tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148780782024-03-12T23:37:29.302-04:00A French Girl In Niagara Musings of a picture-snapping, toe tapping, Beaderrific MagpieAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.comBlogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-25610875902819789902014-01-03T22:58:00.003-04:002014-01-03T22:58:34.596-04:00Something NewAfter a very long hiatus from this blog, I've decided it was time for some change. I'll keep this one up for a while, but I think the time has come for me to change my image, and brand myself a little better.<br />
Now, I suppose I could easily have just revamped this one, but I really want and NEED a fresh start, so I decided to start a brand new blog, and will hopefully be able to dedicate some time to its design in the coming weeks.<br />
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So come along and follow me to <a href="http://latziganecreative.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">La Tzigane's</a> new virtual home. <br />
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Hope to see you there!<br />
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XoXo Darlings!<br />
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JewelsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-43388565623114609892013-11-24T17:01:00.001-04:002013-11-24T17:01:20.375-04:00Our Week At Nana Jo's <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This top photo right here would describe exactly how Mimi feels whenever we visit Nana. Regardless of the non computer usage, or that we just spend all our entire days just the four of us, Nana, Mimi, Didi, and I. She loves her Nana like there's no tomorrow. We took near daily walks to the river during our visit, and taught Mimi how to skip rocks. Boy oh boy was that fun! (and FREE!) <br />
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Our first morning started with an amazing breakfast spread, Al Fresco no less. Mom and her Darling have invested a lot of time turning their backyard into their own private Oasis, I'll have to do another post just for that! <br />
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An accidental tradition has begun: Sitting on giant chairs with my girls! Of course, Mimi has a sourpuss here, due to the fact that I kindly asked her to get off the arm rests. Go figure, I was just trying to keep her safe ;)</div>
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We made our way to my Aunt Guylaine's place, who recently started herself a mini farm. Mini, with mini and large versions of animals. A mini donkey named Fiona, a pigmy goat named Elvis, and a plethora of fowl that have since been added to. Ducks, geese, pheasants, chickens, peacocks... La Cage aux Folles! Ha! Ha! <br />
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Here I am kindly asking Elvis to please respect Didi's personal space. Dang thing thinks it's a dog! <br />
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Mimi and Guylaine walking Fiona. Yup, walking. On a leash. There's something you don't type every day, walking a donkey on a leash.</div>
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Didi meeting a chick. What you don't see is how a split second later she tried to grab it out of Nana's hands by the neck. *no chicks were harmed on this day.*</div>
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Stroller through the woods? Not so easy. Especially in the mud, surrounded by a horde of tiny flying vampires. </div>
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Wild blackberry bush? Oh you guys just keep walking, I'll catch up! </div>
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Mmmm! Roadside snack!</div>
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NOT a roadside snack!<br />
But it was adorable how fascinated Mimi was with this little creature.<br />
She certainly was amused by my aunt's retelling of how I used to collect them as a tot and stuff them in my pockets, left there for my darling Nana to find on laundry day.<br />
RIP little Toadies :(</div>
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This little dragonfly landed on my blue pants. And look! It matches my nails!<br />
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Learning to skip stones<br />
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I look at this photo and marvel at how big she's gotten. No longer my baby girl, she's really coming into her own. BIG personality this one!</div>
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And then there my tiny egg. What a little cutie. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-55930223629652175392013-10-24T12:49:00.003-04:002013-10-24T13:12:38.902-04:00Painting a picture, with pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This summer marked the first time since 2009 that I visited Home. I packed the girls up, and we headed to Gatineau, Québec. We split our visit by spending the first week with Mom, and the second week with Dad. I've got <strike>way too</strike> many photographs to sort through and edit before I share them, but this is a set that jumped out at me this morning. I'd like to paint you a picture, a magical one. This was one early morning where I got to watch the sunrise over the mountains, and a thick blanket of fog slowly lift over the Gatineau river. The calm beauty of it all just took my breath away. Then when the fog lifted, we saw her, my dad's morning visitor, whom he first encountered this early Spring, and became smitten with her. He spoils her with delicious apples, and has vowed not to hunt her, because he loves her too much. <br />
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She's young still, and very skittish. She won't get too close, but close enough for those sweet treats. </div>
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And then the apples were all gone.</div>
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And so was she.</div>
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I always love going back here. This place holds more than just childhood memories of family picnics, mud hole swims, frog hunting, canoe trips, and ATV joyrides. I am deeply drawn to its energy; how easily I can ground my Spirit and can be still again, where everything else shuts off and the energy flow between the Earth and myself is at its strongest. </div>
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Every time I come here, I get that sense of Recharging my Batteries.<br />
Do you have a place like that? </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-44171426468099415022013-06-20T09:07:00.001-04:002013-06-20T09:07:41.198-04:00Eclectic Chic Decor<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9mUGUaFK-RU/UcL-cHzmM8I/AAAAAAAADLE/UT43hlrOgU4/s640/blogger-image-1422202841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9mUGUaFK-RU/UcL-cHzmM8I/AAAAAAAADLE/UT43hlrOgU4/s640/blogger-image-1422202841.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P-yW38ZNRrs/UcL-m5SLQHI/AAAAAAAADLc/dSNz_MHabI8/s640/blogger-image--1067012715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P-yW38ZNRrs/UcL-m5SLQHI/AAAAAAAADLc/dSNz_MHabI8/s640/blogger-image--1067012715.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bsndfP6JL0E/UcL-Yh9IwJI/AAAAAAAADK8/7OiF8tadPrU/s640/blogger-image-564771743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bsndfP6JL0E/UcL-Yh9IwJI/AAAAAAAADK8/7OiF8tadPrU/s640/blogger-image-564771743.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Zky6sPkoSQg/UcL-ju8M4VI/AAAAAAAADLU/TzuJIo_gAn4/s640/blogger-image-1526556443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Zky6sPkoSQg/UcL-ju8M4VI/AAAAAAAADLU/TzuJIo_gAn4/s640/blogger-image-1526556443.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SRt4KGX8C_4/UcL-gI0TlNI/AAAAAAAADLM/26WJ-tEpN-A/s640/blogger-image--601123936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SRt4KGX8C_4/UcL-gI0TlNI/AAAAAAAADLM/26WJ-tEpN-A/s640/blogger-image--601123936.jpg"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-70066960497496568282013-05-15T16:59:00.001-04:002013-05-15T17:44:33.277-04:00Country BasketMom came to visit for a week, and we had the opportunity to drive around and hit a few favorite spots. Of course, no trip is complete without a quick visit to a few local garden centers. Mom always likes to hit Countey Basket for herbs & ornamental grasses. I love their new boutique & other sundry items, like their awesome wooden crates which I use in my interior decor. And I noticed they started displaying them as such to give their shoppers ideas on how to use them. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WAbLMLBatl4/UZP2qPSyntI/AAAAAAAADJY/LFJFt-p-2sM/s640/blogger-image--1539893879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WAbLMLBatl4/UZP2qPSyntI/AAAAAAAADJY/LFJFt-p-2sM/s640/blogger-image--1539893879.jpg"></a></div>I only have 5 so far, but I'm slowly trying to collect more to create a nice accent wall in my studio. This combination here would look great, with the insides of the crates painted a nice white. <div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-43JVvB2WkuI/UZP2mjlphNI/AAAAAAAADJQ/rQ9uzUiqk6A/s640/blogger-image-132054550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-43JVvB2WkuI/UZP2mjlphNI/AAAAAAAADJQ/rQ9uzUiqk6A/s640/blogger-image-132054550.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aq0a7ZjCkmo/UZP3BY79DVI/AAAAAAAADKQ/g2z1yD3UlSk/s640/blogger-image-84735205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aq0a7ZjCkmo/UZP3BY79DVI/AAAAAAAADKQ/g2z1yD3UlSk/s640/blogger-image-84735205.jpg"></a></div>Plants, plants, plants galore! Is there anything nicer than a trip to a tropically warm greenhouse after a long chilly winter? I think not! I love the smells of all the plants blending together, the lush greenery, the delicious perfumes, the pretty flowering trees... Can't go wrong with a little botanical therapy. </div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZdYYdivYtao/UZP260KQ9fI/AAAAAAAADKA/SxhzFGie9Dg/s640/blogger-image-1008512025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZdYYdivYtao/UZP260KQ9fI/AAAAAAAADKA/SxhzFGie9Dg/s640/blogger-image-1008512025.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E7Ifua7erpE/UZP23pbl2cI/AAAAAAAADJ4/CB3xV4xbWSE/s640/blogger-image-591858404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E7Ifua7erpE/UZP23pbl2cI/AAAAAAAADJ4/CB3xV4xbWSE/s640/blogger-image-591858404.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1xnH_tWpqM8/UZP2tqcST-I/AAAAAAAADJg/Hqsugae4_AI/s640/blogger-image-152848857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1xnH_tWpqM8/UZP2tqcST-I/AAAAAAAADJg/Hqsugae4_AI/s640/blogger-image-152848857.jpg"></a></div>I kept looking at all the full hanging fern baskets, I could see them hanging all around our wraparound porch.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H_oiGSjPlpo/UZP2-HB10XI/AAAAAAAADKI/WCGbqHGMa1M/s640/blogger-image-546707947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-H_oiGSjPlpo/UZP2-HB10XI/AAAAAAAADKI/WCGbqHGMa1M/s640/blogger-image-546707947.jpg"></a></div>I also looked at a few flowering trees. This here is a double flowering almond. All the tiny pink blossoms looked so pretty, the petals softly floating to the ground, and the faintest aroma wafting through the air. The only drawback being that it merely flowers for a short period of time in the spring. But how pretty is this?</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WiBrR-83lq0/UZP3HobJpII/AAAAAAAADKg/_s7vMtFgVaA/s640/blogger-image--460829179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WiBrR-83lq0/UZP3HobJpII/AAAAAAAADKg/_s7vMtFgVaA/s640/blogger-image--460829179.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Then I REALLY let myself dream, and imagined something like this for our small backyard. Darling and I would love to just turn the yard into our own private oasis. A fire pit for summer evenings, a hammock or two to swing in, and maybe a little pond with a few vibrantly colored coi. </div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ygVJI-yEwxU/UZP2w5eie7I/AAAAAAAADJo/ybPyLAu2G4I/s640/blogger-image-838684463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ygVJI-yEwxU/UZP2w5eie7I/AAAAAAAADJo/ybPyLAu2G4I/s640/blogger-image-838684463.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>God I love this place! It's so well organized, clean, pretty. </div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qqa2BQ2PG2s/UZP20GE12_I/AAAAAAAADJw/1k9z51GFBHU/s640/blogger-image--180354873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qqa2BQ2PG2s/UZP20GE12_I/AAAAAAAADJw/1k9z51GFBHU/s640/blogger-image--180354873.jpg"></a></div>Ok, call me crazy, but how cool would this look as an accent wall in a sunroom, or a man cave. It might even look neat in a potting shed, keeping with a rustic theme. </div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Rr5htb9kH2I/UZP3KynX79I/AAAAAAAADKo/V28DFplSrLM/s640/blogger-image-169047359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Rr5htb9kH2I/UZP3KynX79I/AAAAAAAADKo/V28DFplSrLM/s640/blogger-image-169047359.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m2HOtI4Fg-0/UZP3EX_p_PI/AAAAAAAADKY/ws6jpV2ISZI/s640/blogger-image-327684681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m2HOtI4Fg-0/UZP3EX_p_PI/AAAAAAAADKY/ws6jpV2ISZI/s640/blogger-image-327684681.jpg"></a></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-34684125479577381822013-04-20T05:29:00.001-04:002013-04-20T05:29:49.688-04:00More business for mama <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q-aMbrqjuig/UXJfiwMf5LI/AAAAAAAADH4/xvN3nTh9Lhg/s640/blogger-image--97039451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q-aMbrqjuig/UXJfiwMf5LI/AAAAAAAADH4/xvN3nTh9Lhg/s640/blogger-image--97039451.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HLDqwqXg-xI/UXJfmO7vV3I/AAAAAAAADIA/H1aZvY_lsuk/s640/blogger-image--426268249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HLDqwqXg-xI/UXJfmO7vV3I/AAAAAAAADIA/H1aZvY_lsuk/s640/blogger-image--426268249.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dROPgv8zLdE/UXJf1u31MmI/AAAAAAAADII/8J_DDLr85-g/s640/blogger-image-785031026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dROPgv8zLdE/UXJf1u31MmI/AAAAAAAADII/8J_DDLr85-g/s640/blogger-image-785031026.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NhPhVvCeEG8/UXJff6VeW0I/AAAAAAAADHw/5sblO5qT250/s640/blogger-image--341041692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NhPhVvCeEG8/UXJff6VeW0I/AAAAAAAADHw/5sblO5qT250/s640/blogger-image--341041692.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-47aaUzAkAIg/UXJgDJ0eK1I/AAAAAAAADIo/bPvGnhMwk4U/s640/blogger-image-1234164202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-47aaUzAkAIg/UXJgDJ0eK1I/AAAAAAAADIo/bPvGnhMwk4U/s640/blogger-image-1234164202.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L9aHiWKb7r0/UXJf_jF3MmI/AAAAAAAADIg/mMr99YKSfLo/s640/blogger-image--1710072070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L9aHiWKb7r0/UXJf_jF3MmI/AAAAAAAADIg/mMr99YKSfLo/s640/blogger-image--1710072070.