tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11875461967695640152024-03-05T20:50:40.366-08:00While you were out...While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-26231570142971676952013-03-09T08:43:00.002-08:002013-03-09T08:43:30.443-08:00Simple Sun Candles March Sale!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;">Stock up on your favorite soy candles or try out a new scent with our March Sale, going on now!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmYcOf2scWOkbntDFKqEj7gZa40qgy0AQaQ-qsRppxMlkP8BceiKzwR-mBFh8Ap_JJMm2Nb2szPYdI8wC-iAq3iaGOZVvySGflgmtV15d4igbMFP5HbN5GvTJX8b2Pn27rh2eCK_0HyCc/s1600/march+sale+use.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmYcOf2scWOkbntDFKqEj7gZa40qgy0AQaQ-qsRppxMlkP8BceiKzwR-mBFh8Ap_JJMm2Nb2szPYdI8wC-iAq3iaGOZVvySGflgmtV15d4igbMFP5HbN5GvTJX8b2Pn27rh2eCK_0HyCc/s640/march+sale+use.jpg" width="624" /></a></div>
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-58509261682579772352013-03-03T06:35:00.003-08:002013-03-03T06:35:54.155-08:00Simple Sun Candles Giveaway of Two Free Candles!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just stopping in quickly (GAH busy) to announce the Simple Sun Candles giveaway going on now on the Facebook page. The prize is two (!) fabulous candles of your choice from the current in-stock selection, shipped to you (open to U.S. residents only, excludes You Choose the Scent Listings).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbjhxqNFY-PZMUcxlDq8FFQ3HurA-3_Ar3VOFDifqqMUnhlvL3t-IKoIC2my8abqRo48jOLLeb37dn9v1w5b8uoq3we0Vhlxd8vfXaHNSjmGKct34X7h_tT0aGfY372tYUHgwGuELbkh5/s1600/IMG_3786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbjhxqNFY-PZMUcxlDq8FFQ3HurA-3_Ar3VOFDifqqMUnhlvL3t-IKoIC2my8abqRo48jOLLeb37dn9v1w5b8uoq3we0Vhlxd8vfXaHNSjmGKct34X7h_tT0aGfY372tYUHgwGuELbkh5/s400/IMG_3786.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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How to enter:<br />
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1) Like 'Simple Sun Candles' on Facebook if you haven't already, by going <a href="http://www.facebook.com/simplesuncandles" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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2) Visit the Simple Sun Candles Etsy shop <a href="http://simplesuncandles.etsy.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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3) Leave a comment on the giveaway post on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/simplesuncandles" target="_blank">Facebook</a> saying which two candles you would choose if you won.<br />
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Bonus entry for those who follow the above steps AND 'share' the giveaway post on Facebook.<br />
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Giveaway ends Monday, March 4 at 6pm EST. One winner will be chosen using random.org. There are currently NO (zero) entries so you could VERY possibly be the winner!<br />
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-33755300289843085642013-02-10T10:27:00.000-08:002013-02-10T10:27:48.647-08:00A whole lotta love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With Valentine's Day looming in the near future, I thought I'd share some of the ways we celebrate, even though they are not anything extreme, I still like to do a few small things to share the love this time of year.<br />
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Of course, there is always the class Valentines to hand out. Last year, we took a nod from <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/50876670759989274/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> (I believe the idea originated <a href="http://24-7-365.blogspot.com/2009/02/lavish-me-with-praise.html" target="_blank">here</a> but who knows).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4QIP6J6LgcSBepb2mHIYNk2jTtgXPlDJeRmvai0XeMIMdk6rOudf9nvndn91-iYqC8dWcCnleoNJCefx-UczO2btl7PJi47tarvhnylF1dwKvITpwzOS_mwj7KDYxUFNPlKnRpJdeoJt/s1600/IMG_3564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4QIP6J6LgcSBepb2mHIYNk2jTtgXPlDJeRmvai0XeMIMdk6rOudf9nvndn91-iYqC8dWcCnleoNJCefx-UczO2btl7PJi47tarvhnylF1dwKvITpwzOS_mwj7KDYxUFNPlKnRpJdeoJt/s640/IMG_3564.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This year we made <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/116597682" target="_blank">these</a> and Dylan is so excited to hand them out to his friends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpc-4ri9nkbVDqGNulg83CwcIdY0BRL4WUMqqiHruKnpWU3S9TjBLDnb4FZ6WDZocM8kEtC78icuskkBfRf9kNud-_5sunTiLMc-W0vGO4juu-4iiGpApIk4TzQFeWSBiV927vmmsIm7OB/s1600/IMG_4055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpc-4ri9nkbVDqGNulg83CwcIdY0BRL4WUMqqiHruKnpWU3S9TjBLDnb4FZ6WDZocM8kEtC78icuskkBfRf9kNud-_5sunTiLMc-W0vGO4juu-4iiGpApIk4TzQFeWSBiV927vmmsIm7OB/s640/IMG_4055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I went the inexpensive route for decorating my ledge in honor of the holiday:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb8EOWtQXlOrP_7q_5m7r3lE6mlvkmX0tE26gIGoVg9sN9Oa478bS7yOG_tnd2C2VIPWVdTm7BRS96tVYak7VKG4hzyq3xcUOjPHPUXZ9UOtryYyCLJJEzZEaDMcKqniP2ACjfg1geK1y/s1600/IMG_4022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb8EOWtQXlOrP_7q_5m7r3lE6mlvkmX0tE26gIGoVg9sN9Oa478bS7yOG_tnd2C2VIPWVdTm7BRS96tVYak7VKG4hzyq3xcUOjPHPUXZ9UOtryYyCLJJEzZEaDMcKqniP2ACjfg1geK1y/s640/IMG_4022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Basically, I found a valentine kit at Michael's on clearance for $2.99 that included the felt hearts. They had designs on them but I just flipped them over, and hot-glued to string I had leftover from previous garlands. I got the template for the XO banner from <a href="http://www.simpleasthatblog.com/2012/02/friday-craft-day-hugs-kisses-valentines.html" target="_blank">here</a>, (pinned <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/50876670762562931/" target="_blank">here</a>) and used red cardstock I already had to create that. The 'Love' framed print was free <a href="http://jileenharkins.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentine-printables.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and for $2.89 I printed it at Target's photo center. I added in a handmade 'I Toadally love you' clothespin craft Dylan had made years ago, and another touch of red with the Audrey Hepburn quote print, that reads:<br />
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The best thing to hold onto in life is eachother.</div>
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The print was purchased <a href="http://www.caravanshoppe.com/product/hold-on-print/" target="_blank">here</a> earlier in the year, as a fundraiser for Sandy Hook. I loved it and had it for awhile, then realizing it was a perfect sentiment and touch of red for my love-themed display. </div>
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<br />We are looking forward to a simple celebration of the day on Thursday, with heart-shaped pizza, a little surprise treat for Dylan and another surprise I am thinking of doing that involves lots and lots of balloons.. hmm. </div>
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<br />We have another event to celebrate this week, which takes precedence over the Hallmark holiday on Thursday: Justin's birthday! We will be going out with his work friends on Monday (his birthday) and celebrating with family friends by bowling on Saturday. Phew, the pace that January held is not slowing down, but I am thankful the calendar is filled with celebrations in addition to our obligations. </div>
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-4981254022857532262013-02-01T07:20:00.000-08:002013-02-01T07:23:23.304-08:00Three things.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This week has been crazy-<strike>busy</strike> filled. I'm trying not to start off every sentence with "OH It's so busy." But January has been my most-full month since moving this summer and I kinda-sorta-want a break. Despite the <strike>chaos</strike> fullness of this month, there's not much to write home about but more like a few little going-ons and sweet nothings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyhfw-BTh38WZN1kyPdh_bH5fjIqnkDYRDQnTTuWJhTXdizVeftWupc6C7wSUCKKLQaQNM-4udawMLXqGhI60MJdTojSUEMuzoRo5gaiME7arVxRAXyifRLGUJ8B6o8RnjFcDcFn1zJx3/s1600/IMG_3988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyhfw-BTh38WZN1kyPdh_bH5fjIqnkDYRDQnTTuWJhTXdizVeftWupc6C7wSUCKKLQaQNM-4udawMLXqGhI60MJdTojSUEMuzoRo5gaiME7arVxRAXyifRLGUJ8B6o8RnjFcDcFn1zJx3/s640/IMG_3988.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li>We started <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/home/" target="_blank">Financial Peace University</a>, thanks to Sarah a.k.a. <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Thrifty Decor Chick</a>. She so graciously offered a giveaway on her blog with the prize being enrollment in FPU (as she also has had a <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-holidays-debt-free.html" target="_blank">wonderful</a> <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/08/live-like-no-one-else.html" target="_blank">outcome</a> with it) and I was shocked that I won! Justin has been "preaching" the word of debt-free living and Dave Ramsey's ways for a long, long (long) time but I'm very thankful because his financial planning, budgeting and paying-off-debtedness has literally saved our behinds. I don't like to talk about financial specifics, but I would like to say that we both brought a lot of debt to our marriage (and I continued creating debt with my <strike>stupid</strike> decision to go to grad school [SIDE NOTE: DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH GRAD SCHOOL COSTS? Geeze.]) and we reached a place where there was no way to make the minimum payments on our debt, even after moving back in with my parents, and getting rid of a car which we so desperately needed at the time, and in fact on our salaries today would continue to be unable to make those payments. I'm talking not being able to make loan and credit card payments that did not even touch the principal. I can't think about that time without being very sad but also extremely thankful that life threw us a few opportunities (cough, Saudi Arabia, cough) and Justin's ability to plan and budget (and basically follow the FPU ideas) that let us climb back from there. I'm not trying to write a sob story here, since uh, the debt was our fault, but rather a success story to let others know there is hope even when you are <i>that</i> in debt. I can't believe this enormous bullet we dodged and will never be stupid with money again. Although I don't espouse Dave's religious views, the beauty of the program is to live debt-free and build wealth so that you can give back, which is where our hearts lie as well. We are so, SO thrilled to be able to take the class and continue to fine-tune our financial planning and hear Dave's entertaining teachings to keep us on track. I don't mean to sound all cult-member-ish, but I'm just excited that this solid and logical financial advice helped bring us back from a very low point to a very, very relieved and enjoyable one. It is truly <u>peace</u>ful living. </li>
