tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59031683401766200592024-03-05T03:04:24.683-08:00Tote's LifeHow my dear, dear husband settled on 'tote' as my nickname, I do not know. But I love him just the same, and more!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-21710260001253912712012-01-19T11:53:00.000-08:002012-01-19T11:53:43.374-08:00Austin Matthew's Birth StoryI was scheduled to be induced on Tuesday, January 3 at 8 a.m.<br />
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Around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, January 2, I started having contractions. They felt similar to other contractions in the past, so I waited/labored at home. I had uncontrollable shakes and around midnight, I decided that we should definitely go in. After spending Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in l&d triage before being sent home, I wanted to be sure it was the real thing before heading in.<br />
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In triage at 1 a.m., we found out I was dilated to 6-7 cm. I asked how much longer they thought until I would hit 10 cm and be able to push. When they couldn’t give me a timeframe, I asked for the epidural. I really feel it was the best decision I made.<br />
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After the epidural kicked in, my parents, Matt and I were able to relax a bit while I continued to dilate. We listened to music, cracked jokes with the nurses and rested. There were a few times that my blood pressure dropped pretty low, but the nurse was able to reposition me and that seemed to fix the problem.<br />
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Around 5:30 a.m., they said I was fully dilated and could push if I felt the urge. I didn’t, so they continued to let me rest. An hour later, I still didn’t feel the “urge” but figured I’d give pushing a try. I ended up pushing for 20 minutes before Austin arrived at 6:43 a.m., weighing 8 lb 9 oz and measuring 20.5 inches long. So, from my first real contraction to delivery was a little over 8 hours.<br />
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Our little guy decided to come out with his hand up next to his face, giving me second degree tears in three different spots and a hematoma. Clearly God was watching over me and helped me make the decision to get the epidural early on. I cannot imagine what that pain would have felt like sans epidural.</div>
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It took them 45 minutes to stitch me up, but we were so consumed by our new baby that it didn’t feel like that long. Matt and I both had skin to skin contact with Austin within minutes of him being born and I was able to breastfeed him while the doctors continued to work on me.</div>
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The epidural took a little longer than expected to wear off. When it was time to move from labor and delivery to the Mother Baby Center, I attempted to get into the wheelchair and ended up dropping straight to my knees. What a weird feeling!!! Two nurses had to help me up, but it felt so weird being dead weight.<br />
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After being up all night in labor and then up the next day with a newborn, we were quite tired.</div>
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One of my favorite pictures... trying to suck face with his momma, or, he's just hungry.<br />
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Since coming home, we’ve have had some challenges with breastfeeding and Austin dropped more than 10% of his body weight at his check up, down to 7 lb 8 oz. We were able to get an appointment with the lactation consultant at the hospital and things started to get better. My milk came in, but my nipples aren’t “sticking out” like they should. This has created latch issues and the pain has brought me to tears multiple times. So we started using a nipple shield which helped a lot.</div>
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For the first few days at home, my pain “down there” got worse instead of better each day. My legs/ankles were swollen beyond recognition. I felt like I had Princess Fiona sausage feet. Disgusting. Add in the breastfeeding issues and it was a rough couple of days.</div>
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At Austin’s first weight re-check, he gained four ounces, up to 7 lb 12 oz. We’ll go for one more weight re-check on Monday to make sure he is steadily gaining weight.</div>
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The nether region is feeling much better these days and the swelling in my feet is pretty much gone now.</div>
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Unfortunately, the breastfeeding woes continue. My nipples are cracked and Austin is taking in a bit of blood with each feeding. On top of that, I have Mastitis. Having a fever and feeling achey with a newborn is the worst. Matt has been nothing but amazing, taking care of Austin and I. So, I’m on antibiotics for the infection and we have stopped breastfeeding for now to allow things to heal. I am pumping every 3 hours and Austin is getting that milk through a bottle. We’ll try breastfeeding again in a few days...<br />
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We are settling into a great routine. Austin is awake for most of the day and sleeps from around 11 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. at night without waking up.<br />
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Matt has been off work for two weeks and we are both dreading him having to go back tomorrow.</div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-59954519834199623042011-12-28T13:42:00.000-08:002011-12-28T13:53:58.114-08:0040 Weeks... and CountingYesterday, I hit the 40 week mark. So I figured what better time to document my ENTIRE pregnancy than at the very, very end. So, what follows is a series of photos taken throughout my pregnancy. The first picture was taken at 7 weeks and the last picture was taken yesterday, at 40 weeks.<br />
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7 weeks, 8 weeks</div>
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9 weeks, 10 weeks</div>
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11 weeks, 12 weeks</div>
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13 weeks, 14 weeks</div>
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15 weeks in Caseville</div>
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16 weeks, 17 weeks</div>
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July 25 ultrasound. It's a boy!</div>
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18 weeks, 19 weeks</div>
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20 weeks, 21 weeks </div>
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22 weeks in Caseville </div>
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23 weeks, 24 weeks</div>
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25 weeks, 28 weeks </div>
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29 weeks, 30 weeks</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zrWw8dVDYxU/TvuARKDc-gI/AAAAAAAABwA/BsxF7yTngaU/s1600/31+weeks3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zrWw8dVDYxU/TvuARKDc-gI/AAAAAAAABwA/BsxF7yTngaU/s320/31+weeks3.JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UFRf6RxDvmY/TvuAWWE5NrI/AAAAAAAABwI/RqF7aSUqU10/s1600/33+weeks2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UFRf6RxDvmY/TvuAWWE5NrI/AAAAAAAABwI/RqF7aSUqU10/s320/33+weeks2.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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31 weeks, 33 weeks<br />
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These are all from our 32 week maternity photo shoot that we did ourselves. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gfe1_XQcYc/TvuAeVW2sYI/AAAAAAAABwQ/ZMrst9yNLWM/s1600/34+weeks2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Gfe1_XQcYc/TvuAeVW2sYI/AAAAAAAABwQ/ZMrst9yNLWM/s320/34+weeks2.JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wfz_up0tOXM/TvuAlxyXG6I/AAAAAAAABwY/z0_b_9MQGGo/s1600/35+weeks2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wfz_up0tOXM/TvuAlxyXG6I/AAAAAAAABwY/z0_b_9MQGGo/s320/35+weeks2.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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34 weeks, 35 weeks</div>
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36 weeks, 37 weeks </div>
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38 weeks, 39 weeks</div>
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40 weeks</div>
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There you have it. A lazy blogger's attempt to document an entire pregnancy in one post.<br />
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Needless to say, Mr. Tote and I are ready to meet our little guy. An induction is scheduled for next Tuesday, but my doctor is confident that my water will break before then. Fingers crossed that he makes an appearance soon!</div>
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<img height="64" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/386094_10101328803464024_2306990_77061383_2131930747_n.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 401px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 5722px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-22070650019002096932011-12-10T14:08:00.001-08:002011-12-10T14:08:28.670-08:00Nursery Reveal<p><strong>BEFORE… </strong>Office/Craft/Pet Room<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qS0UCdmm9oQ/TuPYLxYHe2I/AAAAAAAABmw/kQTGTNjotJg/s1600-h/DSC04966%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC04966" border="0" alt="DSC04966" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vG0jPSTt81c/TuPYMAbPXWI/AAAAAAAABm0/zJEU-GA8BD0/DSC04966_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-20e7Suk8vvg/TuPYMbXSX4I/AAAAAAAABnA/DlzyXvVEKgM/s1600-h/DSC04969%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC04969" border="0" alt="DSC04969" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_s2EZqr4T1M/TuPYMtnSQeI/AAAAAAAABnI/qHsuZXSfXgo/DSC04969_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-27TGtKreF3E/TuPYM5n2GYI/AAAAAAAABnQ/5b9Wx4lutGU/s1600-h/DSC04973%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC04973" border="0" alt="DSC04973" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aFzf-Yj6208/TuPYMzqaHbI/AAAAAAAABnY/TYM09iaBSSs/DSC04973_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <br /><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC04977" border="0" alt="DSC04977" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8D-7uIfFV50/TuPYNIPcO2I/AAAAAAAABng/EpmGSCapSHc/DSC04977_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="400" /> <br /><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC04980" border="0" alt="DSC04980" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Sy575Aw1szk/TuPYNdFuz7I/AAAAAAAABno/sjDOgm2MgA4/DSC04980_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="400" /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vHKAQRTTSy4/TuPYNohfHsI/AAAAAAAABnw/IZ9hO1U91wE/s1600-h/DSC04979%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC04979" border="0" alt="DSC04979" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7qz9nWQ6vMg/TuPYN12oWHI/AAAAAAAABn4/8KvEllMInSM/DSC04979_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> <p><strong>AFTER… </strong>Soothing room for our baby boy with lots of personal, DIY touches!