tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12279183932454404732024-03-05T22:16:02.810-06:00Our Heartland HomeEveryday is a journey and the journey itself is home.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-71617840730363958822014-03-02T14:04:00.001-06:002014-03-02T14:04:38.137-06:00Ham & Cheese Casserole Creation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So today I decided to try and whip up a casserole with what I had on hand, simply because I was craving casserole. My mom used to make this wonderful thing with ham and potatoes and cheese, but for the life of me I can't remember what else she put in it and nothing I found online seemed to fit the bill. Well, instead of butchering up something from my childhood, I opted to try to create my own instead. I think it turned out pretty well, in fact, I'm likely to make it again when we have oodles of leftover ham on hand. </div>
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Ingredients</div>
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2 cups leftover ham<br />1 cup fresh cauliflower, chopped</div>
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1 cup fresh broccoli, chopped</div>
2 green onions, chopped<br />
4 slices cheese (I used Velveeta, but any American cheese will work fine), chopped<br />
3 ounces Greek yogurt cream cheese blend<br />
2/3 cup shredded cheese (I used a generic "fiesta blend" because it's what I had on hand)<br />
1/2 cup milk<br />
1 T butter<br />
2 cups cooked elbow macaroni<br />
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Directions<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook macaroni in salted water until al dente and drain. While macaroni is cooking, melt butter in a deep skillet and saute green onions, ham, broccoli and cauliflower until the veggies are crisp tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in cream cheese and sliced cheese, milk and half of the shredded cheese. Add drained macaroni and stir to combine. Put mixture in a greased casserole dish and top with remaining shredded cheese. Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly browned.<br />
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Servings: 6<br />
Nutritional Information (per serving)<br />
Calories: 301<br />
Carbs: 20<br />
Fat: 15 g<br />
Protein: 20 g<br />
Sodium: 901 mg (no, that isn't a typo - the Velveeta cheese and the ham are both super high in sodium)<br />
Sugar: 5 g<br />
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The information above shows the recipe just as I made it today. After taking a look at the uber high sodium content I will rethink the cheese choices and look at possibly doing this with turkey ham if I'm going to add this into our meal rotation. However, for an occasional dinner to use up leftovers I don't think it turned out too bad. What do you think?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAm1Azvj7dyCBWZ_V_NgmcvurCKQhmTk5MtF5jGEHVnc4wwHQC-9EWM-ErFw6qwHYacBJc3A5WWomugq513RxI4wGlno6b0asoEvjU58cmPU4EAhSiaAIMJplGQEPLYbOrYs66YKjX2wb/s1600/jen-sig01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAm1Azvj7dyCBWZ_V_NgmcvurCKQhmTk5MtF5jGEHVnc4wwHQC-9EWM-ErFw6qwHYacBJc3A5WWomugq513RxI4wGlno6b0asoEvjU58cmPU4EAhSiaAIMJplGQEPLYbOrYs66YKjX2wb/s1600/jen-sig01.png" /></a></div>
<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-59702612128143170572013-11-16T11:10:00.002-06:002014-03-02T13:39:51.689-06:00My Christmas Conundrum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With the onset of the holiday season all kinds of things are presenting obstacles I hadn't considered with our new family arrangement. Case in point...Christmas cards. Every year for the last 18 years I have sent out Christmas cards to family and friends and signed them "The Wood Family" and the listed all of our names under that. That hardly seems appropriate this year and as a result I haven't started addressing Christmas cards this year. It's not a big deal (heaven knows it won't be the end of the world if I don't send cards out all together) and I think I will probably just sign them Jen and Sydnee and call it good, it's just an oddity that I hadn't planned for. However, that doesn't make for my biggest Christmas conundrum this year...the obstacle that is peeking out at me and laughing while I try my darnest to embrace this holiday season (Halloween is like my Christmas so I have to psych myself up for the rest of the world's Christmas) is the fact that I can not choose a theme for this year's decorations. I've already decided to do a Nightmare Before Christmas tree in the dining room because I think Sydnee will love it, but I need a cohesive look for the rest of the house. I love the trendy peacock colors that have been ebbing into the Christmas realm for the last few years, but I'm not sure I want (or need) to go with a trendy color scheme that would require me to purchase oodles of new decorations. I've done gingerbread for my kitchen in the past and I think I'll probably go with that again and add some red touches to my already green kitchen to make it festive. I'm thinking a traditional Christmas look (real red, real green - not pink and lime) with maybe some pine accents and simple white lights. What do you think...do you have a Christmas theme?</div>
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<br />Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-69845261158869330412012-02-15T08:49:00.000-06:002012-02-15T08:49:44.974-06:00Happy Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P9SNCjD74MSa1jhyphenhyphenqOie3ZmBYQQAyf9HGWq-Sob0o_HyUa7bdjtkWUVI4_VDKuT1lHn5w4oEiJgL90U7MQMFne9i1If_KZopef91EnDj2_EyZIyTS1LPDsD_EoKen8nPFWm5vsxRQL55/s1600/free-vintage-kids-valentines-cards-two-fried-eggs-in-pan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P9SNCjD74MSa1jhyphenhyphenqOie3ZmBYQQAyf9HGWq-Sob0o_HyUa7bdjtkWUVI4_VDKuT1lHn5w4oEiJgL90U7MQMFne9i1If_KZopef91EnDj2_EyZIyTS1LPDsD_EoKen8nPFWm5vsxRQL55/s320/free-vintage-kids-valentines-cards-two-fried-eggs-in-pan.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A while back my husband posted on facebook that he liked boobs, bacon and chocolate. I figured I had the boobs thing covered and and chocolate is easy so I set out to find a valentine-ish way to give him bacon. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtMSvGk0fcSd70ZeaHP9BH1ca72Qu9ujmVPEypPNMX1KGx_SSiTqOfgUjCt736RNEZeyrS7AbX9yFGuu15JGaVIvQF24G3HiQEMTR3nJJ96JXsBKsqaN49NPZGi3JaCk084zrJ3PnaTrZ/s1600/bacon-roses-cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxtMSvGk0fcSd70ZeaHP9BH1ca72Qu9ujmVPEypPNMX1KGx_SSiTqOfgUjCt736RNEZeyrS7AbX9yFGuu15JGaVIvQF24G3HiQEMTR3nJJ96JXsBKsqaN49NPZGi3JaCk084zrJ3PnaTrZ/s320/bacon-roses-cropped.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Ta-da! They're bacon roses. I found a wonderful how to demo online and set out to make something special for hubs for Valentine's Day. If you want to make something similar for the special guy (or girl, I mean who doesn't love bacon?) it wasn't too hard. Check out the step by step pics at <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Bacon-Roses/" target="_blank">Instructables</a> for directions. When I did this I opted for a nail and a hammer to make the holes in the pan (which I've had for nearly 10 years and never used until now). I also only made a dozen of these and it was a good thing because half way through I move the roses to empty spots because they didn't drain too well (probably because I opted for a nail instead of a drill, but you use what you've got). Also, I baked mine for a total of 52 minutes and they were still a overly chewy in the middle (I like chewy bacon, but hubs prefers the crispity crunchy bacon). I was afraid if I went any longer they would be too done on the outside. Maybe next time I will cut down the length of the bacon strips.</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-51474842928287420152011-11-21T09:48:00.000-06:002011-11-21T09:48:07.869-06:00Menu Plan Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpngdBELOeq-mZBAYmCGgClrN4P42szMQlms_AGM7HTFfDDZxmDG61RezNLy5tsLP2XbBcshBww-rfmwuna0FvpbuO-F-hl8XXfJNVoDB9ZddGpwXEOLkc0Zjod0s0srXCxkMaoBk6N34C/s1600/menuplanmonday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpngdBELOeq-mZBAYmCGgClrN4P42szMQlms_AGM7HTFfDDZxmDG61RezNLy5tsLP2XbBcshBww-rfmwuna0FvpbuO-F-hl8XXfJNVoDB9ZddGpwXEOLkc0Zjod0s0srXCxkMaoBk6N34C/s320/menuplanmonday.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.orgjunkie.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.orgjunkie.com</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, I am painfully aware that it has been a very long time without a post. November is a pretty busy month for us, we have two birthdays and are gearing up for the upcoming holiday season. October brings with it the fun and stress-free holiday of Halloween, but November brings with it the uber stressful family-expects-to-see-you holidays. So, alas, I've been away from the blogging world a bit. But, I've been inspired to come back to the land of the virtually-living and post again. (c: Since it's Monday I thought why not kick off my back-to-blogging with a Menu Plan Monday post? This week's menu is a little off because we will be having two Thanksgiving-type dinners. I think we will all be sick of turkey by the end of this week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Monday: Japanese-style stir fry</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Tuesday: Our at-home Thanksgiving meal - Smoked turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes with gravy and pumpkin fluff</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Wednesday - Pork chops with mac and cheese (wanted a break from turkey for today)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thursday - Thanksgiving at the in-laws for lunch and our own leftovers at home for dinner</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Friday - ?? Normally this is my grocery shopping day - but I'm not crazy and won't be grocery shopping on Black Friday - in all honest, I might not even leave the house. I'm thinking if we still have leftovers I might make a turkey pot pie or we may be so sick of traditional Thanksgiving fare that we might do something wacky like breakfast for supper.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Saturday and Sunday are remaining unplanned as well because I don't know when I will actually be shopping. One of those days is likely to be pizza (c;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBK8_tuD6vYf4Y-hEOnrZB4jq1rHVAJB59_JGPwicntMQimHNyqcoYfZZI4nBb4YTAISiVxnAVZhiUOmu7ICijZXMyDOZBO8jkdgjocGo0gQJhZLl-5BM4imaoPBrZMGXldiOHVPXf1M/s1600/twoheartsjen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBK8_tuD6vYf4Y-hEOnrZB4jq1rHVAJB59_JGPwicntMQimHNyqcoYfZZI4nBb4YTAISiVxnAVZhiUOmu7ICijZXMyDOZBO8jkdgjocGo0gQJhZLl-5BM4imaoPBrZMGXldiOHVPXf1M/s1600/twoheartsjen.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBK8_tuD6vYf4Y-hEOnrZB4jq1rHVAJB59_JGPwicntMQimHNyqcoYfZZI4nBb4YTAISiVxnAVZhiUOmu7ICijZXMyDOZBO8jkdgjocGo0gQJhZLl-5BM4imaoPBrZMGXldiOHVPXf1M/s1600/twoheartsjen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></a><br />