<li>This:</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJBFV75nNLC_4FTL3zIiyNiK8qJAhy1HKcurgOnDs6_x1Pn2loXpz22pwdoCo7yPKFw9PeXYRyN44ur9ugY8QVTGlDIN7sGXwo562a5PF09kr93Qk8TTLzk_gQzQ3AEJRbwAPFacjvNjJ/s1600/photo+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJBFV75nNLC_4FTL3zIiyNiK8qJAhy1HKcurgOnDs6_x1Pn2loXpz22pwdoCo7yPKFw9PeXYRyN44ur9ugY8QVTGlDIN7sGXwo562a5PF09kr93Qk8TTLzk_gQzQ3AEJRbwAPFacjvNjJ/s400/photo+(4).jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
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was the temperature Wednesday. And also why I'm okay with the higher cost of living here. <br />
(Rest assured, it did snow today).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83iiNkrGOG-eZN-9EqFVACqBeYqzG3blyG3fRLuLU9QQvyoJvHh3nqQIZaWXC-4iQGDCn1JE9PkLAwfq-kQmVHJJNPjTKgTH1TGuovtvtQTleuWMz3_6eazmuaP3PNey_88vVSchz0wix/s1600/IMG_3990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83iiNkrGOG-eZN-9EqFVACqBeYqzG3blyG3fRLuLU9QQvyoJvHh3nqQIZaWXC-4iQGDCn1JE9PkLAwfq-kQmVHJJNPjTKgTH1TGuovtvtQTleuWMz3_6eazmuaP3PNey_88vVSchz0wix/s640/IMG_3990.jpg" width="528" /></a></div>
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<li>Dylan and I are reading the Harry Potter series together (Hey- I'm only a decade behind the times here, and in my defense, I have seen and enjoyed all of the movies). It has become a really enjoyable bonding experience for us- each night Dylan will ask, "Are you going to read with me tonight?" and asks me not to stop when we conclude a chapter. Last night, he decided he was going to write a story entitled, <u>Mama and the Chamber of Reading</u>. I love that boy, and our nightly reading sessions. </li>
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-66850486466731562812013-01-20T17:09:00.000-08:002013-01-20T17:09:08.181-08:00It's not you, it's me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I would like to start off by stating, for the record, that I am fully aware that I am the type of person who learns best from her mistakes, from doing something and then seeing if it works and if not, reflecting and tweaking from there. I see this whole process play out in my day job, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/simplesuncandles" target="_blank">other pursuits,</a> and my parenting.<br />
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I am a big advocate for kids having chores, i.e., responsibility. I think we've always had Dylan help with chores but I wanted to make a more organized system for him. Being a list-maker, I sought out to create a carefully-thought-out and planned but what ended up being a not-quite-effective system for him to do so. I even have the laminated chore chart to prove it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucMm4hHaQMWRhXytJ3-mifOpmt1G74eD4s1jFHrYK9l-1chySNsDeOWs4S7r-uVKWNDL5DKFPguR5BahP3MaVrg1Ak8MxmDMzrfy19zCxuerRoYXaD6GkHwGSoJNH-TsQgzDODzjj4bjN/s1600/IMG_3976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucMm4hHaQMWRhXytJ3-mifOpmt1G74eD4s1jFHrYK9l-1chySNsDeOWs4S7r-uVKWNDL5DKFPguR5BahP3MaVrg1Ak8MxmDMzrfy19zCxuerRoYXaD6GkHwGSoJNH-TsQgzDODzjj4bjN/s640/IMG_3976.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The system seemed okay, with my original intent to teach self-monitoring (re: checking off what he had done) and delayed gratification (re: receiving reinforcement a.k.a. allowance at the end of the week). However, <strike>we</strike> everyone else realized quickly that this was not going to work. It took me awhile to come to this conclusion, being the stubborn "LET'S JUST KEEP TRYING" person I am, and a little bit of ego over the whole "LOOK HOW CAREFULLY PLANNED OUT THIS SYSTEM WAS!" <i>Wow there's a lot of self-disclosure and introspection going on in this discussion.</i> Anyway, the process of checking off each day's worth of chores and waiting the entire week for money was not teaching my intended lessons, and leaving everyone frustrated when I was <strike>nagging</strike> reminding Dylan to do chores, and checking them off, and then he would forget and end the week with an empty chore chart and of course be frustrated that he didn't earn his allowance DESPITE DOING HIS CHORES. Which is SO not the intended lesson here.<br />
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I wanted to do something much simpler, that would actually motivate Dylan to do chores and help out without me <strike>nagging</strike> reminding him, and would not require a complicated system of checking-off and completing 3 chores from the above column while also completing everyday chores (as I'm typing this out, I'm hearing myself and how complicated I made it.. geeze).<br />
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We talked to Dylan and decided on having him complete his expected chores everyday, without any type of allowance or reward, because they were expected as part of our family and helping out with household chores. These 'everyday chores' are pretty straightforward- making his bed and feeding the cats. He must do them before going out to play with friends, and if not, he will lose 30 minutes of his weekend video-game time (he has a timer and allotted time for videogames on weekends... a system which has actually worked very well for us).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SmV4XHh58zh_dfyqhLuzuZs7fmWiuTr-Nxp-H7V5a7l1gbn3QNIQ4McTDBYSBU1bYejLoXiht5XTvNMKjgx__bVaP2PktH1fpHw-3aZHPDkhUfBgUedQR9n15M6OzS3V3iYfRC8tweZv/s1600/IMG_3977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SmV4XHh58zh_dfyqhLuzuZs7fmWiuTr-Nxp-H7V5a7l1gbn3QNIQ4McTDBYSBU1bYejLoXiht5XTvNMKjgx__bVaP2PktH1fpHw-3aZHPDkhUfBgUedQR9n15M6OzS3V3iYfRC8tweZv/s640/IMG_3977.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Additionally, I post tasks and chores around the house that he can complete, along with the money he will earn for completing, on post-its on the fridge. These have included, cleaning his room, vacuuming the rug in the living room, dusting shelves, cleaning the bathroom mirrors or windows in the living room, and so on. Dylan can take a post-it with the chore, complete it, hand it to me and instantly receive his money. These come and go- for instance, the other day I had 'vacuum the rug' posted, which he chose not to do, and I decided to vacuum the whole apartment myself so I took that one down. There's no arguing, fighting, or nagging anymore, which I like. Dylan has chosen to do a few of the chores, and skipped others, but I suspect he will be more motivated once his holiday cash runs out.<br />
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<i>Lesson learned: </i>If it ain't broke, don't fix it. BUT IF IT IS FACT BROKE, by all means fix it. </div>
While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-1326191275997721822013-01-05T11:31:00.003-08:002013-01-05T14:31:16.208-08:00Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta- Dylan's favorite dish<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Whew. It has been a hectic week getting back into the 'normal' schedule after break, and break itself was a whirlwind. So, yeah, busy! But not complaining.<br />
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I wanted to wish ya'll a happy new year with one of my go-to dinners, which is Dylan's personal favorite and not only his most-requested dish but also what he asked for his birthday dinner. Yes, I am truly blessed with a child with good taste.<br />
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This dish is something I make so often I kinda sorta don't remember the exact measurements, so play around with it to your liking (particularly the spices). I've made it with lemon-garlic seasoning, adding garlic powder, and so on and it always comes out delicious.<br />
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First, start off by boiling some water and throwing 1/4 box of angel hair pasta in there until done, about 8-9 minutes.<br />
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Meanwhile, heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add in 2 cloves chopped garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Then, add 1 tsp. of red Chile pepper flakes.<br />
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Add 1 lb. deveined and de-shelled (is that a term?) shrimp (if using frozen, make sure it is thawed, and I like to leave the tails on).<br />
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Cook until the shrimp is pink.<br />
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Add in drained, cooked pasta and mix together. Turn off heat, then squeeze the juice of one lemon over the pasta and shrimp.<br />
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Serve! I typically will garnish with fresh chopped parsley but forgot to pick some up from the store.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, you caught me: the pictures were taken at Christmastime. OR did I not yet put away my Christmas stuff? Bwahaha you'll never know!</td></tr>
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A very simple yet crave-worthy dish. I like to enjoy with some white zinfandel. Not that I'm a wine pairing expert or anything... I just like white zin and would recommend it with everything (burgers? WHITE ZIN). I digress...<br />
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Lemon-garlic shrimp pasta<br />
Recipe from: <i>I can't remember...</i><br />
Serves: 3<br />
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1/4 of 1 box angel hair pasta (I use whole wheat)<br />
1-2 tablespoons olive oil<br />
2 cloves garlic, chopped<br />
1 teaspoon red Chile pepper flakes<br />
1 pound shrimp, deveined and thawed, with tails on<br />
1 lemon<br />
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish<br />
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Boil water and cook pasta until done, about 8-9 minutes.<br />
