tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43480034802689493042024-03-13T08:57:41.703-04:00sunlight & simplicitysavoring and documenting the love, the lemonade and the everything in between of life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-55089548286967127372012-11-07T18:44:00.000-05:002012-11-07T18:44:21.089-05:00anybody there?I wouldn't blame you if you aren't! Boy, it has been long since my last post. So much has changed in the last year or so that at times it makes my head spin, but it simultaneously makes me stop in my tracks in awe.<br />
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I have finished graduate school and have made the switch from teaching special education to teaching in my own classroom. There have been days when I leave (hours after school has been let out) and have to pause as I begin to turn out the lights because I can't believe how much I love what I am doing and how fortunate I am to be given the ability and opportunity to do this awesome job every day.<br />
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I went from being engaged to the greatest man I know, to being married to this man who gives me a new reason every day to love him.<br />
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We had an entire weekend to be surrounded by the people we love and enveloped in a spirit of celebration that we will never forget! It poured buckets during our ceremony, but that just added to how special it really was.<br />
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We are still working on renovating our home. We were in a lull for a while with everything else going on, but slowly we are getting back into it.<br />
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And the biggest change (and surprise!) of all is that we brought this amazing souvenir home from our honeymoon....<br />
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Yup, in what is probably the biggest surprise of our life we found out that we are going to become parents in May! <br />
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So my crafty friends...I'm looking for suggestions on how to document our little one. My lovely blogging buddy, <a href="http://sharyncarlson.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Sharyn</a>, has suggested Project Life and I have to say that I really like that idea. Have any of you used that format to preserve the memories of your pregnancy and child? If so, what kinds of things have you included? If not, what have you done that you really like? I can't wait to hear your thoughts!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-76878265311480786732012-03-26T22:02:00.000-04:002012-03-26T22:02:22.992-04:00hi there!<div style="text-align: center;">You know those good friends that you have that you can go for a long time without speaking with and then go and pick right back up where you left off? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's be those. Yes? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My, oh my it has been a long time since I've been blogging, but lately it has been on my mind a lot and I'm hoping to be able to pop in over here more often. I've got some yummy wedding craftiness going on and can feel it in my bones that I am 'bout to dive into some major scrapbooking time real soon. I've also been trying out some delicious recipes that I'd love to share too. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So what else have I been up to?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well I am happy to report that I have finally finished graduate school! WOOT! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Wedding planning has been keeping me quite busy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">mmb & I have been doing a bit of work on our house. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, then there's pinterest.....</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I've done major overhaul of my health which has included a 12 week program at the gym and training for a 5k that I am doing in April with some friends. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Also job searching with that fancy new degree I've got now ;-) But that's not as much fun as the other stuff, so let's concentrate on those things....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think to get back into the swing of things I will be inspired by many of you and jump on the regularly occurring "currently" posts. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So here goes....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I AM CURRENTLY</b></div><br />
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<b>LISTENING</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">To mmb type on his computer, the wind howling outside and a rather inappropriate episode of Family Guy that is playing in the background</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>EATING </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just finished two veggie dogs and some rice. Note to self: have better prepared meals for late gym nights. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
DRINKING</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">A big ole refreshing glass of H2O</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
WEARING</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yoga pants, a tee shirt and a sweatshirt</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
FEELING</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Tired and thirsty</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
WEATHER</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cold and windy...such a huge difference from last week's 70-80's and sunny!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
WANTING</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">A vacation with mmb and a job for next year </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
NEEDING</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">A few more hours in the day <b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
THINKING</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">That I should pack my lunch for tomorrow so I don't have to do it in the morning</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
ENJOYING</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">That my cat seems to be feeling better <b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">And because<b> </b>it just doesn't feel right to have a picture-less post, here you go, one of our engagement shots... :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
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<h4><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.sweetjaneonline.com/" target="_blank"> (Sweet Jane Photography)</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So what's new with you?</span><b><br />
</b></div></h4>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-41004080611087738852011-08-03T21:07:00.000-04:002011-08-03T21:07:14.268-04:00I said yes!<div style="text-align: center;"> <style>
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</style> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Well here is the long and (not so) short of it…</div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">It was a dream come true. </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Even as I sit here typing this, with this gorgeous ring on my finger, I sometimes need to pinch myself to make sure that this dream that I seem to be living in, is actually a reality. </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Matt and I have been together for almost six years, and although yes, I knew this moment was coming some day, I was taken completely by surprise by this man and his awesomeness. </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">For our date night this week we decided to go to our old stomping grounds in Waltham to our favorite sushi restaurant, which is now called The Sushi Box, but it will always be Sushi Yasu to us. We ordered some sashimi and some sushi rolls and enjoyed a delicious dinner old-school style. After dinner we took a ride by the old house to see it for nostalgia purposes, and laughed at the irony that we used to live across the street from a Benjamin Store- funny since we now spend most of our time and money at one near or new house ;) </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">After that ride we decided to stop by Gore Place- a gorgeous historical estate right near where we used to live. We would go there on our evening walks, especially during what I have coined “golden time” when the sun begins to set. I would always joke about how the view from the bench we would sit at looked like my favorite scene from the Pride and Prejudice movie when Mr. Darcy would come out and meet Elizabeth Bennett in the early morning mist and they agreed to marry(my favorite book!). I also spent a lot of time there myself, reading in the gardens, especially in one in particular which I like to call “The Secret Garden” (after my favorite childhood book) due to the fact that this gorgeous space is surrounded by about 20 foot hedges that surround and enclose it. </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Well, we park at Gore and I went over to check out the bulletin board of what was happening at the estate in the coming weeks. Matt joined me and we went for a walk around the side of the house where the bench where we would sit is. Unfortunately they were setting up a carnival on the grounds below and mmb grumbled something about this “being a mood killer” and I joked about getting away from the clowns. At that point we decided to walk on back over to the garden area and stopped to check out a giant tree that we had carved our initials into about 3 years ago- we even have a picture of that tree on our bureau in our bedroom! Apparently he was about to propose there, but people started to walk by and he says he knew I would like this to be a private moment. At that point we kept walking and he was walking really fast and I told him to slow down a little bit and he kind of laughed at me. We walked into the secret garden and looked around a bit, as much as we could in the dark anyhow, and he began to tell me the most beautiful things he has ever said to me. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Before I knew it, it began to lightly rain (which was amazing because not only do I love love love the rain, but it rained on our first date when we went on a walk in the park near his college) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and he was down on one knee and asking me to marry him! I was stunned at first and didn’t respond and when I finally did I said “Are you serious?!” and he laughed! I did a little happy dance around the garden and he asked me if I wanted the ring and started laughing again. I said yes and he put the ring on my finger and we were engaged! </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">After that we sat on the bench that we sat on the night before we moved from Waltham and talked for about 45 minutes , basking in the glow of what just happened before we began making the phone calls. It was undoubtedly one of the greatest moments of my life <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></span> </div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Now under normal circumstances I probably would have caught on to his plan before he had a chance to enact it, but my mind was quite busy planning some surprises for him. I had arranged for one of his best friend’s from college to fly in with his wife and surprise Matt for his birthday and to attend his surprise birthday party the next day! They were supposed to stay with us on Friday, but fortunately mmb’s parents knew of both surprises and arranged for his friend and his wife to stay in the city for Friday night and to meet up with us for drinks we all had dinner so that Matt could propose! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">After we left Gore, I told him it would be a great idea to go have champagne at one of our favorite restaurants, Tempo, on Moody Street- little did he know that the real reason was so that Vick and Renuka could meet us there and surprise him. I sat facing the door so that I could see them arrive and when I noticed them told Matt “boy, the surprises just keep coming…” then Vick tapped him on the back and he turned around and was stunned! It was so great! We spent the night celebrating with them and then went home. The next day was a surprise party for mmb’s birthday which worked out great because we are able to spend and celebrate with many of the people we love! </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a CRAZY weekend!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Now I know that this initial “engagement glow” is going to wear off. And I am smart enough to know that although I plan on thoroughly enjoying the wedding planning process, there will be inevitable bumps in the road and it won’t be all bliss all the time. But I know I am going to savor it now, while it is. And what I know above all of else if that the love I share with this man is like nothing I could have ever imagined. Yes, we disagree and we don’t always see eye to eye on things and our relationship is certainly not perfect, but I can say with absolute certainty that we are perfect for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is why I am going to marry him. </div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Oh my goodness. I am going to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">marry</i> him! <3 </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-58219609913017648202011-07-24T23:48:00.000-04:002011-07-24T23:48:50.052-04:00I'm IN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUvEOCKLsM8/Tizna5nKGwI/AAAAAAAABwc/YEcUHJ-YlRE/s1600/AE_weekinthelife_promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUvEOCKLsM8/Tizna5nKGwI/AAAAAAAABwc/YEcUHJ-YlRE/s320/AE_weekinthelife_promo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">I might just be crazy to take this on with all I have going on this week, but hey...why not ;-) </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-69533618601497624222011-05-22T14:19:00.000-04:002011-05-22T14:19:10.878-04:00thrifty additions to my crafting space<div style="text-align: center;">I've been busy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Turning this...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0NrejGTWNes/TdlPg-v504I/AAAAAAAABwI/Dof70mUXU3s/s1600/IMG_5055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0NrejGTWNes/TdlPg-v504I/AAAAAAAABwI/Dof70mUXU3s/s640/IMG_5055.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_veZqiMt9Nw/TdlPmkKvToI/AAAAAAAABwM/Dle-7xCjplU/s1600/IMG_5062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_veZqiMt9Nw/TdlPmkKvToI/AAAAAAAABwM/Dle-7xCjplU/s320/IMG_5062.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkBD3dwBH0U/TdlPsxdM_qI/AAAAAAAABwQ/IEkvtYhkvoQ/s1600/IMG_5071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkBD3dwBH0U/TdlPsxdM_qI/AAAAAAAABwQ/IEkvtYhkvoQ/s320/IMG_5071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">into this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D1dzGnpa2Y0/TdlPZ1iBYZI/AAAAAAAABwE/_pVmcN2NVOg/s1600/IMG_5086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D1dzGnpa2Y0/TdlPZ1iBYZI/AAAAAAAABwE/_pVmcN2NVOg/s640/IMG_5086.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_wKdefz0BRM/TdlPD3G-5NI/AAAAAAAABwA/WtBQmQNVTqw/s1600/IMG_5121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_wKdefz0BRM/TdlPD3G-5NI/AAAAAAAABwA/WtBQmQNVTqw/s640/IMG_5121.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">into this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FKqBVTFGzfQ/TdlOwtmQGdI/AAAAAAAABv0/gDi6o5wgrZU/s1600/IMG_5195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FKqBVTFGzfQ/TdlOwtmQGdI/AAAAAAAABv0/gDi6o5wgrZU/s640/IMG_5195.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They are the perfect additions to my crafting room and for a combined total purchase of price of $54.98, they are a bargain at 10 times the price. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yup, you read that correctly. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The chair was $19.99 and the dresser- turned- scrapbooking- supply- storage unit was $34.99 at a local thrift store. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sure, they were both in less than optimal condition when I bought them, and if we're being honest, the chair smelled pretty awful, but with a little elbow grease, a staple gun, some paint and some febreeze, I was able to turn them into the perfect affordable additions to my room. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My favorite part?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Once I removed the drawers and knocked out the middle bar of the middle area, my paper storage cubes fit in perfectly! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GBdmrJ7rrZg/TdlOxzb1RAI/AAAAAAAABv4/rnzvl2pQrYk/s1600/IMG_5196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GBdmrJ7rrZg/TdlOxzb1RAI/AAAAAAAABv4/rnzvl2pQrYk/s640/IMG_5196.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's coming along so nicely.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't wait to get up to my elbows in paper and glue and tackle the 12 unopened studio calico kits I have lingering around (that's just embarrassing ;-) ) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel a scrapbooking day coming on! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-60184089821074410982011-04-19T20:51:00.000-04:002011-04-19T20:51:15.448-04:00this is me.<div style="text-align: center;">Hello everyone. While reading through the prompt for Shimelle's newest class, Beyond Blogging for Scrapbookers, the thought crossed my mind that there may be a lot of people popping over here who are not familiar with this little spot or myself, so I though I would take the opportunity to introduce myself. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hello! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm Melissa. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I like to scrapbook. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WE6KuSA6u5M/Ta4mItSLsXI/AAAAAAAABu8/oBTAO9uxm1g/s1600/IMG_8960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WE6KuSA6u5M/Ta4mItSLsXI/AAAAAAAABu8/oBTAO9uxm1g/s320/IMG_8960.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJJfk2uqv1k/Ta4mVrixknI/AAAAAAAABvA/GsJlXFpftF4/s1600/IMG_9090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJJfk2uqv1k/Ta4mVrixknI/AAAAAAAABvA/GsJlXFpftF4/s320/IMG_9090.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gqXpGUxatuo/Ta4tlUuBPdI/AAAAAAAABvo/BDSETk36b3k/s1600/ella+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gqXpGUxatuo/Ta4tlUuBPdI/AAAAAAAABvo/BDSETk36b3k/s320/ella+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and cook and bake for my friends and family</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMYw-yS5_K4/Ta4oISTJBKI/AAAAAAAABvM/VE4auHQb_-A/s1600/IMG_9344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zMYw-yS5_K4/Ta4oISTJBKI/AAAAAAAABvM/VE4auHQb_-A/s320/IMG_9344.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-NIGa-JG9A/Ta4nD8rvDgI/AAAAAAAABvE/abToJbEc5kE/s1600/IMG_7318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-NIGa-JG9A/Ta4nD8rvDgI/AAAAAAAABvE/abToJbEc5kE/s320/IMG_7318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I am head over heels for this guy...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOygeyOgiCY/Ta4nTNiv6-I/AAAAAAAABvI/iIEc2qQmPCU/s1600/IMG_9330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uOygeyOgiCY/Ta4nTNiv6-I/AAAAAAAABvI/iIEc2qQmPCU/s320/IMG_9330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> and renovating our house together is one of my favorite things to do </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1TOdw2XOrY/Ta4p1luj1YI/AAAAAAAABvY/gxzCbzPwal8/s1600/IMG_4635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O1TOdw2XOrY/Ta4p1luj1YI/AAAAAAAABvY/gxzCbzPwal8/s320/IMG_4635.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am a teacher and a tutor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0s-94kGNFY/Ta4ou8zUNdI/AAAAAAAABvQ/Z1iUevpMOxs/s1600/IMG_5243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0s-94kGNFY/Ta4ou8zUNdI/AAAAAAAABvQ/Z1iUevpMOxs/s320/IMG_5243.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and a sucker for a good cup of tea</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jd1UAc3Bgk/Ta4qp1uwg0I/AAAAAAAABvc/L9WMe3Ft2Eg/s1600/IMG_4186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jd1UAc3Bgk/Ta4qp1uwg0I/AAAAAAAABvc/L9WMe3Ft2Eg/s320/IMG_4186.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm beginning to garden</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdckO2fnI7E/Ta4pnTns6MI/AAAAAAAABvU/02ZodZlDd1k/s1600/IMG_9428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdckO2fnI7E/Ta4pnTns6MI/AAAAAAAABvU/02ZodZlDd1k/s320/IMG_9428.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I like to take pictures </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KmPySfz9BK0/Ta4sX4NGMEI/AAAAAAAABvk/pNsh3OjhulA/s1600/IMG_6954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KmPySfz9BK0/Ta4sX4NGMEI/AAAAAAAABvk/pNsh3OjhulA/s320/IMG_6954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I have amazing friends and family! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm a pretty lucky lady :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...And that there is a tiny snapshot of me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> I'm so glad you've stopped by my little place to share some projects, soon to be projects, and affinity for things that make me smile. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I do hope you'll stop by again!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, and I would love to learn a little bit about you. Please leave a comment telling me a little something about yourself and a link to your blog, if you have one, so I can check out your little place too!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-52009044173423307962011-03-18T00:00:00.000-04:002011-03-18T00:00:07.401-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YDq2HAQDRAg/TYI-ylcM4BI/AAAAAAAABrY/y2m5Qi-nud0/s1600/forjapanwithlove_blog.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YDq2HAQDRAg/TYI-ylcM4BI/AAAAAAAABrY/y2m5Qi-nud0/s640/forjapanwithlove_blog.gif" width="352" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1924455223">please help. </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/utterly-engaged/shelter-box-usa"><3</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-57280869393355689132011-03-17T17:23:00.001-04:002011-03-17T17:26:38.958-04:00the luck of the irish was upon me<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000033; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Back in February mmb & I had the good fortune of visiting the ever-beautiful country of Ireland. We spent 7 days wandering Dublin, Galway and Belfast with his parents and and visiting with his sister (who I absolutely adore) who is studying for a semester over there. I can't think of a better day to share a few of my photos than today! </span> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-10n_WOna7Mo/TYJPw9EIgCI/AAAAAAAABrc/XLgobbNj8CQ/s1600/IMG_4177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-10n_WOna7Mo/TYJPw9EIgCI/AAAAAAAABrc/XLgobbNj8CQ/s400/IMG_4177.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>HAPPY ST.PATRICK'S DAY!<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">May love and laughter light your days,</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> and warm your heart and home.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> May good and faithful friends be yours,</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> wherever you may roam.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> May peace and plenty bless your world</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> with joy that long endures.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> May all life's passing seasons</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> bring the best to you and yours!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-79024441563039436212011-03-16T10:00:00.002-04:002011-03-16T10:00:06.057-04:00anticipating spring<div style="text-align: center;">I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, but I do like to take some time at the start of each season to think of some things that I would like to accomplish and some things that I am anticipating. Because I live in New England, the seasonal lists are often drastically different. ;-) </div><div style="text-align: center;">This winter has been especially brutal, 77.8 inches of snow to be exact(!), and I while I do love winter, I am ready to see it go. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bring on the grass, flowering buds, and singing birds. I'm even ready to welcome the rainshowers! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Spring 2011 Joy List </u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy my beautiful Goddaughter's baptism</div><div style="text-align: center;">Good-weather walks with my best friend now that we live minutes away</div><div style="text-align: center;">Finishing grad school classes</div><div style="text-align: center;">FINALLY getting to plant an herb garden!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTJaa_aR4K8He1wZGM0V1DaApYZCfy4HGFOnnSh3d283-w1fJWURw" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTJaa_aR4K8He1wZGM0V1DaApYZCfy4HGFOnnSh3d283-w1fJWURw" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.herb.co.za/images/herbgarden02.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.shiftednlifted.com/all-power-rangers-morphers.html&usg=__7ea2setvIN2zNfGgmecy8GUVwG0=&h=251&w=382&sz=28&hl=en&start=2&sig2=VzKEspVpzgnYQwKt-_JbZA&zoom=1&tbnid=QqfuJsbXoXDKJM:&tbnh=81&tbnw=123&ei=lxCATfDTM4bg0gG40-DqCA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpotted%2Bherb%2Bgarden%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1080%26bih%3D510%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1">*</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Getting all of the rooms upstairs painted</div><div style="text-align: center;">Getting the outside of the house painted</div><div style="text-align: center;">Red Sox games<br />
The smell after a fresh rainfall </div><div style="text-align: center;">Designing some new landscaping for the yard</div><div style="text-align: center;">Having a grown up tea party</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/7956195/tumblr_laa8o5Vit81qzhdcvo1_500_thumb.jpg?1300203137" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/7956195/tumblr_laa8o5Vit81qzhdcvo1_500_thumb.jpg?1300203137" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/7956195"> *</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Reading books that aren't textbooks</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/7969283/tumblr_li2i5xzRsR1qgvuvuo1_400_thumb.jpg?1300235521" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/7969283/tumblr_li2i5xzRsR1qgvuvuo1_400_thumb.jpg?1300235521" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/7969283"> *</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Seeing what the kitties think of all of the nature at our new house</div><div style="text-align: center;">After-dinner walks w/mmb<br />