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vJ6Jp5pk4D8/UXJfcjgFUrI/AAAAAAAADHo/Cd6BgvGpwiY/s640/blogger-image--389176764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vJ6Jp5pk4D8/UXJfcjgFUrI/AAAAAAAADHo/Cd6BgvGpwiY/s640/blogger-image--389176764.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YbYQ-vZ4hfA/UXJf5EtAS-I/AAAAAAAADIQ/cJqf_HsML6o/s640/blogger-image--209167735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YbYQ-vZ4hfA/UXJf5EtAS-I/AAAAAAAADIQ/cJqf_HsML6o/s640/blogger-image--209167735.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3PIaiE3DI-0/UXJf8doBdTI/AAAAAAAADIY/pGWqpuxIdho/s640/blogger-image-694642611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3PIaiE3DI-0/UXJf8doBdTI/AAAAAAAADIY/pGWqpuxIdho/s640/blogger-image-694642611.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-29709487628255442422013-03-22T21:21:00.001-04:002013-03-24T23:09:01.538-04:00ProgressingBoth my studio and Bébé have been progressing lately. Little One started walking last week, at 10 months 1 week. We'd been sort of expecting it, and the house had already been BABY PROOFED in consequence. But still, she is keeping me on my toes. She hit the ground running, and hasn't stopped since! She can spend a good hour just walking from one end of our living area to the other, take a lap around the table, and come back. Just over and over and over. Oh, and she'll talk the whole time "Ga! Ga! Ga! GoooeygooAAAaaaa! Nuuttt! GoooAAAhh", sprinkle a few giggles in there, and that's pretty much Didi. Oh it wasn't always the case. We suffered through colic up until month 7, easily. And we only started experiencing full nights' sleep at around the 9 month mark. I finally followed a hunch I had, and spent one night on the couch, instead of in the same room (She was back to sleeping in her crib at 6 months, I would have continued to co-sleep, but it was for her own safety. Little missy was already crawling, and upon her multiple wake up periods, would attempt to crawl right off the bed. Not right.) I figured out that she could hear me moving and jostling around, and maybe my snoring? <strike>stoplaughing!</strike> <strike>no seriously though, I totally woke my SELF with a loud snort one night STOPLAUGHING!</strike> <br />
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Watching this tiny morsel grow so fast is crazy. Humbling. Scary. And gosh darn depressing at times. I just want her to slow down, stop growing so fast. It's a blur. SHE'S a blur! Look! <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zbJlUX-pwgA/UU0Dh-LDHDI/AAAAAAAADHM/3PA22n9ZzJQ/s640/blogger-image--237944856.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zbJlUX-pwgA/UU0Dh-LDHDI/AAAAAAAADHM/3PA22n9ZzJQ/s640/blogger-image--237944856.jpg" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This would be Didi on her morning jaunt around the table. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> I thank the Heavens that I'm blessed to still have my parents, and that they are getting to see our girls grow. My Mother has come for a few visits since the birth, but gets to see her on an almost daily basis via Skype. It's so awesome, seriously. So awesome that my Mom, up there in Québec, can see her grand daughters, communicate with them, get to know them. Didi has grown so accustomed to her "Nana in the Box", that she doesn't even lean over to see if she's on the backside of the screen anymore. (Cutest thing ever! "Hey! Where's Nana?" My Dad is also in his cabin in Low Qc. No computer, and not much chance to get any better than dialup for quite some time. Our visits are by phone (Now Didi still looks behind the phone to see where Grampy's voice is coming from), but he's also taken the opportunity to come visit a couple of times with his Ladyfriend Doreen (We cross a threshold where the terms 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend' just don't suit us. Am I right?) They stopped by last weekend, and we had such a lovely visit. Didi was spoiled rotten. Rotten I tell ya! The only reason her feet touched the ground at all was because she had places to go. And boy, did she ever surprise Grampy and Doreen with her walking. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RC4TcIiC_kQ/UUysPdX_sRI/AAAAAAAADF8/Vn2RQMVh-1E/s640/blogger-image-5039641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RC4TcIiC_kQ/UUysPdX_sRI/AAAAAAAADF8/Vn2RQMVh-1E/s640/blogger-image-5039641.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Didi, 10 months, 1week. Holding on to her Sophie, wearing an18 month onesie, and some 2T leggings. Oh, and 7 teeth, with #8 not far behind. She has Daddy and Big Sister's big blue eyes, and just like Mimi, the spitting image of her Dad. I think she's just gosh darned gorgeous. But then again, I'm a wee bit biased. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">It took us a while to finally decide on projects around the house. We had so many renovation plans, but they sorta got kyboshed by our little surprise here ;) But we've finally embarked on phase 1 of our "Start Where You Are; Use What You Have; Do What You Can" Plan. It doesn't look exactly the way I want it to, yet, but I do have an amazing space downstairs that's all mine, and it was time I really started living in it. My biggest issue is storage. With no closet, since we ripped it out, I have to make due with old wooden fruit crates, some wire displays for my jewelry, a too small IKEA shelving unit for my yarn, some parts cabinets for some of my beads and buttons, and most of my bulk beads hidden away in drawers. I felt bad for my beads; they were so well stored, it was almost Out of Sight, Out of Mind. Come to think of it, I haven't played with my beads much since they got stored in that armoire. I aim to have a room where each and every one of my hobbies can cohabitate in a cohesive manner. So last weekend, I went on a bit of a Kijiji bender and hunted for the perfect storage unit. My dream unit of course is the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/00208646/" target="_blank">Expedit Shelf</a> from IKEA, in white. I might still get it, but I think I found something I can definitely live with. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I contacted the seller, arranged a pickup date, and went to work on taking my room apart, again, and started making room for my new piece. Here's the before, with my 60s arborite work table, which had become a glorified catch-all. Too much stuff!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8dMCvL2gnoY/UUysdAj2WpI/AAAAAAAADGc/gTRxEPhS-ZM/s640/blogger-image--836883229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8dMCvL2gnoY/UUysdAj2WpI/AAAAAAAADGc/gTRxEPhS-ZM/s640/blogger-image--836883229.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Started making some room. I thought I'd be getting rid of the short shelf, but I don't think so... My yarn stays put, for now.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UqWQ7R7R0Fo/UU0Dblnwc2I/AAAAAAAADG8/Nd01jQqwyOI/s640/blogger-image-478538455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UqWQ7R7R0Fo/UU0Dblnwc2I/AAAAAAAADG8/Nd01jQqwyOI/s640/blogger-image-478538455.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">TAH DAHHH!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here is my regular Insistant, helping me clean up the shelf and planning its use. (Really, she's just putting a hurtin' on that bag of Bits'n Bites) </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aqOjtJcGwOA/UUysZd1FTbI/AAAAAAAADGU/SeE52iSFCh8/s640/blogger-image--1227658311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aqOjtJcGwOA/UUysZd1FTbI/AAAAAAAADGU/SeE52iSFCh8/s640/blogger-image--1227658311.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Ok, I'm seeing progress here. The bead containers are out in the open, all of my crafting books are finally in the room. My displays and busts are right at home on the top shelf, and I even have a section for my threads and sewing machine. I'm pretty sure it's at capacity, but I still have a few things I'd like to stow away in there. <br />
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Now, I'm far from done, but Here's what I've managed so far. I've still got to remove one large armoire, and move a few other pieces in its place, and then I think I'll be set for a long while. <br />
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I already feel a huge difference. I'm more at ease, and love being surrounded by my beads out in the open. The dark wood of the shelf really warms up my space, and the room feels anchored now. <br />
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The last bit of progress: I gave myself a haircut! My hair has gotten so very long, and I love it, but I just needed a change, and it came in the form of a blunt fringe. :) I'm in that post-partum rut where you start feeling a little out of control and are so wrapped up in Mommyhood, that you completely forget yourself. I need to get my head out of that space and start taking care of Mama a bit more. Ok, a LOT more...<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-53551070251909860762013-01-24T14:53:00.001-04:002013-01-24T14:53:25.397-04:00New Year, New MeHaving been consumed with all things baby for almost 8 months now, I figured it was time to start getting back to Me; slowly, but surely. <br />
One of the ways I've found that always puts me back on track is decluttering and organizing. Once I feel like my surroundings are cohesive, I feel grounded. So I got back to my office/studio/guest room area and just started pulling stuff out, tearing up, putting away, decluttering and tossing, tossing, tossing. I came upon things I had completely forgotten I had (sign that I either A) have too much stuff, or 2) I've been spending wayyyyy too little time in my studio, or C) all of the above?). So far, so good. I love this space, and making it mine, but until all renos are done, I don't think I'll feel completely settled in. But here's one corner so far, and it makes me pretty darn happy :) I've moved all of the yarn downstairs (those translucent boxes) and finally had Darling install both of my metal wall displays. One is for my own Keeper items, the other will be to display wares for sale. I even had him wall-mount one of those wooden crates I scored at a local garden center. My little storage boxes fit in it perfectly, and I can even store a few more things on top. This setup is subject to change of course, but for now, I'm pretty happy to see that I can absolutely store every craft materials I own in one single room. Though I do think a serious destash is in order... <br />
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<br />The holidays were spent cleaning and generally just hanging out at home. Darling did get some fishing in, but the days he stayed home were busy. I had him catching up on tons of little jobs here around the house that had been waiting to be finished for a very (very) long time! There was a whole lot of snuggling and playing too. ;) Here's Papa enjoying some jungle gym time with Didi. With Papa being the jungle gym, naturally.<br />
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One task I could not wait to tackle was the dining room. We had some serious baby proofing to do, and it simply couldn't remain this cluttered and messy. Besides, it really wasn't being used to its full potential. Again, too much stuff, too much clutter, too many choking hazards for Bébé. It took us a few days to get it done, but again, SO happy with the end result. Darling will be bringing a few of the furniture pieces to his new office, which will clear up a lot of space in here, and my dining room looks like a pretty grown-up dining room! Watch the transition here: <br />
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And the end result, Ta-Dah! I finally found a prefect spot for my little zebra loveseat, packed away a whole lot of dishes from the china cabinet that were not being used (but too pretty to get rid of...), and concentrated on the items that we use the most. And even brought out this little vintage cabinet with sliding glass, where I can display my collection of vintage Ombre glassware. The only thing missing would be the prefect dining room set. I had found one on Kijiji, but it turned out there was much too much damage to the chairs' vinyl upholstery to make it worth purchasing. So I'll just keep hunting, and hope that I'll eventually score one for a very modest price on one of my thrifting runs. The china cabinet was something I hunted for for what seemed like forever. Every time I found one online, they'd be exorbitant prices, anywhere between $300-$600, so when I found it at Value Village for $19.99, I jumped! The tiny cabinet beside it was also a thrifty find at Salvation Army for $12! <br />
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Mimi has really been enjoying spending time with her Tiny Didi, and is completely enthralled with watching this little baby develop and grow. I'm amazed at how alike they both are. Not just in looks, but personality. They're both Mama's girls for sure, and have very strong, funny personalities. And Didi, just like her big sister, is another sleep hating baby! ;) But they do differ in some ways. Didi is huge compared to her sister at the same age. Seriously, this baby does everything early. Crawling, teeth, walking. Yes, walking! Hence the extreme baby proofing! She now walks everywhere she can, still cruising around the room by holding on to furniture, but it's only a matter of time, since she likes to just stand herself up all alone now.<br />
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And there you have it. Nice quiet holidays at home. Who could ask for anything more?<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-14129651225541685062012-08-12T16:21:00.000-04:002012-10-23T12:45:05.061-04:00Life Lately<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well bonjour my Darlings! I know, I know, still lagging in the blog post department, but hey! At least it wasn't a year this time! It's amazing how something can consume your days entirely, yet still make you feel like you got nothing accomplished at the end of the day. Oh make no mistake, I KNOW I'm doing something important, but a great part of me wishes she were that "I can do it all" Mom. You know the one. Whereas I can barely manage to change into clean pajamas, let alone slap some lipstick or mascara on. </div>
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But look at what I've been busy doing! </div>
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We had a few rough weeks this summer that involved a whooooole lotta colic. This was taken on one of those many sleepless nights, Didi liked spending time tummy-to-tummy with her warm Mama. I make a good hot water bottle apparently. ;) Thank goodness for this wonderful homeopathic remedy called <a href="http://boiron.ca/en/products/children/cocyntal/" target="_blank">Cocyntal</a>, by Boiron I found at our local health food store. Absolute sanity saver!!!</div>