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Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add garlic, and saute until fragrant. Sprinkle garlic with red Chile pepper flakes and add in shrimp. Cook until shrimp is pink.<br />
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Add cooked and drained pasta to pan, and stir together for a few moments. Turn heat off, and squeeze the juice from one lemon over pasta and shrimp.<br />
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Serve, garnished with fresh parsley.<br />
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-78432242434133187242012-12-24T08:35:00.001-08:002012-12-24T08:35:23.621-08:00Our Elf on the Shelf: A Cautionary Tale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Merry Christmas Eve! So I'm sure you've heard of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XR6MBQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=whyoweou-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000XR6MBQ">The Elf on the Shelf</a>*, a tradition that was started in our home back in 2008. Dylan is so eager to find the Elf each morning (ours is named Blooper) and is <i>so</i> enchanted with him. I catch Dylan talking to him, telling him the good things he's done and updating him on his wish list.<br />
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If you're not familiar, the elf visits from the North Pole and changes location each night after returning to Santa to update him on your child's behaviors. A story book with the Elf outlines the details and reminds your child to never touch the Elf or he will lose his magic.<br />
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Cue mistake on our end.<br />
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A babysitter came to watch Dylan one evening (while we attended the SMASHING PUMPKINS in concert OMG it was fantastic, hearing Billy [yes of course we're on a first name basis] play 'Bullet with Butterfly Wings' and 'Disarm' AND an awesome 'Space Oddity' cover live was a.maze.ing., I digress)... So a babysitter came and was unfamiliar with the 'rules' surrounding the Elf and we overlooked letting her know. Dylan woke up the next morning to get ready for school and was upset, telling me that the babysitter didn't know and moved the Elf, and he didn't move and now his magic is gone! (Again, completely our fault for not sharing this information re: not touching the Elf).<br />
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So, I did what any parent would do on 4 hours of sleep (did I mention I was out rocking to the Smashing Pumpkins live late into the night before?) and googled: What to do if someone touches your elf on the shelf. Surprisingly G-rated and appropriate results came up.<br />
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Thanks to <a href="http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-to-do-when-someone-touches-elf-on.html" target="_blank">Southern Disposition</a>, I was able to act fast. We quickly e-mailed Santa himself, asking what to do, and about 15 minutes later (MAN he's fast for such a busy person), we received our response:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyblc6kVAPkXKCJDbSBBjrKqcz-D4pngEwr4BXAdQ1EB86kdMGOp-WwuGiJsRWM0Sw5JR9nCrKyTn_WSNV3zorQN5VdE3CUEDvnAOBzR3iaVZzwy2zRSoM54TVI4nhleJZ6CvDceveWH1/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-12-23+at+1.52.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyblc6kVAPkXKCJDbSBBjrKqcz-D4pngEwr4BXAdQ1EB86kdMGOp-WwuGiJsRWM0Sw5JR9nCrKyTn_WSNV3zorQN5VdE3CUEDvnAOBzR3iaVZzwy2zRSoM54TVI4nhleJZ6CvDceveWH1/s640/Screen+shot+2012-12-23+at+1.52.17+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forgive the grammatical errors... I (ahem, er I mean Santa) was on 4 hours of sleep here.</td></tr>
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Dylan. was. thrilled! He went off to school, and when he returned home, the following was waiting in our mailbox, magically:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtwCeVd1D6xdDeOjFiYqlroJs6OO66nFJKdbzt43SRaeaF_L47y4w_Nh8Qyv4z1T2iIGQp9pDHLbhLxxTRCe4hn0g4r4803p9a43rEyPAGtDzXhpERsClg7XSPknQTv6Kcb4rR5k8nVWm/s1600/elf+on+shelf+santa+letter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtwCeVd1D6xdDeOjFiYqlroJs6OO66nFJKdbzt43SRaeaF_L47y4w_Nh8Qyv4z1T2iIGQp9pDHLbhLxxTRCe4hn0g4r4803p9a43rEyPAGtDzXhpERsClg7XSPknQTv6Kcb4rR5k8nVWm/s640/elf+on+shelf+santa+letter.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mailed via Reindeer Express; Caution: Magic Elf Dust enclosed"</td></tr>
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We sprinkled the Magic Elf Dust on Blooper, and he returned to the North Pole that evening and ended up in a different spot the next morning. Dylan still excitedly talks to him and continues to jump out of bed to look for him each morning.<br />
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Belief in Santa Claus: saved. Cue: self high-five.<br />
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Merry, merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!<br />
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*<i>contains affiliate link.</i><br />
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-38010103819425044572012-12-23T10:31:00.000-08:002012-12-23T10:31:01.185-08:00We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Like I said, I get really excited about Christmas. So, here is part 3 (I think the final portion but I make no guarantees) of my holiday decorations. This portion of the tour takes you to: my kitchen.<br />
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On top of my cabinet (that stores candle-making supplies and candles) we have a frosted cranberry tree, and two plates that I made with Dylan when he was itty-bitty. The left plate is his hand prints in wreath-form from 2005 (zomg, so little!) when he was 2, and the right is a reindeer made from his hand- and footprint in 2004 when he was 1.<br />
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On top of the cabinets sits our Santa (can you see the theme here, we love the guy is all I can say) with his sleigh and reindeer.<br />
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I added jingle bells and a red candle to my candle vase.<br />
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And the grand finale, my centerpiece tray to which I added jingle bells and small glittery ornaments to surround 3 of my holiday-scented<a href="http://simplesuncandles.etsy.com/" target="_blank"> candles</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please excuse the mess of bags/containers in the background, our 'treat table' is currently overflowing (but not for long bwahahah)</td></tr>
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I am enjoying the festive look around here and all the warm candlelights and tree lights add a warm, comforting glow in the evening.<br />
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We've been hosting a 'hot cocoa bar' nightly for ourselves, accruing our beverages with our choice of Christmas-tree shaped Peeps, mint M & M's, candy canes, and whipped cream covered in cinnamon or sprinkles. We've been sipping these delectable creations while watching our Christmas classics DVDs. Tonight we'll be renting 'Arthur Christmas.' Before bed, we read one of our favorite Christmas stories, so far we've covered <u>Bear Stays Up for Christmas</u>, <u>The Polar Express</u>, <u>The Christmas Magic</u>, <u>The Wild Christmas Reindeer</u>, <u>How the Grinch Stole Christmas</u>, <u>A Bad Kitty Christmas</u> and more. We save "The Muppets Christmas Carol" movie and <u>The Night Before Christmas</u> (illustrated by Jan Brett) for our Christmas eve tradition.<br />
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I try to emphasize to Dylan that Christmas is a time to spend with family, friends and loved ones and enjoy their company. I hope we are conveying that through all of our traditions.<br />
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-92208710601444073212012-12-22T10:23:00.000-08:002012-12-22T10:23:13.454-08:00Have yourself a merry little Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After a busy week, I'm back to share more of my holiday decorations. I previously shared my <a href="http://justininsa.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-pinteresting-christmas.html" target="_blank">Pinterest-inspired ones</a>, and here are the ones in the living room and outside on the porch...<br />
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We added a Dylan-made wreath to the mirror with ribbon, and a few of our favorite Christmas classics (Frosty and the Grinch with Max) to the bench. On top of the shoe organizer sits a little holiday vignette:<br />
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Gold and red ornaments round out the previously pumpkin-filled vase, and poinsettias replace my fall mums. The little nutcracker is from CVS, and one of my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/simplesuncandles" target="_blank">holiday-scented Mason jar</a> candles adds warm candlelight at night.<br />
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These are our beautiful hand-knit stockings, made by my mom. She made Dylan's extra-large so Santa would spoil him!<br />
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On top of the TV armoire sits another one of my<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/simplesuncandles" target="_blank"> candles</a>, surrounded by a wreath. The Santa rustic wood piece was a new purchase this year, Justin saw it in <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/" target="_blank">Cost Plus World Market</a> and we both loved it.<br />
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On the bookshelves, we have our Dylan-made Christmas town.<br />
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And a garland that matches our Christmas tree. The large ornament was a gift from Santa last year, filled with candy. The Peace sign comes from World Market as well.<br />
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Out on the porch, Santa left us his sack one year. We also added a glittery white reindeer that lights up at night.<br />
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And finally (for today, forgive the picture-heavy posts!) are our Christmas lights attached to the railing.<br />
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<br />Although you can't see them, there are jingle bells attached to the ribbons that make a lovely sound whenever the wind blows.<br />