<strong><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05937" border="0" alt="DSC05937" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZlUmIAI5wJw/TuPYOEUNT2I/AAAAAAAABoA/o5gMPj0HPPY/DSC05937_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></strong> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iIu1Qkwc_mU/TuPYOaTJ-gI/AAAAAAAABoI/Hn-cqey569o/s1600-h/DSC05914%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05914" border="0" alt="DSC05914" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Asigzbmqu3U/TuPYORZoA0I/AAAAAAAABoQ/MYLVApFjpNY/DSC05914_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VTymSO8h3QM/TuPYOryarSI/AAAAAAAABoY/FDqgiM207x4/s1600-h/DSC05924%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05924" border="0" alt="DSC05924" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1IYJDKd-mXQ/TuPYO4jHtbI/AAAAAAAABog/75LWsp3yjLc/DSC05924_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ofOYlaUlT8s/TuPYPAYfl2I/AAAAAAAABoo/8YoD2uyoXjo/s1600-h/DSC05926%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05926" border="0" alt="DSC05926" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rjRqqn6Wk0c/TuPYPW_rsvI/AAAAAAAABow/ApHs4udU7mk/DSC05926_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4LplRw57CC4/TuPYPjSFfJI/AAAAAAAABo4/oftfGm7uRXg/s1600-h/DSC05927%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05927" border="0" alt="DSC05927" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAHNxqf0RbVqbxFXuWt6ZNIwjhwy6Dor2mkow9dr6Pkos0sgfymMg4W2tQ1Ji4d7X8XsOXOwb9A1m00zfLKikOLECYiSkD542oasEQ-zAxxZw_kBlJkxe0MzPJu241Ap38xaf_nxj-Kg/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05947" border="0" alt="DSC05947" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yuBXe2Pfy7Y/TuPYPyKHF3I/AAAAAAAABpI/W2n-6SRyBJ4/DSC05947_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G6t1_-TLLrM/TuPYQP1I3ZI/AAAAAAAABpQ/50RQ5oBOdMI/s1600-h/DSC05946%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05946" border="0" alt="DSC05946" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-25sO9t1tGuA/TuPYQTyDyJI/AAAAAAAABpY/wzg8rAKnH24/DSC05946_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qvi5XOTLC7s/TuPYRKctoDI/AAAAAAAABpo/aA80_KBxmDs/s1600-h/Nursery%252520quoteA%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Nursery quoteA" border="0" alt="Nursery quoteA" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nepqh6xDVvY/TuPYRqYdDDI/AAAAAAAABpw/qZkhAy5oYFs/Nursery%252520quoteA_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" height="268" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vwGG9M3137c/TuPYR51VzlI/AAAAAAAABp4/GJgWHk15qkw/s1600-h/Nursery%252520quoteB%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="Nursery quoteB" border="0" alt="Nursery quoteB" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qdofLMPKBJY/TuPYSMMcmZI/AAAAAAAABqA/JLkLXIrFfS4/Nursery%252520quoteB_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="214" height="268" /></a> <br /> <br /><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05950" border="0" alt="DSC05950" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9i8O0gwvAD_7N3mTVDC2n9kRzTlCXKoKoHgM5hnmHeQbSHo545DEB5ZLnJE9GeFvvwepMuwtOlBE5FDljCTbsU0nB-LgMwi5mohtfwk3HPWNA1cZZF6PwI_5sPmB0zhbKfAVNSwANEA0/?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /> <br /><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05948" border="0" alt="DSC05948" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JTJ0uG_mlTE/TuPYSlIMDDI/AAAAAAAABqQ/dIN1Pn53B9c/DSC05948_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TGm0wCJAaa0/TuPYSijpf2I/AAAAAAAABqY/aO8K2d5weS0/s1600-h/DSC05929%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05929" border="0" alt="DSC05929" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y6Lj__fUdYA/TuPYSyz1TFI/AAAAAAAABqg/Ot1d230FhGU/DSC05929_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lFsNFw3ljgo/TuPYTIRpvII/AAAAAAAABqo/64m8j75cXTM/s1600-h/DSC05930%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05930" border="0" alt="DSC05930" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kEGmGpFABE4/TuPYTZ9ry1I/AAAAAAAABq4/noKMbkKXwYU/DSC05930_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n9-ku1RudtM/TuPYUTk9ddI/AAAAAAAABq8/ONFKdKKMlYo/s1600-h/DSC05932%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05932" border="0" alt="DSC05932" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvJLAIEfZz1Gc56TbDYh0in8PAOBIoLmq_GZHsfZuBzv3J7WS7TeEjFMmvprFXF84MGWSndJVa_-mYhLRCHsnocxK9XkjMWZrJhfkUaVzBZ4DGJcEJupY0CdiOKC9Bt7cC-j_7J1BTVA/?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05945" border="0" alt="DSC05945" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2u7nr7J-SeY/TuPYVeM2ovI/AAAAAAAABrQ/pAMHIlZYMi8/DSC05945_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pVNNuXgEYAGXrohD187k9DRO-wvnRVMte-S9_Fds2HW1fNGv_QWQQc8CU4jKqigcGqFR_vIT-sdUNxEy4AaKkMtPR2L5s9zZShKb23UE6abcKAsUfikiSDVyYDn8wYSgA_U6slLKfUk/s1600-h/DSC05934%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05934" border="0" alt="DSC05934" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-erAuZTpWyqI/TuPYWMhFyUI/AAAAAAAABrk/8mKgY34B-oA/DSC05934_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4BQqO-hrmmU/TuPYWMrId1I/AAAAAAAABrs/k-88sumnLL4/s1600-h/DSC05935%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05935" border="0" alt="DSC05935" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OsPDHpE6dWw/TuPYWi16W9I/AAAAAAAABr0/JKVDDFIrvDs/DSC05935_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>       <br /><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC05936" border="0" alt="DSC05936" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TNoNsmmfhWU/TuPYWzRveSI/AAAAAAAABr4/og5TilC__yU/DSC05936_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></p> <p><em>And of course some burp cloths that match the nursery and our love for Michigan State!</em></p> <p>Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams 6758 Aqueduct and Sherwin Williams 7073 Network Grey</p> <p>Crib: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/DaVinci-Porter-Convertible-Crib-White/dp/B004K15CF8" target="_blank">Davinci Porter</a></p> <p>Changing Table: Hand-me-down gift from some friends</p> <p>Recliner/Ottoman: <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4237357" target="_blank">Harmony Kids Newco Taylor Classic Swivel Glider</a> and <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4237371" target="_blank">Ottoman</a></p> <p>Lamp Base: <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_18858-45353-T-2574_4294798230_4294937087_?productId=3348708&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_Lamp%2BBases_4294798230_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=" target="_blank">Lowe’s</a></p> <p>Baskets: Hobby Lobby</p> <p>Fabrics: </p> <p><img src="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/images/michael_miller/300/emily_herrick_going_coastal_crab_walk_in_gray.jpg" width="220" height="220" /> <img src="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/images/michael_miller/300/emily_herrick_going_coastal_sea_star_in_gray.jpg" width="220" height="220" /> </p> <p><img src="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/images/p__b_textiles/300/p_&_b_textiles_house_designer_downtown_circles_in_light.jpg" width="220" height="220" /> <img src="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/images/michael_miller/300/laura_gunn_magnolia_lane_textured_plaid_in_turquoise.jpg" width="220" height="220" /> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/emily_herrick/going_coastal/crab_walk_in_gray" target="_blank">Emily Herrick Going Coastal Crab Walk in Gray</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/emily_herrick/going_coastal/sea_star_in_gray" target="_blank">Emily Herrick Going Coastal Sea Star in Gray</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/p_&_b_textiles_house_designer/downtown/circles_in_light" target="_blank">P&B Textiles Downtown Circles in Light</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/laura_gunn/magnolia_lane/textured_plaid_in_turquoise" target="_blank">Laura Gunn Magnolia Lane Textured Plaid in Turquoise</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Tutorials Used:</p> <p><a href="http://ohbrooke.com/2009/11/16/making-a-crib-skirt-tutorial/" target="_blank">Crib Skirt</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.babyrabies.com/2009/02/shes-crafty/" target="_blank">Teething Guard</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_6522229_create-tab-top-valances.html" target="_blank">Valance</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.prudentbaby.com/2009/12/diy-changing-pad-cover-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Changing Pad Cover</a></p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-47495998392835695452011-05-16T09:18:00.001-07:002011-05-16T09:18:06.442-07:00Dear blog,<p>Dear blog,</p> <p>I know my apology probably doesn’t mean much to you these days, but I’m sorry. I’m sorry for neglecting you. I’ve been in a rut… a serious writing rut.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TcxIpWiPFsI/AAAAAAAABmI/yn2Za61SUSw/s1600-h/DSC04011%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC04011" border="0" alt="DSC04011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TcxIpjY6-wI/AAAAAAAABmM/YjBesFVCD9E/DSC04011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <br />But, today, in keeping with the new life and growth that this spring season is bringing, I make a renewed commitment to GIVE YOU SOME ATTENTION!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TcxIqPn78vI/AAAAAAAABmQ/FcVMgUTU_vM/s1600-h/DSC04037%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC04037" border="0" alt="DSC04037" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJZ2FaARvHHPALVFI68f-4XgnBS-ggLK6k8HTlZW61-Lq_6_P87R94RrP9NA20lUYZjyNm8Q7uew2rAzdHMbAdUoZ7hxtAQUorB7lqIL7Hm25R3AcVAM0vDAWIfjgcS0VN2QzONUFT2I/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>  <br />So here I defiantly say ‘poo poo’ to my writer’s block! I am back with a vengeance! Kicking butt and taking names! <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TcxIq7FnW5I/AAAAAAAABmY/aO-N3sf7QF0/s1600-h/DSC04040%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC04040" border="0" alt="DSC04040" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TcxIreaizsI/AAAAAAAABmc/qsx6aabB3mg/DSC04040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>  <br />I’m off for now… to start composing my first comeback entry… besides this one… <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TcxIrt_i3vI/AAAAAAAABmg/cSGCHURGjcE/s1600-h/DSC04051%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC04051" border="0" alt="DSC04051" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TcxIsC3YdPI/AAAAAAAABmk/DzWBbXp_7DY/DSC04051_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-70277764492410566932011-03-07T17:50:00.001-08:002011-03-07T17:50:00.140-08:00Pork Roast<p>Let me just preface this post by saying that this roast was so good, I totally forgot to take a picture of it.</p> <p>2-3 lb pork shoulder or butt roast <br />1 onion, coarsely chopped <br />Handful of baby carrots <br />3-4 stalks celery, coarsely chopped <br />1 sprig fresh rosemary, chopped (you could certainly use dried rosemary in a pinch) <br />1 clove minced garlic <br />1 C orange juice <br />1 Tbsp orange or apricot marmalade <br />Salt & pepper, to taste <br />Cooking spray</p> <p>Wash and trim the roast before placing into a slow cooker that’s been sprayed with cooking spray. Place the veggies around the roast before adding the rosemary, garlic, orange juice and marmalade. Season with salt & pepper. Cook on low 8 hours.</p> <p>I can’t believe how amazing this turned out, for the five minutes it took me to prepare. The sweetness of the orange juice and marmalade complemented the pork perfectly and the rosemary added so much flavor to the dish.</p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-63770177664627245132011-02-13T09:00:00.001-08:002011-02-13T09:00:53.340-08:00Valentine’s Dinner Menu<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TVgOQw8bLmI/AAAAAAAABl8/IkLO9VKjpOs/s1600-h/ACP_8204%20copy%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ACP_8204 copy" border="0" alt="ACP_8204 copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TVgORDOhxHI/AAAAAAAABmA/9VUEVStKdN0/ACP_8204%20copy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="266" /></a>Love is in the air! Because V-day falls on a Monday, we are taking advantage of not having to work today and making Valentine’s Day Dinner tonight instead of tomorrow. We have ample time to prepare everything, so it just makes sense. On the menu…</p> <p>Filet Mignon with Creamy Horseradish</p> <p>Jumbo shrimp skewers with white wine, lemon and garlic</p> <p>Sauteed broccolini and shallots</p> <p>Broasted redskin potatoes</p> <p><a href="http://toteslife.blogspot.com/2009/02/valentines-day-wrap-up.html" target="_blank">Chocolate lava cakes</a> <em>(I wanted to do something different than we’ve done in the past, but how could I say ‘no’ to Mr. Tote)</em></p> <p>For beverages, a glass of 2008 <a href="http://www.qualitywinesofspain.com/MUNOZ.html" target="_blank">Legado Muñoz</a> Garnacha with dinner and some <a href="http://www.youngs-chocolate-stout.com/" target="_blank">Young’s Double Chocolate Stout</a> with dessert.</p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-78982140514524691402011-01-31T18:23:00.001-08:002011-01-31T18:23:04.651-08:00Meet Baby Eli!<p>We are the proud Aunt and Uncle of nephew #2, Eli David. Born January 31, 12:26 p.m., 6 lb 8 oz, 20 inches. Mom, Dad, big brother Calvin and baby Eli are all doing well! Congrats to mommy for going all natural!