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Didi in the tiny blossom hat Nana Jo made for her. Didn't fit for more than two months!</div>
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VAMPIRE BABYYYY!!!! </div>
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A little ahead on the Halloween pranks she was. ;) No worries, no Daddies were harmed in this gumming incident. A little slobber never hurt anyone</div>
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What an absolute scorcher it was here all summer! I barely went out it was so hot, for fear of overheating the wee one. But we did have our trusty little blowup pool for Mimi, which she got to enjoy. I enjoyed hanging out in our cool basement with Didi and the cats.</div>
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We've been sticking pretty close to home lately, Darling didn't even do his usual fishing marathons. Plus, after a full busy week at work for him, it was nice to just stay home and enjoy each other. Here's one of this summer's favorite breakfasts, quick, easy, and affordable! Homemade baked egg sandwiches, topped with fresh tomatoes from our garden, and avocado. And let's not forget the side of crispy home fries. Gotta have a side of crispy home fries! This collage is from Fathers' Day morning.</div>
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The Girls, watching cartoons on a Saturday morning.</div>
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Of course, so much more happened this summer. My Mom came for a visit, and so did my Dad (FINALLY!). Mimi grew into a sixth grader, and Didi <strike>grew out of her newborn 3-6months 9months onesies</strike> is quickly turning into a toddler. She's already in 12 month clothes, and on the verge of growing out of those too.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-76066237335491608812012-05-25T15:33:00.001-04:002012-05-25T15:33:20.387-04:00What have I been up to!?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How long has it been since I've really updated you all on what's been happening in my life? TOO long, I'm sure! ;) Well, here's a big surprise for my blog followers, the ones who've stuck around for this long! I've been busy with a new creative project, a collaboration really. One that was an entirely unexpected HUGE surprise, and which was welcomed with open arms: A wee babe! </div>
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Entirely unexpected, since Darling and I had been, well, not exactly trying, but not exactly not trying either, for the last 7 years. We both had a very "Que Sera, Sera" attitude about the whole thing, thinking that if it was meant to be, it would happen for us, and we never questioned our lack of fertility, seeing as we'd already had Mimi 10 years ago. I suspected that since I was going through a precocious perimenopause, it explained why I hadn't gotten pregnant. Until last August, when I developed what I thought were flu symptoms. I had been feeling under the weather for a few weeks, not SICK sick, but really uncomfortably queasy all the time. And fatigued. And just generally achy all over. My BFF Maria insisted I purchase an pregnancy test on one of our excursions, since everything was making me unwell - brusk movements, smells, bright lights.... Of course my reaction was "Why on earth would I waste $20 on a pee stick, only to find out I'm NOT pregnant?!?" To which my ever wise Maria replied "Well I would. At least you'll have peace of mind"</div>
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I came home, ran to the loo, peed on the stick, hid it in the medicine cabinet, and left it there for the required time. Meanwhile, I tried to pretend I wasn't really doing anything noteworthy in the bathroom, and came out to help Darling serve the lovely dinner of Greek fare I'd picked up for us while Maria and I were out. We sat down to eat, and 'lo and behold, all that delicious food laid out before me made me want to hurl! Then I remembered the stick waiting for me in the bathroom, so I jumped up and ran to the bathroom, retrieved the stick, and OH MY GAWD! THERE ARE TWO LINES ON THE STICK! My reaction was complete shock. Darling's was complete elation. :) I called my Mom, crying. Then Maria, still crying. I seriously was in shock! Could I do this? Was I ready? At MY age? (Ok, I'll put it out there, I'll be celebrating my 40th this coming August... But don't tell anyone, k?) ;)</div>
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So there you have it. I was pregnant. Was... </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><b>Attention: If you have issues with births, then do not continue reading. In this post I share our little one's birth photos and story.</b></span></div>
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On May 7th, 2012, at 2:22 am, we welcomed our sweet Baby Girl Adèle Géraldine Brice, who weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs, 9 oz, and measured 22"! </div>
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From 18 weeks on, I dutifully shared a weekly belly photo on my facebook, for my family and friends who were interested in following our progress. "Peanut" became our little mascot, and I would regularly share her progress, videos of her incessant activity, and any news that pertained to her. It actually did a lot more for me than people can imagine. I felt less isolated this time around. Here I could stay connected with everyone, and their loving words of encouragement gave me all the support I needed, besides the love and support my Amazing family already provided me of course! And Darling was truly amazing: Pedicures whenever I wanted, especially after I could no longer reach my own toes. Endless back massages that lead to his own aches and pains. And cravings? Well, that man would have crossed an ocean if it meant I could satisfy them. Thank goodness my greatest weaknesses, Eggs Benedict from <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/242/1604009/restaurant/Ontario/Egg-and-I-Niagara-Falls-Omelette-Shop-Niagara-Falls">The Egg & I</a>, and either Dr. Pepper or Root Beer Slurpees from 7-eleven, were right around the corner! </div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rPRLNGIaCOg/T7vMtn3-RII/AAAAAAAAC-0/o55zsNxI-r4/s640/blogger-image--350669646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rPRLNGIaCOg/T7vMtn3-RII/AAAAAAAAC-0/o55zsNxI-r4/s320/blogger-image--350669646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Though I felt Peanut would arrive early, what with the seemingly endless nights of Braxton Hicks contractions and false labor, my May 3rd due date came, and waved at me as it went by, and any iota of patience I may have had stored up until that point completely disappeared. I was SO uncomfortable with bad edema in my hands and feet, and having had infernal gastric reflux since month 5, that I started perusing websites promising labor via this old wives remedy or that 'Tried and True" trick. Mom and I started walking everywhere. Any excuse that got me out of the house and made me move was good enough for me. Finally, on Sunday morning, I called my midwife, worried, because I hadn't felt Peanut move in a few hours, which was very strange for a baby that rocked my belly with her moves like Jagger 24/7! My Mom reasoned that she was getting ready for her impending arrival and storing up her energy. My midwife agreed after a few hours of monitoring, and told me that she thought this baby would arrive either that night or the next morning. Well she didn't lie! That photo above is of yours truly walking off some considerably uncomfortable contractions up and down the street that Sunday night. In my pajamas no less! ;)</div>
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After a full hour of walking, I could tell this was it. So Mom and I went back inside, and called the midwife.</div>
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The photos that follow are me in the throes of labor. And what a beautiful labor it was. In the comfort of our own home, I was able to spread out to the bedroom and the living room. It was calm, Lana Del Ray played in the background, the lights were dimmed, Mimi slept through most of it, and Mom and Darling were absolute rocks. Having both of them there to support and help me through the arduous process was a blessing. It felt as though both of them knew what I needed before I'd even ask. Always ready with strong hands to hold or massage me, always an ice cold drink waiting for my lips to sip on, and soothing words of encouragement to keep my head in the game. Kelly and Anne, the attending midwives, were wonderful! They took fantastic care of Peanut and I, but stayed enough in the background to let us absorb the intimacy of the whole experience. At the risk of sounding all New Age'y and stuff, it was a purely magical night. </div>
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Still in stage 1, we were waiting for Kelly to arrive at this point. Mom and I were keeping track of my contractions, which were anywhere between 3 and 5 minutes apart, at a good minute each; though I could still talk through them.</div>
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Now Kelly has arrived, we've set up a few spot for the actual birth, one in the bedroom, one in the living room, just in case. I was very comfortable in our living room actually. It had all these useful pieces of furniture I could grab onto for stability, plus there was more room for everyone there. Two midwives, Darling, Mom, Mimi, Myself, and oh! Two cats that had NO clue what was going on!</div>
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Mimi woke up after one particularly intense contraction. Let's just say I was rather primal in my vocalizations... Enough that poor Mimi at one point decided she'd rather go hide in the bathroom so as not to hear Mommy making those noises, and for my own Mom to think "Thank Heaven nobody can hear, or else the cops would come knocking..." But that was the only part that freaked Mimi out, those primal sounds. Once Didi was out, oh she was ecstatic and wouldn't leave our side! The one thing most memorable to her was "My sister looked like an alien!!!", because she was "... blue and covered with slime, but as soon as she cried, she turned bright pink!" LOL!</div>
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Here's the part that Darling will never forget. Well not that he'd forget any part, but I'm willing to bet this was the most memorable. We didn't get a chance to do this with Mimi, because we didn't know we could, but he got to physically deliver her. Kelly was right there beside him with careful instructions, but he got to do it. Again, Magical!</div>
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I'm telling you, the incredible sensation of absolute relief when the baby finally comes out is beyond description. Here I had just spent 5 solid hours in excruciating pain, and in one instant, relief... and unabashed, absolute Love. </div>
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We did it! We all did it! :)</div>
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Kelly giving Peanut her first weigh-in under her big sister's watchful eye.</div>
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Mama, totally in LURVE with her little bundle!</div>
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Didn't take long to become a Daddy's Girl. </div>
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A moment of sisterly bonding captured. Mimi is totally amazed by Didi, and thinks they look alike</div>
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See? That's Mimi on the left, 10 years ago, and Didi on the right. </div>
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Though Didi had a good 1.5 pound on her sister.</div>
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Morning snuggles with my girls. </div>
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And there you have it, this is what I've been up to. :)</div>
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I figured since it had been so long since I'd blogged, this was a perfect story to get me started again. I'm hoping that I'll have more inspiration for writing, and that perhaps I'll get back to it.</div>
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My creativity seems to finally be coming back to me, I've been sketching and working on a few projects for my shops, which are still closed for the time being; at least until we all get accustomed to each other, and work out a semblance of a feeding/sleeping schedule, and until Mama doesn't feel dead tired midway through the day... </div>
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Until next time, be good, and have fun! ;)</div>
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Jewels</div>