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We are excitedly awaiting Santa's (and Nana's!) arrival. Off to cook and clean some more in preparation... </div>
While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-57909683308790699532012-12-16T06:23:00.000-08:002012-12-18T04:22:01.132-08:00A Pinteresting Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Like I've said many, many times, I love Christmas and in particular, decorating for Christmas. Another love of mine is Pinterest, which I need to join a support group for because it. is. addicting.<br />
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As I thought about posting my holiday decorations, I wondered about the best way to organize them. I looked around and realized many of my decorations were Pinterest-idea-inspired and decided to do a post specifically dedicated to the 'pins' that I re-created and "nailed it."<br />
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First off is my pride and joy, the Santa sleigh and reindeer garland. The idea is from <a href="http://theproperpinwheel.com/2012/11/diy-santa-reindeer-garland/" target="_blank">The Proper Pinwheel,</a> where a downloadable template is available.<br />
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To make, I simply downloaded the (free!) template and printed onto card stock. I then cut out the template, traced on card stock I already had, cut out, and hot glued twine to the back. I went over the hot glue twice to ensure it stayed. Finally, I hot-glued a red gemstone onto Rudolph's nose.<br />
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I'm really excited about how it turned out. In fact I keep staring at it and my family is starting to think there's something wrong with me.<br />
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Ahem. Moving on. The "Baby It's Cold Outside" print is ANOTHER Pinterest-creation, from <a href="http://www.overthebigmoon.com/winter-mantle-free-printable/" target="_blank">Over the Big Moon</a>. I prefer to print these types of things on photo paper, so I ordered a poster size (11" by 14") from Walgreens and used a 40% off coupon for a grand total of $5.99. I love that I can keep it up past the holiday since it is more wintry than Christmasy.<br />
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Although not a Pinterest-related item, I just wanted to point out the beautiful Cardinal print I purchased on Etsy from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/greenpix?ref=seller_info" target="_blank">greenpix</a>. It is very wintry (again something I can leave up past the holiday) and the red ties in with the Santa and other decorations in the room. Cardinals are my favorite bird and have a special meaning to me, which if I explained you would think I am crazy, so I'll skip that. The photos here do not do this photograph justice, please check out greenpix's shop to see its beauty.<br />
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Also on the mantel/shelf are a stamped-clay Santa sleigh that Dylan made, a mini-Nutcracker that is actually a place card-holder from CVS ($2, score!) and another of Dylan's awesome creations: a Clothespin reindeer.<br />
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The print that will stay up all-year-long and is also awesome (Be The Good) is from the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SprinkledJoy" target="_blank">Sprinkled Joy</a> Etsy shop. Other addictions I may have: Etsy, Ikea.<br />
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Moving on next to the couch is another Pinterest free download/print-out, a chalk drawing by <a href="http://www.nestofposies-blog.com/2012/11/5-free-christmas-chalkboard-printables/" target="_blank">Nest of Posies</a>. I love the look of this, and purchased the gold frame from Target just for this print.<br />
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Finally, I am always looking for a way to display cards. I loved the idea pinned from <a href="http://melissadark.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-12-30T23:40:00-05:00&max-results=5&start=70&by-date=false" target="_blank">Greener Grass</a>, which is to attach ribbon to the cabinet fronts and use clothespins to attach the cards as they come in.<br />
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I attached the ribbon with 3M removeable sticky strips, and covered the clothespins in festive Washi tape from PickYourPlum.com. Oh, and the Santa and Snowman jars hold festive cookie cutters, hot cocoa mix, and holiday teas.<br />
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Those are all of my Pinterest-inspired holiday decorations, for now. If you're interested, my Christmas Pinterest board is <a href="http://pinterest.com/inmylife1027/christmas/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Linked up to:<br />
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<a href="http://www.athoughtfulplaceblog.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #a0d155; font-family: 'Courier Serif'; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 20.378786087036133px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wKrK9xjwpDky9IKTRI5IT-76xW0Em5Ql45RYUYc5MyiAxy1VSM6eSfBk3FaPHiJK5TufC4ksiK6nFuyJMno0vgyyQn9NP9_UwlC19QRi8TQPH_jHqsjdFmEESO6nauZ5pFGKnw02XJES/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-10+at+6.32.27+PM.png" style="border: 1px solid rgb(255, 255, 255); display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px;" /></a></div>
While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-21882943230288047802012-12-15T13:01:00.001-08:002012-12-15T13:01:47.602-08:00Tragic. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My heart is heavy for those in the community surrounding Sandy Hook Elementary, and especially for the families of the victims. When Dylan got off of the bus yesterday, safely, I have never felt so fortunate in my life.<br />
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Please hug your kids extra tight, and teach them the difference between being angry and acting upon it, and how to express that anger in a healthy way. It is okay to be angry, it is not okay to hurt someone. </div>
While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-24838900302496751352012-12-13T13:56:00.000-08:002012-12-13T18:04:09.866-08:00It's Christmastime... in the city<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We went to see the <a href="http://www.thenationaltree.org/" target="_blank">National Tree</a> this past weekend. Here are a few photos from that romp around DC that help get me in the spirit...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZN8mdvBtwupdoOvPzeq4DisSPM0KKfYq1-vaeEviEi0Yc_Q4WsW0kmVkiY9XBgJO-huWuhdwyTt5DOdJn7AUSwJUe-hQKR3FK0MMMQ4VdMpjIUkDzPe4e4U0bGOFrUMfzjAutf3YPWOWV/s1600/IMG_3615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZN8mdvBtwupdoOvPzeq4DisSPM0KKfYq1-vaeEviEi0Yc_Q4WsW0kmVkiY9XBgJO-huWuhdwyTt5DOdJn7AUSwJUe-hQKR3FK0MMMQ4VdMpjIUkDzPe4e4U0bGOFrUMfzjAutf3YPWOWV/s640/IMG_3615.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My neighbor Obama.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJ1Gl-d6gXLGhG4VtDS7QI1ucJEKT5F3IxEu6P6JH-T6-nn2ygdBjPDJjpHpxAZqoXrbk90RGRl4dqujx20HFv-g2Bs10GcWhBKrZk_GP1wok-_G7w_nb3_FtsruGoU2-I0napmCMHIjl/s1600/IMG_3618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJ1Gl-d6gXLGhG4VtDS7QI1ucJEKT5F3IxEu6P6JH-T6-nn2ygdBjPDJjpHpxAZqoXrbk90RGRl4dqujx20HFv-g2Bs10GcWhBKrZk_GP1wok-_G7w_nb3_FtsruGoU2-I0napmCMHIjl/s640/IMG_3618.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This last image is of Dylan peeking into Santa's workshop. I can't tell you how excited he is over Santa's upcoming visit. I love the joyful chatter about the logistics of making a trip around the world, the qualifications for being on the 'nice list,' and so on. I wish this stage lasted forever. </div>
While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-42136590587759328992012-12-08T17:15:00.000-08:002012-12-11T04:21:47.338-08:00O tannenbaum, o tannenbaum<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5N3SnAWdisYTDvX_OWjDuF9HV4HmfTDsXhqFzvRUMZ-Ze6oeBlyCnyo0BfjU3PYoZn1wBacie2Xkox5K57g_9ruO3jDcAEh8FlzK8K7kIYPqwt-tL7je1IPGQoxydM2GBs1lv8pvBdzq/s1600/IMG_3563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5N3SnAWdisYTDvX_OWjDuF9HV4HmfTDsXhqFzvRUMZ-Ze6oeBlyCnyo0BfjU3PYoZn1wBacie2Xkox5K57g_9ruO3jDcAEh8FlzK8K7kIYPqwt-tL7je1IPGQoxydM2GBs1lv8pvBdzq/s640/IMG_3563.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Like I've mentioned before, I do love me some Christmastime. Instead of sharing all my decorations together in one post like I did at Halloween, I'll break it up a little to show more detail, and also since my Christmas decorations are more, ahem, elaborate. Something about home decorating and me, that I've noticed, is I'm getting somewhat better at it over the years (and I guess having an actual income helps too. Hurray for incomes!). So, on this trajectory, I should be an HGTV featured designer by 3011!! SCORE.<br />
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I do a 'theme' of reds, ivories, and golds on the tree (and in most of my decor) for the holiday, mixing in more sentimental and meaningful ornaments, which are my fave. I would love (LOVE) to do a matchy-matchy themed tree, and a separate 'sentimental' tree, but alas, there is limited room at Casa del Claire. That being said, I do love my tree.<br />
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Side story (AS ALWAYS): My neighbor came over to drop off some extra cake the other day (YES I LOVE MY NEIGHBOR OMG) and wanted a holiday tour of my decorations (more like, I twisted her arm into coming to see my holiday decorations) and was all, "Did you study design?" "I should have brought my camera!" etc. etc. She is such a sweetheart! If you knew her, you'd know it was her personality to be so complimentary (AND BRING YOU CAKE OMG) but still, warms the heart (tear).<br />
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Here are a few of my favorite ornaments...<br />
