oiiFkoO7-tbQESNLRhz3tQU7lS3oXYAElMqtJOtgdZPa/s1600/doll.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_4mfv7PMgHA1mhUPNKrYqINUwJVfh9Vospc-WyUx3RmYLH9Ub6gxwnimwJ4WxrWiYA5dun-KOuA2BtX6gFShBrqIeJkFl8u8oiiFkoO7-tbQESNLRhz3tQU7lS3oXYAElMqtJOtgdZPa/s400/doll.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katelyn gave her 1st baby doll kisses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We ate BBQ pork sandwiches, roasted potatoes, lovely pasta salads that family brought, and butterfly cupcakes. I was inspired by the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hello-Cupcake-Irresistibly-Playful-Creations/dp/0618829253">Hello Cupcake</a>. It has great ideas and simple step by step instructions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnqtjiyAtSULCpF5_4Bk_3kK6RfBjbhEA6iy1y10iWFfvWcVI-YfsNrO7BI4rISqoa6xq6L1rAtoYLv6echu0UsbiaF5l96KMWlAOGY5oM2LXOQ_s5hIcjTvmdFWSQRWotLon-NAT4L8l/s1600/cupcake+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnqtjiyAtSULCpF5_4Bk_3kK6RfBjbhEA6iy1y10iWFfvWcVI-YfsNrO7BI4rISqoa6xq6L1rAtoYLv6echu0UsbiaF5l96KMWlAOGY5oM2LXOQ_s5hIcjTvmdFWSQRWotLon-NAT4L8l/s400/cupcake+tree.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht6tfuTqAwk9fcVrDpgKSl6dHZMwpvDwx_3TMN0AOxs1fHXw0CAK8pSDcSHCjtPhMb8FuDNnFRzXg3bBSjC0zN5QMsF8udXyO7gCwKplTUmyAdhZVbO8QAU7kDWGjLI0sjDrn8pxPr3tt/s1600/cupcake+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht6tfuTqAwk9fcVrDpgKSl6dHZMwpvDwx_3TMN0AOxs1fHXw0CAK8pSDcSHCjtPhMb8FuDNnFRzXg3bBSjC0zN5QMsF8udXyO7gCwKplTUmyAdhZVbO8QAU7kDWGjLI0sjDrn8pxPr3tt/s400/cupcake+close+up.JPG" width="300" /></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/AVvXsEgdbK3GmLvu_0jFgOvsRQrrUfoDY2m0qs3rUTXWZC0XQGbsZF5Ly3Wx0dzsOwOiKnb102OVt20yhR-tQ8dGql2vXtSKJerge-TPZOkK2I_Lxe0fX56-lzAhKDIvVXj9u57QvoGJVQMFH0kW/s1600/K+with+cupcake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbK3GmLvu_0jFgOvsRQrrUfoDY2m0qs3rUTXWZC0XQGbsZF5Ly3Wx0dzsOwOiKnb102OVt20yhR-tQ8dGql2vXtSKJerge-TPZOkK2I_Lxe0fX56-lzAhKDIvVXj9u57QvoGJVQMFH0kW/s400/K+with+cupcake.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why is everyone looking at me??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here is a video of everyone singing to Katelyn. She was mostly frightened by the experience...apparently we are a scary group.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvGRADpwduNtUnkFxC64SNvOQKtdfna_h_yreFMCqE1LCUx3oaEesqpMhB6vvI1j26_pUw4AkqPWu8fWl6-e40-jkhuIrCLHEsvS3hiAKqjVd7ulm5jypxIKytfXFOYDM7jmjGj74_gdh/s1600/DSCN2101.MOV"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://redirector.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D9950fab78f17cc83%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1346260297%26sparams%3Did,itag,source,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D6DAC86FE9CEC571D16BE8CED57C885BCCD2E42B3.8D73F02A9153DACDEC10FEA2BCA7CF020FD75823%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http://redirector.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D9950fab78f17cc83%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1346260297%26sparams%3Did,itag,source,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D6DAC86FE9CEC571D16BE8CED57C885BCCD2E42B3.8D73F02A9153DACDEC10FEA2BCA7CF020FD75823%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We are so thankful that so many people could make it to celebrate with us. It was a great day!Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-67239098528231499062012-06-08T18:56:00.001-04:002012-06-08T18:57:53.741-04:00In order to clean Katelyn's room...<div><p>In order to clean Katelyn's room, I must put away her laundry.</p>
<p>In order to put away her laundry, I must give her toys to play with.</p>
<p>Now have a messier room than when I started...clearly I am doing this wrong. </p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nvYmOt25d3A1TEoxltyBg9UK8ELKgvc8Wovt7vAgPLEPGpS1WJqSfBENsS8SwZPpVzm-0hrWmh3WKUcoci7NWoa9ysXf8hlaRzkwZFc6M3lABKIqne43bTVzDkObqdg8kn18WDiUJdB8/' /></div>Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-77238165377763415822012-06-05T18:21:00.001-04:002012-06-05T23:01:41.401-04:00$8 Dress<div>