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</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-42442586355066295212011-10-31T12:26:00.003-05:002011-10-31T12:43:12.438-05:00Menu Planning Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpngdBELOeq-mZBAYmCGgClrN4P42szMQlms_AGM7HTFfDDZxmDG61RezNLy5tsLP2XbBcshBww-rfmwuna0FvpbuO-F-hl8XXfJNVoDB9ZddGpwXEOLkc0Zjod0s0srXCxkMaoBk6N34C/s1600/menuplanmonday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpngdBELOeq-mZBAYmCGgClrN4P42szMQlms_AGM7HTFfDDZxmDG61RezNLy5tsLP2XbBcshBww-rfmwuna0FvpbuO-F-hl8XXfJNVoDB9ZddGpwXEOLkc0Zjod0s0srXCxkMaoBk6N34C/s320/menuplanmonday.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Halloween! Some families have a traditional "Halloween dinner" each year, spaghetti because it's quick and filling or Sonic hot dogs because they are *free* or Halloween candy (which is the dinner I remember as a kid, although I'm sure my mother would have made me eat <em>something</em> before the candy, right?). Our family has never really been into the tradition of a Halloween dinner - until now. I have a strange feeling that meat hand (yes, you read that right) is now going to be the traditional fare in the Wood household on Halloween - and why not? It's terribly gory and my family loves meatloaf.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monday: Meat Hand with Mashed Brains</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tuesday: Whole roast chicken with mashed potatoes (leftover brains) and gravy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wednesday: Homemade chicken noodle soup</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday: Bubble and Squeak (fried potatoes and smoked sausage)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday: Pork chops with baked sweet potatoes (and lots of cinnamon brown sugar)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday: Spaghetti and meatballs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday: Krista's pick - Happy Birthday, Sweetie!</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week we are having our Girl Scout meeting on Tuesday (no meeting on Halloween, of course) so Tuesday night is my quick and easy night. Although roasting a chicken isn't really quick, it is super easy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBK8_tuD6vYf4Y-hEOnrZB4jq1rHVAJB59_JGPwicntMQimHNyqcoYfZZI4nBb4YTAISiVxnAVZhiUOmu7ICijZXMyDOZBO8jkdgjocGo0gQJhZLl-5BM4imaoPBrZMGXldiOHVPXf1M/s1600/twoheartsjen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBK8_tuD6vYf4Y-hEOnrZB4jq1rHVAJB59_JGPwicntMQimHNyqcoYfZZI4nBb4YTAISiVxnAVZhiUOmu7ICijZXMyDOZBO8jkdgjocGo0gQJhZLl-5BM4imaoPBrZMGXldiOHVPXf1M/s1600/twoheartsjen.jpg" /></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-78432555254375176152011-10-31T07:54:00.000-05:002011-10-31T07:54:45.253-05:00Halloween Memories: The Making of a Monster<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sydnee is definitely a Halloween fan, in fact I think she loves it just as much as I do. As the years have gone on Sydnee has moved from the cutesy Halloween costumes (back when I was helping dictate what she was) to the truly gory (now that she's in full charge). So, today I wanted to look back as the Ghost of Halloween Past and show you how her style has changed over the years....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5nZWiAo9ezMYAd3pfZjRHDXm-JAUCDDNIK3df8nyorOfCkODRajBxl42wFqpdvluIuQkNR1YGVp2jZGQVqjFGyWUPJOnV9tG4d7Ut8XUkjgpvUZmIF33dahaNcFLvr-_8UzdnHKRC6tj/s1600/Five.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5nZWiAo9ezMYAd3pfZjRHDXm-JAUCDDNIK3df8nyorOfCkODRajBxl42wFqpdvluIuQkNR1YGVp2jZGQVqjFGyWUPJOnV9tG4d7Ut8XUkjgpvUZmIF33dahaNcFLvr-_8UzdnHKRC6tj/s1600/Five.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unicorn</span></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/AVvXsEglNb57iNgP7YrSnY87zPGcYt7Jgd3dFOW5cMtN_bub88Yy2hA5D1MLuUjqSPp_BD4MHFq3E-lJRhfwHdIKZA2MjHAmD6jFVaL7JXhl0i9YiNRtkApqH86HXyyLhlMIUqnFc4T__i4x1rAK/s1600/hal0304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNb57iNgP7YrSnY87zPGcYt7Jgd3dFOW5cMtN_bub88Yy2hA5D1MLuUjqSPp_BD4MHFq3E-lJRhfwHdIKZA2MjHAmD6jFVaL7JXhl0i9YiNRtkApqH86HXyyLhlMIUqnFc4T__i4x1rAK/s1600/hal0304.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Care Bear</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DumA57xzch8XSfszvvHQcdxXQe3lTIWIxDEcvUhiZGJuhgjGZ2Ji0-ougY5NrZ_9DiM9CtO2oPoG1Y17ln06MqtIT20YWgQYuQqhomga9q5ASZe9YmIeZ2X-Usnnf5bH0gLht0esLj20/s1600/halloween04syd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DumA57xzch8XSfszvvHQcdxXQe3lTIWIxDEcvUhiZGJuhgjGZ2Ji0-ougY5NrZ_9DiM9CtO2oPoG1Y17ln06MqtIT20YWgQYuQqhomga9q5ASZe9YmIeZ2X-Usnnf5bH0gLht0esLj20/s1600/halloween04syd.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scarecrow</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI7rCf5tYIQ4qzRFPj3RJYQUucpzpXBqg6ptwuVh7QmbL9Wo3gEgTy5nniY0JpTFS54HZSktUWea-pBF3enQ3wzs7qb3Afna9zLIlVBuM0PBlDWwJXeSH8YhW4BrORx0x97jiQ676TiHD/s1600/halcarn01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOI7rCf5tYIQ4qzRFPj3RJYQUucpzpXBqg6ptwuVh7QmbL9Wo3gEgTy5nniY0JpTFS54HZSktUWea-pBF3enQ3wzs7qb3Afna9zLIlVBuM0PBlDWwJXeSH8YhW4BrORx0x97jiQ676TiHD/s1600/halcarn01.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tinkerbell</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkXYIKzklZlf2FUKbfYOFl-bn-A_NybpJI8kz_T0c72QqHgA5qa7M9kbU-rNahbVCTN7XyGrojtvV6YLkONjfPGQuhRA-JNgSYsLy7c7qZ1XEHeYG4z_D28qduQS55jquvlrNu34dkfgu/s1600/halloween07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkXYIKzklZlf2FUKbfYOFl-bn-A_NybpJI8kz_T0c72QqHgA5qa7M9kbU-rNahbVCTN7XyGrojtvV6YLkONjfPGQuhRA-JNgSYsLy7c7qZ1XEHeYG4z_D28qduQS55jquvlrNu34dkfgu/s320/halloween07.jpg" width="291" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vampire Princess</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j0TCxUGKiopie9tLw5_GRtenAPI7w09kxIT8w0sOjrjfxqT-wPsrLgRF0Tu9wzVXm__915j774WUsJqc7Xv49y3e4LOAfoIQ7ZePv8qk6NOWWBwR6PeprMp7t6JujaO-amnBvo9ie0oS/s1600/mummyqueen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j0TCxUGKiopie9tLw5_GRtenAPI7w09kxIT8w0sOjrjfxqT-wPsrLgRF0Tu9wzVXm__915j774WUsJqc7Xv49y3e4LOAfoIQ7ZePv8qk6NOWWBwR6PeprMp7t6JujaO-amnBvo9ie0oS/s1600/mummyqueen.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mummy Princess</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Gf6EBoKBMl0ogkRShD36K9jeXM7Xg7gdHB9sKY4bvmQOid2PDpiwib2Dhq-KD7fhJRNvttZBPhRXhmp_82CxCaqcEPWJZy2fjQryQWPsCCqZrM8C4d8CYyL6nIpORS_dwx0EiTmyvQAc/s1600/hallosyd2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Gf6EBoKBMl0ogkRShD36K9jeXM7Xg7gdHB9sKY4bvmQOid2PDpiwib2Dhq-KD7fhJRNvttZBPhRXhmp_82CxCaqcEPWJZy2fjQryQWPsCCqZrM8C4d8CYyL6nIpORS_dwx0EiTmyvQAc/s320/hallosyd2009.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn1lUGgppz8mtKcXyio5BgI9sxiUioRxVvzZuTM98VziVAbwuMp3ADrP3OdP7GaavTUZYqhZ47blIjGeW_S2AsaKtEuMaec_bWlPqEE_WyrZYn9_cF_CfYH9_0k7REL_ddbvaGqQEx1T0/s1600/hallosyd2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn1lUGgppz8mtKcXyio5BgI9sxiUioRxVvzZuTM98VziVAbwuMp3ADrP3OdP7GaavTUZYqhZ47blIjGeW_S2AsaKtEuMaec_bWlPqEE_WyrZYn9_cF_CfYH9_0k7REL_ddbvaGqQEx1T0/s320/hallosyd2010.jpg" width="316" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So there you have it...the making of a monster. In the span of 8 Halloweens we went from adorable little unicorn to the hide-your-small-children wolf girl. Oh, and the totally awesome make up of her later years - that is credited to my talented husband.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBK8_tuD6vYf4Y-hEOnrZB4jq1rHVAJB59_JGPwicntMQimHNyqcoYfZZI4nBb4YTAISiVxnAVZhiUOmu7ICijZXMyDOZBO8jkdgjocGo0gQJhZLl-5BM4imaoPBrZMGXldiOHVPXf1M/s1600/twoheartsjen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBK8_tuD6vYf4Y-hEOnrZB4jq1rHVAJB59_JGPwicntMQimHNyqcoYfZZI4nBb4YTAISiVxnAVZhiUOmu7ICijZXMyDOZBO8jkdgjocGo0gQJhZLl-5BM4imaoPBrZMGXldiOHVPXf1M/s1600/twoheartsjen.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-91516713224411363322011-10-29T16:36:00.002-05:002011-10-29T17:40:26.567-05:00Be Inspired: Gettin' My Spook On...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love Halloween, I mean, I LOVE Halloween. To the point that people might think I'm a little strange (okay, so people think I'm a little strange anyway, never mind that). So, what better topic for my very first Inspiration post than my most favoritest (yes, that is too a word) holiday?</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwF0vCdPDeXfsRdAyaesCpNMCKSHmjgWSr8RhlQ8HZ1R9yCWWEXk5snV_cs5npPUOpzKd6_SH-h311rDC20kktag6cbNOzxS26d8a5bF9qe9s7nh6GgIFgJz7jP3phlEguNz60D-py8kU5/s1600/edible_spider_eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwF0vCdPDeXfsRdAyaesCpNMCKSHmjgWSr8RhlQ8HZ1R9yCWWEXk5snV_cs5npPUOpzKd6_SH-h311rDC20kktag6cbNOzxS26d8a5bF9qe9s7nh6GgIFgJz7jP3phlEguNz60D-py8kU5/s320/edible_spider_eggs.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first inspiration I have to share with you are these super cute (and really easy) spider eggs. Use whole black olives, cut each in half and then use one half to cut the legs. Use your kitchen shears for easy cutting.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirboYQA03MLH30BFCscMaxqJPcG_ZMTbwIaNU5g9E4txoa-Dvn2eZOg1IhqsPw0bddV0WzRRK_DGl4hjQsjliz3bh_BWlURejoDRG8ER7T9-MXhnbWhWOgUc59H8QWjbklXUvSNMp_BE62/s1600/inchworm_pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirboYQA03MLH30BFCscMaxqJPcG_ZMTbwIaNU5g9E4txoa-Dvn2eZOg1IhqsPw0bddV0WzRRK_DGl4hjQsjliz3bh_BWlURejoDRG8ER7T9-MXhnbWhWOgUc59H8QWjbklXUvSNMp_BE62/s320/inchworm_pumpkin.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This totally cute caterpillar is made with pumpkins - want to make it even cuter - make the head red and you've got the very hungry caterpillar! That would make an ubber cute classroom project, dontcha think?