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At first, you may think this is an ordinary family of snowmen...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyyemtClJxCW5v8lLqlUC-dhU99LwLGwt_4rGwq-zjrDMryhxGmjia9u1R-MDt3z1q1r5fdNGM5VJH9pNerzAg9fUs0QvUwDFq0xE22CeMrSs7k4bXruRBBGw8hjAb_KCkKVwQnqncZkH/s1600/IMG_3564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSyyemtClJxCW5v8lLqlUC-dhU99LwLGwt_4rGwq-zjrDMryhxGmjia9u1R-MDt3z1q1r5fdNGM5VJH9pNerzAg9fUs0QvUwDFq0xE22CeMrSs7k4bXruRBBGw8hjAb_KCkKVwQnqncZkH/s640/IMG_3564.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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BUT THINK AGAIN. <i>It is not. It is a handprint!</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NvJKwpQS0l4GkgsPCw2AQKp7E4pZe_UI5t-ce_AL2c10o97XKCHhyZemA14v3zfwgOqFlQA_2-1RricQC6U1kA4nd7OVGJmir6Et_mFJirAYpRaZLHviYf1GNCuyxe2qaOEpxcxOAWZ2/s1600/IMG_3567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NvJKwpQS0l4GkgsPCw2AQKp7E4pZe_UI5t-ce_AL2c10o97XKCHhyZemA14v3zfwgOqFlQA_2-1RricQC6U1kA4nd7OVGJmir6Et_mFJirAYpRaZLHviYf1GNCuyxe2qaOEpxcxOAWZ2/s640/IMG_3567.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Dylan made this in 1st grade and I love. love. LOVE it. So sweet, and such a nice commemoration of his childhood hand print!<br />
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Next on the list is one my mother-in-law gifted us back in '08.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeT2V4d3gr5hTUV_iLyg0BC_hpNl_RlvEhSDKAFXQ4C_4Gx4aHu1AWR-EFyWzcsLxd_hS7Tx3RWchdRrCI-7XTZlDPocqoXMpjbNm39S9WeBsne-IWjDcELy1tzoGggmnM7hyphenhyphenFJgy0PsM5/s1600/IMG_3571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeT2V4d3gr5hTUV_iLyg0BC_hpNl_RlvEhSDKAFXQ4C_4Gx4aHu1AWR-EFyWzcsLxd_hS7Tx3RWchdRrCI-7XTZlDPocqoXMpjbNm39S9WeBsne-IWjDcELy1tzoGggmnM7hyphenhyphenFJgy0PsM5/s640/IMG_3571.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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"Bears?" you may be asking yourself. "Is this some type of representation of your love of bear-hunting, or bear-wrestling?" My response is: No. Bear-wrestler, I am not. However, we do refer to each other as [insert name]-bear in our family, so this is a nod to just that. And perhaps the one time I wrestled a bear to the ground AND WON. Anyways it's a cute family ornament, and the first one commemorating our family together. So, it is on my list of favorites.<br />
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Moving along and far past the bear-wrestling thing... if you know me, you know I love the ocean. This deep-rooted appreciation for all things nautical is certainly represented in my holiday tree, as in here and here:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMfyRYU4zeqZD3dRUnO0uukXKSJjyo4QQaChFGlMaL-IXXavj4m7HQRf6O3pluDRHkOsSWv6neCAzA5WFmAHUhb_3OiRue30lR8XgDZd8m1cEBWWbhBKaS5W7NYCbq7lbKoq93E4FcZVc/s1600/IMG_3574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMfyRYU4zeqZD3dRUnO0uukXKSJjyo4QQaChFGlMaL-IXXavj4m7HQRf6O3pluDRHkOsSWv6neCAzA5WFmAHUhb_3OiRue30lR8XgDZd8m1cEBWWbhBKaS5W7NYCbq7lbKoq93E4FcZVc/s320/IMG_3574.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1OOa5fbT_buHUKgoOfHnLOuHevcJlGOh7poYbX7tajO_u1ij8Kx54cDDYTzu25RuA1NZdH7eBYnq-bhxK79Gp7hKwPa1tHiOrS5_broxryuP_NBhOvOn-Sq9v5L68GymOEC26vHjbRzO/s1600/IMG_3576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1OOa5fbT_buHUKgoOfHnLOuHevcJlGOh7poYbX7tajO_u1ij8Kx54cDDYTzu25RuA1NZdH7eBYnq-bhxK79Gp7hKwPa1tHiOrS5_broxryuP_NBhOvOn-Sq9v5L68GymOEC26vHjbRzO/s320/IMG_3576.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Side story #232904: The <a href="http://www.seaturtlehospital.org/" target="_blank">Sea Turtle Hospital of Topsail Beach, NC</a> is awesome, both to visit and for the work they do. Once you learn of the kajillion predators that sea turtles have, the arduous journey they have to sea once born, on top of the fact that their moms just, like, leave them there to hatch on their own and all, it's amazing these poor things survive. AND THEN THE HUMANS COME ALONG AND TURN LIGHTS ON TO LEAD THEM AWAY FROM THE OCEAN AND POLLUTE AND RUN MOTOR BOATS AND HARM THEM. Geeze. </div>
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Back to my point: so I love nautical ornaments but <i>this </i>is my favorite:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76MZ4Aul4v0sw8EcSBhhvGxpvQkNwBlx1kja3kH6OmgGwKvAKQXP6g08BvWFQPrXBW1LtPFuGD4Ui5ZgBDfN2Ns0BjUd4SwXds27isACAfNvtCdr0cUW-VV1sUo_wIoaY0zCSM53QRzIF/s1600/IMG_3573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76MZ4Aul4v0sw8EcSBhhvGxpvQkNwBlx1kja3kH6OmgGwKvAKQXP6g08BvWFQPrXBW1LtPFuGD4Ui5ZgBDfN2Ns0BjUd4SwXds27isACAfNvtCdr0cUW-VV1sUo_wIoaY0zCSM53QRzIF/s640/IMG_3573.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is my favorite, because, like the bear ornament, it represents one of my favorite hobbies. </div>
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So on that note, happy holidays. I hope your preparations and festivities are enjoyable, and also stress- and crazy-Republican-uncle-free. And filled with cake-bringing neighbors. </div>
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Linked up to: </div>
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<a href="http://honeywerehome.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-tree-link-party.html" style="background-color: white; color: #4d9699; font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.58333396911621px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; text-decoration: initial;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wKrK9xjwpDky9IKTRI5IT-76xW0Em5Ql45RYUYc5MyiAxy1VSM6eSfBk3FaPHiJK5TufC4ksiK6nFuyJMno0vgyyQn9NP9_UwlC19QRi8TQPH_jHqsjdFmEESO6nauZ5pFGKnw02XJES/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-12-10+at+6.32.27+PM.png" style="border: 0px solid rgb(161, 206, 208); padding: 0px;" /></a></div>
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-25781624461694338232012-12-01T16:31:00.001-08:002012-12-01T16:31:34.315-08:00Enjoying the warm glow of a Christmas tree... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkArit5h_ts9g-FWPFYF_P6K_vIZiZ5Xkg7AQedHW8oyyTSfe2rNuXnDgxP44-ywOa-6fr18QPdvbwwlyP6ksOmyiuOvl-0q0t6wd_idLPKyTBvELOWPfBhrGo7dvPV8Oa5WppziMkebj/s1600/IMG_3537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdkArit5h_ts9g-FWPFYF_P6K_vIZiZ5Xkg7AQedHW8oyyTSfe2rNuXnDgxP44-ywOa-6fr18QPdvbwwlyP6ksOmyiuOvl-0q0t6wd_idLPKyTBvELOWPfBhrGo7dvPV8Oa5WppziMkebj/s640/IMG_3537.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkatVbFU063quoYTirk_nBLp0SRSPZcXAokuAEKXvzAwPlG2-ebRQSywDd2H4y452yTaVcHP-4VKaaUmHR7hCMSWn-7X1V_M3GFdIMwigan-gcOYy-6ewYv2NJ1AsknOnXvzQUBPdFZlR/s1600/IMG_3540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkatVbFU063quoYTirk_nBLp0SRSPZcXAokuAEKXvzAwPlG2-ebRQSywDd2H4y452yTaVcHP-4VKaaUmHR7hCMSWn-7X1V_M3GFdIMwigan-gcOYy-6ewYv2NJ1AsknOnXvzQUBPdFZlR/s640/IMG_3540.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
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I love the <i>feel</i> of Christmastime. The melancholy coldness and darkness as we approach winter solstice, juxtaposed with the merriment of celebration. Here's looking forward to a season of sadness and love, family time and excitement, all wrapped together. </div>
While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-51628879156689679052012-11-27T13:51:00.000-08:002012-11-27T13:51:15.529-08:00Things that make me happy..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
These are just a few of the things bringing a smile to my face right now:<br />
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1) Organization. I present, a little before-and-after that makes my heart sing (GAH cannot. stand. clutter):<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCuoB_BIgCgyJJHfCsS6gd7qLqI1LwU3-fKHu-QD6LuWdBF-dcdPF2eCxWulzRGIZ-LooN1M0nKcuSa8K7sgiy3VVP1xyR9yQhRoSbAM5n8zs9MYOu_xINVI5e3Ok8oJpO5UIpgu5wjrS/s1600/before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCuoB_BIgCgyJJHfCsS6gd7qLqI1LwU3-fKHu-QD6LuWdBF-dcdPF2eCxWulzRGIZ-LooN1M0nKcuSa8K7sgiy3VVP1xyR9yQhRoSbAM5n8zs9MYOu_xINVI5e3Ok8oJpO5UIpgu5wjrS/s640/before.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before: a messy slew of shoes every time I walk in the door, to trip over!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYjPTjD3qU9a9h6_gdW8-jo7ZGu8zxZJDWpsQFH64gE8rkyB6lOKzSIRRzKZMPJN19oA7AJg29r4IXz71KJvxBIMNE99jZkxmIYh4WqEtxTkvoytL-2YCmRQZ-cJ6fWcs1FS6qw4HxnOp/s1600/after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYjPTjD3qU9a9h6_gdW8-jo7ZGu8zxZJDWpsQFH64gE8rkyB6lOKzSIRRzKZMPJN19oA7AJg29r4IXz71KJvxBIMNE99jZkxmIYh4WqEtxTkvoytL-2YCmRQZ-cJ6fWcs1FS6qw4HxnOp/s640/after.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After: Ahhh so much better. </td></tr>
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2) Living near the Smithsonian Museums:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqcIlO602VMcaFbG-xh-tvcxRHKC5H-DOJfpNtbaNwbTxCveLoQm7qj7tZLdPgNIImQaV6KUqLgRLpvyLHz7OsTSYxEmp-MHW8YvR9lnOQ5TfBEnAGOj1p67g6nBj_ZNVcdylf2SBYNht/s1600/IMG_3360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqcIlO602VMcaFbG-xh-tvcxRHKC5H-DOJfpNtbaNwbTxCveLoQm7qj7tZLdPgNIImQaV6KUqLgRLpvyLHz7OsTSYxEmp-MHW8YvR9lnOQ5TfBEnAGOj1p67g6nBj_ZNVcdylf2SBYNht/s640/IMG_3360.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDcLjK7ZtAenxbSCjpNGrh1vycMG9RDHxc-B_tNokYTAcPfq5KMRt_Cbv-7-kIAsXhTwT_sRXhcy1BFCOXrJ0y61_WrsyHRVoet5ATa_8qaLgR5ZPm0GFoeZNpROqcaVyAiihzyPyHhL7/s1600/IMG_3357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDcLjK7ZtAenxbSCjpNGrh1vycMG9RDHxc-B_tNokYTAcPfq5KMRt_Cbv-7-kIAsXhTwT_sRXhcy1BFCOXrJ0y61_WrsyHRVoet5ATa_8qaLgR5ZPm0GFoeZNpROqcaVyAiihzyPyHhL7/s640/IMG_3357.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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3) My aunt and uncle joining us for Thanksgiving, then taking us to the Building Museum:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUL9-HXd0ZT5O48qfpDg-okyTuEucNkcU6DUF8WH2OWS9Fhk0B9ePnWo4-Nj6czdPH4YZTOFimvVE70PiFYxDKrotGVIFkNgR2n-CRjj_hqDIwz_t78-lG7oBK3B-4GztQQ7XvkPIBZra7/s1600/IMG_3518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUL9-HXd0ZT5O48qfpDg-okyTuEucNkcU6DUF8WH2OWS9Fhk0B9ePnWo4-Nj6czdPH4YZTOFimvVE70PiFYxDKrotGVIFkNgR2n-CRjj_hqDIwz_t78-lG7oBK3B-4GztQQ7XvkPIBZra7/s640/IMG_3518.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: My uncle</td></tr>
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4) Creative holiday wrapping ideas, from <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/60376451224555118/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu81zIw3jNss2Ygu4JRm0KO9hAxgNgjIIlbU_BklU9lQic_IxfjkiIs4iPjVrqGX3xvgD8gCJwz-sEsuAmWlGzHmTn001v-mIUgPFnDBWhTOw3KtR-lXF87NR4t1G1T2zbYhEJ9lq1LDrv/s1600/IMG_3521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu81zIw3jNss2Ygu4JRm0KO9hAxgNgjIIlbU_BklU9lQic_IxfjkiIs4iPjVrqGX3xvgD8gCJwz-sEsuAmWlGzHmTn001v-mIUgPFnDBWhTOw3KtR-lXF87NR4t1G1T2zbYhEJ9lq1LDrv/s640/IMG_3521.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm the next Martha Stewart! Not really..</td></tr>
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Yes, I'm <i>that</i> annoying neighbor who has all their Christmas decorations up this early, so I'll be sharing soon. </div>