I have gotten more mileage out of this $8 Target dress than any dress in my closet. It even received a compliment at the deli counter today!<br />
<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;"><img height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmrCjIapG1zu9cFz4NvRrwFDk5IH_BQKLiGmXE79GJE5m3vBpVw2xmjf7qfYBQ0IZJ7eaP23yDV_snO07uq2nKVw3e6RHgy0y_pidce5uMBB_CL6FXZNZUx1cAPZ802yiBc1L6vtb7WAg/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="225" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry for the crappy photo...apparently the new phone<br />can take great pictures it just can't upload them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-9013098928028317412012-05-05T10:44:00.003-04:002012-05-05T10:44:31.015-04:00Katelyn's First Plane TripWe took Katelyn on her first plane trip in March (can you tell I am behind in blogging??). She did an amazing job. I was very nervous about how she would do on the plane. I didn't want to be <i>that</i> mom with the kid who wouldn't shut up. It was also our first trip back to DC since we moved. I can't believe it has been almost 2 years!<br />
<br />
I had been planning the trip for weeks. I made an Excel spreadsheet with schedules and packing lists. I wanted to be prepared, but I didn't want to haul our kitchen sink along. Here are the big items that we brought...<br />
<br />
- checked suitcase<br />
- backpack for a diaper bag/carry-on<br />
- new carrier (the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/ERGObaby-Sport-Baby-Carrier-Black/dp/B001PDLHNK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332289553&sr=8-1">Ergo Sport</a> if you're wondering) <br />
- garment bag with our dress clothes<br />
- my purse<br />
<br />
So no stroller, no car seat (rented one from Hertz), and no crib (borrowed a pack and play).<br />
<br />
Friday morning came, and I got up at 4:30am. I was so happy that I had slept well (or as well as one can sleep waking up every 2-4 hours to feed K). Many times before trips, I don't sleep because I worry about forgetting to pack something. Even when I don't have a trip coming up, I have stress dreams about going somewhere and not being packed. (Insert foreshadowing music here.) Al and I got everything ready, the car was packed up, I had coffee brewing, and K even woke up right as I walked up the steps to get her (I dressed her in her travel clothes the night before in hopes that she would fall back asleep in the car...it worked). I had wanted to leave the house by 6:00am. When we drove down our street, the clock said 5:56am...the travel angels were singing.<br />
<br />
We arrived in Milwaukee with plenty of time to stop at Dunkin' Donuts. We got a great parking spot in the cheap parking lot, and the shuttle arrived immediately. There was no line at the ticketing counter. Everything was perfect...or so we thought.<br />
<br />
After we checked our bag and started to walk away from the counter, Al said, "Oh no! We forgot our garment bag." I had packed the garment bag with our dress clothes (for the wedding we were going to) and placed the bag in the front closet so nothing would wrinkle. Why I didn't pack it in the car, I'll never know. It would cost over $200 to replace the clothes. The wonderful Air Tran representative changed our flight to the afternoon at no cost, and we drove back to Madison. Katelyn was excellent for the additional 3 hours in the car. Al and I kept apologizing to each other for forgetting the bag.<br />
<br />