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLMOml6MyWw6VMt-AVva-fCquQzOHCvJ9VePEkycWgmt84ATE0pXrGzftgYzhyphenhyphenPzbjTL0OtoGxJrskUu7EtacY-VVrjH0E57JCpr30qU34OfUhYK912yHd4oLIGoBptKymy10XFDAobIJ/s1600/witches_curtain-trash_bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLMOml6MyWw6VMt-AVva-fCquQzOHCvJ9VePEkycWgmt84ATE0pXrGzftgYzhyphenhyphenPzbjTL0OtoGxJrskUu7EtacY-VVrjH0E57JCpr30qU34OfUhYK912yHd4oLIGoBptKymy10XFDAobIJ/s1600/witches_curtain-trash_bags.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now this is so neat and so wonderfully cheap! This awesome witch's curtain is nothing more than (are you ready for this) trash bags! Yep, so simple yet so effective!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnpGC5Av_V2cT0QmMAhQYFuX07Tl6XEAa8BlJOoMM3UPiMF_ZNjeN2uMFfrH5N1Pw4-ByeztsG_YOrvfkIpr2HCSIIRD86yERerBmKVmYJ6w7LgqCd0J_rY9UZ79j8UIOTDlGJ1Toawbw/s1600/crepe_paper_curtain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnpGC5Av_V2cT0QmMAhQYFuX07Tl6XEAa8BlJOoMM3UPiMF_ZNjeN2uMFfrH5N1Pw4-ByeztsG_YOrvfkIpr2HCSIIRD86yERerBmKVmYJ6w7LgqCd0J_rY9UZ79j8UIOTDlGJ1Toawbw/s320/crepe_paper_curtain.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, if you want a similar effect inside just grab a roll of crepe paper streamers (you know those birthday party decorations) and make a curtain! Oh my!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mEr6_KvshoAnx6MuYgkJsxXlowAtWXz_4Qap6VjrRCiRHLMTXfhvsSSS096oIUz8Leb88ZqKnI8ZTEDppiIBAoyA3IKu3TTPLHhDCPHGVdnMJhhRtodL8-Rs4CEv56O_dZpJQQ3NzQVQ/s1600/skull_pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mEr6_KvshoAnx6MuYgkJsxXlowAtWXz_4Qap6VjrRCiRHLMTXfhvsSSS096oIUz8Leb88ZqKnI8ZTEDppiIBAoyA3IKu3TTPLHhDCPHGVdnMJhhRtodL8-Rs4CEv56O_dZpJQQ3NzQVQ/s320/skull_pumpkin.jpg" width="287" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this amazing jack-o-lantern inspires me - who would've thought to put a pumpkin in a pumpkin? Well, someone over at Skull A Day did, that's who. Simply brilliant!</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I hope you find some inspiration in these ideas. I'm off to put the finishing spooky touches on our home before Halloween comes - and to make one of those awesome witch curtains!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBK8_tuD6vYf4Y-hEOnrZB4jq1rHVAJB59_JGPwicntMQimHNyqcoYfZZI4nBb4YTAISiVxnAVZhiUOmu7ICijZXMyDOZBO8jkdgjocGo0gQJhZLl-5BM4imaoPBrZMGXldiOHVPXf1M/s1600/twoheartsjen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBK8_tuD6vYf4Y-hEOnrZB4jq1rHVAJB59_JGPwicntMQimHNyqcoYfZZI4nBb4YTAISiVxnAVZhiUOmu7ICijZXMyDOZBO8jkdgjocGo0gQJhZLl-5BM4imaoPBrZMGXldiOHVPXf1M/s1600/twoheartsjen.jpg" /></span></a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-18753695900291562452011-10-27T09:02:00.001-05:002011-10-31T09:28:13.373-05:00Vintage Thingy Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's been a while since I posted but the call of Vintage Thingy Thursday has been going on inside my head. This week I wanted to share my favorite teapot in my collection. I love the nice round shape (perhaps because it mimics my own so well!) and the super cute handle.</span></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/AVvXsEg6pGU40Y_yK-8GVKcSe_4QzrUOqZUQSPj7EEbNPqUqjdMttEdJIS7oy1niN14DB6Qoa-P55puBzAv3FBWY5rNtkSvCgC0dlRHzWF9MNWbGTG7ssJdZ2ao_AUEj0HBlXwXmum3JbtZZeb8Y/s1600/vintageteapot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pGU40Y_yK-8GVKcSe_4QzrUOqZUQSPj7EEbNPqUqjdMttEdJIS7oy1niN14DB6Qoa-P55puBzAv3FBWY5rNtkSvCgC0dlRHzWF9MNWbGTG7ssJdZ2ao_AUEj0HBlXwXmum3JbtZZeb8Y/s320/vintageteapot.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I really don't know how "vintage" the teapot is. We purchased it in a lot at an auction at the same flea market where I got my wonderful old stove. The stove, in fact, is the permanent home of this tea pot. They just seem to go together so well.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBK8_tuD6vYf4Y-hEOnrZB4jq1rHVAJB59_JGPwicntMQimHNyqcoYfZZI4nBb4YTAISiVxnAVZhiUOmu7ICijZXMyDOZBO8jkdgjocGo0gQJhZLl-5BM4imaoPBrZMGXldiOHVPXf1M/s1600/twoheartsjen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLBK8_tuD6vYf4Y-hEOnrZB4jq1rHVAJB59_JGPwicntMQimHNyqcoYfZZI4nBb4YTAISiVxnAVZhiUOmu7ICijZXMyDOZBO8jkdgjocGo0gQJhZLl-5BM4imaoPBrZMGXldiOHVPXf1M/s1600/twoheartsjen.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-52472468936285679842011-01-19T14:46:00.004-06:002011-01-19T14:56:39.276-06:00Seed Viewer Project<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifG_DU-GWS5dxvRxs_DWALnznXr7rzfGwsBo5zu8U-8XpJpAPOtE9yUKiLtns8pWtHNyiKnQWzRQbVef81mAKtvkm3EiRPzWVAo3MkOG5R6BE9RBB_ipNL50z9o8PT2JPN5qPMKT4HFqXa/s1600/seedviewer.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 273px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564002854869443234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifG_DU-GWS5dxvRxs_DWALnznXr7rzfGwsBo5zu8U-8XpJpAPOtE9yUKiLtns8pWtHNyiKnQWzRQbVef81mAKtvkm3EiRPzWVAo3MkOG5R6BE9RBB_ipNL50z9o8PT2JPN5qPMKT4HFqXa/s320/seedviewer.jpg" /></a> <div><div>Last semester for science we covered plants and their needs. Sydnee really enjoys science, but doesn't really enjoy book work, so we compromised and created this seed viewer project.</div><div> </div><div>It's really simple - we used a clear plastic cup, a few red kidney beans, a piece of brown felt and some paper towels. We cut the brown felt to fit and stuck it in the cup, placed the beans between the cup and the felt and we the paper towels and stuck them in the middle of the cup. Sydnee made two of these and kept one in the dark and place the other one next to her window. At first, the one in the dark grew much more quickly, but then when the plants started to come up above the cup it quickly died. We concluded that this was because seeds don't need sunlight, but plants do. We did discover that the roots will grow into the felt, so we would suggest using construction paper instead. Sydnee's "light" beans are still going strong, but they are in need of a larger pot - and a serious felt-ecotmy - still working on figuring that one out.</div></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-63321861466238859972010-06-03T12:20:00.003-05:002010-06-03T12:36:44.690-05:00Vintage Thingy Thursday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZ6OTLQWdAVzC1IG2bd2TmESBzJhO1onXM7A26GzYO_ILZU-kjV4q58QbuCFnHWHTjwEoZC223n_BE0CAJmsZrCPZz7ybAL5XGkvWka_l9pldjtIv5FKRtc-Evx2peQJ5xJbOL4xIRCzX/s1600/mystove1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478599217204368514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZ6OTLQWdAVzC1IG2bd2TmESBzJhO1onXM7A26GzYO_ILZU-kjV4q58QbuCFnHWHTjwEoZC223n_BE0CAJmsZrCPZz7ybAL5XGkvWka_l9pldjtIv5FKRtc-Evx2peQJ5xJbOL4xIRCzX/s320/mystove1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I love vintage stuff and really as far as I'm concerned, the older, the better. I'm thrilled that <a href="http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/">Colorado Lady</a> has this awesome meme, it's my favorite by far. For Mother's Day this year I got the most amazing present (from my most amazing husband!). This lovely item is a wood burning stove from right around the turn of the century. We found it at a wonderful junk shop in Willow Springs, Missouri on our way to Georgia. I was so excited when I saw it I almost piddled right then and there. Unfortunately, we were headed away from home and had the car, so we couldn't by it then (I did get a treasure while we were there, but that will be for another Thursday). The owners close up shop at 2 because they are also school bus drivers and on the way home we were too late to catch them. Being the awesome man he is, my husband took me back to buy the stove that Saturday. (Did I mention it's a 3 hour drive one way? Yep, he earned some major points for this one, folks.) Sadly, the store had been hit by a tornado the night before and a lot of their items were damaged. BUT, not this gorgeous piece of history. The owners were nice enough to let us go ahead and purchase the stove while we were there and let us know that all of the contents would be auctioned off later - they even sent us a flier for the auction and yes, we are going. Anyway, back to the stove. We tried doing research on it and found that it was probably made sometime between 1880 and 1911 and was sold by the Sears & Roebuck company. There is a water reservoir (which is currently home to about 250 million pine cones) which was optional and I believe the back with the storage compartments was as well. The oven door has broken over time and will need some repairs to be reattached, but at least it's there and displays the name Southern Queen. I couldn't be happier with it, but now I have find something really awesome for Father's Day. (c;</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-40338799160288944612010-06-02T08:43:00.004-05:002010-06-02T09:52:06.364-05:00Works for Me Wednesday - Summer Boredom Busters<a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 153px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478188851475405218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjedon23la1rd8UVG9MpzM0NCn5BKZ5-BU7H-nD6Ws421dIOn540qDKbwlf-8XsZ46Qq1FWVTKfOhU5rImVG_r5qaMSMM8imxgap1wdeG3Cm5MsXW1JQ-dY8-NXe3Yb_R22C_rTT6i_QzEq/s200/wfmwbanner.jpg" /></a>The challenge for this week's WFMW is to find ways to keep your kids busy when the dreaded "I'm bored" whine starts. Well, at our house my kids know those words are the equivalent of saying "Mom, please find me some chore to keep me busy and out of your hair for the next twenty minutes." Now, no kid in their right mind is going to ask for this more than a few times so I don't hear the whine of boredom, but I do see it in their faces. Summers are supposed to be lazy and carefree - but I've yet to have one of those. We have a steady stream of neighborhood kids (and those who aren't quite as local, but then I become Taxi Mom as well) in and out through the summer. DD10 also has good friend she likes to spend time with in the summer that doesn't live too far away, but during the school year their schedules just don't line up. We do the summer reading program at the library (whoo hoo for Mrs. Connie, she's the best!), visit lots of local museums and zoos and we have our weekly Girl Scout meetings and several trips and events. You would think with all that our summer is pretty full, but no, my friend, it's not full enough to keep my kids busy. But, we're not done yet. We're also homeschooling this summer. We're taking off this week and then next week we'll be back to the books. We're covering math, science, social studies and spelling. I'm counting the summer reading program as our literature through the months of June and July so we're not doing any of that and I'm giving them a grammar break after their research reports (just 'cause I'm nice like that once in while).