While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-27171366941938698992012-11-22T19:05:00.000-08:002012-11-22T19:05:41.949-08:00Simple Sun Candles: Black Friday through Cyber Monday SALE!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving, with good food and great company!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixek2h8OZyBCyYft8uoidESf0tivxd4CSaW3qx3ZV4UNN0e1kQ0itqRmrf12qyKOVaRxyPKbt7NPpSGKZcrKaD9q3H1jSWBFrKI5JVS8Y93daOtiFJlMDUrnuZkQrJM3vk83CNE3X5pB3f/s1600/black+friday+cyber+monday+sale+ad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixek2h8OZyBCyYft8uoidESf0tivxd4CSaW3qx3ZV4UNN0e1kQ0itqRmrf12qyKOVaRxyPKbt7NPpSGKZcrKaD9q3H1jSWBFrKI5JVS8Y93daOtiFJlMDUrnuZkQrJM3vk83CNE3X5pB3f/s640/black+friday+cyber+monday+sale+ad.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115327988/candy-cane-peppermint-scented-soy-candle" target="_blank">Candy Cane 8 oz. Tumbler Candle</a></td></tr>
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Just a quick post to announce my Simple Sun Candles shop Black Friday through Cyber Monday SALE! Take 15% off your entire order, all weekend long, with coupon code: HAPPYHOLIDAYS12<br />
Coupon code is valid Friday 11/23 through Monday 11/26.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4o_Uuy93BYMLyGYll1ze-VeCLLFCjokQ4k_yCOGtGgfbHnS9-bRlYBrGs9CWHLlOUjXgTTPxdy1E4xlieN0F7e5uV_Au9xw3oBqAE-NdvVZSxgWzVVBXl8LqUPVLvs2o31JQbOy3K2HP/s1600/IMG_3467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4o_Uuy93BYMLyGYll1ze-VeCLLFCjokQ4k_yCOGtGgfbHnS9-bRlYBrGs9CWHLlOUjXgTTPxdy1E4xlieN0F7e5uV_Au9xw3oBqAE-NdvVZSxgWzVVBXl8LqUPVLvs2o31JQbOy3K2HP/s640/IMG_3467.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115547640/christmas-cabin-24-oz-scented-soy-candle" target="_blank">Christmas Cabin 24 oz. Jar Candle</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: left;">I have added several festive holiday fragrances, so be sure to check out the new listings! If you don't </span><span style="text-align: left;">see something specific you are looking for, there's always the</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/113154824/you-choose-the-scent-2-wick-14-oz" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">You Choose</a><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/112043684/you-choose-the-scent-3-wick-scented-soy" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank"> the Scent </a><span style="text-align: left;"> candles! </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwWGJyrKVt_jf18oHGuR_vo5vPvmiv_YqzEHK2ZLnCE7aaAWuUoKDWGZURrVEY0XD20OBsu-oZQqGRnXDbEUwVb_m_KOMjPAU76KZ-yWuyen6I9MMJj1st-Zf4F-RFgABXTEhsxsQ_43q/s1600/IMG_3514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwWGJyrKVt_jf18oHGuR_vo5vPvmiv_YqzEHK2ZLnCE7aaAWuUoKDWGZURrVEY0XD20OBsu-oZQqGRnXDbEUwVb_m_KOMjPAU76KZ-yWuyen6I9MMJj1st-Zf4F-RFgABXTEhsxsQ_43q/s640/IMG_3514.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115834375/christmas-memories-scented-soy-candle-in" target="_blank">Christmas Memories 8 oz. Mason Jar Candle</a></td></tr>
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Wishing everybody some great deals during your Black Friday shopping!<br />
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-18256958575743471792012-11-18T16:39:00.002-08:002012-11-18T16:40:30.578-08:00A few of my favorite things, November 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Celebrating the season of giving thanks, here are a few of my favorite things for November 2012.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.olioboard.com/boards/152499" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Favorite things Nov 2012" height="444" src="http://boards.olioboard.com.s3.amazonaws.com/152499_original.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: medium;">Image sources: <a href="http://www.lazerkraze.com/lk2/kylasertag.asp" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eureka-Enviro-Hard-Surface-Steamer-313A/dp/B001LYFBHG/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1353283937&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=eureka+steam+mop" target="_blank">2</a>, <a href="http://www.drugstore.com/burts-bees-ultra-moisturizing-lip-treatment-with-kokum-butter/qxp414879" target="_blank">3</a>, <a href="http://www.cooktj.com/content/trader-joes-tiramisu-torte" target="_blank">4</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Thanksgiving-Remastered-Deluxe-Edition/dp/B001CO42IO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353284020&sr=8-2&keywords=charlie+brown%27s+thanksgiving" target="_blank">5</a>, <a href="http://painting.about.com/od/freestencils/ig/Number-Stencils/Number-Stencil-1.htm" target="_blank">#s</a></i></td></tr>
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1) Why yes, I am a 27-year-old adult individual who plays laser tag on a somewhat-regular basis. However, laser tag presents a wonderful opportunity to take out all of your frustrations and aggressions on unsuspecting children that you don't know, which is perfectly healthy, no? As I get older, this game just gets more and more fun. As a family, we all enjoy it and thus it presents the perfect bonding opportunity. Or shoot-to-the-death competition between family members, whatever. ADDED BONUS: It's AWESOME cardio. You will leave the arena covered in sweat, if you are as competitive and serious about it as I am. Which everyone is, right?<br />
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2) So, I have talked<a href="http://justininsa.blogspot.com/2012/09/what-i-love-about-being-sahm-wahm.html" target="_blank"> before</a> about how I find it peaceful and calming to maintain a clean home. Now that I have a job (current status: employed... woo-hoo!) I wanted to still clean but in much less time. This <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LYFBHG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001LYFBHG&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Eureka Enviro Hard-Surface Floor Steamer,313A</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001LYFBHG" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is AWESOME in that rather than pull out the bucket and (dirty gross) mop, add cleaner, fill said bucket with hot water, sweep floors, mop, and then empty dirty water, you can simply fill up the steamer with water and it sanitizes your floor with steaming hot water! I LOVE that it uses no chemicals and therefore is eco-friendly, and is so easy to use. Just plug in, fill with water, let it heat up and mop. Again, I'm gushing over a mop (akin to <a href="http://justininsa.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-few-of-my-favorite-things.html" target="_blank">gushing over a pair of stretchy skinny jeans</a>) but here we are. Ahem.<br />
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3) My lips have been peeling away and in such a sad state since the weather turned cold. Despite using EVERY chapstick-type deal on the face of the planet, every five minutes throughout the day (okay, maybe I'm exaggerating), nothing alleviated my situation. Enter: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008NM465W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008NM465W&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Burt's Bees Ultra Moisturizing Lip Treatment with Kokum Butter, .25 oz</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008NM465W" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. I use this once in the AM and once in the PM, and my lips are GOLDEN I tell you. Not literally <i>golden</i> golden. But they're good. I'm happy. And my lips no longer hurt and/or peel off at inopportune times throughout the day. AND they add a nice subtle glossy finish. Hurrah!<br />
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4) ZOMG. So, as a long-time Tiramisu lover, I introduced Dylan to this fantasmagoric dessert while summering in Saudia Arabia last year, at a Macaroni Grill (go figure, they have those there). He instantly fell in love, so when it was time to select his birthday dessert, he chose the Tiramisu Torte in the frozen foods section at Trader Joe's. We celebrated his birthday with this and all loved it. Simply remove from freezer and thaw for a few hours, and then die of happiness and Tiramisu overload. Repeat as needed.<br />
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5) We love all the Charlie Brown seasonal specials, and this one continues the tradition of teaching a meaningful lesson and being charmingly hilarious. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CO42IO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001CO42IO&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (Remastered Deluxe Edition)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001CO42IO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> features not only the 25-minute special where Charlie Brown is inundated by guests inviting themselves to his feast (BEEN THERE, DONE THAT CHUCK), but also a fantastically-done special on the pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock, the hardships they experienced traveling to America, the illness and difficulty they had finding land and settling once there, and why they continued to show faith and thanks and the wonderful teachings of Native Americans that helped them (okay, so not the whole story...). It's very touching, and according to my sources, historically accurate. Note: My sources are me assuming it is historically accurate.<br />
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<i>Contains affiliate links. </i></div>
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-37122866224774749032012-11-16T11:20:00.000-08:002012-11-20T18:19:57.456-08:00Black Bean & Corn Southwestern Quinoa<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am often intimidated by 'trendy' health foods, and slowly get my feet wet until I am able to start incorporating them into my cooking on a regular basis. For instance, coconut oil was something I thought was too expensive to use and would add a weird taste to my foods. I actually found it to be quite affordable at Trader Joe's, and started making my microwave popcorn with it (WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND). Now, I'm using it in place of olive oil in almost everything, from stir fry to baking and loving it. Quinoa was similar (and equally scary) to me, until I started using this recipe. The wonderful thing about Quinoa is that it is a great source of protein in a seed, which gives us the benefits of protein without the fat and sodium found in meat dishes.<br />