Once back at the airport (no more cheap parking available...had to upgrade to $10/day parking...ugh), we caught our flight, and K did very well. She nursed on the way up and fell asleep. They don't let you keep babies in carriers for take off and landing, but once in the air, she was hooked in and asleep. I was even able to read a book! Here are some pictures of Katelyn and Daddy having fun on the plane...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNd62OkhkGo3kAQ_Fp32cGvEXJ7YnjD6FfqP_9NkM91_6IGsKoDAzstRam7_VBKbvgkUQuNaCdD5wdTqcrs5F2FV9rj-NFKcjOO-GT4DHLxHXBKde5FZQH-5ZhRIgOIEdWPJU4S2jymCf/s1600/DSCN1511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNd62OkhkGo3kAQ_Fp32cGvEXJ7YnjD6FfqP_9NkM91_6IGsKoDAzstRam7_VBKbvgkUQuNaCdD5wdTqcrs5F2FV9rj-NFKcjOO-GT4DHLxHXBKde5FZQH-5ZhRIgOIEdWPJU4S2jymCf/s400/DSCN1511.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQkK4B2v8PlPr_vqHSKF3QfWYPGxmHKBRk6yV1_mmdi0J3FMAHFYBI3Zq2sfSm1ySNicyTsimETQvYk2PiPONw4SOeIBxKyPmVikzBDcWv964-7hoCt6Um8uE0uOzZQeE2DDL8H7_16wA/s1600/DSCN1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQkK4B2v8PlPr_vqHSKF3QfWYPGxmHKBRk6yV1_mmdi0J3FMAHFYBI3Zq2sfSm1ySNicyTsimETQvYk2PiPONw4SOeIBxKyPmVikzBDcWv964-7hoCt6Um8uE0uOzZQeE2DDL8H7_16wA/s400/DSCN1508.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The return flight she fussed for about 10 minutes on the landing because she was asleep and they made me take her out of her carrier. All of the people around us were asking, "why in the world would they make you do that??" At least the people around us were understanding.<br />
<br />
Our trip to DC was a lot of fun, but it was too short. Here are pictures I snapped on our way to the airport. (I made Al drive around so I could at least see the cherry blossoms for a second.)<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/AVvXsEhMTiJdCCGKkP4Wov4RoOyQIb687Z4LVgVa6SwumECY_UaiiKL0zdKRrRTaXKkLvyaOiRz6Sdvjyz_WjZgcQLPlAsUqfmFhTBpM7oHI5zgb57IsAdA62E_sH1Qp6ud6iyskr_sMtGCXe3zA/s1600/DSCN1598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTiJdCCGKkP4Wov4RoOyQIb687Z4LVgVa6SwumECY_UaiiKL0zdKRrRTaXKkLvyaOiRz6Sdvjyz_WjZgcQLPlAsUqfmFhTBpM7oHI5zgb57IsAdA62E_sH1Qp6ud6iyskr_sMtGCXe3zA/s640/DSCN1598.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arlington Cemetery how it looks in the movies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEhTZ6G6f2FVbzcUs4-kSMaaCyjkGwALSUvuh6WF4cEDjN-CWqKE46QofgK9sdNvDJQL488npRUPk-OT_VYXQOprz0vivRkmHDF0Hu6zxLaim5Hu_Pl7xBrwwE1ENRgfEvfJkIgQZ8n5X05i/s1600/DSCN1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZ6G6f2FVbzcUs4-kSMaaCyjkGwALSUvuh6WF4cEDjN-CWqKE46QofgK9sdNvDJQL488npRUPk-OT_VYXQOprz0vivRkmHDF0Hu6zxLaim5Hu_Pl7xBrwwE1ENRgfEvfJkIgQZ8n5X05i/s640/DSCN1602.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and here is reality.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
K and I fly again next Friday...by OURSELVES. Al is already in DC for work, and we are going to visit him. Hopefully the flights go as smoothly as last time, and I don't forget anything major.<br />
<br />
<br />Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-45564129570526918122012-03-25T13:43:00.001-04:002012-03-25T13:44:57.844-04:00Thanks Mom and Dad!As an early birthday present, my parents bought me the <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/798579/bob-revolution-se-stroller">BOB Revolution</a>!! (That's a jogging stroller for those not obsessed with stroller makes and models.) But it's not any jogging stroller, it is an amazing jogging stroller.<br />
<br />
In looking for baby gear my motto was, "unless a safety issue, find it used and cheap". So the car seats and crib were bought new, and most of the other gear was bought used (thank you Craigslist!). We got a $10 stroller at a garage sale until we could get a jogging stroller.<br />
<br />
At first it looked like there were a few reasonably priced jogging strollers on the market, but after reading the reviews, I found that they didn't work well for running (wheels would fall off...uh, no). Eventually, I determined that my "cheapest" option was the BOB Revolution. It can be both a jogger or a regular stroller because the wheel can be fixed or rotate. It also held up well over time (mostly made of metal, not plastic) and it held its value (ones on Craigslist went for $250 in 24 hours...tried so hard to get one used, but I never emailed fast enough).<br />
<br />
Although Amazon has the BOB cheaper than REI, I am an REI member and they have a 20% off coupon for all members (you can sign up now to receive the coupon...$20 for a lifetime membership and 10% back annually on all non-sale purchases). Also it is much easier to return it to our local store rather than Amazon if something were to go wrong.<br />