<br /><br />Some of our planned outings for this summer are<br /><br /><ul><li>the <a href="http://www.joplinmuseum.org/">Joplin museum complex</a> (free on Mondays)</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.nps.gov/gwca/index.htm">George Washington Carver birthplace</a> (free)</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.safarissanctuary.org/">safari sanctuary </a>& blue bell factory tour (with our church)</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.preciousmoments.com/content.cfm/park_chapel">precious moments park</a> (free)</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.forpaz.com/">Independence zoo and water park</a> (with Girl Scouts)</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.littlehouseontheprairie.com/">Prairie Days Festival </a>(with Girl Scouts, but counting as history field trip)</li><br /><li>Troop camping</li><br /><li>Family camping</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.tulsazoo.org/index.cfm">Tulsa zoo</a></li></ul><p>Granted, we won't be on the road or educating every minute of the day. For those times when the kids really need something to do we set up a fort (with the new house they can make a mondo-fort upstairs), pull out the art supplies or spend the day at the pool. Free (or very inexpensive) fun to be had with little-to-no prep time for mom.</p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-72817747321296360462010-06-01T12:51:00.009-05:002010-06-01T13:38:03.836-05:00Tag-a-long Tuesday: Girl Power Patch Program<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDusc3Ob-87KHmCQyTtssbEGMnIHGEuxkB8Ddb3iKTin-Dn3rR7kjE516EcNAWGe5Vmq-gP48sUIK9yJww5G-FeNQ94CEDukg6881rMrepLhn9eDhAFg2oddKDSkNWFpm9JdeVQ1NNbH3/s1600/Girl%2520Power.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477873615221017378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDusc3Ob-87KHmCQyTtssbEGMnIHGEuxkB8Ddb3iKTin-Dn3rR7kjE516EcNAWGe5Vmq-gP48sUIK9yJww5G-FeNQ94CEDukg6881rMrepLhn9eDhAFg2oddKDSkNWFpm9JdeVQ1NNbH3/s320/Girl%2520Power.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div>Tonight's meeting is going to be the first with our new crop of Juniors from last week's bridging ceremony. I'm not sure how many we will have since some will wait to start meeting with us until next school year so we are opting for a fun get-to-know-you kind of meeting. While searching for just the right activity I came across the Girl Power patch program from Patchwork Designs. You can take a look at the entire program <a href="http://www.patchworkdesigns.net/pdffiles/Girl%20Power.pdf">here </a>(PDF) We won't be doing all of the requirements as a troop, we're going to try to hit on the six that make up the wording of the patch. Tonight's meeting planner looks like this:</div><div></div><br /><div>Horseshoe (Opening) - LAUGHTER - Toliet Paper Game: Roll starts on one side and works it's way around the horseshoe. Girls are instructed to "take as much as they will need" and once everyone has their desired amount the girls are told that for each square they took, they will need to tell the group one thing about themselves.</div><div></div><br /><div>Project 1 - CARING - Bullying Scenarios (from the packet): Girls volunteer to read the scenarios and everyone responds as the the choice they would make. Related badge: Being My Best #7</div><br /><div></div><div>Project 2 - FRIENDS - No Sew Hair Scrunchie (from the packet): Girls make hair scrunchies by tieing different ribbons (cut to 10 inch lenghts) onto plain elastic bands. Related badge: Art to Wear #10</div><div></div><br /><div>Next week we will do three more projects to complete this program. If you are joining us next week, be sure to bring a can of your favorite pop (and your own vanilla ice cream if you are part of the virtual troop) so we can make ice cream floats. Yum!</div></div></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-10151288612273973842010-06-01T09:23:00.011-05:002010-06-01T12:51:20.872-05:00Tag-a-long Tuesday Introduction<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEq2fe9v6hYVcBaO1QHV3zXtRi_Yx9ezfSn9H09OegEBZzt2SVdJbUaIJ1OqBpMuVA_9lWddWYqVGQvF7BZFxLhRMwJiyEohw_VsBgbqpeoJyvtkfn7EFRpbVuOFlsyHIGWoZWpA3i5t3/s1600/ohh_talt.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 126px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477864212717317090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEq2fe9v6hYVcBaO1QHV3zXtRi_Yx9ezfSn9H09OegEBZzt2SVdJbUaIJ1OqBpMuVA_9lWddWYqVGQvF7BZFxLhRMwJiyEohw_VsBgbqpeoJyvtkfn7EFRpbVuOFlsyHIGWoZWpA3i5t3/s400/ohh_talt.jpg" /></a><br /><div>In the world of Girl Scouting, the term "tag-a-long" can mean one of two things. First, some councils refer to their peanut butter patty cookies as tag a longs, we are not one of those councils. The other meaning simply refers to a person who is not a Girl Scout but tags a long by joining in the fun at an event or meeting. Well friends, here's your change to be an official tag-a-long at our troop meetings. It makes no difference to me if you are 5 or 50 or 500 (however, if you've hit that mark I'd love to know your secret!). Each week I'll post a fun tidbit that our troop is doing. You are welcome to join in and do the same project or activity at home - or post about what your own Girl Scout troop is doing. Either way, grab the Tag-a-long Tuesday graphic and add a comment so I can come check out what you are doing!</div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-20236092449986023922009-07-24T18:28:00.002-05:002009-07-24T18:38:43.400-05:00Me - In a Word<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24ikkOG0FEwBSL-ITV2EGTyThqcLzJ6QliEPDhugdMt6_6SBonkMN0dYg4FxVc0vt2YtcJ5MUcRbV3VFGxKoHaykiLKeWphyhE1rEWEykE4nP6jG1a65l3Dkrlf3P_7jsH7eRQSFDEC_C/s1600-h/jen_frog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 102px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24ikkOG0FEwBSL-ITV2EGTyThqcLzJ6QliEPDhugdMt6_6SBonkMN0dYg4FxVc0vt2YtcJ5MUcRbV3VFGxKoHaykiLKeWphyhE1rEWEykE4nP6jG1a65l3Dkrlf3P_7jsH7eRQSFDEC_C/s320/jen_frog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362175245341234530" border="0" /></a><br />So I found this on another Jen's blog (there are so many of us, after all) and wanted to do it too. The trick is that you can only answer with one word. Leave a comment if you add it to your blog and I'll come and visit. (c:<br /><br />1. Where is your cell phone? purse<br /><br /><br />2. Your hair? ponytail<br /><br /><br />3. Your mother? Momma<br /><br /><br />4. Your father? Daddy<br /><br /><br />5. Your favorite food? Chinese<br /><br /><br />6. Your dream last night? forgotten<br /><br /><br />7. Your favorite drink? tea<br /><br /><br />8. Your dream/goal? teach<br /><br /><br />9. What room are you in? office<br /><br /><br />10. Your hobby? web<br /><br /><br />11. Your fear? dark<br /><br /><br />12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? teaching<br /><br /><br />13. Where were you last night? here<br /><br /><br />14. Something that you aren’t? skinny<br /><br /><br />15. Muffins? banana<br /><br /><br />16. Wish list item? house<br /><br /><br />17. Where did you grow up? Oklahoma<br /><br /><br />18. Last thing you did? pack<br /><br /><br />19. What are you wearing? clothes<br /><br /><br />20. Your TV? off<br /><br /><br />21. Your pets? traveling<br /><br /><br />22. Friends? world-wide (yes, it is too one word, it's just hyphenated)<br /><br /><br />23. Your life? busy<br /><br /><br />24. Your mood? nervous<br /><br /><br />25. Missing someone? sometimes<br /><br /><br />26. Vehicle? cute<br /><br /><br />27. Something you’re not wearing? shoes<br /><br /><br />28. Your favorite store? teachers'<br /><br /><br />29. Your favorite color? purple<br /><br /><br />30. When was the last time you laughed? today<br /><br /><br />31. Last time you cried? week<br /><br /><br />32. Your best friend? Joe<br /><br /><br />33. One place that I go to over and over? library<br /><br /><br />34. One person who emails me regularly? Jeanne<br /><br /><br />35. Favorite place to eat? ChineseJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-89538633384271035222009-07-24T12:19:00.002-05:002009-07-24T12:40:50.772-05:00Sometimes You Just Can't Win<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090723/capt.cf5bcf9d5bf146d2a370f8fdb3304df3.aptopix_harvard_scholar_disorderly_masr204.jpg?x=253&y=345&q=85&sig=FuHfO6Jr.8m.FYKY37kPGw--"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 344px;" src="http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090723/capt.cf5bcf9d5bf146d2a370f8fdb3304df3.aptopix_harvard_scholar_disorderly_masr204.jpg?x=253&y=345&q=85&sig=FuHfO6Jr.8m.FYKY37kPGw--" alt="" border="0" /></a>Normally I don't post about politics or current events, however, I feel almost outraged about the current goings-on with the Cambridge police. Have you read the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090724/ap_on_re_us/us_harvard_scholar_arresting_officer">article</a>? Apparently some nosy neighbor of a "Harvard scholar" called the police when she saw what she thought were two guys trying to break in. Two guys <span style="font-style: italic;">with backpacks</span> trying to break down the door. Now, you be the judge, does that sound like, oops, my door is jammed to you or would you automatically think the home of your neighbor who had been out of the country was getting broken into? I, friends, would presume the latter, and apparently so did this woman. Now, to make matters worse, after the police showed up they wanted proof that the guy belonged there and the man got all upset. Not just a little upset, but enough to get himself arrested. Really, how hard is it to pull out your ID and say, sorry for the misunderstanding, officer, but this is my home. Apparently it's too tough for a Harvard professor. The part in all this that really upsets me is the fact that the president - who is apparently friends with this guy - said that the actions of the police were "stupid". Um, really? Stupid? Charges weren't even filed and dare I repeat myself, but all the guy had to do was be civil and show proof of ID. In my opinion, it's pretty poor leadership to publicly attack a city's police department when your friend gets himself into trouble. The photo with this post is of the responding officer Sgt. James Crowley as the media ask him questions at his home.