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This recipe is one of the few in my mind that meets the criteria of being healthy, filling, delicious, and easy to make. It is another work-approved dish in that whenever leftovers are brought for lunch, people inevitably ask me for the recipe. It's great to 'doll up' with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheese.. whatever you put on your tacos will go well on this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpZij6jFh49aoXPpZztMNUEgujrZJ2b9clRGPZHRTjELJazTiognfbsww7d6CPCAviEHt1DD8da2U8oSpaB6lNVn3xlcPF4dkDtICMVo1ibuT8XvBkIXhhP-4_e6S9CmgkySlyP0_NcDB/s1600/IMG_3304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpZij6jFh49aoXPpZztMNUEgujrZJ2b9clRGPZHRTjELJazTiognfbsww7d6CPCAviEHt1DD8da2U8oSpaB6lNVn3xlcPF4dkDtICMVo1ibuT8XvBkIXhhP-4_e6S9CmgkySlyP0_NcDB/s640/IMG_3304.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Heat a few teaspoons of vegetable oil (I use olive or coconut, both work well) in a pan and stir in one chopped onion and 3 cloves garlic (diced) until the onions are slightly browned and the garlic is fragrant. Add in 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa and stir into the mixture for a few moments.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJ9uw8_IisxL1wABj_TN2PvDXecnsUsoftj0x4sgKz4P3VQCQ01dhleywh0kuHIx6TxvmNlVQSZxu2tRrLTMC-U7mgsd15wDDCWG9pGCFCCE2YvD3wPZe7oKWegUQxaiANG_YlYmqlRZ0/s1600/IMG_3306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJ9uw8_IisxL1wABj_TN2PvDXecnsUsoftj0x4sgKz4P3VQCQ01dhleywh0kuHIx6TxvmNlVQSZxu2tRrLTMC-U7mgsd15wDDCWG9pGCFCCE2YvD3wPZe7oKWegUQxaiANG_YlYmqlRZ0/s640/IMG_3306.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Add in 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth to cover the quinoa, in addition to 1 teaspoon ground cumin (side question: Is it pronounced coo-min or cue-min?), 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF0tSUevgSkVchpf1DfyPUiUvPv8TRquTeMqITGgd4M7Q8YY2nTl7G4LCnnr6vWZ9Lm9vAzPm454kl9ztVjAqyclfqSK_bgaLjMNChk8qQNnUcpZX4ljBUO3w-g4qprE1dhm5-z_c4Nb1/s1600/IMG_3307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisF0tSUevgSkVchpf1DfyPUiUvPv8TRquTeMqITGgd4M7Q8YY2nTl7G4LCnnr6vWZ9Lm9vAzPm454kl9ztVjAqyclfqSK_bgaLjMNChk8qQNnUcpZX4ljBUO3w-g4qprE1dhm5-z_c4Nb1/s640/IMG_3307.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the pan, reduce heat, and allow it to simmer for about 20 minutes (mine takes around 15-17 minutes). <br />
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Here it is, all fluffed up having absorbed the broth:<br />
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Now's the fun part: stir in 1 cup of frozen corn kernels, 2 15 oz. cans of black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 bell pepper, chopped (any color) and 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (or frozen cilantro, if you're doing the whole pinterest-herb-ice-cube trick). Simmer on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the corn is warm. Serve with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, cheese, and any other toppings you like!<br />
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Black Bean & Corn Southwestern Quinoa<br />
<i>Recipe adapted from: </i>3LIONCUBS on <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/quinoa-and-black-beans/detail.aspx" target="_blank">Allrecipes.com</a><br />
<i>Serves: </i>6<br />
<i>Ready in: </i>45 minutes<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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1-2 teaspoons vegetable, olive, or coconut oil<br />
1 onion, chopped<br />
3 cloves garlic, peeled and diced<br />
3/4 cup uncooked quinoa<br />
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth<br />
1 teaspoon ground cumin<br />
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper<br />
1 cup frozen corn kernels<br />
1 bell pepper, chopped<br />
2 15 oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed<br />
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro<br />
Guacamole, cheese, sour cream, and/or salsa, for serving<br />
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1) Heat the oil over medium-low heat in a large pan. Stir in the onion and garlic, and sautee until garlic is fragrant and onion is somewhat browned.<br />
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2) Add the quinoa into the same pan, stirring. After a few moments, add in the broth as needed, until the quinoa is covered. Add in cumin, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir, and bring the mixture to a boil. Cover pan and reduce heat to allow for it to simmer. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.<br />
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3) Once quinoa has absorbed the broth, stir in the frozen corn, pepper, black beans, and cilantro. Keep over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, or until corn has warmed up.<br />
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4) Serve with toppings, and enjoy!<br />
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Linked to:<br />
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<a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="SixSistersStuff.com" height="150" src="http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh517
/CamilleBeckstrand/button3copy.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.oneshetwoshe.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Or so she says" src="http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk118/mwangsgard/Link-Party-Button.gif" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVAfaPdPKQXE_Oty7PMxyNWyY4cnRTSj0gp264I0aWHr30eunTWzuxMet6rh44_a3Rwh7Z7v34-gRIsL1rsaiXrsbGyLzT645semRu1EwBhe7y2vZnXCrq02HI6YzEz9JfhilEImFBDc/s1600/one+project+link+party.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #dd3e85; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px; line-height: 16.799999237060547px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSVAfaPdPKQXE_Oty7PMxyNWyY4cnRTSj0gp264I0aWHr30eunTWzuxMet6rh44_a3Rwh7Z7v34-gRIsL1rsaiXrsbGyLzT645semRu1EwBhe7y2vZnXCrq02HI6YzEz9JfhilEImFBDc/s320/one+project+link+party.jpg" style="border: none; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="320" /></a></div>
While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-20253436010406675812012-11-13T13:16:00.003-08:002012-11-13T13:16:48.800-08:00Birthday recap: Dylan turns 9!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We had a blast celebrating Dylan's birthday this past weekend (his real birthdate is 11/9 but we keep the festivities goin', yo). On Friday when he arrived home from school, Dylan was absolutely <i>delighted </i> that I had put up my birthday decorations for him (walking around to look at each, and he kept saying, "Oh wow! Thanks mom!"). These decorations include: a balloon wreath, a colorful flag banner, and banners from previous years' party themes (Mario and Pokemon) that say Happy Birthday Dylan (yay personalization!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQalSsPOXDsvuF3phrONQGvEGGiokXfDZXACK1rA7q7AEZ70qPGr1v2No3jnmk5EXBI_G6R0u5nJygbb3ub8ZpwqU-U-8hwA9457_29TNBuUEWeIQVm1d3Y7ZyqFCaVPIf-a2FQQWQeoX/s1600/302740_10151151343083811_1093148814_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQalSsPOXDsvuF3phrONQGvEGGiokXfDZXACK1rA7q7AEZ70qPGr1v2No3jnmk5EXBI_G6R0u5nJygbb3ub8ZpwqU-U-8hwA9457_29TNBuUEWeIQVm1d3Y7ZyqFCaVPIf-a2FQQWQeoX/s400/302740_10151151343083811_1093148814_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We had Dylan's choice of dinner, which to <i>my</i> delight was my signature lemon garlic shrimp pasta, with shirley temples to drink and a Tiramisu Torte from Trader Joe's for dessert (woo-hoo my kid has excellent taste!).<br />
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Some neighbors dropped in to play several rounds of Just Dance as well, and related incriminating photos were posted promptly by my mother to Facebook. Dylan opened presents and was SO. EXCITED. the whole time. I love that kid's joyful personality.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk54uQM6_puQuj5beZ0-qgYWjPva1_JIBD7hsUBfhwHLZEcbwr3w0unKaKxE4OKTcYxnvrdiPw-_YgYRRI32nkqnqlktHbqllueqzKR-JB5mCY9SeggalZBjwtVhBJBHidSpwlxxULPLaZ/s1600/396733_10151151343233811_548547866_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk54uQM6_puQuj5beZ0-qgYWjPva1_JIBD7hsUBfhwHLZEcbwr3w0unKaKxE4OKTcYxnvrdiPw-_YgYRRI32nkqnqlktHbqllueqzKR-JB5mCY9SeggalZBjwtVhBJBHidSpwlxxULPLaZ/s640/396733_10151151343233811_548547866_n.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFLQGpxJ0or9MvijSIOxo2XAD8rpvKF7jSBBAIgHEK9jBP96juzO8InAdmfVTey5fWUCHvByQJT9-NryNZks0IOoiMnJ-znujpbBQiCdxe2zsKDEV5nzllKe1zzZtEJ4WfDraqmlIRdJE/s1600/423102_10151151343353811_1989995386_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFLQGpxJ0or9MvijSIOxo2XAD8rpvKF7jSBBAIgHEK9jBP96juzO8InAdmfVTey5fWUCHvByQJT9-NryNZks0IOoiMnJ-znujpbBQiCdxe2zsKDEV5nzllKe1zzZtEJ4WfDraqmlIRdJE/s640/423102_10151151343353811_1989995386_n.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monty is quite adept at photo-bombing.</td></tr>
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On Saturday, with Nana in tow, we had Dylan's <i>party </i>party at a local Laser Tag joint.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xPfg4oYklnMspDJbEfcIcPiVu47HwfoAokzJmsee-4QULcDbV10GhpOlMOZQwTxyxt0C0udhPt549ngO4o5MEYhgyRfrzeTV3MouvKashjS7Z5gE040bTpjZ4ANsCZgEUQrZ1pJ8Otld/s1600/IMG_3327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xPfg4oYklnMspDJbEfcIcPiVu47HwfoAokzJmsee-4QULcDbV10GhpOlMOZQwTxyxt0C0udhPt549ngO4o5MEYhgyRfrzeTV3MouvKashjS7Z5gE040bTpjZ4ANsCZgEUQrZ1pJ8Otld/s640/IMG_3327.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The party theme was: Dylan's favorite things (Including Ugly Dolls, Pokemon, and Batman)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_t_s4pfZlZ9zvW4FADBaAM5ety7ZRDE8aV57OPjxczGQGB0hW-ZJNPgn7lCF7YQV9STlwhyphenhyphenlQFcNoT-2oGEZTVTP7-KsuC7KRlN6KiYwZbqVnJx_5PwJka18lvXCeizaeJAPQHeCyWQV/s1600/IMG_3329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_t_s4pfZlZ9zvW4FADBaAM5ety7ZRDE8aV57OPjxczGQGB0hW-ZJNPgn7lCF7YQV9STlwhyphenhyphenlQFcNoT-2oGEZTVTP7-KsuC7KRlN6KiYwZbqVnJx_5PwJka18lvXCeizaeJAPQHeCyWQV/s640/IMG_3329.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsIvYoKSu4UQqcpRXlaaMdmDFxeUtrjTMka-O2SHfRC__ylCWEaChRMzQE4WVB-wwpNxP47v67S4HSkx-H982eFznvllLLI7lbDheYvZCodpTzqBUlG2Hs4ZUNoNo6Ag9v0V4jgSR02sd/s1600/IMG_3331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsIvYoKSu4UQqcpRXlaaMdmDFxeUtrjTMka-O2SHfRC__ylCWEaChRMzQE4WVB-wwpNxP47v67S4HSkx-H982eFznvllLLI7lbDheYvZCodpTzqBUlG2Hs4ZUNoNo6Ag9v0V4jgSR02sd/s640/IMG_3331.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our party 'hostess' did a card trick with Dylan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the suh-weet DYLAN candles!</td></tr>