Having time to scrapbook <br />
Jumping in puddles <br />
Easter</div><div style="text-align: center;">All the new seasonal vegetables and fruits that will be out </div><div style="text-align: center;">Going to the <a href="http://www.bostoncentral.com/events/patriots_day_battle_reenactment_lexington/p1158.php">Patriot's Day reenactment </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Practicing yoga in the fresh air</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And whatever else comes my way! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What are you looking forward to this season?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-90227643157625327672011-03-15T16:12:00.000-04:002011-03-15T16:12:56.664-04:00spring is on its way<div style="text-align: center;">I know this because I can see the buds forming on the branches outside my window, I hear the birds chirping, and the sun is mercifully staying out longer. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, how I would love to go outside for a walk in this great neighborhood of ours, however, I am stuck in bed. With strep throat. Boo. I thought you couldn't get strep if you had your tonsils out?! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Anywhoo, the bright side of being bedridden is that when I am not sleeping or doing a little work from home, I have been able to catch up on the blogs I have not been able to read lately and I have made my way through a stack of catalogs and magazines that I have had sitting next to my bed for awhile now. That, and kitty snuggle time :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well this morning when I woke up at the ripe old time of 10:15am I couldn't fall back asleep. I am taking that as a sign of recovery. Either way I am more than ready to throw open the windows and get some fresh, clean air in here and scrub everything to a shiny spring status. Since I can't seem to muster up the energy to get out of bed (which is probably a good choice) I decided I'd clean up around here (my blog ;-) ) a bit. Nothing says spring like a new banner and playlist, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've used up about as much energy as I can for the day, but I can't wait to come back and let you know about the things that have been going on around here. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our trip to Ireland for starters...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sDKxsl5Pzfw/TX_G4bHVh2I/AAAAAAAABp8/vBQWJvxzegk/s1600/IMG_4384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sDKxsl5Pzfw/TX_G4bHVh2I/AAAAAAAABp8/vBQWJvxzegk/s400/IMG_4384.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the progress on my craft room...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n74R-Ig68Ds/TX_HKb8Uu1I/AAAAAAAABqA/z3AEfufmagM/s1600/IMG_4091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n74R-Ig68Ds/TX_HKb8Uu1I/AAAAAAAABqA/z3AEfufmagM/s400/IMG_4091.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and what I'm looking forward to and my hopes for the spring...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nfgtZXYFRWE/TX_Hrg8EpPI/AAAAAAAABqE/0sOrjiXz6j0/s1600/IMG_4382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nfgtZXYFRWE/TX_Hrg8EpPI/AAAAAAAABqE/0sOrjiXz6j0/s400/IMG_4382.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you are all doing well! Happy Spring!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-69275738386497860132011-02-13T12:35:00.000-05:002011-02-13T12:35:43.103-05:00score!<div style="text-align: center;">I just got my hot little hands on a copy of this...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSTibQe8-9tngnVMwhGJ_PoLqfk8-Vujb6bCx6rQJld_yRbdaez" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSTibQe8-9tngnVMwhGJ_PoLqfk8-Vujb6bCx6rQJld_yRbdaez" width="310" /></a> image from <a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSTibQe8-9tngnVMwhGJ_PoLqfk8-Vujb6bCx6rQJld_yRbdaez">here</a><a href="http://elizabethdillow.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c010f53ef0147e2707af1970b-800wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The always inspiring <a href="http://elizabethdillow.typepad.com/">Elizabeth Dillow</a> has released a book filled with information meant to help you tell (and scrapbook) the everyday extraordinary stories of our lives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In her words it is <i>"brimming with historical events, modern observances, and unconventional connections to life that elevate ordinary days into extraordinary and meaningful material for pages and projects" </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't know about you, but I think that sounds pretty awesome. I'll be waiting at the mailbox for my copy...poor mailman won't know what him when he sees a crazy lady jumping up and down with excitement. I just hope I don't rudely grab it out of his hands and run toward the house. At least without saying thank you. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">;-) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Want to check it out? Go <a href="http://elizabethdillow.typepad.com/scrapbookers_almanac/">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-8402363231368823852011-02-07T21:03:00.000-05:002011-02-07T21:03:21.814-05:00MMEL month 1<div style="text-align: center;">Well ladies (and gentlemen) I have made it though month one on MMEL. Have you? There were ups and downs, the journaling explains it all. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TVCkPFHYIYI/AAAAAAAABpQ/APoIzpD04S8/s1600/MMEL+January.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TVCkPFHYIYI/AAAAAAAABpQ/APoIzpD04S8/s640/MMEL+January.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">February update coming soon. I'm off to do some yoga before bed! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-54389454264887880512011-02-01T11:35:00.000-05:002011-02-01T11:35:32.512-05:00snowpocalypse<div style="text-align: center;">Well surprise, surprise. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's snowing here in the good ole Northeast again. </div><div style="text-align: center;">What does that mean besides hours of gentle peacefulness falling from the sky? Oh yes, hours of shoveling. </div><div style="text-align: center;">;-) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TUg1dS5bdEI/AAAAAAAABoU/gzzbyaMtRj0/s1600/IMG_4069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TUg1dS5bdEI/AAAAAAAABoU/gzzbyaMtRj0/s400/IMG_4069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But hey, we live in New England...it comes with the territory! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What else does 20(more) inches of snow mean? Another day or two off from work. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And what to do with said time besides read, bake homemade bread, make smores by the fireplace and enjoy the beauty? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TUg1qU79-bI/AAAAAAAABoY/8mDuFWB5Iv4/s1600/IMG_4037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TUg1qU79-bI/AAAAAAAABoY/8mDuFWB5Iv4/s400/IMG_4037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Try to get my craftroom in order! Painting is done, moulding is up, now its time to organize and decorate. Yay! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TUg14Hy3eNI/AAAAAAAABoc/q02TpMoWJ58/s1600/IMG_4083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TUg14Hy3eNI/AAAAAAAABoc/q02TpMoWJ58/s400/IMG_4083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be working in here all day today...and probably tomorrow if Mother Nature has anything to say about it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">More updates to come later!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Stay safe and warm :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-15278279467089818522011-01-08T20:50:00.000-05:002011-01-08T20:50:01.431-05:00boot camp, yes!<div style="text-align: center;">I am so excited! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I opened up my google reader to catch up some blogs and the first post I see is from the uber talented <a href="http://madelinebea.com/blog/">Maegan</a> from Madeline Bea Photography. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">She's offering Creativity Boot Camp again this May. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__DSE2SGDPtE/TSkN3Z5zCaI/AAAAAAAAClk/UpZsA801nCk/s640/bc.st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__DSE2SGDPtE/TSkN3Z5zCaI/AAAAAAAAClk/UpZsA801nCk/s400/bc.st.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Woot!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I joined in <a href="http://sunlight-simplicity.blogspot.com/search/label/creativity%20bootcamp%20%2710">last year</a>, and it was amazing. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Details haven't been released just yet, but I urge you to keep on the lookout. It was truly a fantastic experience. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Her creative photo prompts really helped me to think outside the box and I got some really great layouts out of the photos I took. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I do hope you'll join the fun! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-75000737613075143312011-01-05T09:08:00.001-05:002011-01-06T19:36:31.134-05:00putting together my MMEL journal<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">I am so serious about reclaiming my good health this year. This chick is<a href="http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/01/move-more-eat-less-january-2011.html"> moving more and eating less</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">But in order to do that, I needed to do a couple of things- one of them being that I needed to get honest with myself about the state of my health. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">It's kinda a mess. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">I eat very well most of the time, its the moving more that's getting in the way. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Whatever the reason, I need to do something about it now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TSR5M6CylUI/AAAAAAAABn8/b_-h-Y9Tpz8/s1600/IMG_3993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TSR5M6CylUI/AAAAAAAABn8/b_-h-Y9Tpz8/s400/IMG_3993.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">After <a href="http://www.designerdigitals.com/digital-scrapbooking/supplies/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=move+more&osCsid=0f338363ebfb5f9eaa15e7569e7cf0be&x=0&y=0">purchasing and downloading</a> the pages for the move more, eat less journal that <a href="http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/">Cathy Zielske </a>designed, it took some time to figure out what I think is going to work for me- but I think I have found something that is going to be effective.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TSR5N4M19RI/AAAAAAAABoA/ohS6bLX-ci0/s1600/IMG_3994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TSR5N4M19RI/AAAAAAAABoA/ohS6bLX-ci0/s400/IMG_3994.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">After writing my intention page, I printed out one month’s worth of pages and put them into the album.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TSR5OrDD0HI/AAAAAAAABoE/ddLU53YvL4Y/s1600/IMG_3995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TSR5OrDD0HI/AAAAAAAABoE/ddLU53YvL4Y/s400/IMG_3995.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Then I printed my "before" picture for the month of January. (eek) I used <a href="http://www.picnik.com/">picnik</a> to make the collage and add the text. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TSR5P2_DJVI/AAAAAAAABoI/bht4jH7iBiE/s1600/IMG_3996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TSR5P2_DJVI/AAAAAAAABoI/bht4jH7iBiE/s400/IMG_3996.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">I filled in my resources page as well as my numbers (double eek) </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">After getting the journal together and doing a bit more thinking about how I can really make this work, I decided there were a couple more things I wanted to add. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">First, I decided to set small goals for myself for each week. After I decided on 4 goals for the month of January I wrote them on post it notes and stuck them to each Monday page-that way I can tackle one goal per week. I am keeping a small stack of post it notes at the front of my journal for future months and for other notes I might want to add.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TSR5SKaXmgI/AAAAAAAABoQ/J3MnWYJIKzU/s1600/IMG_3998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TSR5SKaXmgI/AAAAAAAABoQ/J3MnWYJIKzU/s400/IMG_3998.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">I also decided to print an extra journal page so that I can do a month end summary. I will probably end up scrapping one as well, but I wanted this in there to keep track of my thoughts in case I can’t get to scrapping when I want to. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Of course, this journal is only going to work if I do- and if I stick with it. Both of which I intend on doing. It's only day 3, but so far I have done a good job of tracking everything I eat. I've even noticed that I eat far more after noon time and need to balance that out a bit. So far, so good. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Lastly, I have decided to set up a separate blog to keep track of this reclaiming-my-health journey that I am on. I grappled with the idea a bit, but then decided that having something strictly dedicated to this plan is going to help me stay organized. I will still be posting about MMEL here, but if you should wish to keep up with me on this healthy trek, you can find me <a href="http://www.nourishandbloom.blogspot.com/">here</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">So, who's with me? Are you doing <a href="http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/12/move-more-eat-less-2011an-invitation-to-you.html">MMEL</a> this year? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">What’s working for you so far?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-63131099217865966102011-01-02T23:36:00.000-05:002011-01-02T23:36:49.873-05:00i can't believe it<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
"One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter."</div><div style="text-align: center;">James Earl Jones </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">To say "thank you " just doesn't seem enough. For you see, my heart is dancing with joy right now. Just as I was wrapping up for the evening, getting everything ready to return to work tomorrow after a great week at home, I checked my email and found a message there that I in no way expected to get. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It read:</div><h1 class="ha" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hP" id=":2ai">Congrats! You won a spot in Ali's class!</span></span></h1><h1 class="ha" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hP" id=":2ai"> </span><span class="hP" id=":2ai"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">What?????!?!? Are you kidding me? </span></span></span></h1><h1 class="ha" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hP" id=":2ai"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Just the other day I entered a generous giveaway on <a href="http://www.ordinarycourage.com/">Ordinary Courage</a></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> to win a spot in Ali Edward's yesterday + today class. </span></span></span></h1><h1 class="ha" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hP" id=":2ai"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">If you read my blog regularly, you will probably understand why this is so incredible to me right now. If you don't and would like to know, you can check it out <a href="http://sunlight-simplicity.blogspot.com/2010/11/one-year.html">here</a>. </span></span></span></h1><h1 class="ha" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hP" id=":2ai"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><span class="hP" id=":2ai"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Long story short, I wanted to sign up, but it just didn't fit in our budget right now. With a heavy heart I passed on the opportunity. </span></span></span></h1><h1 class="ha" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hP" id=":2ai"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">But now. Here I am, in the class. </span></span></span></h1><h1 class="ha" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hP" id=":2ai"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Just more proof that God knows our hearts so well. </span></span></span></h1><h1 class="ha" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hP" id=":2ai"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">And I am sure my <a href="http://sunlight-simplicity.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-im-loving-wednesdays-1215.html">mom</a> had something to do with it too ;-) </span></span></span></h1><h1 class="ha" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hP" id=":2ai"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><span class="hP" id=":2ai"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">I can't thank you enough, <a href="http://www.ordinarycourage.com/my-blog/2011/1/1/celebrating-the-new-year-with-a-giveaway-from-ali-edwards-bi.html?lastPage=true#comment11003758">Brene</a>! Words can't express how much this means to me. </span></span><span class="hP" id=":2ai"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h1><h1 class="ha" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="hP" id=":2ai"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">I can't wait to get started! </span></span></span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://legacythumbs.weheartit.netdna-cdn.com/20090105100858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://legacythumbs.weheartit.netdna-cdn.com/20090105100858.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/275983">+</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-27263706871783020972011-01-02T00:30:00.000-05:002011-01-02T00:30:07.011-05:00chocolate-covered strawberry champagne cupcakes<div style="text-align: center;">I know, I know. </div><div style="text-align: center;">With all of the resolutions floating out there I probably shouldn't be posting a recipe for such a delicious confection. </div><div style="text-align: center;">But I am. </div><div style="text-align: center;">All in moderation, no? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the little treat we enjoyed last night as the clock struck midnight. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you have a great celebration as well. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TSAM3Bj9CoI/AAAAAAAABn4/MOfsidDcTuM/s1600/IMG_3905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TSAM3Bj9CoI/AAAAAAAABn4/MOfsidDcTuM/s640/IMG_3905.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Chocolate-covered Strawberry Champagne Cupcakes</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>[cupcakes]</b><br />