<br /></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-60255363788196730712009-06-27T20:22:00.002-05:002009-06-27T20:51:17.735-05:00Wanna Take a Quiz?Well, I'm in a quiz-kinda-mood tonight so here are a few, and amazingly enough - I think they're accurate. (c:<br /><br /><table width="350" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td bg="" style="color: rgb(238, 238, 238);" align="center"><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14;color:black;" ><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>You Are Thin Mints</strong></span><br /></span></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatgirlscoutcookieareyouquiz/thinmints.jpg" width="100" height="100" /></center><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />You are bold and brave. You dare to be different, and you are confident about who you are.<br /><br />Your fearlessness has paid off. You are extremely well liked and popular.<br /><br /><br /><br />You are charismatic and charming without even trying to be. People appreciate your unique take on life.<br /><br />You are willing to take risks, speak your mind, and live life to the fullest.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://blogthings.com/whatgirlscoutcookieareyouquiz/">What Girl Scout Cookie Are You?</a></div><br /><table width="350" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td bg="" style="color: rgb(238, 238, 238);" align="center"><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14;color:black;" ><br /><strong>You Are Blue</strong><br /></span></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatprimarycolorareyouquiz/blue.jpg" width="100" height="100" /></center><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />You are a philosophical and often inspired person. You are the master of ideas.<br /><br />You are open to many points of view. You believe that it's important to communicate and not judge.<br /><br /><br /><br />You have a worldly perspective, and you're always looking to broaden it.<br /><br />You are a true people person, but you also value your solitude and personal space.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://blogthings.com/whatprimarycolorareyouquiz/">What Primary Color Are You?</a><br /><br /><br /></div><table width="350" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td bg="" style="color: rgb(238, 238, 238);" align="center"><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14;color:black;" ><br /><strong>You Are the Library</strong><br /></span></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatroomofthehouseareyouquiz/library.jpg" width="100" height="100" /></center><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />You are very intellectual and well read. You tend to be absorbed in your own interests.<br /><br />You can seem a bit standoffish. To be honest, you're not that interested in other people.<br /><br /><br /><br />You are comforted by the things you own. You tend to be a pack rat.<br /><br />It's likely that you have many old possessions that you treasure. You rarely throw anything away.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://blogthings.com/whatroomofthehouseareyouquiz/">What Room of the House Are You?</a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><table width="350" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td bg="" style="color: rgb(238, 238, 238);" align="center"><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14;color:black;" ><br /><strong>You Are a Pond</strong><br /></span></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatbodyofwaterareyouquiz/pond.jpg" width="100" height="100" /></center><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />You are modest, pleasant, and reliable. You are content and confident.<br /><br />You are harmonious and caring. You truly like other people for who they are.<br /><br /><br /><br />You are a very genuine, humble person. Because of this, you're very approachable.<br /><br />You are soft-spoken and a bit sensitive. Your mild personality is a refreshing change for people.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://blogthings.com/whatbodyofwaterareyouquiz/">What Body of Water Are You?</a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><table width="350" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td bg="" style="color: rgb(238, 238, 238);" align="center"><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14;color:black;" ><br /><strong>You Are Tea</strong><br /></span></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/areyoucoffeeorteaquiz/tea.jpg" width="100" height="100" /></center><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />You are mellow and reflective. You don't allow yourself to feel in a rush and frenzied.<br /><br />You're likely to appreciated the ideas or connections that come up over a warm cup of tea.<br /><br /><br /><br />While you do enjoy the energy of a caffeine boost, you love that it allows you to take a break.<br /><br />You're not in a rush to do anything. You're content with your life, and in no rush to change it.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://blogthings.com/areyoucoffeeorteaquiz/">Are You Coffee or Tea?</a></div><br /><br /><table width="350" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td bg="" style="color: rgb(238, 238, 238);" align="center"><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14;color:black;" ><br /><strong>You Were a Creative Kid</strong><br /></span></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatkindofkidwereyouquiz/creative.jpg" width="100" height="100" /></center><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />When you were a kid, you always had to be doing something with your hands.<br /><br />Whether you were painting a picture or just doodling, you had to be creating something.<br /><br /><br /><br />You were too busy thinking about your future creations to listen in school.<br /><br />It's likely that every part of school was a challenge for you, except for art class.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://blogthings.com/whatkindofkidwereyouquiz/">What Kind of Kid Were You?</a></div><br /><br /><table width="350" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td bg="" style="color: rgb(238, 238, 238);" align="center"><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia,Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-size:14;color:black;" ><br /><strong>You Are Mac and Cheese</strong><br /></span></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatcomfortfoodareyouquiz/macandcheese.jpg" width="100" height="100" /></center><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />When you are stressed out, you seek safety above everything else.<br /><br />And nothing is more nourishing than a big warm plate of carbs.<br /><br /><br /><br />Taking risks takes a toll on you, and you prefer your comfort food to be old fashioned.<br /><br />You're the type of person who could eat the same meal every night, especially when life is hard.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://blogthings.com/whatcomfortfoodareyouquiz/">What Comfort Food Are You?</a></div><br /><br /><table width="350" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td align="center" bg style="color:#eeeeee;"><br /><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;font-family:Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;" ><br /><strong>You Are a Playwright</strong><br /></span></td></tr><br /><tr><td bgcolor="#ffffff"><br /><center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/whatsyourmedievalprofessionquiz/playwright.jpg" width="100" height="100" /></center><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><br />You are a highly literate wordsmith. You love both reading and writing.<br /><br />You are also a natural storyteller. You can turn a mediocre anecdote into a riveting tale.<br /><br /><br /><br />You find people and all aspects of life fascinating. No topic is off limits for you.<br /><br />In modern times, you would make a good filmmaker or novelist.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://blogthings.com/whatsyourmedievalprofessionquiz/">What's Your Medieval Profession?</a></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-79657509174830503852009-06-21T09:56:00.004-05:002009-06-21T10:08:09.578-05:00Jammin' at the Park<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EiyNHZtX_d1y8hfW1brrhgCUj-isyEolQMAoZyrWge93Z8Xc_Jcpp7vNeI_SQPYkqCdgz8TsRo24UdIqxSc23LGB624WY0JZ5DS8dI9fGqP9GOFb-_o7413GUMPZC-JTLlWb-ebiRisc/s1600-h/band.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 415px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EiyNHZtX_d1y8hfW1brrhgCUj-isyEolQMAoZyrWge93Z8Xc_Jcpp7vNeI_SQPYkqCdgz8TsRo24UdIqxSc23LGB624WY0JZ5DS8dI9fGqP9GOFb-_o7413GUMPZC-JTLlWb-ebiRisc/s320/band.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349796448376622850" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Joe's niece is really active in the baseball program in their small town. For the end of the season this year they wanted to throw a big shin-dig to celebrate what a great season the kids had. That's pretty awesome if you ask me. And what shin-dig is complete without live music? Well, not this one! Joe's band played and being the good band-wife I am I was there to offer a fair critique when the music was over (and to fetch water bottles, snap photos, etc). <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Unfortunately</span>, after I got home, all of my photos were a little, well, fuzzy. I'm not sure why, but I chose the clearest one I could to share with you. Joe is the drummer - just in case you were wondering. Isn't he cute? (c:</span><br /></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-91925390552216438462009-06-21T09:23:00.011-05:002009-06-21T09:48:42.589-05:00Camping Out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1vL93uFKUjjenLDpODsRlqAFxG1xllzT94O1CA5i8mqgYopjItYlWleQLRpO4xyF4_3VWFtUFRmVnIwT7xC4Sqle6Ynx5R8TAn9x2l4u94KEthNwMgGfzkL55WnkeDUm8ruX0XTjwSKE/s1600-h/camping.