<br />
K and I went on our first run yesterday. We ran 3.5 miles, and she didn't make a peep the whole time. She really loves the outdoors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf5Ara_ffI8xIZVEdrSzg9KWK4eD3wxqYpB0cKsUN6nEr0N4Ux89tC_dLdUkEIJRDWpAjUIqvsQtpYgkm7C985XKwvnnq96wX-JXL2oVpEDrDYB9dZzsHnjfopNM7ojn95uAr3ATRl7VL/s1600/DSCN1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf5Ara_ffI8xIZVEdrSzg9KWK4eD3wxqYpB0cKsUN6nEr0N4Ux89tC_dLdUkEIJRDWpAjUIqvsQtpYgkm7C985XKwvnnq96wX-JXL2oVpEDrDYB9dZzsHnjfopNM7ojn95uAr3ATRl7VL/s400/DSCN1614.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<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;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0VRt_OAcouG66MkejqrsZ6_mPVIXJGrz1IiVpLBzx2UgSc7mGvZ_cnGd2ch6gmI8OPgHiOwIMsXIDHvE1TobvExuaY4BzsgelLJYvTRtLOG29yvsepZzh7IQRfl29IN2SDXt6ePrqWH0/s400/DSCN1615.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hey Milk Truck...stop taking pictures, and let's go!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thanks again Mom and Dad! </div>
<br />Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-43432700065962053632012-02-12T20:24:00.001-05:002012-02-12T20:24:28.371-05:00One of the things you give up when you have a baby...There are a lot of things that you know you will give up when you have a baby: sleep, going out, sleep, seeing the latest movies, sleep, getting together with friends with a moment's notice...did I mention sleep? Anyway besides the usual things, there are some things that hit you like a wall. "Well if I'd only known..." you tell yourself. I had one of these moments the other day. <br />
<br />
I was driving home my old route from work because Al had picked Katelyn up from daycare. Usually I pick her up. There was a very large "going out of business sale" sign at one of my favorite stores. It sold very cute purses and jewelry. I had missed the sale and closing...ugh! <br />
<br />
Katelyn, you owe Mommy a clearance purse and necklace. Love, Mom.Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257225220086589462.post-67827412108587257862012-01-22T16:20:00.000-05:002012-01-22T16:20:03.653-05:00Rockin' the Clearance RackLast winter I found these great Jessica Simpson shoes on clearance at DSW for $17. My feet soon became too chubby to wear them, but I knew (hoped) that I would be able to wear them soon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HTr5T8D9m0BWcVnmbjtn9bsKGRm01BvnkK0BJy0br5PFT-JHrlis2ew4vmzBANJ-t8ag2gMmA9NsZukM3pLJ2B7ilLFIjnM_derUPxzVZ88Lq7uQAkey3CvK879xQHdeWba6JPDPpT4I/s1600/shoes1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HTr5T8D9m0BWcVnmbjtn9bsKGRm01BvnkK0BJy0br5PFT-JHrlis2ew4vmzBANJ-t8ag2gMmA9NsZukM3pLJ2B7ilLFIjnM_derUPxzVZ88Lq7uQAkey3CvK879xQHdeWba6JPDPpT4I/s320/shoes1.JPG" width="240" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHYsNdSpwfQDj_CzxT2mpnST5_Ov2bOy65Ka7AewZZvUY2qlQE7_8arCOsz_URm82LsoqXVHTnrAMVX6zqfRnPNB7Oq9SAW63K59kkXv3OCE3ME3reOSeFDqUsZB7fYE_iij1F4wsweeA/s1600/shoes2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHYsNdSpwfQDj_CzxT2mpnST5_Ov2bOy65Ka7AewZZvUY2qlQE7_8arCOsz_URm82LsoqXVHTnrAMVX6zqfRnPNB7Oq9SAW63K59kkXv3OCE3ME3reOSeFDqUsZB7fYE_iij1F4wsweeA/s320/shoes2.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;">
While day after Thanksgiving shopping, I found the skirt for $10 at Kohl's. I paired both with a blouse from Ann Taylor LOFT and a cardigan from New York and Company...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMVoOjNgnPBEQ8_IwrQwCW4shrnp9IeFowrchY5TB8bTwbuGbb9pr4i_iHcJ3KwaDfR31BPzO2gt2m_9f_JbtxfhIlLiEOQQ1IlZmymNKg9y70wzMADpQBO-VUTDDT0RvaSo_NUIa_dNu/s1600/outfit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMVoOjNgnPBEQ8_IwrQwCW4shrnp9IeFowrchY5TB8bTwbuGbb9pr4i_iHcJ3KwaDfR31BPzO2gt2m_9f_JbtxfhIlLiEOQQ1IlZmymNKg9y70wzMADpQBO-VUTDDT0RvaSo_NUIa_dNu/s320/outfit.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>Anne Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09977114478291751848noreply@blogger.com0