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P1T9OcDkwxc/T7vMxW7JLMI/AAAAAAAAC_8/CqVSwtYSRyo/s640/blogger-image--1433091476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-32595942162713450902011-11-19T17:43:00.006-04:002011-11-19T18:30:56.964-04:00Parsnip & Carrot PuréeWe've all seen those strange white carrot shaped rood vegetables in the fresh produce section, Parsnips. Parsnip are richer in vitamins and minerals than its close relative, the carrot. They are particularly rich in potassium with 600 mg per 100 g, and are also a good source of dietary fiber. The buttery, slightly spicy, sweet flavor of cooked mature parsnips is reminiscent of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsnip#cite_note-1" title="Butterscotch">butterscotch</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsnip#cite_note-1">, </a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsnip#cite_note-1" title="Honey">honey</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsnip#cite_note-1">, and subtle </a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsnip#cite_note-1" title="Cardamom">cardamom</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsnip#cite_note-1">. </a><br /><br />I came up with this recipe after tasting a delicious parsnip purée in a local restaurant (<a href="http://jordanhouse.ca/dining.php">Jordan House Tavern</a>, in Jordan Ontario). I remembered not particularly liking their taste as a child, but now, I just can't get enough of their subtle spiciness, and try to insert them in as many dishes as I can! So here is my very simple, very delicious recipe, which is sure to please many a finicky palate, as well as impress the more refined ones. It's easy, inexpensive, and quick to make in a pinch. (OH no! MIL is on her way, and I've got NOTHING to serve her for lunch. Easy peasy! Whip up this soup in less than an hour, and serve with a side of garlic bread!) ;)<br />You could make this soup with parsnips only, but I've added carrots to it, for my kiddo who's not too sure of the taste of parsnips alone. The carrots will make the soup slightly sweeter than parsnips alone, and result in a lovely creamy light orange purée.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tn22Tkkfsh8/TsgmIICFo3I/AAAAAAAAC-E/2oHTisHlzLc/s1600/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 178px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tn22Tkkfsh8/TsgmIICFo3I/AAAAAAAAC-E/2oHTisHlzLc/s200/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676829251337560946" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Take approximately 1 pound (454 gm) each of carrot and parsnips, peeled, and sliced thickly.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RH5aZU72bH8/TsgjnerIc4I/AAAAAAAAC8g/ubBhKyTw6Ok/s1600/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RH5aZU72bH8/TsgjnerIc4I/AAAAAAAAC8g/ubBhKyTw6Ok/s200/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676826491456353154" border="0" /></a>Tada! The magic of digital photography!<br />No fingers were harmed in the slicing of these root vegetables.<br />Do ensure that you're using a sharp knife, especially on the parsnips, as they are known to be a tad tougher than carrots.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JqGQa3cWv1c/TsgjnkPvEjI/AAAAAAAAC9A/2sOnJgOeAyM/s1600/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 170px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JqGQa3cWv1c/TsgjnkPvEjI/AAAAAAAAC9A/2sOnJgOeAyM/s200/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676826492952056370" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Put your sliced carrots and parsnips in a large pot that can hold at least 4 quarts (4 liters), and cover with your choice of chicken broth or vegetable stock.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGHQOqKFCAA/TsgjnjBzYwI/AAAAAAAAC8o/jS6H3mIIlwo/s1600/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 184px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGHQOqKFCAA/TsgjnjBzYwI/AAAAAAAAC8o/jS6H3mIIlwo/s200/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676826492625183490" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Usually, I'll use my own chicken broth, but since I didn't have any, I reached for one of our trusty pantry staples. I always have these on hand, as my whole family are huge soup eaters, plus, since none of us can stomach cow milk, we also use it as a replacement to make the lightest, fluffiest garlic smashed taters! (there's a whole other post right there)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UpZGp3EUqGc/Tsgjof_Ea2I/AAAAAAAAC9I/0I04jCQtGKI/s1600/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UpZGp3EUqGc/Tsgjof_Ea2I/AAAAAAAAC9I/0I04jCQtGKI/s200/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676826508988279650" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A little tip from Jewels' kitchen. If you're not going to use both broth packs, take note of the date you opened it on, and write it on the package. Yes, they have a long shelf life, and will last as long as the 'due date', but that only applies to sealed, unopened packs. Once they're open, you've got a maximum of 1 1/2 - 2 weeks to use it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Let your veggies simmer at medium heat for about 30-45 minutes, or until soft. If you can 'slice' through a piece of parsnip with your spoon easily, they're ready. Here's where I reach for my trusty little magic wand! I LOVE this tool! If you don't have a handheld mixer, you can pour your veggies and broth into a large blender [in batches] - use a ladle so as not to burn yourself, and don't fill the cup entirely, you'll get some splash back that could send your lid flying, and create a big hot mess.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TlJIWZgCz2s/TsgkawNKVPI/AAAAAAAAC9U/-0b-wjp0WNQ/s1600/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B029.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TlJIWZgCz2s/TsgkawNKVPI/AAAAAAAAC9U/-0b-wjp0WNQ/s200/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676827372335813874" border="0" /></a>Now, back to my little wand. Take your pot off the heated element before blending, this will help prevent scalding once the purée action starts, and your mixture starts bubbling as it heats.<br /><br />Starting on a low setting, gently purée your veggies, making sure to keep the business end of your wand submerged. If you don't, you're sure to wear some scalding broth, which I can assure you, is less than pleasant. So, nice and slow, keep that wand moving until every morsel has been obliterated, unless you like having a few chunks in there... If you find that your purée is a little too thick, you can add a bit of broth at a time, until you've reached the desired consistency.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--SRP8l4yhi4/TsgkbI0n0yI/AAAAAAAAC9c/jVWQEVAWNu8/s1600/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--SRP8l4yhi4/TsgkbI0n0yI/AAAAAAAAC9c/jVWQEVAWNu8/s200/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676827378943775522" border="0" /></a><br />I like mine to be between liquid and baby food consistency; not too thick, not to runny. :)<br />At this point you can also add a few herbs or spices if you like. Here are a few choices I've used in the past that have all turned out beautifully:<br />Cumin<br />Caraway<br />Coriander<br />Powdered Ginger<br />Fresh Cilantro (chopped)<br />Garlic<br />Fresh Peppercorn<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cb2SFtgnXx8/TsgkbN0dchI/AAAAAAAAC9s/vRJnHhRqGco/s1600/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B038.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 96px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cb2SFtgnXx8/TsgkbN0dchI/AAAAAAAAC9s/vRJnHhRqGco/s200/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676827380285272594" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let it simmer on very low heat for another 10-20 minutes to let the spices' flavors blend in.<br /><br />Et Voilà!<br />A delicious, restaurant worthy, deliciously aromatic soup!<br />So easy, my 10 year old could do it!<br />(but only if I do the cutting and blending...) ;)<br /><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-niabeyT0y3E/TsgkbRCbtxI/AAAAAAAAC90/CQ7Z1LBM3uI/s1600/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-niabeyT0y3E/TsgkbRCbtxI/AAAAAAAAC90/CQ7Z1LBM3uI/s200/Mimi%2527s%2BBday%2Bsleepover%2B2011%2B040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676827381149185810" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">If you can handle dairy, you could pour a nuage of fresh cream or a dollop of sour cream (LOVE that if there's fresh cilantro in there!)<br /><br />Bon Appétit!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Jewels<br /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-74905809359350329842010-03-17T12:04:00.008-04:002010-03-26T23:05:45.608-04:00Photo blog!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6y9p2t3QuI/AAAAAAAAC2w/mHOqLYVq0Jc/s1600/07-03-14+flood+064.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6y9pYFUk3I/AAAAAAAAC2o/JQiyc_YbLKg/s1600/07-03-14+flood+057.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6y9pEZs8wI/AAAAAAAAC2g/UAOfrF3ulqM/s1600/07-03-14+flood+060.jpg"><br /></a><br />Weeeeeeeeellllll, life's been good, and busy! I thought I'd give you a little photo collage to show you some of what's been going on in the last month. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6EACIAM3GI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/3XaiywNwzXs/s1600-h/02-27-10+Organza+Flowers+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6EACIAM3GI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/3XaiywNwzXs/s200/02-27-10+Organza+Flowers+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449637060603075682" border="0" /></a><br />Super storm!<br />Right at the beginning of March. Some days later, we had a flash thaw, accompanied by torrential downpours, and flash flooding of our sunken patio. Fun times!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6EABOou2xI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/bqEtxUuZhnA/s1600-h/02-28-10+027.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6EABOou2xI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/bqEtxUuZhnA/s200/02-28-10+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449637045203819282" border="0" /></a><br />Ah yes, a fiber weaver's pet peeve. Just about to finish a tam, 3 stitches to go, and I RUN OUT OF YARN!!!!!!! GRRRRRRRR!<br />LOL!<br /></div><br />Alright, let's follow these first two photos with one of the coolest things to happen to me in a long while. I got a <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://jintrinsique.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">SWEETBOX</span> from Jinny!</a> Yeah! First off, let me tell you about this gorgeous lady's yummy goodies: They are To. Die. For! And I got a big box full! OMG!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6D-XOHUTDI/AAAAAAAAC1o/yn1_aocp7Us/s1600-h/07-03-14+flood+009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6D-XOHUTDI/AAAAAAAAC1o/yn1_aocp7Us/s200/07-03-14+flood+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449635223997533234" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6D-YkULQYI/AAAAAAAAC14/C1nFZ_TA6ks/s1600-h/07-03-14+flood+040.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6D-YkULQYI/AAAAAAAAC14/C1nFZ_TA6ks/s200/07-03-14+flood+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449635247136915842" border="0" /></a><br />Ooh, look at this assortment of sablés! And they're all gone! ;)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6EAAttwgwI/AAAAAAAAC2I/DW3PmxqJFkU/s1600-h/07-03-14+flood+006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6EAAttwgwI/AAAAAAAAC2I/DW3PmxqJFkU/s200/07-03-14+flood+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449637036366529282" border="0" /></a><br />Oh! Oh! Oh! Will you look at THIS?????<br />A box of petits fours, just for Moi! Moi! Moi! ;)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6D-X4AN7QI/AAAAAAAAC1w/A7gcGj4kjfM/s1600-h/07-03-14+flood+023.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6D-X4AN7QI/AAAAAAAAC1w/A7gcGj4kjfM/s200/07-03-14+flood+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449635235242044674" border="0" /></a><br />It was hard, but I kept one of the two raspberry coulis filled brownies for my honey.<br />It was really, really difficult!<br />I mean, LOOK AT IT! A dense, rich brownie, made with nothing but the finest, natural, organic ingredients, slathered in organic raspberry coulis and topped with a thick layer of BELGIAN CHOCOLATE GANACHE! O!M!G!!!!!<br />ORALGASM! ;)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6D-XOHUTDI/AAAAAAAAC1o/yn1_aocp7Us/s1600-h/07-03-14+flood+009.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, yes, let's get to the flash flood, shall we? See this? It's our new pool! It'll be all the rage this summer with the neighborhood kids. Well, only with the ones who don't have their own pool to dip in that is. ;) Lucky LUCKY us, we caught it before the water started seeping into the house. As you can see from this shot, Mimi was the only one having fun this day... "But Mooooooom, it's so cool! Can't we keep it like this????" No, no we can't!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6D-WnYommI/AAAAAAAAC1g/G0hIP9DDg6g/s1600-h/07-03-14+flood+058.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6D-WnYommI/AAAAAAAAC1g/G0hIP9DDg6g/s200/07-03-14+flood+058.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449635213601184354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6D-ZGG12iI/AAAAAAAAC2A/dozyUMflBp0/s1600-h/07-03-14+flood+051.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6D-ZGG12iI/AAAAAAAAC2A/dozyUMflBp0/s200/07-03-14+flood+051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449635256207792674" border="0" /></a>Ankle deep in water. I love my gortex lined hiking boots, they certainly came in handy ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6y9pEZs8wI/AAAAAAAAC2g/UAOfrF3ulqM/s1600/07-03-14+flood+060.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6y9pEZs8wI/AAAAAAAAC2g/UAOfrF3ulqM/s200/07-03-14+flood+060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452941762092659458" border="0" /></a>Well, we HAD to laugh! LOL! Here's D.H. pretending to take a dive.<br />I'm behind the camera reminding him that you should never dive in the shallow end. ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6y9pYFUk3I/AAAAAAAAC2o/JQiyc_YbLKg/s1600/07-03-14+flood+057.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6y9pYFUk3I/AAAAAAAAC2o/JQiyc_YbLKg/s200/07-03-14+flood+057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452941767375885170" border="0" /></a><br />Two garden hoses (thank you Nana Jo!!!) is what it took to bring the water all the way to the street, so we didn't pump the water back into the front of the house...<br />Which was already filling up the garage... Yeah, I said it... fun times... NOT!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6y9p2t3QuI/AAAAAAAAC2w/mHOqLYVq0Jc/s1600/07-03-14+flood+064.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S6y9p2t3QuI/AAAAAAAAC2w/mHOqLYVq0Jc/s200/07-03-14+flood+064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452941775598994146" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-47851977314804746242010-02-24T14:19:00.004-04:002010-02-24T23:55:15.207-04:00Today's TreasuriesI'm honored to be in three gorgeous treasuries at the moment. The first one by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/AnnyMay">AnnyMay</a>, our Team French "coordonatrice" with the mostest. It's called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=114600">"Bonne Nuit"</a>, and features an array of purple gorgeousness!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4VuFFGcXQI/AAAAAAAAC1M/T26zOmp36_I/s1600-h/02-22-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4VuFFGcXQI/AAAAAAAAC1M/T26zOmp36_I/s200/02-22-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441876758294715650" border="0" /></a>The second is by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/lacokine">Lac'Okine</a>, another Team French member, who chose the color green as her inspiration for this lovely T West, titled <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=88476&show_panel=true">Spring Festival</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4Vt7cqry6I/AAAAAAAAC1E/vf4ek2LQ8fg/s1600-h/02-23-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4Vt7cqry6I/AAAAAAAAC1E/vf4ek2LQ8fg/s200/02-23-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441876592822045602" border="0" /></a>And last but not least, we have <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/VickyAndFriends">Vicky's</a> very first treasury, filled with a fantastic display of colors! In fact, it's called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=115146">Colors. Colours. Couleurs.