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1vL93uFKUjjenLDpODsRlqAFxG1xllzT94O1CA5i8mqgYopjItYlWleQLRpO4xyF4_3VWFtUFRmVnIwT7xC4Sqle6Ynx5R8TAn9x2l4u94KEthNwMgGfzkL55WnkeDUm8ruX0XTjwSKE/s320/camping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349787750684786194" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Joe really likes c</span><span style="font-family:arial;">amping and I've been a really neglectful wife through the years we've been married and only gone with him one </span><span style="font-family:arial;">time other than this last week. That one time the girls stayed with his parents and we got an emergency phone call telling us that his dad had fallen and broken his hip and we had to come back asap. We did try and take the girls once too, but it was so cold that we left in the middle of</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> the night and no one considers that camping. But, this week was Joe's vacation and we tried it </span><span style="font-family:arial;">again. We were going to go for a couple of nights, but we had storms like crazy and ended up put</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ting </span><span style="font-family:arial;">the tr</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ip off for several days and then decided to stay only one night. I'm kind glad we did. I'm n</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ot a camping person, it's a lot of work to be out in the heat if you ask me, bu</span><span style="font-family:arial;">t you didn't, right? So, for this trip I didn't take pictures, I gave the girls the camera and told them to on a hike around the park and see what they could get pictures of. Here's what they captured. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Sydnee collected lots of nuts and ended up creating a nut family, this is one fine example - the baby nut.</span><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ar42ZQ28PyWkq3VhWXHQSx8TwM6VW_HJ87vF2VLd9csMUc9oEYdDRrD1kjMRI53nire3UzUkdK3bntlWdf75wJ3B5LiEDL20SZE6itQ8dD46yUAfU54VIHT2O6xvUkNvd93n5QtGh1HJ/s1600-h/camp1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ar42ZQ28PyWkq3VhWXHQSx8TwM6VW_HJ87vF2VLd9csMUc9oEYdDRrD1kjMRI53nire3UzUkdK3bntlWdf75wJ3B5LiEDL20SZE6itQ8dD46yUAfU54VIHT2O6xvUkNvd93n5QtGh1HJ/s200/camp1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349789536010051218" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;">After we had gotten so much rain the park was majorly flooded. We weren't at this end of the park, but there is supposed to be a pretty little hiking trail over there.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxWHDy71XA39RyyhvkQEGHrk6rLO08AXGYl8JqWaaek7VBa0Xh08LfmAiF31BB5ZTYyO1PskpqWR-lpbAY1dFyveffpKzXvVQV9LQB55IrbDOmeRVIwG4xP3m63NDzXwk_RaR_GXMjs3K/s1600-h/camp2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxWHDy71XA39RyyhvkQEGHrk6rLO08AXGYl8JqWaaek7VBa0Xh08LfmAiF31BB5ZTYyO1PskpqWR-lpbAY1dFyveffpKzXvVQV9LQB55IrbDOmeRVIwG4xP3m63NDzXwk_RaR_GXMjs3K/s200/camp2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349789810090050882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmks-thVBmReqfFvllBAJr_iDUbNP-oNVLNaEz65MHrC77gmUHlAVUeFvXytdvKaAvc2TJOvw_062v5lGhPLgSZHCyPTin39bfRTR7HzuDWNnfqIMESGScEuY3G3z_ItEKDbSXvMo5x6ta/s1600-h/camp3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmks-thVBmReqfFvllBAJr_iDUbNP-oNVLNaEz65MHrC77gmUHlAVUeFvXytdvKaAvc2TJOvw_062v5lGhPLgSZHCyPTin39bfRTR7HzuDWNnfqIMESGScEuY3G3z_ItEKDbSXvMo5x6ta/s200/camp3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349790409442182930" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Sydnee was nice enough to sit and pose for Krista to snap her picture - well, at least once anyw</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ay.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxBILFWwJtNHuPRSCJN9eXm_uJQT2fEjCB8C1hAW32aIgofyDa6tR2li9uYkdQLvN5TIr32WqHpXbkBFCS6VXRrt5_rxKLqkYO12B8FoEMFIVQRxU58FqsIqW_NMyjzk_vE7nx65dYCT4/s1600-h/camp4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxBILFWwJtNHuPRSCJN9eXm_uJQT2fEjCB8C1hAW32aIgofyDa6tR2li9uYkdQLvN5TIr32WqHpXbkBFCS6VXRrt5_rxKLqkYO12B8FoEMFIVQRxU58FqsIqW_NMyjzk_vE7nx65dYCT4/s200/camp4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349790775521680994" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Then Krista went a little crazy with the camera and got this not-so-flattering shot of Sydnee.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxuXqZftquoRd-6EVonP2g2oeqtWEte4mlzfRT80g-ONzLPzmLBKwqJshoH88TdtncL3377eU-k6UF0bQyOyBn9p3vpqAMSTNxHdceVYk85fn8l99fw37I0W4-P7R8wW-30lRhkVYa28o/s1600-h/camp5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxuXqZftquoRd-6EVonP2g2oeqtWEte4mlzfRT80g-ONzLPzmLBKwqJshoH88TdtncL3377eU-k6UF0bQyOyBn9p3vpqAMSTNxHdceVYk85fn8l99fw37I0W4-P7R8wW-30lRhkVYa28o/s200/camp5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349791729669347202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Of course, Sydnee was not to be out-done and chased Krista down to get a photo of her too.<br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyRGewvYtzP_0HR4NvUNJwNJR7mynCUVyyvYOeIJ_jg2pkqiQhQF1RToVF8XNMKuFxGUIIYpJ6DM3193rL4x-XuH1YgiUayeg9B9E5dWXHAHsgjQt2V0QVlQYgpnzXhBFzY-gGhWCD3lI/s1600-h/camp6.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyRGewvYtzP_0HR4NvUNJwNJR7mynCUVyyvYOeIJ_jg2pkqiQhQF1RToVF8XNMKuFxGUIIYpJ6DM3193rL4x-XuH1YgiUayeg9B9E5dWXHAHsgjQt2V0QVlQYgpnzXhBFzY-gGhWCD3lI/s200/camp6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349792034842530114" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;">Be thankful, my blogging friends, I spared you the photos of the dead fish and turtles that were found. Of course, my children didn't come back with any pictures of live animals, they are far less interesting.<br /></span></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-71084882865411874622009-06-15T19:45:00.003-05:002009-06-15T19:59:48.830-05:00Menu Plan Monday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://orgjunkie.com/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtilz3Ou1xLEjU8DL1WbG5HnsLibH9f44o4wuwI0ax-e4CYOSIpmlY9AgaqUJs_-UPTGcyyUTYIn7uyhrEqJ70-6YBkrhJaHjI8lsc8circqAR3LsQ3T0ozcWjW8Yb-50RehZTCw9RRk1/s200/menuplanmonday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347722929434732882" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This week's Menu Plan Monday is going to be a doozie because we're off to camp by the lake for the next few days. I went ahead and put together our menu plan, as unbalanced as it is.<br /><br />Monday<br />Breakfast - scrambled eggs<br />Lunch - Yo-Yo</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> (<span style="font-style: italic;">your own your own</span>)</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Dinner - leftover fried chicken from last night<br /><br />Tuesday<br />Breakfast - cereal</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Lunch - sandwiches and chips<br />Dinner - kabobs (marinated pork, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms & tomatoes)<br /><br />Wednesday<br />Breakfast - campfire eggs with bacon and leftover veg from the kabobs)<br />Lunch - hot dogs and chips<br />Dinner - fish if we have caught any or grilled chicken<br /><br />Thursday<br />Breakfast - cereal<br />Lunch - hot dogs, sandwiches or leftovers<br />Dinner - takeout something (we'll be coming home that evening)<br /><br />Friday<br />Breakfast - cereal<br />Lunch - Yo-Yo<br />Dinner - spaghetti with meatballs and tossed salad<br /><br />I'm not planning the weekend just yet, this is hub's vacation week and I'm not sure if we will be home or what.<br /></span>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-86985242737776458032009-06-14T19:30:00.013-05:002009-06-14T20:33:08.759-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweMoEKqUPVskMEpPTx9A0SUqY79Ijt8Qc5DQjzvhTSg7GhjVYWusumrJDudo_NBVMzjy54_HCLzaH5pleJdbn7es06_p9pXFX_lEfg0zL4CsJsacuibtsv0KdI1EwnB4cqmVwtCsgwrAx/s1600-h/IMG_0469_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweMoEKqUPVskMEpPTx9A0SUqY79Ijt8Qc5DQjzvhTSg7GhjVYWusumrJDudo_NBVMzjy54_HCLzaH5pleJdbn7es06_p9pXFX_lEfg0zL4CsJsacuibtsv0KdI1EwnB4cqmVwtCsgwrAx/s320/IMG_0469_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347357727308211506" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">So I found this meme-of-sorts through <a href="http://momsmagic.blogspot.com/">Mom's Magic</a>, who got if from <a href="http://onething.beautifulheritage.com/">One Thing</a>, who got it from <a href="http://prairieprologue.blogspot.com/">Prairie Prologue</a> - talk about recycling, huh? Well, here's my attempt at it. If you decided to do one, leave a comment so I can visit.</span></strong></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></div><p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I am…a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister.</strong></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEZ_87MVyjZIj_lRrhQd9mXxM9QnJjrYSC918rRqZR6aRhEjwSb0X5c13UkLsY0S9FdrSavl8VTFDxgIxhv826Itm19eNHH4NhhOmzbU_lRmu4n2xHhqRspcrTa9PBbDcJY0zZN2ISq2i/s1600-h/2182714371_cb72a08b87.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEZ_87MVyjZIj_lRrhQd9mXxM9QnJjrYSC918rRqZR6aRhEjwSb0X5c13UkLsY0S9FdrSavl8VTFDxgIxhv826Itm19eNHH4NhhOmzbU_lRmu4n2xHhqRspcrTa9PBbDcJY0zZN2ISq2i/s200/2182714371_cb72a08b87.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347356576404692898" border="0" /></a></p> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" > </span> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I want…</strong>to learn</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> t</span><span style="font-size:130%;">o knit.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I have…a wonder</strong></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>ful beautiful family.</strong></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFtDQY7Xo0sprosWDGYvacBfL9Hz-UI83R90ukS6tndvPOD78OcYi1TGDPHY2FDrZEJof9RGmiT8FPsWCzKg2xCGYIPzVxRBxlHtUMA5IR_l8GhQaLiYrk5aGymRQHQ3tBzeTM1uiAHvp/s1600-h/worldpeace.bmp"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFtDQY7Xo0sprosWDGYvacBfL9Hz-UI83R90ukS6tndvPOD78OcYi1TGDPHY2FDrZEJof9RGmiT8FPsWCzKg2xCGYIPzVxRBxlHtUMA5IR_l8GhQaLiYrk5aGymRQHQ3tBzeTM1uiAHvp/s200/worldpeace.