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUducD-tMFI/AAAAAAAABkg/0wB6OQ8tc54/s1600-h/DSC03950%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03950" border="0" alt="DSC03950" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUducQfU4-I/AAAAAAAABkk/4oiRbKsVtLc/DSC03950_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_-xyJk32dNEtbO0cPP-OH3SpCIJX2Wa81gkizdyRKC6AEp0cHYEdWaMwfgRLAyky48H2ieQOn6T_aA05L_nywm2qL9dAwnTdf3O6e7NerpggmlBpArN-LBEFLLtFmEfhzdb0QKaj2mU/s1600-h/DSC03954%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03954" border="0" alt="DSC03954" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUduc0ELNhI/AAAAAAAABks/sgelb5P6EXs/DSC03954_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUdudQH3zOI/AAAAAAAABkw/mPDPpBh-DAE/s1600-h/DSC03955%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03955" border="0" alt="DSC03955" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUdudwn9CvI/AAAAAAAABk0/BLQlpFK6zWA/DSC03955_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03949" border="0" alt="DSC03949" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUdueMWylcI/AAAAAAAABk4/8xHrXk8sYMU/DSC03949_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="400" /> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUdueQi7YTI/AAAAAAAABk8/-wcWf0N0ZZY/s1600-h/DSC03956%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03956" border="0" alt="DSC03956" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUduenwUipI/AAAAAAAABlA/aXOOylraadI/DSC03956_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="400" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUdue-a2kNI/AAAAAAAABlE/ScYlOB90Hrc/s1600-h/DSC03957%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03957" border="0" alt="DSC03957" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUdufDIM66I/AAAAAAAABlI/ug7Q4cay4fA/DSC03957_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="400" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAJBYgMS-NOBML_KGLhszpk6acLX441IrSBGT8B0SFCQ0dBJV1IiI_pfzGd9e3EjvPGNcTK4Q0Gr-WHZRIK3DUOulfio6GOnHYzuJCcxBJG8txBFFeGhyYJuHDNTp3TohETLZKE7Q8CQ/s1600-h/DSC03959%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03959" border="0" alt="DSC03959" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUdufjDzr2I/AAAAAAAABlQ/ddsIA4zImAc/DSC03959_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHb_7tKj5z2SBxINWSJ7nYJroIWwhcHjnZJjjb89H46TtesWnpMrk2JerfzsdatK9gHd9CDaJ7dcADruYqIVvHV9A9nUiy_MPEX579jbPN-kYljGq0sJNihHz4DXy9UaaamC3UmqYGuUk/s1600-h/DSC03964%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03964" border="0" alt="DSC03964" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUdugK3YEwI/AAAAAAAABlY/YEcnFuIVeBU/DSC03964_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUdugT70i-I/AAAAAAAABlc/XUIY5Ofm4ik/s1600-h/DSC03965%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03965" border="0" alt="DSC03965" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUdugrccpWI/AAAAAAAABlg/zh1LcRVLzIM/DSC03965_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUdug-VKtjI/AAAAAAAABlk/pukNBOGKsxI/s1600-h/DSC03967%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03967" border="0" alt="DSC03967" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQIOTSYJBVRMUNvtOtqxY1FYj0K45HoYeaZRZ3ysqItjlsWFdtvGKjXWtJCL7y6zIQy3NBy_Oq8MmxXQuE70OeemkOiepHHc-xLcwsq-a43qtPWlwC-jVBzswwDix29zaXzW4sEUiISc/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUduhdfaR4I/AAAAAAAABls/KdjvsAZ9qEQ/s1600-h/DSC03968%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03968" border="0" alt="DSC03968" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUduhvFT84I/AAAAAAAABlw/Bnw2oEySISU/DSC03968_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03972" border="0" alt="DSC03972" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpkxDs-1pnCLBPYgo3lxuzmkF4oMMPMjsrPUmTJ0MTNbxH8XVgSLT9vZ73MX1rHo7FZKa-sxjQaQFQGDqkRe727N0VDtLdf5kNxJ9MoCCDzdxJmGXrEwjIhJRDBCH_lmbCvuVaZQeAxA/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-87511021183561485962011-01-29T08:37:00.001-08:002011-01-29T08:37:19.470-08:00Entryway Mirror<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TURCOTq2VJI/AAAAAAAABkM/tS6nAg9Y00Y/s1600-h/DSC038262.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03826" border="0" alt="DSC03826" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TURCOmtRpuI/AAAAAAAABkQ/W8x3x1phvKU/DSC03826_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>Yeah, I’m lame and have no before pictures of this beaut. My <a href="http://toteslife.blogspot.com/2010/04/another-one-month-hiatus.html" target="_blank">father-in-law</a> made this mirror/frame, which hung over the family couch in the house that Mr. Tote grew up in. His mom was prepared to throw it away and I snatched it from the ‘toss’ pile. Mr. Tote’s dad had used a miter saw to create the frame and stained the original oak a natural color.</p> <p>While it was “nice,” it just wasn’t our style. So when I got my hands on it, we sanded it down, painted it white and added some 1x1/4” decorative trim to create the illusion of a window.</p> <p>And I had a vinyl wall quote that said “Come in. Laugh much. Visit often.” that I cut apart and stuck to the mirror.</p> <p>BEFORE:<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TURCPJUJ3rI/AAAAAAAABkU/Il7MmDnbix8/s1600-h/DSC038202.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03820" border="0" alt="DSC03820" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TURCPVlhuPI/AAAAAAAABkY/kM2P1wtdMZ0/DSC03820_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> AFTER:<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03822" border="0" alt="DSC03822" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvLOP2nsxNmQGIJ2aTXJFFqqHyWQXwuDvZ337jRuEuDtXd2-pnnEuKdktBtekB7efJXz0Xkv2DWpYlXl7ISZ6tMD2qiaDlA-PQxB3X0pnUW7q0owECuAQ1x8AhoKzqGcwai1t2tnjvMc/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></p> <p>I really love how this turned out. It really opened up that area with the illusion of a window being there. I have been wanting to put a foyer table in that spot, but the door has presented some challenges. This mirror is the perfect compromise to liven up that wall.</p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-11437294668490421042011-01-28T17:35:00.000-08:002011-01-28T17:35:00.147-08:00Bisquick Chicken Pot Pie<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUIgnJUwHyI/AAAAAAAABj8/hhvhQ8wmCLk/s1600-h/DSC03819%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03819" border="0" alt="DSC03819" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUIgnUYsGjI/AAAAAAAABkA/DxYRxRYJOXA/DSC03819_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>Nothing like a good pot pie to warm you up in the dead of winter. I didn’t have a pie crust on hand, nor did I feel like making my own. So I was thrilled when I found this <a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/hearty-chicken-pot-pie/07ca9e43-c96f-4540-991c-564ee78bd768" target="_blank">Better Crocker recipe</a> for pot pie, topped with Bisquick mix.</p> <p>This dish couldn’t be easier to throw together, with all pre-prepared ingredients, aside from mixing together the Bisquick mix.</p> <p>Mr. Tote and I both loved the heartiness of this dish.  I particularly loved the easy prep. I’m not usually a big fan of using condensed soup, but you really cant’ beat the amount of time this takes to pull together… all of 5 minutes, plus the time it takes for the oven to heat.</p> <p>16 ounces frozen mixed vegetables, thawed  <br />1 cup cooked chicken, chopped  <br />1 can condensed cream of chicken soup  <br />1 cup Bisquick mix  <br />1/2 cup milk  <br />1  egg  </p> <p>Heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix vegetables, chicken and soup in a medium-sized, ungreased casserole dish. <br />Stir remaining ingredients in bowl with fork until blended. Pour over ingredients in casserole dish. <br />Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUIgnuayZoI/AAAAAAAABkE/OnSJS9O5P1w/s1600-h/DSC03816%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03816" border="0" alt="DSC03816" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUIgn-o_FCI/AAAAAAAABkI/1wppJaOkmss/DSC03816_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-87232033490352235722011-01-27T17:34:00.001-08:002011-01-27T17:34:38.130-08:00Oreo Truffles<p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03560" border="0" alt="DSC03560" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUIdKwrA76I/AAAAAAAABj0/NfYN1HLsAAs/DSC03560_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="400" />Long overdue, like most of my other upcoming posts…</p> <p>This recipe has made its way around the blog world five thousand times. Like many others on my “Favorites” list of links, I’ve had this recipe bookmarked for quite some time. Originally from Kraft foods, I fell in love with the pictures that Heather over at Heather Drive took. So I’m linking to <a href="http://heatherdrive.blogspot.com/2008/12/oreo-truffles.html" target="_blank">her post</a> of this recipe.</p> <p>Ingredients: <br />- 1 package (1 lb., 2 oz.) Oreo cookies <br />- 1 can sweetened condensed milk OR 1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese <br />- 1/2 lb. milk chocolate candy melts <br />- 1/2 lb. white chocolate candy melts </p> <p>Directions: <br />1. In food processor, grind Oreo cookies until completely crushed. </p> <p>2. Place crushed cookies into a large bowl. Add condensed milk or cream cheese, stirring until combined. The cookie crumbles should all be moist so that they easily stick together. </p> <p>3. Shape cookie mixture into 1-inch balls. Lay cookie balls on cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Place into freezer for a few minutes to harden. </p> <p>4. Dip cookie balls into melted chocolate, and return to wax paper to dry. Drizzle with additional melted chocolate or candy melts for decoration (if desired). </p> <p>If you use the cream cheese version, truffles must be kept in the refrigerator. Recipe yields approximately 30-50 truffles, depending on size. </p> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03556" border="0" alt="DSC03556" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TUIdLNPIedI/AAAAAAAABj4/hNQ8DB-sKjI/DSC03556_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-35523586105431828322011-01-25T19:29:00.001-08:002011-01-25T19:29:14.503-08:00Mystery Trip!<p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03912" border="0" alt="DSC03912" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U5BWv6hI/AAAAAAAABho/NUbzTBuFZsg/DSC03912_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="401" /></p> <p>The girls over at <a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/" target="_blank">Dating Divas</a> are always coming up with some super creative, super awesome dates. PS, they have an amazing new website, so be sure to check it out!</p> <p>So I decided to craft my own fabulous date, which I (surprisingly!) kept a total secret from Mr. Tote. It started out early Saturday morning when he woke up up to go to a separate event we had planned to attend. I told him “change of plans,” to which he looked quite puzzled. He was frustrated in an incredibly adorable way and kept huffing and puffing and grunting for me to tell him where we were going. I told him to dress warm and that was it.</p> <p>Once we were in the car, I whipped out a crossword puzzle that I had created <a href="http://www.discoveryeducation.com/free-puzzlemaker/?CFID=10739224&CFTOKEN=21759399" target="_blank">for free</a> with clues to our mystery destination. <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03913" border="0" alt="DSC03913" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U5m407KI/AAAAAAAABhs/eGHlSvdOxKs/DSC03913_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></p> <p>A few of the clues were:</p> <ul> <li>These are good for your heart. The more you eat them, the more you fart. </li> <li>Nickname of Robert Van Winkle. </li> <li>We met Mike and Jilly here <em>(two river otters)</em> </li> <li>We go to this event to see the lighting of the Christmas tree </li> <li>John Wayne stars in this type of movie</li> </ul> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03916" border="0" alt="DSC03916" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U56Jtu_I/AAAAAAAABhw/xCEVg9Yw6yM/DSC03916_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></p> <p>Even though he successfully completed the crossword puzzle with my help on only one clue, he was still totally confused. I told him to think outside the box. I could see his wheels spinning and I wish I could have taken a picture of his puzzled look (I chose to be safe, keeping my eyes on the road and hands on the wheel).</p> <p>“A chili cook off?” he finally said.</p> <p>Yep! We were headed to Kalamazoo for their <a href="http://www.downtownkalamazoo.org/Visit/Events/2011-Big-Chil-Chilli-Cook---Winter-Adventure.aspx" target="_blank">chili cook-off</a>. We’ve been to this event once before, while we were dating. So when I saw my friend from <a href="http://www.discoverkalamazoo.com/" target="_blank">Discover Kalamazoo</a> earlier in the week, she reminded me that the cook-off was taking place this past weekend. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to attend, since we had such a blast the last time we went.</p> <p>We arrived in downtown Kalamazoo right as the two-hour tasting window started. With our spoons and score cards in hand, we made our way from location to location in single digit temperatures. There were three categories (Office, Retail and Restaurant) with 38 local shops showcasing chili.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U6GAAy9I/AAAAAAAABh0/832mljGAa3s/s1600-h/DSC03857%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03857" border="0" alt="DSC03857" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U6U2ELmI/AAAAAAAABh4/rxA3qVBp-ZU/DSC03857_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U6hJZR5I/AAAAAAAABh8/zFYiSYfFb5c/s1600-h/DSC03858%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03858" border="0" alt="DSC03858" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U6wCVNLI/AAAAAAAABiA/q5kN9pQdze8/DSC03858_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03868" border="0" alt="DSC03868" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U7ZJpUYI/AAAAAAAABiE/c7IaaP6SrnE/DSC03868_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="400" /></p> <p>Chili was served indoors, so we were only outside briefly as we shuffled around, enjoying the heated sidewalks of the Kalamazoo Mall, the first outdoor pedestrian shopping mall in the United States. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U7k-APSI/AAAAAAAABiI/PGw0sM_lk3o/s1600-h/DSC03870%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03870" border="0" alt="DSC03870" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U7w_rwjI/AAAAAAAABiM/yvP8LH6Snz0/DSC03870_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U8D2w31I/AAAAAAAABiQ/3zRv7NSRgG0/s1600-h/DSC03875%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03875" border="0" alt="DSC03875" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U8RWE63I/AAAAAAAABiU/kPcMhHWDxuE/DSC03875_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> <p>We managed to visit over 20 locations before tapping out, our bellies full of chili. We strategically planned our last stop at <a href="http://oldepenkazoo.com/" target="_blank">Olde Peninsula Brewpub and Restaurant</a> because, let’s face it, you can never be too full to taste some hand crafted beer. I ordered us an eight-glass sampler to share and we got to work filling out our voting cards. Did I mention that one of the voting boxes was conveniently located right outside Olde Peninsula? I could hug the genius that thought of that one.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U8rPO6wI/AAAAAAAABiY/3EoYOf_mIFc/s1600-h/DSC03885%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03885" border="0" alt="DSC03885" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U82kkBwI/AAAAAAAABic/nZcvISaZGR4/DSC03885_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U9eSpvSI/AAAAAAAABig/_7zkys2Ib0Q/s1600-h/DSC03891%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03891" border="0" alt="DSC03891" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U9t4gh8I/AAAAAAAABik/yBbjnFR3jD0/DSC03891_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U90pb90I/AAAAAAAABio/aJ4XExAZ3Y4/s1600-h/DSC03897%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03897" border="0" alt="DSC03897" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U-IdbAfI/AAAAAAAABis/xu51CFxw7Rc/DSC03897_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> <p>After the sampler and a pint of <a href="http://www.mlive.com/kalamabrew/index.ssf/2010/02/let_olde_peninsulas_stout_choc.html" target="_blank">Stout Chocula</a>, neither of us were fit to drive home.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U-dwL4tI/AAAAAAAABiw/sE54gyMHqAc/s1600-h/DSC03903%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03903" border="0" alt="DSC03903" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U_Gjem0I/AAAAAAAABi0/6J3tTxncsWA/DSC03903_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAXZ-rJ6wvDTw3nZC0T4VAhxpyZEZJlrJfjfBiF3w9kq8nQZmMAmjFKeyo31WZKj0Nm33TjgMVQhwNjXJYJ3go21cLIBvpT0ryJoKPvlPSug-TEAW7TCTx9N8a4YBYelvNrGC1Xw5dso/s1600-h/DSC03904%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03904" border="0" alt="DSC03904" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U_vlS-AI/AAAAAAAABi8/Ce5C9uXwZAs/DSC03904_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-U_9arD1I/AAAAAAAABjA/frNlXWCKO-o/s1600-h/DSC03905%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03905" border="0" alt="DSC03905" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-VAO7romI/AAAAAAAABjE/EFV7WNEiTrU/DSC03905_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-VAUlboII/AAAAAAAABjI/a71wjgPZjts/s1600-h/DSC03907%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03907" border="0" alt="DSC03907" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-VAn4cySI/AAAAAAAABjM/2jtgi-iO-6A/DSC03907_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> <p>Mr. Tote suggested napping in the back of the Jeep. I suggested the nearby Radisson Hotel. His puzzled look from that morning returned for an encore appearance! I could tell he thought I meant napping on the couches in the hotel lobby. Little did he know that I booked us a room for the night… and a romantic dinner at <a href="http://www.millenniumrestaurants.com/epicbistro.php" target="_blank">Epic Bistro</a>. I had spent the past few days sneaking around our house packing his clothes, deodorant, toothbrush, etc. And I had recruited his mom, who stopped by our house to pick Ozzy up for the night.</p> <p>So after a nice afternoon nap, we bundled up and walked the block and a half to dinner, admiring the ice sculptures that were created earlier in the day. Obvs, our ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ were brief. Remember… SINGLE DIGIT TEMPS, PEOPLE!<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03910" border="0" alt="DSC03910" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-VAy-4tRI/AAAAAAAABjQ/2Vyn1Pr2vPI/DSC03910_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-VBHFe0ZI/AAAAAAAABjU/LE3rM3eriRY/s1600-h/DSC03880%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03880" border="0" alt="DSC03880" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-VBSF3IoI/AAAAAAAABjY/oD0d5ogQF7Q/DSC03880_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="400" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-VBpancwI/AAAAAAAABjc/qoVRqX7CbYQ/s1600-h/DSC03882%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03882" border="0" alt="DSC03882" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-VBy8_heI/AAAAAAAABjg/ae_8rLVPl6o/DSC03882_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-VCKNqbKI/AAAAAAAABjk/LfsI3FFm1OE/s1600-h/DSC03911%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03911" border="0" alt="DSC03911" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TT-VCQtNpOI/AAAAAAAABjo/j4qmRP7XuwQ/DSC03911_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> <p>For dinner I had Wood Grilled Duck Breast (yum-O!) and Mr. Tote had a ribeye topped with gorgonzola. We spent the rest of the evening enjoying each other’s company, watching our dear Spartans lose yet another basketball game and pondering how on earth I managed to pull such a fast one on him.</p> <p>Needless to say, I can’t wait to surprise him like this again!</p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-77556549003659442852010-12-15T09:36:00.001-08:002010-12-15T09:36:14.527-08:00Seed Bead and Pin Ornaments<p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03512" border="0" alt="DSC03512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQWKPHdYZASm93JkyR7t_gqOKCEAFTLeHLk2ByRrC3PlMHAoUlxAS4qJgbquBGj0dW_jMqygj0FP92fNpPOIIABZbR-3lw8K4j8HszwxpLQFpHMNH32rVLXXVVaJNjgCbFOyZCJJ7Il8/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" />My parents have some of these beauties on their tree that I believe were made by my great grandma. She used the satin covered balls and didn’t have to worry about covering the entire ornament since the satin looks nice, but I only had styrofoam balls handy, so I had to make do. I painted my first ornament before getting started in case any of the styrofoam showed through, but quickly realized that wouldn’t be a problem so I didn’t bother painting any of the others.</p> <p>I used <a href="http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95179616.tip.html" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> from Thrifty Fun to get started.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3qjMFIm3feG6mJS6tP7hK4-79AWYyjNelkgbm4Kz7sBdb1za2Fy-tEUTRmuor6wlnCwWX648EkE40t9tKWP_HIp5vAFMdoupj8qxRtwirNLCAgd4CyKZzhJuodIGGp5bOv0Z0FLrKKQ/s1600-h/DSC03511%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03511" border="0" alt="DSC03511" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TQj8iguzaHI/AAAAAAAABhY/bzViQ0PDVTI/DSC03511_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>These are pretty time consuming, but they go great with a glass of red wine and some Desperate Housewives on the DVR. Plus, they look AMAZING on the tree.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TQj8jEZ_fGI/AAAAAAAABhc/zTnbaC72tf0/s1600-h/DSC03516%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03516" border="0" alt="DSC03516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYInQ75LJThrUwcBrNdikUSYXLIKe-yXpOlxUlc2a8cHeIjmQ6ne6LOXAGqqkiK1WxjR71ugP7PICqHNTumUhvzPCp0Q6F7xEDSXg1rL_dJ_2BTds1fV8f6Twqr7JoEECsiCuZEP2AtRc/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-89669963870822875722010-12-13T09:55:00.001-08:002010-12-13T09:55:32.961-08:00Birch Bark Luminary<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TQZeEqIA-CI/AAAAAAAABhI/2ljrG9rlvwE/s1600-h/DSC03500-1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03500-1" border="0" alt="DSC03500-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TQZeFP8YQCI/AAAAAAAABhM/hqtgrl7QMxY/DSC03500-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>I’ve had this <a href="http://www.projectprettyblog.com/2009/10/diy-birch-bark-luminaries.html" target="_blank">fun craft from Project Pretty</a> bookmarked for over a year now. I struggled for quite some time with where to get the birch bark. I had my eye on the neighbor’s birch tree, but she vented to me about the kids ripping the bark off her tree, so I figured that probably wasn’t the best idea.</p> <p>This past spring, we went Morel mushroom hunting up in Lewiston. We were about a week too late to do any good hunting, but I did snag up some birch bark while traipsing through the woods.</p> <p>I used a leftover vase from a friend’s rehearsal dinner this summer. I ended up having to use some Mod Podge to get the bark to stick, as the spray adhesive just wasn’t strong enough in spots.</p> <p>The soft glow of this luminary is perfect for the holiday season!</p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-18205620224864560772010-12-02T13:43:00.001-08:002010-12-03T06:13:05.065-08:00Love-ly Christmas Countdown<img alt="DSC03394" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TPgTErxzWZI/AAAAAAAABgY/DGove92OrIs/DSC03394_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03394" width="267" />I wanted to do something special for Mr. Tote for Christmas this year. When I saw this <a href="http://thedahlingdatingdivas.blogspot.com/2010/11/spouse-christmas-countdown.html" target="_blank">Spouse Christmas Countdown</a> on <a href="http://thedahlingdatingdivas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dating Divas</a>, I knew it would be perfect! What I didn’t anticipate is how long it would take me to actually construct a countdown telling him all of the things I loved about him. Coming up with the reasons was the easy part. Assembly was a different story.<img alt="DSC03389" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TPgTE8oaM3I/AAAAAAAABgg/E5Hs7vBxU_s/DSC03389_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03389" width="400" />I texted him to say I was working on something special and for him to call me half an hour before he was due home from work. When he called, I was right in the middle of making it!<img alt="DSC03395" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TPgTFIdpnpI/AAAAAAAABgk/X8r-rUKc0ao/DSC03395_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03395" width="400" />So I told him to find something to do for an hour and then to call me. An hour later he called… the kitchen table was littered with scraps of paper, the Cricut machine, glue and scissors. “Give me 45 more minutes,” I said. He called again, 45 minutes later.<img alt="DSC03396" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TPgTFn41xKI/AAAAAAAABgo/OIGYr-HhOy4/DSC03396_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03396" width="400" />Blast! Still not done. So I told him to come home but to wait in the garage. So he bought some eggnog and spiced rum and sat in the car in the garage for a good half an hour before I was finally ready to reveal my surprise.<img alt="DSC03397" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TPgTGKJLpTI/AAAAAAAABgs/m2707xtvzu8/DSC03397_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03397" width="400" />I love the way this turned out and I think he does, too. Each day, he gets to turn over the appropriate number and find a special note from me, describing one of countless reasons I love him.<img alt="DSC03399" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TPgTGdi6XvI/AAAAAAAABgw/CBglexKbOBc/DSC03399_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03399" width="400" />I love the Christmas season! This is going to be so much fun!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TPgTGr6unYI/AAAAAAAABg0/KdLK0Jb2AwM/s1600-h/DSC03408%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03408" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TPgTG5zb4kI/AAAAAAAABg4/9vMk4TJAmvI/DSC03408_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03408" width="400" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TPgTHVAv2QI/AAAAAAAABg8/lh0ghYgwlm0/s1600-h/DSC03404%5B10%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03404" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TPgTHvhqocI/AAAAAAAABhA/5hvZm2mY6bI/DSC03404_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03404" width="267" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>*edit: The font I used was <a href="http://kevinandamanda.com/fonts/fontsforpeas/pea-krystyne/">Pea Krystyne</a> from <a href="http://kevinandamanda.com/">kevinandamanda.com</a>*</strong></div><br />