2 3/4 cups flour</div><div></div>1 1/2 tsp baking soda <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>pinch of salt <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>2 sticks of butter <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>2 cups sugar <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>3 egg <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>1 tsp vanilla1 cup champagne<br />
<br />
<b>[frosting]</b><br />
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>1 box powdered sugar, sifted<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>1/4 cup Champagne<br />
<br />
strawberries<br />
semi-sweet chocolate morsels <br />
<br />
<div><b>*directions </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>Preheat oven to 350. In a small bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In mixer cream butter and sugar until well mixed and airy. Add eggs one at a time <span style="background-color: white;">making </span>sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. </div><div> </div><div>Slowly add in flour mixture. Stir in vanilla and champagne. </div><div></div><div>Fill cupcake liners 1/2 full. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div>Bake for 25 minutes.</div><div></div><div><i>For frosting</i></div><div>Cream butter until smooth. Slowly add sifted powdered sugar. Mixture will be very thick, keeping adding champagne to get to the consistency you want. </div><div></div><div>Let cupcakes cool completely.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Frost cupcakes and top with half strawberry.<br />
<br />
Melt chocolate and spoon into a ziploc bag, snip a small hole and drizzle chocolate over strawberry </div><div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-34879049440938200802010-12-31T00:30:00.000-05:002010-12-31T00:30:53.798-05:00one little word-2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3prod.weheartit.netdna-cdn.com/images/5755015/tumblr_ldxdb6C0Zw1qapij1o1_500_thumb.jpg?1293196194" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://s3prod.weheartit.netdna-cdn.com/images/5755015/tumblr_ldxdb6C0Zw1qapij1o1_500_thumb.jpg?1293196194" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/5755015"> +</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">My <a href="http://aliedwards.com/2010/12/one-little-word-2011.html">one little word</a> for 2011 is savor. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Savor life. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Savor love. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Savor each bite I take. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Savor time. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Savor moments that pass too quickly. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Savor the here and now. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Spend less time thinking about the future, and what if. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Savor my blessings. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Savor it all. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Savor it now so I can cherish it always. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Take nothing for granted. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What's yours?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-85341442793490750782010-12-29T23:43:00.000-05:002010-12-29T23:43:49.090-05:00mmel intentions<div style="text-align: center;">Have you written out your intentions for <a href="http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/12/move-more-eat-less-2011an-invitation-to-you.html">MMEL</a> 2011? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My intentions are somewhat simple.<br />
I intend to be healthy again. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
And that doesn’t mean never eating another french fry or cupcake again. To me, being at my healthiest means feeling good, both inward and outwards. In order to get there I intend to find a form of exercise I love and <i>commit</i> to it and to eat cleanly and track what I eat. I intend to lose weight.<br />
<br />
I intend to be able to go shopping and feel confident. I intend to reduce my risk of getting cancer. I intend to continue living a full, authentic and happy life-just in a more healthy way. I intend to look at pictures of myself and <strike>not cringe at</strike> love what I see. <br />
I intend to take good care of, and respect, this one body that I have been given, not only for today- but because the choices I make affect my tomorrows. I intend to take this one day at a time. <br />
<br />
I intend to <a href="http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/12/move-more-eat-less-2011an-invitation-to-you.html">move more and eat less</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRwMvI0U92I/AAAAAAAABnY/2DpZ37MyFFw/s1600/IMG_3631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRwMvI0U92I/AAAAAAAABnY/2DpZ37MyFFw/s400/IMG_3631.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(renovations to come on me <i>and</i> the bathroom) </div><div style="text-align: center;">;-) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
What are your intentions?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-22274942211668187472010-12-21T16:45:00.000-05:002010-12-21T16:45:51.229-05:00searching...<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3prod.weheartit.netdna-cdn.com/images/4735574/68711_454438221493_563636493_5662405_3431027_n_thumb.jpg?1288718433" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="http://s3prod.weheartit.netdna-cdn.com/images/4735574/68711_454438221493_563636493_5662405_3431027_n_thumb.jpg?1288718433" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/4735574">+</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Dear friends, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I am on a mission and I hope you can help. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am trying to find interesting healthy living blogs and websites. Would you mind sharing your favorites? They could be about food, yoga, holistic living...pretty much anything that has to do with leading a healthy lifestyle. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I will be happy to share the list once it is compiled. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for your help! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Melissa </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-75224643303094070802010-12-21T10:45:00.000-05:002010-12-21T10:45:09.136-05:00christmas time is here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDJrkV1YZI/AAAAAAAABlM/qNG1d07xd48/s1600/IMG_3527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDJrkV1YZI/AAAAAAAABlM/qNG1d07xd48/s320/IMG_3527.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDJsOfzYRI/AAAAAAAABlQ/sY2Y38hWgOo/s1600/IMG_3529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDJsOfzYRI/AAAAAAAABlQ/sY2Y38hWgOo/s320/IMG_3529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDJ02Tx4-I/AAAAAAAABlU/dWLv3f7RdOw/s1600/IMG_3578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDJ02Tx4-I/AAAAAAAABlU/dWLv3f7RdOw/s320/IMG_3578.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDKBPrqQuI/AAAAAAAABlY/FgX0-KPsvBU/s1600/IMG_3585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDKBPrqQuI/AAAAAAAABlY/FgX0-KPsvBU/s320/IMG_3585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDKEVpWb-I/AAAAAAAABlk/LQ4w_8_jrys/s1600/IMG_3590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDKEVpWb-I/AAAAAAAABlk/LQ4w_8_jrys/s320/IMG_3590.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDKf60t0DI/AAAAAAAABlw/1r6OdNVsJik/s1600/IMG_3600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDKf60t0DI/AAAAAAAABlw/1r6OdNVsJik/s320/IMG_3600.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDKhsZET7I/AAAAAAAABl4/mmDL-JEtRIo/s1600/IMG_3603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDKhsZET7I/AAAAAAAABl4/mmDL-JEtRIo/s320/IMG_3603.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDKiTSXhRI/AAAAAAAABl8/dWBJOQmWWwU/s1600/IMG_3609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDKiTSXhRI/AAAAAAAABl8/dWBJOQmWWwU/s320/IMG_3609.