</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4X0Tr_E_oI/AAAAAAAAC1U/RahbUlYhDbc/s1600-h/02-24-10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4X0Tr_E_oI/AAAAAAAAC1U/RahbUlYhDbc/s200/02-24-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442024343809097346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Please click on the links to visit their shops, and I'm positive they'd love your comments on their treasuries. My Team French works SO hard at building these beautiful treasuries! :)<br /><br />Merci Vicky, Geneviève et Anny!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-41251229839172041472010-02-23T11:13:00.003-04:002010-02-23T11:52:42.580-04:00Busy playin', with a little work on the sideBeen toying with the idea of a new banner for Le Beadoir, so I was playing with my camera and some beads the other day. I've got a lovely array of simple white dishes. I like white, it's plain, crisp, and always looks clean. I especially like that I can go around and mix & match with any styles without them being in a set. I lucked out a few months back at a discount store, where they were unloading tons of what looked like restaurant ware. I found these fantastic little condiment bowls in the form of fish, and what I assume to be an olive or pickle dish in the shape of a nautilus. Not pictured are the awesome large pasta and fruit bowls I scored along with these. Bonus: Everything was white, and prices ranged between $0.50 - $2.00!<br />I've already got my fair share of condiment bowls, but I couldn't pass the fishies up. I thought they'd be PERFECT to hold my beads while I'm working, seeing as they were neither too big or too deep. Only problem was when hubby saw them, he snagged about half of them for himself. Which was my fault, really, since I suggested it might be prudent for him to keep his hooks and beads and weights in while he was tying some flies... Meh! Nothing another trip to the discount store couldn't fix! ;)<br />The fishies were sitting in front of me, filled with beads, and they looked so cute I thought they might be worth photographing. Of course, one thing led to another, and I started playing with other dishes and beads... And, well, you know how it goes.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PyKUAntgI/AAAAAAAAC0s/bcjveu8vEXM/s1600-h/beads+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 64px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PyKUAntgI/AAAAAAAAC0s/bcjveu8vEXM/s200/beads+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441459033777616386" border="0" /></a>Here's one idea, I've a few more shots, but blogger keeps turning them clockwise, and I didn't think you'd like to have to turn your head to see them, so I'll leave it at this one for now.<br /></div><br />Besides playing with my camera, I've been having quite a bit of fun with my crochet. A friend wanted me to design a scarf for her toddler, and provided me with this vibrant orange yarn. The ball was SO BIG that I thought "why not add a little hat with that?", so I did! Though I didn't have the little man's head to fit the hat perfectly, I figured Mimi wasn't that much bigger, and if it fit her snugly, then it would fit him for a while.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PxabSE2HI/AAAAAAAAC0U/sJrfkOujUKI/s1600-h/FB+MikeyOrangeSet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PxabSE2HI/AAAAAAAAC0U/sJrfkOujUKI/s200/FB+MikeyOrangeSet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441458211096156274" border="0" /></a><br />I was going for a beanie, but then remembered how little ones sometimes like to pull their hats off. So I added a little chin strap, which buttons up with one of my prized vintage buttons which very closely matched the color of the yarn. My friend RAVED about it! Said I couldn't have made the little hat fit more perfectly! Yay!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oooh! I also started making these super cute skinny scarves. I had just finished a hat and knew I didn't have enough yarn left over to make anything big, but had an inspired idea! A skinny scarf! But it looked SO plain, it just needed a little ooomph! So I hooked some giant pompoms to the ends, and VOILÀ! Some super cool skinny scarves! :)<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PxXQEnwzI/AAAAAAAACz0/rPEqyf32fqM/s1600-h/2010-02-02+093.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PxXQEnwzI/AAAAAAAACz0/rPEqyf32fqM/s200/2010-02-02+093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441458156547326770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PxX0b-A_I/AAAAAAAACz8/NJlS4_FCVB8/s1600-h/2010-02-02+114.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PxX0b-A_I/AAAAAAAACz8/NJlS4_FCVB8/s200/2010-02-02+114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441458166308930546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PxZhWYmHI/AAAAAAAAC0E/53b9BusxLXM/s1600-h/2010-02-02+118.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PxZhWYmHI/AAAAAAAAC0E/53b9BusxLXM/s200/2010-02-02+118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441458195544971378" border="0" /></a>Now if I could just get over this nasty cold so I could take some new shots and list these.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PyJ8hLljI/AAAAAAAAC0c/_lx_IBMuVYk/s1600-h/FB+PaytonSet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PyJ8hLljI/AAAAAAAAC0c/_lx_IBMuVYk/s200/FB+PaytonSet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441459027471734322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PyK-qtM0I/AAAAAAAAC08/QpseyyW50Uc/s1600-h/T5Tile.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PyK-qtM0I/AAAAAAAAC08/QpseyyW50Uc/s200/T5Tile.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441459045228426050" border="0" /></a>The hat and arm warmers, as well as the above bracelet were sent to my Beaders Without Borders partner Payton. The bracelet was for the swap, the hat and warmers and exchange for some of her fantastic lampwork beads. Oooh, wait 'til you see the beads I'm getting from her! Gorgeous, GORGEOUS hearts that I fell in love with at first sight!<br /><br />Besides that, nothing much. Shoveling, nursing my sciatica, getting over a nasty cold, and generally trying to keep myself out of trouble. Which means no shopping. Though I did splurge on some beautiful buttons from Natural Resources a week ago. If you like natural material buttons, you should check these guys out. I am very very impressed with the quality of their wares, and I couldn't believe how fast they got to me. I ordered on the 14th, and they arrived on the 22nd<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>Oh, and caved and went and had my eyes checked. That was fun! *rolls eyes*. I'm so glad I had my daughter with me to lead the way afterward. Good Golly! Do they absolutely NEED to put those nasty drops in your eyes??? LOL! My daughter was in the examination room with me, (since she was getting her eyes checked for the first time, I wanted her to see what they were doing so she wouldn't be so nervous), and when the doctor put the drops in, I guess the dilation was instant. She made both the doctor and myself laugh so hard! She said "Mommy! You look like a cat!" I said "You mean my pupil looks like a line?" she said "No! You look like Milo when he's rambunctious!!!" LOL!<br />We went to the glass shop so I could look at glasses. My prescription is very light, but I do notice that my eyes get really tired after a full day of work (it's the tiny beads and stitches that do me in...). Then we went to see my D.H., and he couldn't look at me, said I looked "way too freaky" with my black eyes! I had to look for myself and heck, I freaked MYSELF out! I took a photo, but only 4 hours after the exam. Still, you can see how long the dilation lasts. I'll say this though, everything looked so pretty and blurry. And blue! LOL!<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PyKuEPHZI/AAAAAAAAC00/hhYYRJDb4Do/s1600-h/Image2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S4PyKuEPHZI/AAAAAAAAC00/hhYYRJDb4Do/s200/Image2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441459040772103570" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-31806856440610843812010-02-18T13:43:00.006-04:002010-02-18T14:23:44.386-04:00Breakfast!!!Seems my blog has been sorely neglected for the last little while (MONTHS!!!), so I thought I'd give myself a little kick-start by introducing a different subject to my blog: COOKING!<br />Now, my disclaimer is I'm not a chef, but I AM a foodie! I love food, I love cooking it, preparing it, and most importantly, EATING IT! My favorite ingredient is Love (I know, cheesy, right?), and I strongly believe this is what makes my food taste so darn good. And I'm not just sayin' that! ;)<br />So, for my very first foodie installment, I thought I'd share my own French Toast recipe with you. This is one of our very favorite breakfast foods, and I've got a long list of friends and family members who'll vouch for their absolute deliciousness! (I'm not kidding, I've had personal requests for this breakfast...) Here's what you'll need:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318p5HYUtI/AAAAAAAACzU/z6b5yozR0aA/s1600-h/Breakfast+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 157px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318p5HYUtI/AAAAAAAACzU/z6b5yozR0aA/s200/Breakfast+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439640984081683154" border="0" /></a>Ingredients:<br />4 large eggs (5 if you like your toast a little more on the spongy side)<br />1 cup of milk (give or take, depending on the amount of bread you have, you may need to add a tad more...)<br />*About* 1 heaping tablespoon of brown sugar<br />A dash of vanilla extract (I only use the real stuff)<br />A dash of ground cinnamon if you like<br />1 full focaccia loaf<br /><br />Tools:<br />serrated knife<br />cutting board<br />large mixing bowl<br />mixing tool (egg beater, fork, doesn't matter...)<br />skillet<br />spatula<br />one seriously hearty appetite!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">My one 'secret' ingredient, is the focaccia. My absolute favorite being the Ace Bakery Cranberry Raisin Focaccia. The one thing you want to make sure of when making French Toast is the density of your bread. When I was little, my Mom used to toast her bread slices ahead of time, this ensured that your bread would soak up more of the batter, and lessen the chances of your slices getting too soggy and breaking apart before you could get it in the pan. The reason I like to use focaccia is that it's already a dense bread, it's got a lovely thick crust, and the texture is akin stale bread. This acts like a super thirsty sponge and soaks up a LOT of the batter, making for the most deliciously moist 'cakey' bread on the inside that stays crispy on the outside.<br /><br /></div></div>Start heating up your skillet ahead of time, keep it at a medium-high heat. I use a non-stick skillet, with a touch of melted butter.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318potk-BI/AAAAAAAACzM/rr-zs7wR0EY/s1600-h/Breakfast+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 176px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318potk-BI/AAAAAAAACzM/rr-zs7wR0EY/s200/Breakfast+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439640979678492690" border="0" /></a>Cut your loaf in 1/2 inch thick slices (I usually get about a dozen or so slices at that thickness).<br />Thinner slices won't give you the (re: MY) desired texture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318iLHmBDI/AAAAAAAACzE/Z60B-MOrlnk/s1600-h/Breakfast+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 178px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318iLHmBDI/AAAAAAAACzE/Z60B-MOrlnk/s200/Breakfast+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439640851475465266" border="0" /></a>Whip all of your ingredients together<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318hiEHurI/AAAAAAAACy8/dOOb8Dyq1aw/s1600-h/Breakfast+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318hiEHurI/AAAAAAAACy8/dOOb8Dyq1aw/s200/Breakfast+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439640840455043762" border="0" /></a>*You like my little "Eggy"? ;)*<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then comes the messy part. I hope you're not squeemish, cause your fingers will get soaked! Push the focaccia slices down into the batter so they'll get nice and soaked, but don't soak them so much that the slices start breaking down.<br /><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318hI499DI/AAAAAAAACy0/qQ5U0S0ORmU/s1600-h/Breakfast+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 172px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318hI499DI/AAAAAAAACy0/qQ5U0S0ORmU/s200/Breakfast+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439640833697379378" border="0" /></a>Then just brown your bread in your pan, keeping a close eye on them to avoid burning them. If you keep the heat at medium, it should take about 4-5 minutes on each side for a lovely crispy brown toast. You want to make sure the exterior is nice and brown, but you also want to cook the interior thoroughly (no sogginess!).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318g-Bs7yI/AAAAAAAACys/EHmnnNOoHXM/s1600-h/Breakfast+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 165px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318g-Bs7yI/AAAAAAAACys/EHmnnNOoHXM/s200/Breakfast+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439640830781222690" border="0" /></a>Mmmmmmmm, can't you just smell it?????<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318glr1s-I/AAAAAAAACyk/_lgwEbRGmHg/s1600-h/Breakfast+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 102px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S318glr1s-I/AAAAAAAACyk/_lgwEbRGmHg/s200/Breakfast+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439640824247071714" border="0" /></a><br />Take two. At this point I've got two seagulls flying around the kitchen trying to snag a slice on the go!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The beauty of using this particular focaccia is that you don't really need any maple syrup with them, but you can if you want to! :) Another way to sweeten them up would be to lightly sprinkle them with powdered sugar. They're very hearty, so would stand alone very well for a full breakfast, but if I was going all out, I'd add bacon, potato patties, some lightly seasoned (sea salt, fresh cracked pepper and thyme) eggs, and a freshly brewed pot of coffee or tea.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S32C6zn8U9I/AAAAAAAACzs/q1oxSwtOAQI/s1600-h/2009-12-20+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S32C6zn8U9I/AAAAAAAACzs/q1oxSwtOAQI/s200/2009-12-20+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439647871735190482" border="0" /></a>Care to join us for breakfast? :)<br />There's more than enough!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you like my very first 'recipe' installment, and look forward to sharing more with you.