I am linking to the following party:<br />
<a href="http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6lUighotLmM451b5zsZZIisl43lF9vHDM6ZtpwnjXiWf4IH-NQRDCO5HRwnzQeqBP6KcBNHQdyvN8RN0exzsR9Kg_PD6TCh8jCU5xlvealNdrHt17ZruLhafL17C4fyrhW4RcYyW4_w/s230/holidaybutton.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-33937845126845218522010-11-23T07:55:00.001-08:002010-11-23T08:00:03.930-08:00Taggies Cuddle Blanket TutorialIt’s no secret that babies love to play with the tags on blankets and stuffed toys. Something about the texture of the tag that is silky and soft… I hear it’s a comfort thing. These blankets are soft and have ribbons sewn into the perimeter.<br />
<br />
When purchasing a name brand blanket, these security blankets can cost upwards of $25. Yikes! You can easily replicate this playful, cuddly number for around $10 and give a young child a comforting, much loved security blanket.<br />
<br />
<u>Items needed</u><br />
1/2 yard soft fabric (fleece, flannel, etc) <br />
Variety of ribbons in different widths, colors and textures (grosgrain, satin, etc) <br />
Scissors <br />
Measuring tape <br />
Sewing machine or needle with thread<br />
<br />
1. Fold your fabric into a triangle to make a square (approximately 18”) and cut. I chose to use different fabric for the front and the back but you can easily use the same fabric. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvjthuQkMI/AAAAAAAABfM/XfWzEfO1_co/s1600-h/DSC03062%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03062" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvjuDg2mqI/AAAAAAAABfQ/hAZAceqY5f4/DSC03062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03062" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvjutG9R0I/AAAAAAAABfU/6g_ptrVNZc0/s1600-h/DSC03063%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03063" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvjvASmkGI/AAAAAAAABfY/h5twnVQHeCA/DSC03063_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03063" width="400" /></a> 2. Lay your fabrics together. If there is and “inside” to the fabric, make sure these oppose each other (i.e. have the right-side-out of the fabric face the inside).<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvjve2KDzI/AAAAAAAABfc/J7gCMmlMR3s/s1600-h/DSC03064%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03064" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvjx61Q2PI/AAAAAAAABfg/CkAVDfTsSSI/DSC03064_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03064" width="400" /></a>3. Keep foster kittens from messing with your ribbon (if applicable).<img alt="DSC03074" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvjybK8ZJI/AAAAAAAABfk/dpDNYIUIbC8/DSC03074_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03074" width="400" />4. Pin your fabric together. <img alt="DSC03067" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvjzdg0mtI/AAAAAAAABfo/8gw72dm1BUA/DSC03067_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03067" width="400" />5. Lay your ribbon out around your blanket (not necessary, but it helps when visualizing the finished product.<img alt="DSC03066" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvj03YU6MI/AAAAAAAABfs/y009SWVFdmk/DSC03066_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03066" width="400" /> 6. Cut 16-20 pieces of ribbon, 5-6” long each.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIhkRgwT1jSFU5eLbeyV-LFFWpZbxqC3mugyJLdSIITg8l3dbpCnRZUcin4M4XUXc_OYX7_90Z2zyQD1OHEpGf0tUASFEs4aHhabP_x2oTOsSwce-sc_uVKi22__DclXl4Q_oNRtMUs8/s1600-h/DSC03076%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03076" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvj2b0-kZI/AAAAAAAABf0/OeztNOBA4DY/DSC03076_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03076" width="400" /></a> 7. Lay your ribbon around the blanket (again, for visualization purposes).<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvj3GS6gSI/AAAAAAAABf4/Zt80YwFyAg8/s1600-h/DSC03078%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03078" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvj4Be43mI/AAAAAAAABf8/lHQKZ5lDj9s/DSC03078_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03078" width="400" /></a>8. Fold your ribbon in half right-side-out, and pin between the two layers of fabric with the cut ends facing out and lining up with the perimeter of the fabric.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvj4arJp3I/AAAAAAAABgA/cUeOA4Lv2KU/s1600-h/DSC03080%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03080" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvj5NK53WI/AAAAAAAABgE/pfXeF-1SA74/DSC03080_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03080" width="400" /></a><img alt="DSC03079" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvj5nlxaXI/AAAAAAAABgI/D8lU1KdRels/DSC03079_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03079" width="400" /> 9. Once you have all the ribbons secured, sew a 1/2” seam allowance around the perimeter of the blanket, leaving a 3” hole to turn the blanket inside out.<br />
<br />
10. Turn the blanket inside out, tuck in the edges of the hole and hand stitch the opening closed.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvj6od7kGI/AAAAAAAABgM/GCsTsgEa6c4/s1600-h/DSC03081%5B2%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03081" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvj8D1VmOI/AAAAAAAABgQ/Zbn79RfB2-4/DSC03081_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03081" width="400" /></a><img alt="DSC03082" border="0" height="268" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TOvj8U9DLLI/AAAAAAAABgU/LoRGZcmRoC0/DSC03082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC03082" width="400" />Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-54575906908239444112010-11-07T17:03:00.001-08:002010-11-07T17:03:46.287-08:00Easy Costume for all the Preggos Out There<p>It may be too late to craft something like this for this year, but keep this one in mind for next year! My sister-in-law is pregnant with our second nephew. When I heard that she and her husband were coming to a Halloween party with us this past weekend and didn’t know what to wear, I jumped into action (naturally).</p> <p>In my research for the coolest pregnant women costumes, I came across <a href="http://www.coolest-homemade-costumes.com/coolest-homemade-babys-first-halloween-costume-20.html" target="_blank">this</a>. Slightly morbid, yet too creative to pass up.</p> <p>So I went to work on it. Our local Volunteers of America store was having a half-off everything sale and how could I possibly resist!?!</p> <p>Blue T-shirt: $1.00</p> <p>Beat up baby doll: $0.30</p> <p>I had her try on the shirt and I marked it to tell where the arms and legs should go.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMWh2cTII/AAAAAAAABeU/S4WKvQENSDw/s1600-h/t-shirt%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="t-shirt" border="0" alt="t-shirt" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMW5qsRMI/AAAAAAAABeY/jMqqEqTIcws/t-shirt_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="268" /></a> I cut small slits so I could poke the appendages through the shirt. After dismantling the poor baby doll, I stitched each body part to the shirt using the fabric that held the baby doll’s arms and legs to the torso.</p> <p>And not wanting to be too morbid, I added a small ‘trick or treat’ bag to the baby’s hand.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMXEsqttI/AAAAAAAABec/dieXW2Clqu4/s1600-h/DSC03153%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03153" border="0" alt="DSC03153" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMXU6Bq_I/AAAAAAAABeg/YnCJaAQEsyg/DSC03153_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMYSUssnI/AAAAAAAABek/o6nFmH07X70/s1600-h/DSC03152%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03152" border="0" alt="DSC03152" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMYsMy13I/AAAAAAAABeo/YDHgIz2CqQs/DSC03152_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> Mr. Tote and I in 50 years…<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBRJ-7qQgxMBLSwfvdyeni9C99CRoOnzg0vcuf1EEvJRC2aTXqOSQwyDx4VJFEAt2kg7PIH6YxMO4xl-sfAOZKwm9hF0M3MfQa0peWOZmRfZDMDIXHH0722FymHLuoxy0w9ikh9bG6u0/s1600-h/DSC03144%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03144" border="0" alt="DSC03144" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMZdBCv9I/AAAAAAAABew/8m39qvkura0/DSC03144_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a>We won for ‘funniest costume’ at the party we went to. I pinned our badge of honor to Mr. Tote’s rockin’ suspenders.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMZ4ULxEI/AAAAAAAABe0/B_KZBsO6ric/s1600-h/DSC03168%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03168" border="0" alt="DSC03168" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMaJ8nK9I/AAAAAAAABe4/SGHU-wU2JnM/DSC03168_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> The old man likes his keg beer.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMaiRlg-I/AAAAAAAABe8/-zvpykPx-CM/s1600-h/DSC03169%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03169" border="0" alt="DSC03169" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMawC-3gI/AAAAAAAABfA/04WUV-X9o8I/DSC03169_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMbQ1WA6I/AAAAAAAABfE/ctk_CopTZHk/s1600-h/DSC03167%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC03167" border="0" alt="DSC03167" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TNdMcM-jsgI/AAAAAAAABfI/A8D1prJ2jwc/DSC03167_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a></p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-60584124000026865362010-10-30T13:49:00.001-07:002010-10-30T13:49:51.270-07:00Meringue Ghosts<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TMyE2De7crI/AAAAAAAABdQ/ytRLsRSiodQ/s1600-h/DSC03139%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03139" border="0" alt="DSC03139" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TMyE2bX6bQI/AAAAAAAABdU/MSAf4-sgxq0/DSC03139_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <br />I’ve been sitting on <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/week/weeklydetails.php?isid=1585" target="_blank">this recipe</a> for about a two years. It came across in one of my <a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/" target="_blank">Hungry Girl</a> emails quite some time ago and I finally decided to make these cuties while digging through my cookbook for my <a href="http://toteslife.blogspot.com/2009/11/taco-soup.html" target="_blank">taco soup</a> recipe. Just in time for Halloween tomorrow!</p> <p>Meringues are a tricky dessert to make… as evidenced by Attempt #1, which was a complete failure. See, one of my yolks broke in the bowl and I managed to remove about 98% of the yolk, but that pesky 2% killed my meringue. Having never made them before, I had a hunch that they wouldn’t turn out, but I baked them anyway. Two hours later, I admitted defeat and started over.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6x38oIi8iggdtrKJbu3uZ3cOquK8rKSyxuAlAFBArxT6GjOu5GcHGyq1uJknuhJoRtqMEJbZoLrkyw2fcZn2Jyx27wy95FxFTwa1hURhZjbZ0AyrurGbR31z58niEPJL7THxNIIKRjJk/s1600-h/DSC03137%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03137" border="0" alt="DSC03137" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TMyE3CdhZuI/AAAAAAAABdc/NUsiwY5A_Fk/DSC03137_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <font size="1"><em>Attempt #1 – don’t they look like sad little ghosts?</em></font></p> <p>This time, I separated the eggs in a different bowl than the one I was using to whip the ingredients together. This allowed me to crack one egg at a time before adding it to my large bowl. I didn’t end up breaking any of the yolks, but I’m glad I took the extra precaution instead of wasting another batch.</p> <p><em>(adapted from HG’s Ghost-with-the-Most Meringues)</em> <br />3 large egg whites <br />1/3 C granulated white sugar <br />1/3 granulated Splenda <br />1/2 tsp vanilla <br />1/4 tsp cream of tartar <br />mini Reeses pieces</p> <p>Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line 2-3 large baking pans with parchment paper.</p> <p>In a large glass or stainless steel bowl, combine egg whites and cream of tartar. Using an electric mixer set at high speed, beat until fluffy and slightly stiff, about 3 minutes. Continue mixing with your electric mixer, and gradually add the sugar and Splenda until completely combined. Add the vanilla and continue mixing until blended.</p> <p>If your mixture doesn’t look like this…</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TMyE4UEMrZI/AAAAAAAABdg/l7hgNJwk-G8/s1600-h/DSC03138%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03138" border="0" alt="DSC03138" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TMyE4q7rLNI/AAAAAAAABdk/GD4Hl4PvXV0/DSC03138_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <br /> …start over.