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDKFj3YVOI/AAAAAAAABlo/S9MTDJCppqY/s1600/IMG_3591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDK4ksfWlI/AAAAAAAABmE/-HsQicsMrDA/s1600/IMG_3352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDK4ksfWlI/AAAAAAAABmE/-HsQicsMrDA/s320/IMG_3352.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDLaks_TXI/AAAAAAAABmI/qhpjCBsmaLE/s1600/IMG_3569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TRDLaks_TXI/AAAAAAAABmI/qhpjCBsmaLE/s320/IMG_3569.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-81549814783550248712010-12-20T18:11:00.000-05:002010-12-20T18:11:12.833-05:00is anyone planning to MMEL in 2011?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c5c3753ef0147e0d89a59970b-250wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c5c3753ef0147e0d89a59970b-250wi" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have been ruminating over it quite a bit. One might almost say grappling with the decision. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Why? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I have a long string of broken resolutions in my history. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I am <i>horrible</i> at them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Every year it is the same old thing...think of things I want to resolve. Make a plan. Get gung ho about it. Do it for a little while. Let life interrupt. Forget about said resolution. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">This year is different though. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The things that motivate me are different. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">My attitude is different. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">My planning will be different. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/12/move-more-eat-less-2011an-invitation-to-you.html#comment-6a00d8341c5c3753ef0148c6e72089970c">"I get one life and one body to care for. Period."</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Truth be told, I love to be healthy. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I love cooking and eating clean food. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I love planning menus. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">On most days I would rather choose a ripe juicy apple over an ice cream sundae. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I love a good sweat after a good yoga or dance session. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I just.don't.make.the.time.for.it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">So here we are. Days away from the new year, but does that matter? It shouldn't. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is not my new year's resolution. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is my resolution to get healthy once and again. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once and for all. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It's my resolution to be good to myself that just happens to be simultaneously taking place with the turn of the year. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Are you joining? </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Will you <a href="http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/12/move-more-eat-less-2011an-invitation-to-you.html">move more and eat less</a> in 2011 (and beyond). </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I hope you will. I could use some company. </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-74668213318685755832010-12-16T11:32:00.001-05:002010-12-16T14:11:10.603-05:00bake week 2010<div style="text-align: center;">Well, it is official. I have been bit by the baking bug! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TQjn0gfxNXI/AAAAAAAABk8/1YA8D3U_8IY/s1600/IMG_3521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TQjn0gfxNXI/AAAAAAAABk8/1YA8D3U_8IY/s400/IMG_3521.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>FYI, I got my Christmas apron from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/prettylittlepearl?ref=pr_shop_more">here</a>, which is definitely one of my favorite places to get beautiful aprons! </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Back to the baking...So far this year I have made red velvet candy cane cupcakes, gooey butter cookies, and peppermint fudge brownies. And I want to make more! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't believe Christmas is next week. I feel a baking surge coming on. Thankfully, I have plenty of willing coworkers who double as my taste testers ;-) And a very pregnant <a href="http://www.cheycancook.blogspot.com/">best friend</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, when one has an apron that is just so cute, shouldn't one put it to use? There are so many treats I want to try my hand at, so I have decided to put together a list of recipes I would like to make next week. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>THE LIST</u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CINNAMON SWIRL SNICKERDOODLES</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I LOVE snickerdoodles. It could have to do with my love for vanilla and cinnamon. Pretty sure it does. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I found this amazing <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2010/12/11/fat-fluffy-snickerdoodles/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+howsweeteats%2FsmSp+%28How+Sweet+It+Is%29">recipe</a> that I cannot wait to try, but I think I might give it a little twist... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>EGGNOG CUPCAKES</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have a couple of unopened containers of eggnog leftover from our party that I need to use up before they go to waste. mmb loves the stuff so I figured I would give this <a href="http://annies-eats.com/2008/11/28/eggnog-cupcakes/">recipe</a> a little try. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Another option, might be <a href="http://annies-eats.com/2009/12/18/eggnog-ice-cream/">eggnog ice cream. </a>Or maybe eggnog pancakes? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>OATMEAL WHITE CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY COOKIES</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't <a href="http://www.bakedperfection.com/2008/08/white-chocolate-chip-cranberry-oatmeal.html">these</a> sound so like they would perfectly complement a steaming cup of tea?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>FRENCH TOAST CASSEROLE</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">mmb's mom makes <a href="http://www.mealsmatter.org/recipes-meals/recipe/33182">this</a> for us and my coworkers are more than psyched when I bring it in. They have coined it the "evil breakfast" because it it so irresistible! Since it is the last week before vacation, I think it is the perfect time for it! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> SANTA'S PINWHEELS</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">The big guy requested these a few years ago after hearing the <a href="http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/christmas-pinwheel-cookies/Detail.aspx">recipe</a> on NPR, and they have become a tradition every since. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CINNAMON ROLLS</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another tradition! The first year we made <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/overnight-cinnamon-rolls-recipe/index.html">these</a> they were a success! Unfortunately every year since, they have failed! Is this the year to redeem ourselves???</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, I have made my list and next week I will be checking it twice. I might make some, I might make all. All I know is that this kitchen of ours is going to be busy and smelling festive. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, and I get to wear that cute apron ;-) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-41502527989343694292010-12-15T09:46:00.000-05:002010-12-15T09:46:24.161-05:00conquering risotto<div style="text-align: center;">I would like to consider myself pretty fearless when it comes to cooking, but for some reason risotto has always seemed a bit intimidating. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Until now, that is. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Friends, meet my risotto...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TQjMJP-_wJI/AAAAAAAABk0/U4QWaRnVLVA/s1600/IMG_3575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TQjMJP-_wJI/AAAAAAAABk0/U4QWaRnVLVA/s640/IMG_3575.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TQjMKYcFMCI/AAAAAAAABk4/pZHgty41Fk4/s1600/IMG_3576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TQjMKYcFMCI/AAAAAAAABk4/pZHgty41Fk4/s640/IMG_3576.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My delicious mushroom and leek risotto with roasted butternut squash. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was THRILLED with the way it came out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