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347358332243515250" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I wish…</strong> </span><span style="font-size:130%;">w</span><span style="font-size:130%;">e c</span><span style="font-size:130%;">ould all just get along.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I know… </strong></span><span style="font-size:130%;">how to find happiness in the little things.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I hate… </strong>liver - no it's not deep, but it's true.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I fear… </strong>the unknown.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEUkCma4Ry0qMMV9T5aefsqLsFB-xUSUBLhxi73R4uZsi6Yv0bBrfUWGdqwcbJv98r4UKD9-Zl9xLYw4S6AHAR77NOZy1ZeHa1kd_2p6u4PN8OZErDMhEkWjWPQc-oCwq1Xx0e-N_8Mk1/s1600-h/bobber1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEUkCma4Ry0qMMV9T5aefsqLsFB-xUSUBLhxi73R4uZsi6Yv0bBrfUWGdqwcbJv98r4UKD9-Zl9xLYw4S6AHAR77NOZy1ZeHa1kd_2p6u4PN8OZErDMhEkWjWPQc-oCwq1Xx0e-N_8Mk1/s320/bobber1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347356320758458770" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I hear… </strong>the turtle playing in his tank.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p face="georgia" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p face="georgia" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I crave… a quiet cottage in the woods</strong>.</span></p><p face="georgia" style="font-weight: bold;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTAM4e87mSIGWRzgRxqnW-6IMdc7RgIfCpCeLW7yUn6bP1EUfmATXEUCpQp2_ZImcrkOGaa6GRDNWsxCh7Yi4pgB60Ae0feQ9mkAkIaWJHG1os7TLveNXm2fystPKdZ6ae6crsuBcvE6r/s1600-h/979156684_52b20e0851.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTAM4e87mSIGWRzgRxqnW-6IMdc7RgIfCpCeLW7yUn6bP1EUfmATXEUCpQp2_ZImcrkOGaa6GRDNWsxCh7Yi4pgB60Ae0feQ9mkAkIaWJHG1os7TLveNXm2fystPKdZ6ae6crsuBcvE6r/s200/979156684_52b20e0851.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347356835275619618" border="0" /></a></p> <p face="georgia" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I search…</strong> for knowledge.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I always…</strong> enjoy a good book on a rainy morning.</span></p><p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2ij2sRa2oTu_ogblUAvXB7xMLyzNtrSULZZWac6KPNJewADkfzohPUWqTzCOe-tDtX5vEmwDqz3QnVWPFNl9F8qqHEy3tJ_2CvHxB0YHfaXHqsZ11_RSy2CgRHKYI8ot3Uak_ycWXMMD/s1600-h/rainymorning.bmp"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2ij2sRa2oTu_ogblUAvXB7xMLyzNtrSULZZWac6KPNJewADkfzohPUWqTzCOe-tDtX5vEmwDqz3QnVWPFNl9F8qqHEy3tJ_2CvHxB0YHfaXHqsZ11_RSy2CgRHKYI8ot3Uak_ycWXMMD/s200/rainymorning.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347358959464324338" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I usually…</strong> love traveling with my hubby.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I am not… </strong>as good as I wi</span><span style="font-size:130%;">sh I was.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I miss…</strong> living near the woods.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I love…</strong> my wonderful family.</span></p><p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWcUNIA3FsaKjpk1YKcQWBGKbV__tQc1tIM0aagZ1XVGCLhFhcS8sKpry3GGZ-NS5QjkMqB2U7lzk8NCyNH9Qit0LCzWBKFg3QkXSGoW8GqWutxxNJeQD-ZibG3RVBWGcYkgyyx4XLaUh/s1600-h/1952_Schwinn_Phantom_vintage_bicycle.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWcUNIA3FsaKjpk1YKcQWBGKbV__tQc1tIM0aagZ1XVGCLhFhcS8sKpry3GGZ-NS5QjkMqB2U7lzk8NCyNH9Qit0LCzWBKFg3QkXSGoW8GqWutxxNJeQD-ZibG3RVBWGcYkgyyx4XLaUh/s200/1952_Schwinn_Phantom_vintage_bicycle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347357277423146210" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I never…</strong> learned to ride a bicycle.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I rarely…</strong> think about the future.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I cry…</strong> when I'm frustrated.</span></p><p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KcG-gYq1wMdVLe-zksIFjFu2uQO8UwFZbQOtX6H1h2sPYSFnbE88P_EbAfJVFwlEPzxch0IbQnsS9NPC1WuPq4Qaw1sBVPTPzZvHM9Ibl3UgpCqwb8Wr_RAuQJ5gf19KH7a3oooW2uUC/s1600-h/crying.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KcG-gYq1wMdVLe-zksIFjFu2uQO8UwFZbQOtX6H1h2sPYSFnbE88P_EbAfJVFwlEPzxch0IbQnsS9NPC1WuPq4Qaw1sBVPTPzZvHM9Ibl3UgpCqwb8Wr_RAuQJ5gf19KH7a3oooW2uUC/s200/crying.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347359576289355938" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I lose…</strong> anything and everything.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I should…</strong> develop better organizational skills.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I worry… about my children</strong>.</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I dream…</strong> of a peaceful country life.</span></p><p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53TrZr52PklWa_S-037rYKIk5o4_udiQ9aS6wkUejs5bO2um5ickgJGSAqG5POtzUP0i_ARnTVrQvfp3OK2df7dDUV9ub6g42edn4bpUY5Pmsa8RXcAObkyniYkOOkyAeX01tXYFiLEzV/s1600-h/Clearwater_Ponds_Med_2a_op_800x600.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53TrZr52PklWa_S-037rYKIk5o4_udiQ9aS6wkUejs5bO2um5ickgJGSAqG5POtzUP0i_ARnTVrQvfp3OK2df7dDUV9ub6g42edn4bpUY5Pmsa8RXcAObkyniYkOOkyAeX01tXYFiLEzV/s200/Clearwater_Ponds_Med_2a_op_800x600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347360065271459218" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>I was…</strong> tired from being in the car all day.</span><br /></span></span></p>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-53650178396942803692009-06-10T14:44:00.006-05:002009-06-10T15:09:06.670-05:00Works for Me Wednesday<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoFnF7dtw271qFzglGOZaOsjQtLTl-J2w00iy3h3BdAGe9oUuN1KcLCJb_OYhMBL4OiHXCl3HXZT_Z3CzS-YYgg73Ns6g-591iKHAOX6uceF7bH8Cu9lABs5BYvcQDlZgk4Kd67DwpCo1/s1600-h/wfmwbanner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoFnF7dtw271qFzglGOZaOsjQtLTl-J2w00iy3h3BdAGe9oUuN1KcLCJb_OYhMBL4OiHXCl3HXZT_Z3CzS-YYgg73Ns6g-591iKHAOX6uceF7bH8Cu9lABs5BYvcQDlZgk4Kd67DwpCo1/s200/wfmwbanner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345789714519778130" border="0" /></a>Once again my house is calm, peaceful and without the force that is MIL. So, what's a girl to do with all this wonderful free time? Return to blogville of course! Today's meme is Works for Me Wednesday hosted by <a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2009/06/wfmw-room-time.html">We Are That Family</a>, and it's one of my favorites. Once I realized it was Wednesday I began to ponder what little tidbit to share today. We are not particularly interesting people or impressively frugal or talented in rare circus feats (although we are working on the frugal part, the other, not so much). But, I did find something pretty cool to share (no, not sword swallowing o<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjL47shhj9kOQ7C3DQDMEr7ThNMHG7gmzNbn7pL5jHCuSefhrHJiz6q5YJp4n-jTzwAFPfffvGWuff1ULdUcPWq_pk2TV97tMKDJ9nPHRkQjuQ92gJbFgl4k1tUCUKh3kTUFhPl-zAo1i/s1600-h/houseleak.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjL47shhj9kOQ7C3DQDMEr7ThNMHG7gmzNbn7pL5jHCuSefhrHJiz6q5YJp4n-jTzwAFPfffvGWuff1ULdUcPWq_pk2TV97tMKDJ9nPHRkQjuQ92gJbFgl4k1tUCUKh3kTUFhPl-zAo1i/s400/houseleak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345793395746810978" border="0" /></a>r jumping through fire, but still pretty cool, I think). This nifty little plant is called house leak (if you are my mother) or stone crop (if you are MIL). My mom said the name came from planting it under the leaks in your gutters so it was well watered, my mom is true hill-folk, so that's probably not the name. I'm not sure what you call it, but it's an awesome cure-all. It's a lot like an aloe plant, but I think it's lots prettier and you can plant it anywhere. In the summer it gets pretty little flowers on the top, usually yellow or pink, and comes back year after year. To use if for any kind of owie (burns, stings, scrapes, etc) mash up a few leaves and use like antibiotic cream. My mom used this on me when I was little and I've used it on both K and S as well as Hub. It doesn't smell funny or burn so the kids like it and it's got a soothing feel, and for some reason Mom's Magic Mush (as it is so lovingly called around here) seems to work better than the pricey stuff from the drug store. Maybe it's the mom touch added to it.<br /></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-73921803156654592672009-06-05T19:08:00.006-05:002009-06-05T19:53:31.630-05:00Dunah... Dunah...Dunah. DunDunDunnnn<div style="text-align: justify;">Ok, if you didn't get the title it's the scary music from your worst nightmares. Why? Because my mother-in-law is coming to stay with us. Did you hear me? <span style="font-size:130%;">My mother-in-law is coming to stay with us - tomorrow!</span> Maybe this does not raise the intense fear into you that it does with me, but let's be fair, you've never met this woman. This is the woman who in one breath can tell my I'm lazy for not working over the summer ("it must be nice to sit around all summer and not do anything")while condemning my view of motherhood because I'm "not available" for my kids during the school year. She is never nice to be nice. This is the woman who says what a wonderful cook I am, too bad I can't get everything done at once so we can it while it's hot. She likes to do "helpful" things like reorganize my kitchen cabinets ("why in the world would you put your plates there, don't you know they belong in this cabinet?"). She likes to complain about how my house is not big enough or how we don't use it the way we "should" ("you'll never have room for a big enough dining table in that room, will you?" and "you really don't need an office, you should find a better use for that room"). And of course I don't clean it enough (her: "oh, don't you have a mop" me: yes, why her: "well, your kitchen floor just looks like you don't have a mop") It's never ending and no, this time I am not exaggerating. Just the thought of talking to her raises an intense feeling of dread, I'll be honest, I don't always answer the phone when she calls, and sometimes I throw up a little in my mouth before I do. I can't help it, she makes me physically ill. Remember how I said she was coming to stay with us, well, she's not just visiting, she'll be here for a week.