<br /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-49286977789450510742010-01-06T20:49:00.014-04:002010-01-07T14:04:31.024-04:00Winter Wonderland!Well, I guess we're lucky, by this time last year, we'd already been shoveling the white stuff for months. We had our first substantial snow storm this week, and I'm happy to report that this little downfall has helped me stick to at least one of my resolutions: To reintroduce fitness into my lifestyle. Yeah, I'm a bit sore, but I'm sticking to it. Oh, and remembering to bend at the knees. Here's our front porch on Monday. Right before my neighbor picked me up to go run a few errands. What were we thinking!? Oh, right, I needed groceries... ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0UzfmCSZ2I/AAAAAAAACx0/INAIlJ3hpDE/s1600-h/IMG_0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0UzfmCSZ2I/AAAAAAAACx0/INAIlJ3hpDE/s200/IMG_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423797944116733794" border="0" /></a>I wanted to take a few shots of the aftermath. The railing got a massive covering of snow, that pile was about 10 inches high, and it must've thought it was soft serve ice cream or something? Here's what it looked like this morning, when things started warming up just a little bit. Pretty cool eh?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0Uyzb79WGI/AAAAAAAACxM/Ik5VwCZwM5Y/s1600-h/2010-01-06+048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0Uyzb79WGI/AAAAAAAACxM/Ik5VwCZwM5Y/s200/2010-01-06+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423797185491589218" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Even the clerestory got covered. Id never realized just how much more natural lighting those windows let in. It made the place look so dark with them all covered like this.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0Uyzvpw02I/AAAAAAAACxU/v3ZegQhJT4M/s1600-h/2010-01-06+041.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0Uyzvpw02I/AAAAAAAACxU/v3ZegQhJT4M/s200/2010-01-06+041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423797190783980386" border="0" /></a>Well, with snow storms comes cabin fever. Though we haven't taken on any major renovations, we've been keeping up with the tiny little things here and there we just couldn't live with anymore. Here's one such project. Above our kitchen sink sat what I can only describe as a fake window. No really, see for yourself:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0U1xh-TyaI/AAAAAAAACyE/9gK6hOSRVj4/s1600-h/64.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0U1xh-TyaI/AAAAAAAACyE/9gK6hOSRVj4/s200/64.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423800451287206306" border="0" /></a><br />It's not the best shot of it, but let's just say that it wasn't one of the house's selling points... At least not as must as the built-in vintage food mixer was.<br /><br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0Uzf80naVI/AAAAAAAACx8/1vKJh8sNTIw/s1600-h/IMG_0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0Uzf80naVI/AAAAAAAACx8/1vKJh8sNTIw/s200/IMG_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423797950233405778" border="0" /></a>So, hubby and I got to work. I removed the 'pane' a while back, and found that it was just like a recessed shallow box. But the scenery, oh the scenery... I just couldn't take it anymore. Every day I half expected Heidi to come jumping out of the Alp-like scene... It was just, so, not... here! LOL!<br /><br />So here was my bright idea: To remove the pane, scrape off the paper, give the whole surface a good sanding, then a few coats of chalkboard paint. Oh, and a few cork tiles. So we'd have a cork/chalk board :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0Uy0iUU1gI/AAAAAAAACxs/SFPPBKNpGwQ/s1600-h/IMG_0002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 166px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0Uy0iUU1gI/AAAAAAAACxs/SFPPBKNpGwQ/s200/IMG_0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423797204384273922" border="0" /></a>I played with a few ideas on how to divide the panel. This looked cool, but then would have left the chalkboard so high, the only one able to use it would have been D.H.!<br />Well, unless we kept a step-stool at hand for Mimi and myself... ;)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0Uy0SoKWwI/AAAAAAAACxk/ANXPzDT1XsM/s1600-h/2010-01-06+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0Uy0SoKWwI/AAAAAAAACxk/ANXPzDT1XsM/s200/2010-01-06+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423797200172505858" border="0" /></a>Ta-Dah! :)<br />Quick, simple, and EASY!<br />But MEHHHHH-SYYYYYY!<br />Everything in the kitchen had a slight coat of black dusting, since I used spray paint. (but I made sure the area was very WELL ventilated!!!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And hey! Did I tell you I got to plan a short and sweet escape over the holidays? D.H. had some time off from work, and I seized the opportunity to get up and go! Yes! I left my husband and child to go on a mini vacation, just for Moi! :) It was *really* short, but I enjoyed it fervently. And yes, I did miss my family, but I also missed my Mom. And heck, I hadn't been away by myself in over 8 years!!! (Little Highness arrived a little over 8 years ago... you catch my drift?)<br />I got to spend some quality alone time with my Mom, enjoyed seeing my aunts and uncles, got to meet my cousin's new beau, and was in awe at all the hard work my Mom and Denis did in their basement, which was previously considered a 'catch all' kinda room, and is now a gorgeous suite with kitchenette, game room, computer room, and ANOTHER living room!!!! LOL!<br />Oh! Remind me to tell you about some of the gorgeous vintage yarns my Mom shared with me. She finds the best deal places for stuff like that I tell you!<br /><br />On the day of my departure, I went for breakfast with Dad. I know he wishes we'd had been able to spend more time together, but the trip was planned so quickly, all I wanted to do was 'get outta town'. ;) Dad and I had a bit of a gift exchange. Nothing big, I gave him what could be considered a goodie bag of varied assortments. Some homegrown herbs (no, not THOSE kinds of herbs!!!! The kitchen kind! Sheesh!), some hand crocheted man-sized face cloths, some handmade soap from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/chasestreetsoapco">Chase Street Soap Co.</a> on Etsy (you really should check her shop out, Jessica and I did a little trade for some of each others' wares, and boy was it worth it!!! Her soaps leave your skin feeling soft and silky, no scummy soap film left behind, and no dry feeling either! And the scents are TDF!!!)<br /><br />I think Dad was mostly surprised by the nice fat cheque I was able to give him, since I sold a few of his bowls and some captive ring rattles. Here's one of the lovely babies he gave me: A wood turned crochet hook! He gave me 5 of them, to test out and enjoy for myself. This is my favorite prototype so far:<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0Uyz6c4CGI/AAAAAAAACxc/DjmoKtNjQyk/s1600-h/2009-01-01+061.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0Uyz6c4CGI/AAAAAAAACxc/DjmoKtNjQyk/s200/2009-01-01+061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423797193682716770" border="0" /></a><br />Feels fantastic in your hand, in either the pen or knife hold, won't make your hand feel fatigued after hours of handiwork. He says he's going to make me one out of deer antler next. Can't wait to see it! I also like that he can make them to my specifications. This one here is 7 mm in diameter. I'd been looking all over for a 7mm hook, and could never find one - do they even make them???<br /></div><br /><br />Speaking of crochet, here's my newest endeavors. I call them "Personal Spa Sets", and the set comprises three luxurious, thick, cozy crocheted items: A face cloth, a wide headband, and a lovely little "soap cushion" to wash your face with. I used to have such an extensive self-care routine, with all the different soaps, and creams, buffing this, sloughing that... With this set, well, I'm all set! The headband is wide enough that it holds every strand of hair out of my face, so no worries about getting my hair soapy. The soap cushion is just the right size and thickness to get the job done, and done well. The nature of cotton makes it so that the surface of the cushion is slightly exfoliating. Not too rough, and not to soft. You can either use the cloth to wipe your face dry, or as a general wash cloth. Either way, it too feels absolutely glorious on your skin. The soap cushion can be used with your favorite liquid wash, OR you can use the handy-dandy little opening at the back, and insert a tiny piece of your favorite bar of face soap (My current favorite is, of course, from Jess' shop, is the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22826925">Oatmeal Honey Spice</a> loaf). Smells good enough to eat!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0UwUm7zdKI/AAAAAAAACxE/9lDLEGg_sfs/s1600-h/2009-12-20+080.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0UwUm7zdKI/AAAAAAAACxE/9lDLEGg_sfs/s200/2009-12-20+080.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423794456844530850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0YbJZwBByI/AAAAAAAACyc/jM2u7TWmF3M/s1600-h/FB+OffWhite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 177px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0YbJZwBByI/AAAAAAAACyc/jM2u7TWmF3M/s200/FB+OffWhite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424052649559394082" border="0" /></a>Off White<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0YbJJIk9CI/AAAAAAAACyU/e1BXrLaVDpc/s1600-h/FB+Brown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0YbJJIk9CI/AAAAAAAACyU/e1BXrLaVDpc/s200/FB+Brown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424052645099009058" border="0" /></a>Chocolate Brown<br /><div style="text-align: left;">I've had so much fun making these sets, that I had D.H. go out and get me some more cotton in different colors. Which is bound to keep me busy for the next few weeks... ;)<br /><br />But not just with crocheting mind you. I've recently started hanging out in my beading studio again, trying to get those creative juices flowing. I wanted to play with my pearls, but didn't want to make anything too complicated, so I stuck with an old favorite of mine, my Pearl Blossoms, but did something slightly different. Where I usually make them into a single pendant which can be transferred from chain to chain - or ribbon... - this time I chose to make them an integral part of the design.<br /></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0UwTR9wz8I/AAAAAAAACwk/-OUgW5PJ0gQ/s1600-h/IMG_0011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0UwTR9wz8I/AAAAAAAACwk/-OUgW5PJ0gQ/s200/IMG_0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423794434035732418" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0UwT9jSaeI/AAAAAAAACw0/Sod0dS1CYYA/s1600-h/IMG_0082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0UwT9jSaeI/AAAAAAAACw0/Sod0dS1CYYA/s200/IMG_0082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423794445735848418" border="0" /></a><br />I call this one Trinity.<br />Three deep red Pearl Blossoms hanging from an antique brushed brass finish chain.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0UwTj-eNKI/AAAAAAAACws/W-yF3_JmkC4/s1600-h/IMG_0044.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0UwTj-eNKI/AAAAAAAACws/W-yF3_JmkC4/s200/IMG_0044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423794438870545570" border="0" /></a><br />This was the original one, called "Ye Ole Ball & Chain".<br />And D.H. named that one, 'cause that's what it reminded him of.<br /><br /></div><br />Now, on a final note, I want to share this news with you:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Carol Dean Sharpe, of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sandfibers">SandFibers</a>, is having a lovely give away from her blog site to celebrate 1000 sales in her Etsy shop!! The giveaway is for a $100 gift certificate TO HER SHOP!!! Not only does Carol Dean create fantastic beadwork, she also sells some of the patterns for her glorious designs! Please do enter, Carol is an amazing bead artist and you will be sooooooooo glad you did. Click on the photo below to link to her blog.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sandfibers.blogspot.com/2010/01/first-sand-fibers-1000-giveaway.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 196px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/S0YZwATUGdI/AAAAAAAACyM/_wKd9wLLWkQ/s200/giveaway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424051113719765458" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />Here's what Carol says of her contest:<br /></span>"The winner can use this gift certificate in my<a href="http://sandfibers.etsy.com/"> Etsy store</a> or to order a custom item. Or, because I will make the gift certificate transferable and without expiration date, you can give the certificate as a gift.<br /><br />For your chance(s) to win a $100 Sand Fibers Gift Certificate, you can do one or all of the following:<br /><br />1. Leave a comment here telling me what you would get with a $100 Sand Fibers gift certificate. (Don't worry: I won't hold you to your selections if you win.)<br /><br />2. Blog about this give away and leave a comment with a link to your blog post.<br /><br />3. Twitter about this give away and leave a comment letting me know you did. Be sure to reference @SandFibers in your tweet.<br /><br />4. Link to this post on Facebook and leave a comment with a link to your link (does that make sense? lol)"<br /><br />So? Whatcha waitin' for? Git!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-29133679420567986142009-12-23T11:34:00.007-04:002009-12-23T12:42:23.799-04:00PeripherySo, yeah, seems I'm *<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">still</span>* not totally back in beading mode, but in my defense, so much has been happening around us lately. Not complaining, just coming to that realization now. Mimi was sick for a whole week, so she stayed home. Hubby's been extremely busy at work, so I've been in single parent mode for a bit too. Though now he's home [well, technically, he's currently at the river's edge, hopefully snagging the ever elusive 'big one'...] for a few weeks for the holidays. I'm hoping we can all catch up on family time, and that Mom might, <span style="font-style: italic;">just might</span> get a chance to be by herself for a few of those days so she can catch up on her Self? ... Would be nice...<br /><br />I think I should start with one of my favorite things: Family breakfast. I've been wanting to share this with my readers, just a wee bit of insight to me, and my family life. I do this every Sunday, and it's just for Us. It gives us a chance to sit back, relax, enjoy each others' company, and catch up on our week. Here's a sample of one of my best spreads: two eggs, over easy, sprinkled with pepper, sea salt, and thyme. French toast, made with a cranberry focaccia, oven roasted herbed potato patties, and bacon. GOTTA have the bacon. And no, the turkey one won't cut it, though I have tried sneaking it in every so often, you know, for 'health' reasons. ;) Of course, we only eat this way once a week, 'cause if I ate like this every day, then it would become easier to jump over me than to walk around me... I likes me food!