</p> <p>Using a spatula, transfer all the meringue mixture to a large plastic bag. Squeeze mixture down toward one bottom corner of the bag. Snip that corner off with scissors to create a simple piping bag.</p> <p>Pipe mixture onto the parchment paper in ghost-like shapes about 3 inches long. Use the tip of your piping bag to smooth mixture and make sure the ghost shapes are filled in solidly.</p> <p>Place 2 mini Reeses pieces on each ghost for eyes. </p> <p>Bake in the oven for 70 minutes. Turn oven off and allow meringues to set in the oven for 1 hour.</p> <p><em>WW Points per serving (2 meringues): 1 point</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TMyE5AY2PgI/AAAAAAAABdo/V6G9I9bP_hc/s1600-h/DSC03140%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03140" border="0" alt="DSC03140" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TMyE5QbupWI/AAAAAAAABds/9MCJlmRXpWE/DSC03140_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <br />Who’s the cutest little dinosaur I ever did see??? Well, that would be my adorable nephew Calvin, who will be 2 years old in December.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4reK-1JO1GJMuXebJBp34cs9cOk5dwxR5OJnCPNKb63Qr_8C2b3lzh-17iQ7U6_F_GsUujOM9OlLT-A3Xon7iLNQg58zeCutiNJh3RbxZLH_gzLeDAk0g7lpQx-8-CTRYXW0ZHiRlCs/s1600-h/DSC03136%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03136" border="0" alt="DSC03136" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TMyE6OSvMKI/AAAAAAAABd0/ELHkeEUH4zY/DSC03136_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TMyE6bY5lXI/AAAAAAAABd4/Wc1Z1XP54Wo/s1600-h/DSC03110%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03110" border="0" alt="DSC03110" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TMyE6kInsXI/AAAAAAAABd8/VElom0z54-8/DSC03110_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAMJoB77_NyxaXNs66PPA4F-Zoeh78QGnTHHRieDhhNZH_3GeRyGD5MobJuvJcEbY3HWMKnSdqCVYHKKGKBaBCHR6WRLr8cv-gjz6AqWV4zqUXKjRW2gDEONQ2HzyV6AGzcNTN6olo44/s1600-h/DSC03112%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03112" border="0" alt="DSC03112" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TMyE7ePnKUI/AAAAAAAABeE/kW0ILP41GeM/DSC03112_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <br /><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03108" border="0" alt="DSC03108" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TMyE7rJQVzI/AAAAAAAABeI/uMeZPNUIVVE/DSC03108_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-41407334688429876632010-10-15T14:43:00.001-07:002010-10-15T14:43:06.338-07:00Chocolate White Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Cookies<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TLjK5dK9KmI/AAAAAAAABdA/P3DDnIMtPbw/s1600-h/DSC03055%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03055" border="0" alt="DSC03055" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1brSs4hkErT16tewbpT5lMeN0S2J6MQ6INnaUiyWYtGzxM-wR2YisB-Jn3yW4tWOXrndXkwgGGWidUD7zd6h25LkfynCyV_0xQsy7NZhBMSjEfpwmfHelO1ri0MpwL49WD2l_N-g6-4/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>Eureka!!! I think I may have found my new go-to cookie. Mr. Tote and I seriously CANNOT stop eating these. I love to make cookies, but I usually one eat one or two and give the rest away to family and friends. Not these babies!! I’m kicking myself for giving half of them away before tasting one.</p> <p>I found a basic white chocolate chip cookie recipe on <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/White-Chip-Chocolate-Cookies/Detail.aspx" target="_blank">allrecipes.com</a> and modified it based on user comments, along with adding hazelnuts.</p> <p>I was surprised that they didn’t settle into flatter cookies, like most other recipes. However, I think that’s what makes them extra yummy! The outsides are slightly hard and the insides are super moist and chewy.</p> <p>I am seriously going to be making these again and again and again.</p> <p>1 C butter, softened <br />2/3 C white sugar <br />2/3 C brown sugar <br />2 eggs <br />2 tsp vanilla extract <br />2 1/4 C all-purpose flour <br />3/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder <br />1 tsp baking soda <br />1/2 tsp salt <br />1 1/2 C white chocolate chips <br />1 C chopped hazelnuts (sometimes called Filberts at the store) <br />Cooking spray </p> <p>Preheat oven to 350 degrees </p> <p>In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until smooth. </p> <p>Beat in the eggs, then stir in the vanilla. </p> <p>Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Stir into the creamed mixture. </p> <p>Fold in the white chocolate chips and chopped hazelnuts. Using a tablespoon measurement, form the dough into balls and place onto greased cookie sheets. </p> <p>Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are set. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 40 cookies.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TLjK6Dbr1SI/AAAAAAAABdI/oDqYkh3U_hw/s1600-h/DSC03061%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC03061" border="0" alt="DSC03061" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TLjK6T9AhHI/AAAAAAAABdM/rvbFBA5hE1o/DSC03061_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-38667272066385686212010-10-02T19:55:00.001-07:002010-10-02T19:55:42.892-07:00Chihuly<p align="left">OK, I promise I will get back to posting more regularly. My job situation has recently changed and I suddenly find myself with ample amounts of free time. I HAVE LOTS TO SHARE WITH ALL OF YOU!</p> <p align="left">First… this past weekend, Mr. Tote, my mom and my aunt set out for Grand Rapids to take advantage of two world-renowned events/exhibits – ArtPrize and Chihuly. More on ArtPrize later.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://www.chihuly.com">Dale Chihuly</a> is a world-renowned glass artist. And his work is currently being featured at <a href="http://meijergardens.org/">Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park</a>. We spent about three and a half hours there, exploring Chihuly’s pieces. Truly amazing. Below are some pictures I took.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfvUuNKvQI/AAAAAAAABXg/65zJpCsKCgs/s1600-h/DSC02515%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02515" border="0" alt="DSC02515" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfvUxkUM2I/AAAAAAAABXk/Z9kLHd2SBrg/DSC02515_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfvVHNLA1I/AAAAAAAABXo/XdHmDEqaIYI/s1600-h/DSC02530%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02530" border="0" alt="DSC02530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjm7vbcdP1d1VyeyUgiqkFgu4XS2RNgs4knpMnF2WUtjUlu1wOYvSCWH_UL4XbwWfD4TCN27HrQFX_r3hwCxschcDqNbW_TG_oJtGBbcOgmJ2oK-_fKrBrG3dQWDdquCSC09AwjqOkQU/?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <em>Citron Green and Red Tower</em> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfvVlevPrI/AAAAAAAABXw/NZrpZYReKnc/s1600-h/DSC02535%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02535" border="0" alt="DSC02535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgut2VJ546UZkjRq5O_oRIoEng7xQth5iHzUdsDAVIvD9mpUU_F-f3u6X3CkHXsxhp578OxYX2vUY3REQdKnT-0uQYYgIHYNRYAZMTaHE4gawHiJRUjOcdd8oaJC1e4EHqaIwF4vgF6M/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7IS7f1iEiY5crMBcNIypKlsQ8JbmslO7j7oT0HlkVROXqPmGMPTfIE1IcKVPQo99u2iPbJISs6Ia5YkRzFBEyQtkgBk_1rfA7ZaOOJwiOU0J9fam3m0ltTn4gVIno1o1vqjGudjvMW4/s1600-h/DSC02537%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02537" border="0" alt="DSC02537" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfvWhi6dyI/AAAAAAAABX8/3d8TOHDZiKk/DSC02537_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <em>Polyvitro Chandelier</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7sjkT_ofTwAUqGYAV2ExAwdFQgsxJrf7YfMx7_Iw9O0lRWqtTAuzJGByDOpgIrHHfY7fUXMVgb9O7_fiEjzC5PJCmF8fFdq3EowHRYPfTQe6QshjiuM2DquQhwKJTArbx4hXKUGDxxw/s1600-h/DSC02540%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02540" border="0" alt="DSC02540" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfvXGISebI/AAAAAAAABYE/3JCStp7ZLLU/DSC02540_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <em>Polyvitro Chandelier</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfvXkXIwrI/AAAAAAAABYM/tCPEBWl2nGU/s1600-h/DSC02544%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02544" border="0" alt="DSC02544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvXj38FduIynf_1aTBqmmK99NOm3Yozq9oSBv1XCmgh3q2H2m1YpTf39tbLsp7dbrPWjYQGMAfQgAfNJo_M46YBUvOx2m4YekMs7IHm-MsjapyM_qnEvDw3NafXgHl8-p9fqwj0602XE/?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a><em>Polyvitro Chandelier</em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfvYI2lj4I/AAAAAAAABYU/Nre9nu2gja0/s1600-h/DSC02546%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02546" border="0" alt="DSC02546" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfvYUNApeI/AAAAAAAABYY/k0DfmMGsP5I/DSC02546_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfvYkcLP2I/AAAAAAAABYc/shLSCeMpQi4/s1600-h/DSC02549%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02549" border="0" alt="DSC02549" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwXwbs-FI/AAAAAAAABYg/cVdiQQQoznE/DSC02549_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwYJ80oWI/AAAAAAAABYk/8ap2W25SSLw/s1600-h/DSC02553%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02553" border="0" alt="DSC02553" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwYf5IgnI/AAAAAAAABYo/m6IU_aOnmvk/DSC02553_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> Mr. Tote took this one. He likes to call it “Fallen Lady Hurt Shoulder In Motion.” The woman who was stamping hands for guests to enter the gardens fell off her chair and complained of shoulder pain (uhh, hello!!?!? Heart attack?!!?) While the staff were attending to her, my mom and aunt quickly stepped in to stamp hands. Note my mom in the purple shirt in the doorway and my aunt in the black hoodie next to her.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwY8Hq9NI/AAAAAAAABYs/NHwv8VhkUE8/s1600-h/DSC02561%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02561" border="0" alt="DSC02561" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwZEopsWI/AAAAAAAABYw/Vh8VrIk2UYk/DSC02561_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> Standing in the middle of the Great Lakes exhibit.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwZReqAEI/AAAAAAAABY0/H49oBKX02A0/s1600-h/DSC02564%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02564" border="0" alt="DSC02564" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwZjgRXUI/AAAAAAAABY4/NRNHEQoD76k/DSC02564_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>Mother and daughter (awwww!!)</p> <p align="left"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02569" border="0" alt="DSC02569" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwZzySyiI/AAAAAAAABY8/-fKEy1EgNY4/DSC02569_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" />Standing underneath the 24 ft tall <a href="http://www.sculpturesitesgr.org/sculpture_detail.php?artwork_id=5&location=3" target="_blank">American Horse</a></p> <p align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02565" border="0" alt="DSC02565" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwaMySWqI/AAAAAAAABZA/8yKrWnHCV2Q/DSC02565_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /> <em>Red Reeds</em></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwapnxbpI/AAAAAAAABZE/98PFx-TPvVg/s1600-h/DSC02568%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02568" border="0" alt="DSC02568" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwa3RoREI/AAAAAAAABZI/vq9xrdBm_aU/DSC02568_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>Sisters (awwww!!!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88r0JD9l8eVKp6iEe9QiuU-4772nm0LTkoNHpiPAhlTYaGzLZ0PcgphHTwfhijNmv0f836ILqi0mIg6e8WlR8w-2zrmGylGyNpOVahOWAAHnzaix58GQlzgldOX8dyMh2udkZ5Ro4bHw/s1600-h/DSC02574%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02574" border="0" alt="DSC02574" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwbcLff0I/AAAAAAAABZQ/WkdAk4Cs2oo/DSC02574_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <em>Summer Sun <br /></a></em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwbnbrjYI/AAAAAAAABZU/MnredpJyof4/s1600-h/DSC02570%5B2%5D.jpg"> <br /><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02570" border="0" alt="DSC02570" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwbyGk5_I/AAAAAAAABZY/PRfMb-c1DeM/DSC02570_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><em>Summer Sun <br /></a></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaWMyw57CW5sseju7EP7-ez_Ja85xzUhwZ7XWGaCDT4cVh-cOHGMltHb2kexalLUiPCU5xIjbg6BMVeDspak2qwfrgB1l2dwBtX_Ai1hih9dVfOzjyCD6r9IYR0CuqB4vqqFvgOtYCYw/s1600-h/DSC02571%5B3%5D.jpg"> <br /><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02571" border="0" alt="DSC02571" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwclTtOTI/AAAAAAAABZg/Mzt2ZKkZndk/DSC02571_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a><em>Summer Sun <br /></a></em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwc6fGVpI/AAAAAAAABZk/6tgIkhZt_Pg/s1600-h/DSC02572%5B3%5D.jpg"> <br /><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02572" border="0" alt="DSC02572" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwdO0OljI/AAAAAAAABZo/dL_5bkhG630/DSC02572_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a><em>Summer Sun</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4rvM9D1fM_36kItbTEz-ADknru9b-Tak6U7MzexipBlWrlULG2EMLGB2_dbF1dmx_wFgpqjZcDInxhmpIShSlGSbiQ8kGpZXCYnP7rmYANke7-no1EKKfXIzs-2lX3MKPfTszx2fTxA/s1600-h/DSC02577%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02577" border="0" alt="DSC02577" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYr31-8IsgdRrhMWJxaCOVyAy0mIbRObgK42iKMr93cPI1fCmfNfE-MfjJb9H_8nT78kiVm-no_Wugpkvolg_FqK4khkdt5idHzPJV3BmoTdTH0BR2LwQb3yQw0ziHe-0Ml9lCyxhOAw/?