mmb thought it was absolutely delicious. His was served with slices of thyme rubbed pork on top- no thanks for me, but he found it to be the perfect complement. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would you like to try? I have to give credit to Rachel over at Heart of Light for this <a href="http://heart-of-light.blogspot.com/2010/12/risotto-with-butternut-squash-and.html">recipe</a>, but here is my version...mostly the same, but with just a few tweaks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">MUSHROOM AND LEEK RISOTTO WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br />
2-3 tablespoons of butter <br />
1 shallot, diced<br />
3 large leeks, sliced and washed<br />
20 oz. sliced baby bella (portabello)mushrooms,</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 cup arborio rice<br />
4 - 5 cups hot liquid (I used chicken broth)<br />
Small handful of sage leaves, diced</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 teaspoons fresh thyme<br />
Salt and pepper, to taste <br />
Handful of shredded Parmesan </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 large butternut squash</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 tablespoon olive oil</div><div style="text-align: center;">sea salt and coarse pepper</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Before you begin risotto, heat oven to 475 degrees, slice squash in half (you could also use pre-cut), scoop out seeds and drizzle with olive oil. sprinkle salt and pepper on top and roast in oven until soft (usually about 35-40 minutes) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now onto the "good stuff"...<br />
<br />
1. Saute shallots and leeks in the butter over medium heat until soft </div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Add mushrooms and cook until soft</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Add rice and toss to coat with leek, shallot and mushroom mixture</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Add about 1/4 cup of the hot broth (or water if you choose to use that) and stir</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Add 3/4 cup of the hot liquid </div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Add sage and thyme <br />
7. Once all the liquid is absorbed, adding another cup- continue this process until the risotto is nice and soft, but not mushy </div><div style="text-align: center;">8. When risotto is the texture you prefer add the Parmesan cheese </div><div style="text-align: center;">9. Add cubed roasted squash (I prefer mine on top instead of mixed in) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Things to remember when making risotto: </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>*it needs to be stirred often and watched carefully </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>*you may not have to use all 5 cups of liquid, use your best judgement </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> *it is an art, take your time and savor the experience...it is well worth it</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't wait to try more flavors! I am thinking of something with cranberries, pecans and rosemary... yum!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So what do you think, will you try this recipe? Or if you have already made risotto before, which flavors have you made?<i></i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4348003480268949304.post-1828253567192681912010-12-12T18:27:00.000-05:002010-12-12T18:27:10.830-05:00a christmas survey<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I found this neat little survey over on <a href="http://hevbell.blogspot.com/">Heather's</a> blog the other day and have decided to give it a go. How fun, I think it will make a great scrapbook page! Perhaps I will add it to my <a href="http://sunlight-simplicity.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-album.html">December album</a>. </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ready? Here we go...</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>20 Christmas Questions</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TQVaOMucC3I/AAAAAAAABkw/CJz_8fKYWpM/s1600/IMG_3491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ctcZDbndvQ4/TQVaOMucC3I/AAAAAAAABkw/CJz_8fKYWpM/s320/IMG_3491.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Wrapping paper, definitely. With pretty ribbons :-) Although I do use a gift bag here or there. <b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>2. Real tree or Artificial? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Real tree. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Every year we go and pick one out at a lovely little family owned business that has a very magical country store attached to it. I walk around (like a nut) sniffing every tree until we find "the one". hehe. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>3. When do you put up the tree? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Either thanksgiving weekend or the weekend following. I want to enjoy it for as long as possible<b>. </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>4. When do you take the tree down? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">On the saddest night of the year :( Just kidding, but I do hate to take it down. Usually a week or two after New Year's. <b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>5. Favorite gift received as a child? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">I don't have one that comes to mind, I remember certain Christmases, just not the gift part <b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>6. Hardest person to buy for? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">My dad </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>7. Easiest person to buy for? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">MMB</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>8. Mail or email Christmas cards? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> Mail, when I actually get around to sending them. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>9. Favorite Christmas Movie? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Miracle on 34th St and Charlie Brown. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">I actually don't think there is a Christmas movie I don't like (Lifetime Network movies included, HA!) </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>10. When do you start shopping for Christmas?</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b> </b>At midnight on Thanksgiving! Unless there has been something I have come across prior to that I know would be meaningful to someone.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>11. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">No. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Green bean casserole! <b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">MMB's sister makes amazing desserts that I always look forward to as well. <b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>13. Lights on the tree (colored or clear)? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Clear</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>14. Favorite Christmas song? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Yikes...just one?!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">O Holy Night or Silent Night <b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>15. Travel at Christmas or stay home?</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Wherever the family is. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>16. Angel, star or ribbon on top of tree? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">We have a star this year, but in other years have had nothing or an angel. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>17. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">One on Christmas Eve when we put the cookies out for Santa, the rest on Christmas morning<b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>18. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Commercialism and the seemingly missing aspect of the true meaning of Christmas :-( </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Also...the "desensitization" of the holidays; why can't we all just celebrate and appreciate all of the different holidays this time of year for what they are without generalizing them? </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>19. What do you want for Christmas this year?</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">I have everything I need. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b>20. Traditional colors (red and green) or other colors? </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">It varies, but usually includes red for some reason! <b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">So there it is! Now, how about you? Please let me know if you decide to fill out these questions, I'd love to hear your answers! </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7