<br /><br />Do you have a designated 'Family Day'?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI7GUBXkuI/AAAAAAAACwM/Pcp1ZRQ-aE4/s1600-h/2009-12-20+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI7GUBXkuI/AAAAAAAACwM/Pcp1ZRQ-aE4/s200/2009-12-20+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418458281319830242" border="0" /></a>Last week, I was the very surprised recipient of this wonderful gift, sent to me by <a href="http://nedbeads.blogspot.com/">Nancy</a>, who though we've met through here, on Blogger, became closer through facebook. And though things were sorta coasting along for me here, I think Nancy sensed that I wasn't completely %100 myself. I still am not, but I'm working on it. I was totally floored by the selection of shiny things she sent me, and couldn't believe that someone whom I'd only known for a short while would take the time to do something so thoughtful and kind for me. To put together a lovely care package, just to put a smile on my face. Oh I smiled. And I cried. But just a little bit. Here's what I received:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI7Fp2l9PI/AAAAAAAACwE/CykXENvhGbQ/s1600-h/2009-12-20+047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI7Fp2l9PI/AAAAAAAACwE/CykXENvhGbQ/s200/2009-12-20+047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418458270000346354" border="0" /></a><br />Pretty pink crystals, fantastic pearls (you know me and my pearls!), gorgeous looooong purple briolette crystals [which are destined to become copper-wrapped earrings], and this super funky stone donut that I'm just dying to make something with.<br />She threw in this card of neat fibers that I'm still fondling, and thought I've had quite a few ideas for their use, I'm still waiting for that "A-ha!" idea to hit me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, I've also been bit with the 'renovation' bug. Or perhaps I should call it the recycling bug. I spied with my little eye this beautiful old sideboard at Goodwill about 6 weeks ago. I had an idea to put it in our entryway, which I thought would help with all the front door clutter. I waited and waited for the price to go down, but it just wouldn't. Until one day, I went up to the manager and asked if she'd make me a better price. As you can see, it's found a new home. At %50 the original asking price. The piece was in excellent condition, save for a few scratches and marks on the surface veneer. However, I was planning on refinishing it to a beautiful flat black, to match all of the other items that had recently received the same treatment. Here's a before.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI5giN_pxI/AAAAAAAACv0/PLz7Gop9_uw/s1600-h/2009-12-6+refinishing+045.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 178px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI5giN_pxI/AAAAAAAACv0/PLz7Gop9_uw/s200/2009-12-6+refinishing+045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418456532784228114" border="0" /></a>I worked on that baby for a week straight!<br />Lots of work, but oh so worth it! I sanded and buffed the finish away (dirty work that is!), removed the doors, drawers and hardware, then got to work with the paint.<br />Lucky for me I have a drive-through garage, so I was able to leave both ends open while I worked. Must be wary of those fumes...<br /><br />And here is the end result:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI7FeOht_I/AAAAAAAACv8/HJcWD3cvudw/s1600-h/2009-12-20+059.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI7FeOht_I/AAAAAAAACv8/HJcWD3cvudw/s200/2009-12-20+059.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418458266879506418" border="0" /></a><br />I have to be honest. I'm giving myself quite the pat on the back for this project. The mirror was actually salvaged from a dumpster at our old appartment. The frame was white, and it's a super thick beveled mirror (they cost a FORTUNE these days!). It had been sitting in a closet for about two years, with the specific intent to refinish it, I simply didn't know what color I would go with. I had a pile of frames kicking around as well, all white. They got the black treatment too, and now frame our family ancestry. It's very heartwarming to my D.H. and myself to see our grandparents and parents hanging out on our wall.<br />[That yellow/tan chair was also a roadside rescue. Someone was throwing it out. I visualize it recovered in a gorgeous black on white damask toile fabric, but that's another project, for another time... LOL!]<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI7csulWcI/AAAAAAAACwc/wryveQ2PcdY/s1600-h/2009-12-20+049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI7csulWcI/AAAAAAAACwc/wryveQ2PcdY/s200/2009-12-20+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418458665909049794" border="0" /></a><br />From a different angle.<br />Though I did keep the original hardware on the sideboard, I have been eyeballing some new ones from <a href="http://www.leevalley.com/home.aspx?c=">Lee Valley</a> - one of my favorite, favorite stores to shop at for original eccentricities.<br />GREAT place to find storage solutions as someone who needs to house lots of tiny little bits too!<br /></div><br />Bringing the 'new' sideboard in meant that I needed to reorganize a few other pieces of furniture. Little Highness, lucky little girl that she is, has her very own craft cabinet, and though I'd love to keep it in her room, she simply lacks the space. Armed with my trusty measuring tape and a copious amount of "hmmmmmmmm, I wonder...", I found out that it fit near perfectly in the tiny nook at the end of our front 'hallway', with exactly one inch to spare on each side! Right, here's where I'll get all 'New Agey' on you, and start talking Feng Shui. ;) I figured this was the perfect spot for it, since that corner wasn't getting any use, aside from whenever we hit the loo - 2nd door on the right... - This new location now forces us to keep the bathroom door closed in order to see the lovely Balinese cabinet, AND now the Chi is functional, as opposed to being stagnant. Bonus, when L.H. grows out of it, I can reclaim it as our linen cabinet. Maybe...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI7GkCfTsI/AAAAAAAACwU/qfTL93_hSu0/s1600-h/2009-12-20+056.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI7GkCfTsI/AAAAAAAACwU/qfTL93_hSu0/s200/2009-12-20+056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418458285619498690" border="0" /></a>Now, as for the rest of what's been goin' on. Well, we've discovered one of the joys of home ownership involved getting used to having new little room mates... Freeloading ones. A few months ago, we all started hearing little scurrying sounds in our ceiling area. Of course, we all gave the cat a side-eye glance, wondering since he constantly chases them outdoors (and subsequently tries to sneak them back in...), can't he simply catch the indoor ones? Well, indoor mice are crafty. CRAFTY I tell you!!! And I suspect have the stomach capacity of a cow! Look at this 10 lbs bag of basmati rice, which had JUST been purchased. So here's Jewels, preparing dinner for her family, when she decides "hmmmmm, basmati rice sure would be nice with these steamed veggies and the pan fried chicken breast..." Jewels reaches for the rice, and though she expects to feel the heft of 10 lbs of rice, lifts the pouch without any resistance whatsoever... "hmmmmm, didn't I just buy this bag of rice?" Walk with me, while you hear the sound of uncooked grains of rice bouncing off the floor... "What the!? Oh! There's a hole in the bottom corner of the bag!"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI5f-jeuwI/AAAAAAAACvs/R4I_Kex1ViQ/s1600-h/2009-12-6+refinishing+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI5f-jeuwI/AAAAAAAACvs/R4I_Kex1ViQ/s200/2009-12-6+refinishing+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418456523210668802" border="0" /></a><br />OMG! THIS IS ALL THAT WAS LEFT!!!!<br />LMBO!<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI5fr2uGrI/AAAAAAAACvk/PsRlRaw5woM/s1600-h/2009-12-6+refinishing+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI5fr2uGrI/AAAAAAAACvk/PsRlRaw5woM/s200/2009-12-6+refinishing+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418456518191094450" border="0" /></a>Yes, well, the remainder of the rice went to the garbage bin, and out came the vacuum so I could clean up the ricey mess... But not without some serious grumbling, and a few choice French words thrown in for good measure... ;) If the little freeloading buggers thought I was going to take this laying down, they've got another thing coming. I hear they don't like the smell of fabric softener sheets. I'll have to photographically document myself slipping those above the ceiling tiles... That's if Milo doesn't get off his duff and get them...<br /><br />Speaking of Milo, he's been a very good boy otherwise. The whole week that Mimi was home sick, this is how I found them:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI5fAAwnQI/AAAAAAAACvc/dO0qZ4brDRQ/s1600-h/2009-12-6+refinishing+093.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI5fAAwnQI/AAAAAAAACvc/dO0qZ4brDRQ/s200/2009-12-6+refinishing+093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418456506422041858" border="0" /></a><br />Look at my big boy, belly up in the air. You'd almost think they get along from this photo, but in reality, they're actually closer to acting like true brother and sister. Constantly chasing each other, and lots of "Mooooooom! Milo's chasing me!" And I swear, every time that cat lies down to sleep, L.H. just HAS to pick him up and disturb his slumber...<br /><br /><br />Oh, and here are the two lovely flowers I sent to my last contest winner. I like to host the occasional contest on my facebook pages when I introduce a new product in either of my shops. This one was for my new organza blooms, and though the winner wanted them for his new baby girl, the bloom in question would've pretty much dwarfed her already tiny head. So I decided to make a small version of the original one, for a Mother Daughter set.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI5eYxCyoI/AAAAAAAACvU/ZPFG-fMGJIU/s1600-h/2009-12-8+refinishing+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 142px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SzI5eYxCyoI/AAAAAAAACvU/ZPFG-fMGJIU/s200/2009-12-8+refinishing+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418456495887141506" border="0" /></a><br />Cute, non?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well, I'm afraid that's it for today. I do have TONS more stuff I need to catch up on, and tons more to share, but I'll leave it at this for this morning, and hope to have a chance to update this blog a bit more in the next coming weeks, since it <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> supposed to be a holiday for all.<br /><br />Supposed too...<br /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-45287734943706876232009-11-24T11:28:00.004-04:002009-11-24T12:00:43.182-04:00Pearls ARE a Girl's Best FriendNever mind diamonds. No, don't get me wrong, I like my diamonds, but pearls, Oh, pearls! They just have this certain "Je ne sais quoi" that makes my heart just pitter patter like a centipede's tap-dancing feet!<br />Two years ago, for our 10th anniversary, my darling husband asked me "What would you like for a gift honey?" I said "PEARLS!" Not entirely understanding my request, D.H. went out and looked for a jewelry item made of pearls for me. But after a whole week of searching, he finally admitted he just couldn't find anything that jumped out at him. Anything that he thought would 'suit' me. This is when I set him straight: "No honey, I don't want you to go out and purchase a pearl item for me, what I want are pearls, of my very own, to make my own jewelry with..." THIS D.H. could agree on. And so I searched high and low for the best pearl suppliers I could find, and afford, and I did find one with which I could agree on the pricing and quality of their items. Frankly, I fell in love with this site that sold nothing but Tahitian pearls, but, well, I just couldn't see D.H. buying me a boat load of black Tahitian pearls at $200 a piece... ;) So, I went with the Freshwater variety.<br />And I was NOT disappointed! Shall I tell you just how many pearls I did get from that single order? Well, it was 11 kilos!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SwwCzVQ_hJI/AAAAAAAACug/ZOZ7l2UEuY0/s1600/pearl+love.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SwwCzVQ_hJI/AAAAAAAACug/ZOZ7l2UEuY0/s200/pearl+love.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407700333470123154" border="0" /></a><br />Here I am, fondling some of my newly arrived pearl stash!<br />Gosh, I have that glazed over look, don't I ;)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And the ones I really found to be a personal splurge were these:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Swv-KkV_DYI/AAAAAAAACuQ/aRe41A2C_9g/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Swv-KkV_DYI/AAAAAAAACuQ/aRe41A2C_9g/s200/IMG_0027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407695235096448386" border="0" /></a><br />Natural 9mm round purple freshwater pearls.<br /><br />And here's what I made with them:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Swv-K_1QUdI/AAAAAAAACuY/WzDhxY4Khmk/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Swv-K_1QUdI/AAAAAAAACuY/WzDhxY4Khmk/s200/IMG_0029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407695242475360722" border="0" /></a>A three-strand hand-knotted necklace with a silver box clasp.<br />I think I'll call them my "Desperate Housewife" strands... LOL!!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">But I did get quite a variety of other pearls, these natural pearls made my heart dance too. Having always had that "I wonder what this would look like" syndrome, I just HAD to try making a lariat with them. Of course, the unfinished rope sat there for a while, since I had NO clue what I could use to finish it. (Lariat ends are the BANE of this beader's existence... I always start with the rope, and always struggle with the ends. Well, unless I've purchased embellishments as an end in mind... ) 14 hand-strung 16" strands and two large Swarovski rondelles later, and this is what I came up with:<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Swv7zvO8eSI/AAAAAAAACuI/lx6hcuNnqbA/s1600/Fall+%2709+Beadwork2+250.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Swv7zvO8eSI/AAAAAAAACuI/lx6hcuNnqbA/s200/Fall+%2709+Beadwork2+250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407692643859462434" border="0" /></a><br />The rope is 45.5 " long (I thought it was longer, but then again, I have been measuring a whole lot of my ropes lately for listing in my shop... Oh well...)