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a><em>Blue Moon</em> <br /> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwd93cTBI/AAAAAAAABZ0/xXFcwoji4Ao/s1600-h/DSC02578%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02578" border="0" alt="DSC02578" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfweA4Tj3I/AAAAAAAABZ4/1IKijXBY-8s/DSC02578_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><em>Blue Moon</em></p> <p align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02584" border="0" alt="DSC02584" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfweVc9g7I/AAAAAAAABZ8/-sNnrUqggIM/DSC02584_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /> <em>Yellow Boat</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfweldd57I/AAAAAAAABaA/BpPtKxUilOU/s1600-h/DSC02581%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02581" border="0" alt="DSC02581" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwe1X8R9I/AAAAAAAABaE/Sv3755Tg3ws/DSC02581_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <em>Walla Walla</em></p> <p align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02582" border="0" alt="DSC02582" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwfGuxo8I/AAAAAAAABaI/piAOElbDhCw/DSC02582_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /> <em>Walla Wallas</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwfWQhMHI/AAAAAAAABaM/I8GzkjUvnBs/s1600-h/DSC02583%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02583" border="0" alt="DSC02583" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwfo4zbwI/AAAAAAAABaQ/0LDHDUXdBW8/DSC02583_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><em> Walla Wallas</em></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwf6MIZVI/AAAAAAAABaU/tpNx-FgQzXc/s1600-h/DSC02592%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02592" border="0" alt="DSC02592" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwgKVXWII/AAAAAAAABaY/iruIaDP69jk/DSC02592_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><em>Niijima Floats</em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwgW2vkkI/AAAAAAAABac/zTHNL6P2pN0/s1600-h/DSC02585%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02585" border="0" alt="DSC02585" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwgyTVJRI/AAAAAAAABag/UZNRf1wwLQ0/DSC02585_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><em>Niijima Floats</em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwhJEiUnI/AAAAAAAABak/bS9ZvPIh3g8/s1600-h/DSC02586%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02586" border="0" alt="DSC02586" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwhQnBQ0I/AAAAAAAABao/J79GAa4BLtM/DSC02586_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <em>Niijima Floats</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwhokosEI/AAAAAAAABas/YBYCzcVjbWs/s1600-h/DSC02587%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02587" border="0" alt="DSC02587" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwhzsSKaI/AAAAAAAABaw/f4ehdiCcK6Y/DSC02587_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a><em>Niijima Floats</em>  (and Mr. Tote)</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwiIwUb9I/AAAAAAAABa0/zaHw8X5bAkM/s1600-h/DSC02602%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02602" border="0" alt="DSC02602" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwiY-AM8I/AAAAAAAABa4/mWmD-tkwTmQ/DSC02602_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <em>Lime Crystal Tower</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02597" border="0" alt="DSC02597" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwilvLEwI/AAAAAAAABa8/R_TvyPp8oEc/DSC02597_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /><em>Saffron Tower</em></p> <p align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02601" border="0" alt="DSC02601" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwiwCTTlI/AAAAAAAABbA/s0dr3cUg0wY/DSC02601_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /><em>Saffron Tower</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwjP8IfTI/AAAAAAAABbE/mPe2YtpPrJ0/s1600-h/DSC02604%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02604" border="0" alt="DSC02604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydEBgFWgCs8F1bgl4iEU7rm3BMkO0b6VBC2Y7R9szMCdw6k9OtwfuwdCt4DSfYh4hJNeBwQkR2e7eoW-bJHJgBLl1jj5osrQAT5GAhTkBNEDpUA7qAtuQHL_chPhDiz_wvK8FCPpGZAI/?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a><em>Cobalt and Turquoise Reeds</em> <br /> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwjy_eESI/AAAAAAAABbM/_NNrvJu8AFs/s1600-h/DSC02605%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02605" border="0" alt="DSC02605" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwkB868cI/AAAAAAAABbQ/fAwaLyio4dQ/DSC02605_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><em> Neodymium Reeds and Herons</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwkXyObLI/AAAAAAAABbU/Z88eKoh6ok8/s1600-h/DSC02608%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02608" border="0" alt="DSC02608" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwkgeu3AI/AAAAAAAABbY/L63pSPwmJwQ/DSC02608_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <em>Neodymium Reeds and Herons</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwk1UmXWI/AAAAAAAABbc/VpLr0aq42KQ/s1600-h/DSC02609%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02609" border="0" alt="DSC02609" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwlHdAj3I/AAAAAAAABbg/FbUmchNyHBE/DSC02609_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a><em> Neodymium Reeds and Herons</em></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwlUemDYI/AAAAAAAABbk/OEohFA1dvkk/s1600-h/DSC02613%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02613" border="0" alt="DSC02613" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwluPrx-I/AAAAAAAABbo/tnaBMmSTtcM/DSC02613_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>Always the jokester, that Mr. Tote is… </p> <p align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02610" border="0" alt="DSC02610" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwlyXbE_I/AAAAAAAABbs/Ui7P_mUT2s4/DSC02610_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /><em>White Belugas</em></p> <p align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02611" border="0" alt="DSC02611" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwmJz_2sI/AAAAAAAABbw/G4blbhas1e4/DSC02611_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" />  <em>White Belugas</em></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwmmgBWcI/AAAAAAAABb0/JBS0p2xm6iE/s1600-h/DSC02627%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02627" border="0" alt="DSC02627" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwmma3P3I/AAAAAAAABb4/WRXnHVyblW0/DSC02627_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><em>Blue Polyvitro Crystals</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwm_zGJJI/AAAAAAAABb8/QuhhC64kKmM/s1600-h/DSC02621%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02621" border="0" alt="DSC02621" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwnSRFaAI/AAAAAAAABcA/9_tV9qR2hsw/DSC02621_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><em>Blue Polyvitro Crystals</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwnr7r8dI/AAAAAAAABcE/7MVvqdPJ6R0/s1600-h/DSC02623%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02623" border="0" alt="DSC02623" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwn2m5akI/AAAAAAAABcI/a_3PqPZaaPA/DSC02623_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <em>Blue Polyvitro Crystals</em></p> <p align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02622" border="0" alt="DSC02622" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwoOURcBI/AAAAAAAABcM/jO4OQZl0Efw/DSC02622_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /><em>Blue Polyvitro Crystals</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwoh9GR2I/AAAAAAAABcQ/CzqHx-2nNfE/s1600-h/DSC02616%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02616" border="0" alt="DSC02616" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwo2rJGEI/AAAAAAAABcU/Sy7G-DhzzMs/DSC02616_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <em>Blue Polyvitro Crystals</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwpN4m9OI/AAAAAAAABcY/8RRBDHMMkoQ/s1600-h/DSC02618%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02618" border="0" alt="DSC02618" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwpWE1z1I/AAAAAAAABcc/ClTE4bLKwH0/DSC02618_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a><em>Blue Polyvitro Crystals</em>    </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU8O3HmE591nX_GD21kKCaZ5VEhNH1in0rgoZ9T9h_7GYZsLv83pm1qOzZmbV5KJZaj4NLh9wUiDKWgChunFWnXvW03FnMqxJ4GqT-gKp0MKWnmkuF50yOzI6_T7xXQdL6rw0n3aVc8I/s1600-h/DSC02628%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02628" border="0" alt="DSC02628" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwp0nVkKI/AAAAAAAABck/c0iEcDySnzM/DSC02628_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <em>Eelgrass and Red Bamboo</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwqFmlgII/AAAAAAAABco/JQS1gHxYoT0/s1600-h/DSC02629%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02629" border="0" alt="DSC02629" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwqUx2iNI/AAAAAAAABcs/THgxasrq1Ws/DSC02629_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="400" /></a> <em>Eelgrass and Red Bamboo</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwqnNRC4I/AAAAAAAABcw/c4UT_YfOV5U/s1600-h/DSC02557%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02557" border="0" alt="DSC02557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5EYCGLLY3Q7FNkG7esH-kNK14puPAQvculUyegXa6HkfhPhT7AQ4qFDR6wYvsrAMP_EtjJuEmFzcYwa_d19ELh_22O5R0wu5VWKcl8w2ltpMsHAxjS9PrNh3AaJam-MooIWnKvNdgHA/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a> <em>Rose Crystal Tower</em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwrQ8cc3I/AAAAAAAABc4/Luo_2mH8GSo/s1600-h/DSC02633%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC02633" border="0" alt="DSC02633" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TKfwrklFbeI/AAAAAAAABc8/-F6gUW611i0/DSC02633_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a><em>Tumbleweeds</em> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>There you have it. I could go back every day. These pieces are mesmerizing and breathtaking. The weather was mostly cloudy while we were there, but the few glimpses of sun that we got really made the sculptures shine.</p> <p>Up next? We spent the weekend in Grand Rapids not only for the Chihuly exhibit, but also for <a href="http://www.artprize.org/" target="_blank">ArtPrize</a>. More on that soon!</p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-86416475746397241822010-08-17T11:52:00.001-07:002010-08-17T11:52:52.082-07:00Summer Holly Berries<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZTied2ok9TV5_NOmWBPFuinVYPn8GiMfoEA6yVPOf6JAr9sSLu-1jOza833AAYQeoeNL1RqxQYefDYUT60PAa0fWOBkDSdX67AY_Vh_Ql_tgHKrkEA9OC12W-gkplLkE5FQlE8rj0as/s1600-h/DSC01745%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC01745" border="0" alt="DSC01745" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TGrad6kY91I/AAAAAAAABXA/t1qp4pptqWM/DSC01745_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a>Mmmmm mmmmm…. heirloom tomatoes and fragrant basil fresh from the garden, warmed by the sun.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TGraeuWSv7I/AAAAAAAABXE/KQDPxa2l8LM/s1600-h/DSC01754%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC01754" border="0" alt="DSC01754" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TGrafScTLsI/AAAAAAAABXI/IzxhRJyRgfU/DSC01754_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TGraf-sdUpI/AAAAAAAABXM/Nnm64pz2h7M/s1600-h/DSC01758%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC01758" border="0" alt="DSC01758" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TGragrCEACI/AAAAAAAABXQ/F4ZoRg3IgGo/DSC01758_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="268" /></a></p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-46603173744814469172010-07-20T18:57:00.001-07:002010-07-20T18:57:56.019-07:00Windows Live Writer<p>So, clearly I haven’t blogged in quite some time. I am so darn frustrated with adding pictures in Blogger that I’ve been too discouraged to blog. I have tons of posts in my head, but want to type @$%(#*(%*(#)%*#*$%*)#&* when I start a post in Blogger. So I Googled ‘adding pictures to Blogger’ and found this as an option. Seriously?