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHVpn5PwzRCt_JpVOtETasFJU6b_raLEAetK5lQsCtsQkLLTJRj2u0ceDp3_sd0xhq39kugn__LhtU19kaGqvvYdTwApL-sdGtQ_GhgI5gdBbvZ0Vll3wKsOBa7fpN_AOodqnRuBTN0_4/s1600-h/milcat.bmp"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVHVpn5PwzRCt_JpVOtETasFJU6b_raLEAetK5lQsCtsQkLLTJRj2u0ceDp3_sd0xhq39kugn__LhtU19kaGqvvYdTwApL-sdGtQ_GhgI5gdBbvZ0Vll3wKsOBa7fpN_AOodqnRuBTN0_4/s320/milcat.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344010274831746658" border="0" /></a>Let me put this into perspective for you, she lives less than an hour away. That's right, folks, she's not coming across the country or even across the state, she's just the next county over. So, now you may be asking why it is that she feels the need to come for so long. Well, the first reason (if you asked her) is that we never go see her - we don't - she has the same skin-crawling effect on all of us (yes, even my husband, though not the same degree as myself). But, you want to know the real reason? My niece-in-law (MIL's granddaughter) has had her electric turned off because she decided it was more important to take her kids on vacation than to pay the bill. So, their whole family (there's two kids, the most spoiled rotten little heathens you've ever met) will be staying at my mother-in-law's house until they can get their power back on and my niece-in-law's husband doesn't get paid until next week. Since their kids drive my mother-in-law crazy she's coming to stay with us and destroy every bit of self-esteem I have before heading back home to her nice empty house.<br /><br />You might ask why I don't say something to hubby. Well, he's great about my parents coming to stay for a few days when they are back this way (my parents live in Indiana and we live in Oklahoma, see how they would need to stay here?) and even though he really doesn't like them, he doesn't show it to them. I feel I should do the same for him when his mom is here (even though she doesn't need to stay and she's really just coming to watch me squirm). So, the reason for the post was to say I might not be here as much as I would like for the next few days while I get my life dissected by the maternal genetic donor of my dear husband. If there is any bit of my soul left after she leaves I will be back.<br /></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-78107363389965421592009-06-04T08:26:00.004-05:002009-06-04T08:46:04.921-05:00Vintage Thingies Thursday: Canisters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMnEAAOWTD1xpm5Q4fAbx0oHW5EJImgrK5DOowQIZKLIxzVdiWQhOz_yLmXCj3a7UdlXucox51u9zrhGvrphOnLNnklXL9OTEHJj5SAZMYYPW7jSxuzh_cLTXm2dtLGJGvKmgZc3tmpdF/s1600-h/vtt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMnEAAOWTD1xpm5Q4fAbx0oHW5EJImgrK5DOowQIZKLIxzVdiWQhOz_yLmXCj3a7UdlXucox51u9zrhGvrphOnLNnklXL9OTEHJj5SAZMYYPW7jSxuzh_cLTXm2dtLGJGvKmgZc3tmpdF/s400/vtt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343463959694695298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">This is my first post with Vintage Thingies Thursday (hosted by <a href="http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/2009/06/vintage-thingies-thursday-vintage-drain.html">Coloradolady</a>) and I wanted to make it something special. I'm kinda crazy about vintage things and I have recently discovered </span>that S also has the same form of dementia. She told me a few days ago that she wanted to go with me to see th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sIy6I9FP9l-To63Va0s7SbA_laCHI5jcfLw-mdV4Ma-cP6SFcgS0Xsjkzg1sDyyk5zvgVPyjBMLhHi3kyVJycsBiBHMBm-eA1etRxMRz1HPtndg67q495VbkVw6v-4dkI7J16hocvxej/s1600-h/vintage02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sIy6I9FP9l-To63Va0s7SbA_laCHI5jcfLw-mdV4Ma-cP6SFcgS0Xsjkzg1sDyyk5zvgVPyjBMLhHi3kyVJycsBiBHMBm-eA1etRxMRz1HPtndg67q495VbkVw6v-4dkI7J16hocvxej/s320/vintage02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343466414920808866" border="0" /></a>e antique store to see all the cool old stuff. Ahh, a child after my own heart. Anyway, today I wanted to share my favorite set of canisters with you. These lovelies are one of the few things I was able to beg my mom for <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> she died (everything else is when "when I die you can have it", simply because she likes old things as much as I do). They were my great Aunt Marie's (whom I am named after) and I've always thought they were the coolest. There is the Bakery for holding flour, the Coffee House where I keep my coffee filters, Tea World where I store my miscellaneous herbal teas and another one that is the Sweet Shop the same size as the Bakery. I don't keep flour or sugar in the ones designed for those since they are not air tight, but i do love them all the same. These are made of metal and have to at least be from the 60s since my great aunt had them in her kitchen. The canning jar next to them is a really large, tall one so they are bigger than they look. The jar was my grandmother-in-laws that I found out in my mother-in-laws shed and asked if I could have it.Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-48195473291627346402009-06-03T15:36:00.005-05:002009-06-03T15:50:05.281-05:00Worldless Wednesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirh97PwU3X_PWVyJPzI4ANGpDmv3McL8Ho_AfDR4Y0vtnI8V0HOyzMzlycEa_Okt_jbHn3oTPCeiPjJTxygyicgJb1UsKN-xCicZHVx3E0VIeSg-P8f0Lrk_fKZj7RU3yrGPnRaQak3TmT/s1600-h/sandypants.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirh97PwU3X_PWVyJPzI4ANGpDmv3McL8Ho_AfDR4Y0vtnI8V0HOyzMzlycEa_Okt_jbHn3oTPCeiPjJTxygyicgJb1UsKN-xCicZHVx3E0VIeSg-P8f0Lrk_fKZj7RU3yrGPnRaQak3TmT/s400/sandypants.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343203627655215602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's not summer 'till you've got sand in your pants.</span>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1227918393245440473.post-64887188509005106572009-06-03T10:02:00.004-05:002009-06-03T10:42:03.074-05:00Works For Me Wednesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxf8_5aOGzQyye6Tu2VSZfxLqUGU3JFB7CgJc8xQ_i8xhDcTNlQhfLleEeTjoG-tXUsEUrJ21kyeE48J1_GtRuh9hwCaHBbR_qA5WYn9eZjbg2Y5O_LNfedutkbQry_3VCWe7fXwKXaQv/s1600-h/wfmwbanner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxf8_5aOGzQyye6Tu2VSZfxLqUGU3JFB7CgJc8xQ_i8xhDcTNlQhfLleEeTjoG-tXUsEUrJ21kyeE48J1_GtRuh9hwCaHBbR_qA5WYn9eZjbg2Y5O_LNfedutkbQry_3VCWe7fXwKXaQv/s320/wfmwbanner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343117530341564898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Today's Works for Me Wednesday (hosted by <a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2009/06/wfmw-mom-im-bored-summer-edition.html">We are That Family</a>) theme is Summer Boredom. Thankfully, </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC7TB7rNub3-KEWs82aZ1yrHXyX4N1vzd4FU_90iwmhOI_888v9sdQPBoDYfp8cnqZ6OyT-ImutXIrQdH_0Y7RU3lRYCY5b8GBMH69dgkI8SgPChRWzgMGwGRR1WGSVyhMidzksn5B9vL/s1600-h/girl_scout_with_merit_badge_hg_clr.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC7TB7rNub3-KEWs82aZ1yrHXyX4N1vzd4FU_90iwmhOI_888v9sdQPBoDYfp8cnqZ6OyT-ImutXIrQdH_0Y7RU3lRYCY5b8GBMH69dgkI8SgPChRWzgMGwGRR1WGSVyhMidzksn5B9vL/s320/girl_scout_with_merit_badge_hg_clr.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343123474512170706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">we have yet to experience this phenomenon here this year (reality check, we've only been out of school for two weeks) but I am prepared! Our boredom buster is simple - we pull out the Girl Scout badge book. This year S has set a monstrous goal to earn ALL of the badges she can (which mean every one out of the book that looks remotely interesting and lots more from other councils). By the end of the summer we are going to be badge divas! So far, we have used b</span>adges to help us plan a zoo trip, visit the local historical museum (can you say, *free*), try cooking some new recipes, volunteer at the animal shelter, make homemade playdough to share with our friends (yes, the other moms do love us!), design a "dream room" and learn how to check the fluids in the car. Since not everyone can be a neighborhood kid and get a cute little container of playdough we thought we would share our homemade playdough recipe with everyone.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1qK8NdTqQXnzP_lQ_4JeV15tPzcTKd2DobUOwmDRZZFr01zn8ZndWdsy4W-wer6XcIK1bRo8z-ZwyAHs2dyTVEqAC2CZpCvS6b96og4FNSscRaaTCWPIk-C1ajHxX6l8ikbaTUfRhnjQ/s1600-h/playdough.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1qK8NdTqQXnzP_lQ_4JeV15tPzcTKd2DobUOwmDRZZFr01zn8ZndWdsy4W-wer6XcIK1bRo8z-ZwyAHs2dyTVEqAC2CZpCvS6b96og4FNSscRaaTCWPIk-C1ajHxX6l8ikbaTUfRhnjQ/s320/playdough.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343125362321662658" border="0" /></a><br /><span oncontextmenu="return false;" ondragstart="return false" style="font-family:georgia;">Supplies:</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1qK8NdTqQXnzP_lQ_4JeV15tPzcTKd2DobUOwmDRZZFr01zn8ZndWdsy4W-wer6XcIK1bRo8z-ZwyAHs2dyTVEqAC2CZpCvS6b96og4FNSscRaaTCWPIk-C1ajHxX6l8ikbaTUfRhnjQ/s1600-h/playdough.jpg"></a> <p style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">1 cup flour<br />2 teaspoons cream of tartar<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />1 cup water<br />1 tablespoon vegetable oil<br />1 teaspoon vanilla or any essential oil, optional<br />about 15 drops of food coloring, color of your choice</span></p> <p style="font-family: georgia;">Directions:</p> <p style="font-family: georgia;" align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;">Cook all ingredients in a medium sauce pan, over medium heat, stirring real hard until mixture forms a ball. About 4 minutes. Remove from pan and let sit for about five minutes. Knead briefly and the dough is ready to use. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: georgia;" align="justify"><span style="font-size:100%;"> I usually split the dough into two pots to mix in the coloring and scent to get two colors out of each batch. You can keep this out of the fridge, I use this same recipe to make playdough for my classroom and we would keep it in the cabinet. After a few months it can start to smell funny(not sure if mine was from all the kids playing with it or just the dough getting old). Since it's so cheap to make, when it starts to not smell so good, we just chuck it and start over.</span></p></div>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04330247856214606154noreply@blogger.com1