<br />I'm so used to making my 60" long ropes... ;)<br />The seed beads rope take longer to work up, but these pearl ones take longer to string.<br />Given the miliform nature of freshwater pearls, the holes all sit at different angles, so you can't really load them up in a spinner and string'em up... They literally had to be strung individually...<br />And yes, I HAVE been called crazy before, so you won't offend me if you call me out... ;)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Swv7zZi3JZI/AAAAAAAACuA/osPNp_Xwmtk/s1600/Fall+%2709+Beadwork2+253.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Swv7zZi3JZI/AAAAAAAACuA/osPNp_Xwmtk/s200/Fall+%2709+Beadwork2+253.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407692638037419410" border="0" /></a>I also like it worn tied at the wrist like an opulent handcuff...<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Swv7zAkHXDI/AAAAAAAACt4/GwDJDFTv8TA/s1600/Fall+%2709+Beadwork2+242.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Swv7zAkHXDI/AAAAAAAACt4/GwDJDFTv8TA/s200/Fall+%2709+Beadwork2+242.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407692631331789874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Swv7ylEnuGI/AAAAAAAACtw/PbDTfL1_DEs/s1600/Fall+%2709+Beadwork2+241.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Swv7ylEnuGI/AAAAAAAACtw/PbDTfL1_DEs/s200/Fall+%2709+Beadwork2+241.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407692623951935586" border="0" /></a>Well, I've been debating with myself for a while now, wondering whether or not Etsy would be the right venue to list these in. I also have pearl rope done up with khaki freshwater pearls and smoky topaz Swarovski's on the ends. They'd be in the higher end price mark at $650 a piece... I'm tempted... Do you think they would sell? One thing's for sure, they'd certainly garner many "hearts".Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-46084961829546516322009-10-28T15:22:00.003-04:002009-10-28T15:45:32.065-04:00I've been a bad, bad girl...I've been careless with a delicate man... Oh, wait, that's a Fiona Apple song! What I mean was, I've been careless with this blog! Well, not careless, really, just so darn busy with all the other avenues in my life that I simply haven't had time to write here, let alone read anyone else's blogs!<br /><br />Well, with the cold months here already, I've been quite pleased to simply sit back, relax with a hot cup of tea (or coffee...) and a hook, and have been playing with my yarn stash. Oh, and what fun I've had! In the last three weeks, I've busily made at least a dozen cowls, (two of which have matching cuffs, see below...), half a dozen 'cup coats', and have even put some time aside to teach myself how to make organza flowers!<br /><br />All this of course, was done in the midst of the little one getting dental surgery, then suffering through (and passing on...) two consecutive cold/flu viruses, keeping house, AND looking after a sick hubby who's business is soboominghecan'ttakeanytimeoff...<br /><br />Anyway... At least I've had the time to photograph some of these creations, and this post is all about that: PHOTOS!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SuiajY3PxZI/AAAAAAAACtI/A9XGXWoKPGY/s1600-h/2009-10-17++scarves+118.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SuiajY3PxZI/AAAAAAAACtI/A9XGXWoKPGY/s200/2009-10-17++scarves+118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397734086163809682" border="0" /></a>Deep Purple neckwarmer with matching cuffs.<br />The buttons were all salvaged from a second-hand store purchase.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SuiaisxEByI/AAAAAAAACs4/0eZYv52gyDo/s1600-h/2009-10-12+Organza+Flowers+045.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SuiaisxEByI/AAAAAAAACs4/0eZYv52gyDo/s200/2009-10-12+Organza+Flowers+045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397734074326714146" border="0" /></a>Organza flowers with antique glass button centers.<br />These are SO much fun to make, and easy too! But still, a little time consuming, if you don't have a 'system' in place...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SuiajIiFAMI/AAAAAAAACtA/dectZqjPHkk/s1600-h/2009-10-12+Organza+Flowers+036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SuiajIiFAMI/AAAAAAAACtA/dectZqjPHkk/s200/2009-10-12+Organza+Flowers+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397734081780056258" border="0" /></a>The cream one is one of my favorites. I also quite like the buttons I used, very understated, they almost look like carved crystal balls.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Suiaids-JZI/AAAAAAAACsw/EqBV43MRoPc/s1600-h/2009-10-27+coffee+coats+097.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Suiaids-JZI/AAAAAAAACsw/EqBV43MRoPc/s200/2009-10-27+coffee+coats+097.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397734070283019666" border="0" /></a>I went for a little jaunt downtown yesterday, and since we have a lovely little caffé there, called Balzac's, I thought I'd take along a few of my new cup cozies, and go ahead with a mini photo shoot while I had myself a little treat of medium roast and carrot cake. It was sooo worth it, even if I did start feeling very, very under the weather about 1 hour into my little excursion.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SuiaiNd_XPI/AAAAAAAACso/XUh-vRAYbx0/s1600-h/2009-10-27+coffee+coats+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SuiaiNd_XPI/AAAAAAAACso/XUh-vRAYbx0/s200/2009-10-27+coffee+coats+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397734065925217522" border="0" /></a>Another cup cozy, this one matches the neck warmer two photos down. I'm from a long line of crafty "Waste not, want not" Women, and if I like one thing in one color combination, I'll usually try to work with that same combination 'til there's no more yarn to play with.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Suia8mm8iaI/AAAAAAAACtQ/kL-b4-A5aFE/s1600-h/FB2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Suia8mm8iaI/AAAAAAAACtQ/kL-b4-A5aFE/s200/FB2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397734519350266274" border="0" /></a>Fiery Fall neckwarmer<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Suia9DgohWI/AAAAAAAACtY/DFf4Z7Txw7g/s1600-h/FB3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Suia9DgohWI/AAAAAAAACtY/DFf4Z7Txw7g/s200/FB3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397734527108416866" border="0" /></a>Poetess neck warmer<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Suia9cxOQAI/AAAAAAAACtg/A8tl5qAKHsA/s1600-h/BF4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Suia9cxOQAI/AAAAAAAACtg/A8tl5qAKHsA/s200/BF4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397734533888884738" border="0" /></a>Green Goodness neck warmer.<br />Might I add that I'm absolutely digging the versatility of these pieces? I love how you can wear the neck warmers in different fashions, as well as over the ears, as shown.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well, I think that's about it for today. Hopefully I can get back to doing this blogging thing more regularly, but, I won't keep my hopes up about that, since I'm trying to line myself up with a few shows and sales. Oooh, and I did find a lady downtown yesterday who was VERY interested in carrying my beaded amulets in her New Age shop, and I'm quite excited about that prospect, and think my little amulets would do really well there as 'Medicine' bags.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SuiezhctZNI/AAAAAAAACto/zbaRFhbuk5E/s1600-h/Fall+%2709+Beadwork+249.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SuiezhctZNI/AAAAAAAACto/zbaRFhbuk5E/s200/Fall+%2709+Beadwork+249.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397738761392841938" border="0" /></a>"Magenta", the last bag I listed on Etsy, and which promptly sold!<br />Perhaps I should make more? ;)<br /></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-14024630343561338722009-10-15T14:18:00.002-04:002009-10-15T14:21:21.740-04:00Treasury: Beads are a Girl's Best Friend!Another treasury I've created today. Click on the photo to check out the gorgeous pieces on display. Just a small selection of the many talented bead artists on Etsy.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=88204"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Stdnp_imXYI/AAAAAAAACsg/I3le5X18Qog/s200/10-15-19+2nd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392893049928310146" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-60730748968591318052009-10-06T11:26:00.003-04:002009-10-06T11:31:13.479-04:00Treasury!I finally snagged myself a Treasury, and I thought I'd share it with you all!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=86119"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/Ssth0gzGJwI/AAAAAAAACsY/kRXB8AhJuxQ/s200/10-06-09+MY+first.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389508933864269570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I called it "Shades Of Fire" and it showcases a few of my favorite items at the moment.<br />I'm particularly partial to those large flower hair adornments; not sure if I could pull it off, personally, but I certainly wouldn't be averse to trying them! :)<br /><br />*Which is probably why I've been playing with copious amounts of organza and tulle these last few days... Stay tuned!*<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-19189036267525073032009-10-05T11:40:00.003-04:002009-10-05T11:50:37.567-04:00Thermos Cozy!My Darling Hubby is an avid outdoorsman, and likes to be prepared every time he goes out. After breaking his old thermos, he broke down and bought himself a new one. This time, when he came home, he asked his clever wifey if she could create some type of 'cozy' for it, so that it wouldn't get damaged on one of his excursions.<br /><br />Well, not one to back down from such a challenge, his clever wifey sought out the perfect yarn for the task, and got to work! Armed with my trusty 5mm bamboo hook, and a copious amount of excitement (I kid you not!), I patiently worked on this project all of Saturday morning. Not having a pattern for such a cozy, I had to do, and re-do, quite a few times, just to get it right. Me and the 'Frog Stitch'? Yeah, we're tight!<br />So, here it is! The Thermos Cozy! :) I made two little 'ear-flaps' on the cap, that act as button holes. I sewed some nice, rustic looking wooden buttons to the body of the cozy, which allows for "easy-on, easy-off" of said cap.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SsoThD6IZeI/AAAAAAAACsQ/hrx21CMKqEg/s1600-h/FB+Thermos+Jacket+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 163px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SsoThD6IZeI/AAAAAAAACsQ/hrx21CMKqEg/s200/FB+Thermos+Jacket+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389141362807956962" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SsoTgiom3fI/AAAAAAAACsI/Bg_puV75eoY/s1600-h/FB+Thermos+Jacket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SsoTgiom3fI/AAAAAAAACsI/Bg_puV75eoY/s200/FB+Thermos+Jacket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389141353876086258" border="0" /></a><br />So? Whaddya think?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I am happy to report that D.H. loved it so much (verbatim: "This is freaking AWESOME!"), that I now have every weekend spoken for, until I have made cozies for his fishing reels as well... (He's got 5 big "spinning reels" that need protecting...) In coordinating colors, no less... ;)<br /></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-57089127123607808802009-09-24T16:56:00.001-04:002009-09-24T16:56:10.685-04:00Spiced Chai<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jewelslebeadoir/3950848963/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2621/3950848963_366dc116bb.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jewelslebeadoir/3950848963/">Spiced Chai</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/jewelslebeadoir/">JewelsLB</a>.</span></div><p>Just finished crocheting this cute bag, after completing its prototype yesterday (It's my own pattern dont'cha know, and I'm SO proud of that! LOL!). Of course, my little highness gets to keep most of my protos, except if they're not age appropriate ;) <br /><br />My Darling Hubby got me this wool as a Yule present last year, and I hadn't even taken it out of the bag until yesterday. I'm really liking the look of the large coconut shell button, and chose a deep wine red thread to complement the red lacquer of the flowers. It's a fantastic little bag to hold my keys, my iphone, and a few cards. I like it so much, I've decided NOT to put it in the sell pile! ;)</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-43617681287205288742009-09-23T17:31:00.003-04:002009-09-23T17:35:41.535-04:00Etsy Treasury: When Yellow LeavesA lovely lady by the name of Jane, of <a href="http://www.glorioushats.etsy.com">Glorious Hats</a>, has added my "Stone" bangles to her beautiful treasury. Take a peek:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SrqULDvP8QI/AAAAAAAACsA/x_cTvDISbHY/s1600-h/Etsy+Treasury+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_T4KzW9UplMk/SrqULDvP8QI/AAAAAAAACsA/x_cTvDISbHY/s200/Etsy+Treasury+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384779222177804546" border="0" /></a>You can also see it by clicking <a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=83074">here</a>. Thank you Jane! :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14878078.post-32468477022125741482009-09-23T13:35:00.002-04:002009-09-23T13:36:57.503-04:00Mimi's New Shoulder Bag<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jewelslebeadoir/3948347814/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2638/3948347814_13c0cdfcc2.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jewelslebeadoir/3948347814/">Mimi's new shoulder bag</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/jewelslebeadoir/">JewelsLB</a>.</span></div><p>I'm still playing with my beads, but when the cooler weather comes in, I always pull out my yarn to play with. Of course, the beads get a tad jealous, especially if buttons are involved, but they understand... I think. I know the Swarovski's gave me the cold shoulder this morning, it only lasted a short while. The pearls? Well, they're like a happy oblivious puppy: They just ran up to me and licked my face 'til I gave them a stern "enough!" ;)<br /><br />Here's a little shoulder bag I started working on Monday night. This bag is completely freeform, no pattern was followed. The body and strap are all extended single crochet, and the drop is just a series of stitches in varied lengths, which I customized to fit the large button Mimi picked. Lucky Little Highness that she is: she gets all my prototypes! ;)<br /><br />Definitely going to be making more of these, but now I'm thinking I'd like to add some of my nice art buttons for the closure. I'm thinking Raku, metal and wood (oh my!) ;)<br /><br />Jewels</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11139913832176062215noreply@blogger.com0