… you can find ANYTHING on the internet :-)</p> <p>So now, a few pictures from our engagement on July 3, 2007 on top of Vail Mountain in Vail, Colorado. Backstory… Mr. Tote knew that I really wanted photos of our engagement. So on our vacation to Colorado, he clued my uncle in on his plan to ask me to marry him. So there my uncle was… snapping pictures the whole time.</p> <p>Here.we.go.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TEZT7spWdoI/AAAAAAAABWI/DAp92y2euno/s1600-h/Colorado%20Vacation081%5B21%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Colorado Vacation081" border="0" alt="Colorado Vacation081" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TEZT8g9ijPI/AAAAAAAABWM/eU-pJ9e_DWQ/Colorado%20Vacation081_thumb%5B19%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="299" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TEZT91EIPQI/AAAAAAAABWQ/LlfExWPuJkM/s1600-h/Colorado%20Vacation082%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Colorado Vacation082" border="0" alt="Colorado Vacation082" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TEZT_hXhAAI/AAAAAAAABWU/2XywmHnlvhw/Colorado%20Vacation082_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="299" /></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0EFPvHZcbcOhx2g_xnrTSRq22hwE5U5kxC4nfgjgDQktbMX_LFu4z4kGvDkGMHCkVzkkbhXqQNCR1AsxNhXdXlcxNS_0000CGpno42_arZsbfjNYKE_5i5u_-hEJSNkg1gF-hpFq790/s1600-h/Colorado%20Vacation083%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Colorado Vacation083" border="0" alt="Colorado Vacation083" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TEZUB83DcGI/AAAAAAAABWc/wq_C0irjsJw/Colorado%20Vacation083_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="299" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TEZUC8M-NyI/AAAAAAAABWg/lhur-6RWtlE/s1600-h/Colorado%20Vacation084%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Colorado Vacation084" border="0" alt="Colorado Vacation084" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TEZUDyqx4CI/AAAAAAAABWk/L8GZzTTK6s8/Colorado%20Vacation084_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="299" /></a>   <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Vail_Vacation_07_054" border="0" alt="Vail_Vacation_07_054" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TEZUEtbc6YI/AAAAAAAABWo/XuMm6y8zZH8/Vail_Vacation_07_054_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="299" /></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TEZUFrwDy9I/AAAAAAAABWs/yG_hpZ7qevM/s1600-h/Colorado%20Vacation085%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Colorado Vacation085" border="0" alt="Colorado Vacation085" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TEZUGR--T5I/AAAAAAAABWw/qu-49DhSRGk/Colorado%20Vacation085_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="299" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TEZUHmnWkeI/AAAAAAAABW0/NitnrGkK2IA/s1600-h/Vail_Vacation_07_057%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Vail_Vacation_07_057" border="0" alt="Vail_Vacation_07_057" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_A5QqI3jqH0E/TEZUIpKr93I/AAAAAAAABW4/stI4fp3VhOw/Vail_Vacation_07_057_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="299" /></a></p> <p>How nice :-)</p> Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-29224314871149456872010-05-28T12:53:00.000-07:002010-05-28T12:57:20.083-07:00Vanilla Pound Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DtdEpwec6wwEJozNv7V_Ed2TVnFjrIYjMUKSi4q8rKKD00-T3GqkjmOtVfb-yM1G4UwnxIpiOHCiiCYeWvwjG1nNlYpXIoQutr61j7dn8kZmOQARe5K1y39yWo2B9pFeeyhwWWedT8k/s1600/DSC00968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DtdEpwec6wwEJozNv7V_Ed2TVnFjrIYjMUKSi4q8rKKD00-T3GqkjmOtVfb-yM1G4UwnxIpiOHCiiCYeWvwjG1nNlYpXIoQutr61j7dn8kZmOQARe5K1y39yWo2B9pFeeyhwWWedT8k/s400/DSC00968.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I was looking for a light dessert to make for Mother's Day (I know... a little late in posting) and came across <a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeId=114721">this fantastic recipe</a> from Weight Watchers. I had never made pound cake so I didn't know quite what to expect. This turned out way better than I was thinking! It was super moist and delicious!<br />
<br />
The only change I made was that I didn't have almond extract on hand, so I used a little extra Mexican vanilla extract.<br />
<br />
This is a GREAT summer dessert and I think it would be wonderful with blackberries, blueberries or any other fruit.<br />
<br />
1 spray(s) cooking spray<br />
2 large egg(s)<br />
3 large egg white(s)<br />
2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
1 tsp almond extract<br />
8 oz light cream cheese<br />
3 1/2 Tbsp butter<br />
1 1/3 cup(s) sugar<br />
3/4 tsp baking powder<br />
1/4 tsp table salt<br />
1 3/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Coat a 9-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.<br />
<br />
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, vanilla extract and almond extract; set aside.<br />
<br />
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together cream cheese and butter until blended. Beat in sugar, baking powder and salt until blended. Beat in flour and egg mixture, little by little, beginning and ending with flour.<br />
<br />
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, about 55 to 65 minutes.<br />
<br />
Cool cake in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 12 slices and serve.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBLrcMki7chyphenhyphenQ2W5cFzXFOikJc0bmzmgiv6vbGlx_ABazG76JlK1VLycP5BuJxTkgSlZe9k-0U95TDGNSO_FCU8eo0kcdQJGJGuV_8-RE9grviQ3f8-r3cXL3YrxCxNB75zf9O5OoAm0/s1600/DSC00950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBLrcMki7chyphenhyphenQ2W5cFzXFOikJc0bmzmgiv6vbGlx_ABazG76JlK1VLycP5BuJxTkgSlZe9k-0U95TDGNSO_FCU8eo0kcdQJGJGuV_8-RE9grviQ3f8-r3cXL3YrxCxNB75zf9O5OoAm0/s400/DSC00950.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<em>WW Points per serving: 5 pts (without the berries or Cool Whip)</em>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-84789810608874813362010-05-18T06:31:00.000-07:002010-05-18T06:31:21.348-07:00Giveaway Alert!<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/web03/2009/12/7/13/enhanced-buzz-1518-1260209665-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://s.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/web03/2009/12/7/13/enhanced-buzz-1518-1260209665-16.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my faithful followers, Meg, is hosting a giveaway over at <a href="http://1funkywoman.blogspot.com/">1 Funky Woman</a> to celebrate her 100th post. She's giving away a $50 gift card to CSN stores, which I hadn't heard of... until now. I think I've found a new love on their beddingsheets.com specialty store. Check this out...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://common1.csnimages.com/lf/2/hash/1261/2010308/1/300+Thread+Count+Paisley+Print+Sheet+Set." imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://common1.csnimages.com/lf/2/hash/1261/2010308/1/300+Thread+Count+Paisley+Print+Sheet+Set." width="400" wt="true" /></a></div>I am swooning over the black and silver paisley combination. I really hope I win. Even if I don't, I think these sheets may find a new home in our bedroom. So hop on over to <a href="http://1funkywoman.blogspot.com/">1 Funky Woman</a> to enter her <a href="http://1funkywoman.blogspot.com/2010/05/giveaway-yes-way.html">giveaway</a>!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-36835741846513458002010-05-17T20:19:00.000-07:002010-05-17T20:19:24.658-07:00White Bean and Roasted Garlic Hummus with Chives<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO3DIcZL2KJUYUirrVS2J5el5IJyCrhYGbctK3hyg2tRtUQxm2eaOpq46tCsU4AUUF8oH1HQge0xj-zFGmV5FvYfTes19xIrg1hi0vwOdan4Q3ef69_H1QQIbdyLBciahbAAVmQ7GXXE/s1600/DSC00949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO3DIcZL2KJUYUirrVS2J5el5IJyCrhYGbctK3hyg2tRtUQxm2eaOpq46tCsU4AUUF8oH1HQge0xj-zFGmV5FvYfTes19xIrg1hi0vwOdan4Q3ef69_H1QQIbdyLBciahbAAVmQ7GXXE/s400/DSC00949.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div>I love spring! I especially love that my chives came back from last year. I hear they're pretty hard to "kill," but still, I'm pretty happy about it. I used a couple of different recipes from the internet to come up with what I think is a delicious accompaniment to vegetable crudite and also pita chips.<br />
<br />
1 Can (15.5 oz) Cannelini Beans, drained, but reserve 2 Tbsp liquid<br />
2 heads garlic<br />
1 Tbsp tahini<br />
Juice of one lemon<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1/2 C olive oil, plus more for roasting<br />
5 stalks chives<br />
<br />
Start by roasting your garlic. To do this, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Peel away the outer layers of the garlic bulbs, leaving the skins of the individual cloves intact. Using a knife, cut off 1/4 to a 1/2 inch of the top of cloves, exposing the individual cloves of garlic. Place each one into a piece of aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil and cover them up. Roast for 30-35 minutes or until the heads feel soft when pressed. Let cool completely. Use a small small knife cut the skin slightly around each clove. Use a cocktail fork or your fingers to pull or squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins.<br />
<br />
Finely chop the chives. Place the beans and reserved liquid, tahini, lemon juice (minus the seeds, folks!), roasted garlic cloves, chopped chives and salt in a food processor. Puree with the blade attachment until mostly smooth. While the processor is still running, drizzle in up to 1/2 C of olive oil or until smooth. Refrigerate for at least one hour prior to serving with cut up vegetables and/or baked pita chips.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5903168340176620059.post-73916651180432338032010-05-05T19:11:00.000-07:002010-05-05T19:11:24.141-07:00Spinach and Pork Tenderloin Salad with Pears and Warm Shallot and Cranberry Vinaigrette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOxc_kBQ3v8v7jxERzu5D2OdCbFpehwDQ9F1WWvWp9OOuADpJ-Dw9ebLrCoNKiXiOz_HB6jMAi4_EKtuBhYWVCfQfxUyDVejUb00n5m8BukNwhvdEzPwiH88VMrGace6OqZWp2ihG3OY/s1600/DSC00924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOxc_kBQ3v8v7jxERzu5D2OdCbFpehwDQ9F1WWvWp9OOuADpJ-Dw9ebLrCoNKiXiOz_HB6jMAi4_EKtuBhYWVCfQfxUyDVejUb00n5m8BukNwhvdEzPwiH88VMrGace6OqZWp2ihG3OY/s400/DSC00924.JPG" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div>Another winner from <a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/">Cooking Light</a>! This one came from the April issue of my new favorite mag. I am really excited at how satisfying this salad is. It totally filled me up and it felt good to eat so much iron-y, calcium-y goodness. I had to make a few slight adjustments, including only making two servings. My modified recipe is below. You can find the original recipe <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1973651">here</a>.<br />
<br />
8 oz pork tenderloin (or about half of one tenderloin*), trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices<br />
1 Tbsp cider vinegar<br />
1 Tbsp dijon mustard<br />
3/4 tsp brown sugar<br />
1 1/4 tsp dried thyme, divided<br />
1 garlic clove, minced<br />
pinch of salt and pinch of pepper<br />
2 Tbsp flour<br />
1 1/4 Tbsp olive oil<br />
1 shallot, sliced thinly<br />
1/4 C dried cranberries<br />
1/4 concentrated pomegranate blueberry juice<em> - that's what I had on hand. The original recipe calls for cranberry juice cocktail</em><br />
6 C baby spinach leaves<br />
1 ripe pear, thinly sliced<br />
<br />
Combine vinegar, mustard, sugar, small dash of salt and pepper and 1/4 tsp thyme in a small bowl. Set aside.<br />
<br />
Combine flour with remaining thyme and a pinch of salt and pepper. Flatten the slices of pork between two pieces of plastic wrap with a heavy pan. Toss the slices of pork in the flour mixture and set aside.<br />
<br />
Heat 1 Tsp oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and minced garlic to pan. Sautee for 3 minutes or until the shallots are tender and lightly browned. Add cranberries and juice. Cook until liquid is reduced to 2 Tbsp (about 2 minutes). Reduce heat to low and add the vinegar mixture. Cook 1 minute, stirring with a whisk. Set aside and keep warm.<br />
<br />
Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Shake the excess flour from the slices of pork and add them to the skillet. Cook 3 minutes or until brown, turning once. Toss the pork with 1 Tbsp warm cranberry mixture.<br />
<br />
Cobine spinach and pear in a large bowl. Drizzle with remaining cranberry mixture and toss well to coat. Arrange the spinach on 2 plates and top evenly with pork.<br />
<br />
<em>WW Points per Serving: 8 points</em><br />
<br />
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<em>*Since it's just Mr. Tote and I, we trim our pork tenderloins right after purchasing and usually cut them in half crosswise before packing them individually in freezer bags. Half of a tenderloin is usually plenty of food for the both of us.</em>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06721737461367282271noreply@blogger.com1