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Laser tag was super fun, and the adults even joined in which made it a blast. Dylan and his friends seemed to really enjoy it and were excitedly talking about the games for long afterwards, even despite the ex-marine who was intensely focused on being NUMBER ONE (yes, he was an adult). Side story: He was with his 4- or 5-year old daughter in pigtails, and when he discovered she had gotten last place (GO FIGURE) he began lecturing her, like, seriously, in the lobby about how "I expected that from you and all being your first time, however..." SERIOUSLY, it was like something out of SNL. Anyways, everyone also seemed to enjoy the Little Caesar's pizza which being native Michiganders, we had to introduce to the locals (it recently opened here).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IRchaDwbDSuLdbpyKryrIt-paqYCleS0X2xMLq3BncntQ5N3-4ec3b3nRapPGXMUf-ESXk-63-HuVh8H6pXD8IfhhROORZdr-vmtd_lhS_gio_K9s_xHkKbIsDa5DCUUAnrLx3SXBcId/s1600/IMG_3339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IRchaDwbDSuLdbpyKryrIt-paqYCleS0X2xMLq3BncntQ5N3-4ec3b3nRapPGXMUf-ESXk-63-HuVh8H6pXD8IfhhROORZdr-vmtd_lhS_gio_K9s_xHkKbIsDa5DCUUAnrLx3SXBcId/s640/IMG_3339.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Dylan...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOfYXu98OfCLrn0T-iBjSLCGhVkY9FXpyB0qgzUap32pw96yhliyHhcy2t_wvu4WOzmUpLf6DPf0Y5EQV_XMUZAqTDToz3age5yPiO7V8CqVVmvWRGMR2Pgx1mTRidnxBrrwTlyFS8Y7n/s1600/IMG_3346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOfYXu98OfCLrn0T-iBjSLCGhVkY9FXpyB0qgzUap32pw96yhliyHhcy2t_wvu4WOzmUpLf6DPf0Y5EQV_XMUZAqTDToz3age5yPiO7V8CqVVmvWRGMR2Pgx1mTRidnxBrrwTlyFS8Y7n/s640/IMG_3346.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening presents!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTY91OPD3SigFC8J5BURAUGmfMSjLbxF7ijlBXCxE5coxX2XMyzbvUywxjQ3pLflP-mbOrtv8kxQClNZcCAmX3o6FN5W85E5Y79iVWw4xlvgYs_2a2QzuJ3FkUNKZZoH9ENVkCAENCHiu/s1600/IMG_3348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTY91OPD3SigFC8J5BURAUGmfMSjLbxF7ijlBXCxE5coxX2XMyzbvUywxjQ3pLflP-mbOrtv8kxQClNZcCAmX3o6FN5W85E5Y79iVWw4xlvgYs_2a2QzuJ3FkUNKZZoH9ENVkCAENCHiu/s640/IMG_3348.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very cool card from a good friend.</td></tr>
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All in all, it was a great celebratory weekend for Dylan's 9th. He is an amazing kid who makes me proud and teaches me every day. I am so happy to celebrate this birthday but it has gone by way too fast. Next year we're in the double digits! I can't think about it, yet. </div>
While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-79522842493551793192012-11-09T04:04:00.000-08:002012-11-09T04:05:16.937-08:00Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, DC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>First off... HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little guy! I guess I can't call him that now that he's 9. I will be posting about the birthday festivities after they occur this weekend. </i><br />
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Remember how we went to the <i>other</i> air and space museum? This weekend we were able to go to the DC version (I think the original one) and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Spoiler alert: this is a picture-heavy post, so feel free to skip out if you're sick of ALL. THE. PHOTOS. of DC attractions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwk8hObruITA1npZqgcMLQQD_ZiLBi_bzrvn0jn4FGQZd3mGGGJy7Ph_kOYoyhgvUmpabmP_iCxbIZb0mAP0u-H5WI9ytKAHKf5hVoxGkK6ZM5lwbGe5ouaLa3YOLH9WUnoglfpsDnlEwS/s1600/IMG_3209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwk8hObruITA1npZqgcMLQQD_ZiLBi_bzrvn0jn4FGQZd3mGGGJy7Ph_kOYoyhgvUmpabmP_iCxbIZb0mAP0u-H5WI9ytKAHKf5hVoxGkK6ZM5lwbGe5ouaLa3YOLH9WUnoglfpsDnlEwS/s640/IMG_3209.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qwB4Renasi_n1npOHoLWAQ4WOb42wlLvQr4MwpI93P8ZM8As1XTByeBkID9eusA9ayUgHiGlXdti_pl7n7tuGozLN2V03EjFxVhH1UAFFyou4rrgsVN0g_djPRGD0biDY66pfU4puki1/s1600/IMG_3214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qwB4Renasi_n1npOHoLWAQ4WOb42wlLvQr4MwpI93P8ZM8As1XTByeBkID9eusA9ayUgHiGlXdti_pl7n7tuGozLN2V03EjFxVhH1UAFFyou4rrgsVN0g_djPRGD0biDY66pfU4puki1/s640/IMG_3214.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan was very interested in finding out...</td></tr>
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More pictures after the jump...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan controls the camera inside of the space lander.</td></tr>
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We saw the "Undiscovered Worlds" feature in the planetarium, which was very well done. We all learned a lot (I had no clue there were other planets, similar in chemical-make up to earth but totally gaseous, outside of our solar system!) and Dylan particularly loved the film.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan was "frightened" of the bomb (pose done for dramatic effect). </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gift shop featured a Star Wars and Star Trek theme so we nerded out. </td></tr>
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-75527958645850612032012-11-07T04:35:00.003-08:002012-11-07T04:35:49.369-08:00Giving thanks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One thing I like to do on a regular basis to <strike>stay</strike> try to be mentally healthy is to keep up a gratitude journal. <a href="http://happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/" target="_blank">This</a> sums it up better than I ever could, but basically reflecting on the things we are thankful for keeps us happier, easier to get along with, less materialistic, and healthier in general.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiV1-I-zb-BbUqQtLmt2jFkKJpShOHK0YbT-flUl9wWfXwgzojDWhqrNsbkBrv5ydDEf3OpnAmvr-fFxh5GjLP-Kn8-z3pA5ox1Qpuqoll83ipmTDk8AJoZ1Nx1yVkrQLHu6qYVftfakKt/s1600/Always-something-to-be-thankful-for1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiV1-I-zb-BbUqQtLmt2jFkKJpShOHK0YbT-flUl9wWfXwgzojDWhqrNsbkBrv5ydDEf3OpnAmvr-fFxh5GjLP-Kn8-z3pA5ox1Qpuqoll83ipmTDk8AJoZ1Nx1yVkrQLHu6qYVftfakKt/s640/Always-something-to-be-thankful-for1.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image found <a href="http://www.nettiesexpressions.com/2012/01/14/free-always-be-thankful-printable/" target="_blank">here.</a></td></tr>
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I have struggled at times with this practice, sometimes being snarky (e.g., I am thankful for... hard liquor) but I agree with the above. It is interesting to look back and reflect on what I've been thankful for at different times over the past few years.. times when Justin was gone, I was struggling with working full-time and parenting on my own, times when other things have gone wrong in my life.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my Gratitude journal. I was using a plain ol' notebook until I found this in a little shop in Shirlington and was smitten.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each page features a quote on gratitude. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_B0BcFl8Xv95ZRHyUVxcegSpau8AFBAe4ow8aE_Mo0rkJt9EUqoUWQfReFoR8mfC9-gevosmbpVoZzBZyiJC5SIY0JmKqvczzYj1-LL_5Ur-lsaRe0TXWLyjWYi_Y1h19L3qZ5FjOsxLv/s1600/IMG_3289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_B0BcFl8Xv95ZRHyUVxcegSpau8AFBAe4ow8aE_Mo0rkJt9EUqoUWQfReFoR8mfC9-gevosmbpVoZzBZyiJC5SIY0JmKqvczzYj1-LL_5Ur-lsaRe0TXWLyjWYi_Y1h19L3qZ5FjOsxLv/s640/IMG_3289.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'We are the heroes of our own story.'</td></tr>
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I am truly enjoying this practice but haven't been keeping up with it as much as I would like. I've also noticed that Dylan has been making more negative statements than usual, complaints about school or friends and so on. I wanted to infuse (if you will) some more gratitude into our lives and also teach him my practice. In the spirit of the season (Thanksgiving, that is), I decided to copy the idea that <a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-traditions-one-old-one-new/" target="_blank">Young House Love </a>featured a while back, and also what is sold at <a href="http://www.wisteria.com/Gratitude-Jars-New/productinfo/W8228/" target="_blank">Wisteria</a> (but for way too much money, IMHO) and create a gratitude jar.<br />
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I used the same technique as featured on the Young House Love link above, etching "Give Thanks" into the side of a ginormous mason jar I've had for awhile.<br />
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Side story: This jar was also used to catch five of the ten fish Dylan keeps in his aquarium at a trip to a local lake. I thought the fish would never make it, but here we are, months later and they're still kickin'. Go figure. <i>I did clean the jar out after. Maybe.</i><br />
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I picked out some fall-ish scrapbooking paper and cut it into small pieces so we can all write what we are thankful for. Often, we will sit down together as a family and secretly record our response. We plan to read them all on Thanksgiving. However, I hope to keep this practice up for Dylan (and myself) long past the leftovers.<br />
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I can honestly say that I have an incredible amount to be thankful for. Without disclosing too much personal, sappy crap, things were a bit tough for me for awhile there, but have only been looking up lately. Things that I could have never dreamed of, not just moving to where we're living now (which HELL YES I am thankful for), but other things I could not have imagined this time last year, both family- and career-wise, are actually happening. Things are just, falling into place. I know my 'luck' may not always be so good but for now, I'm enjoying it.<br />
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-33478957439345856152012-11-05T19:35:00.000-08:002012-11-05T19:35:25.487-08:00Runnin' around this town, on the corner<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So thanks to my brother, sister-in-law (Thanks Jenny!), and a few half-marathoner/triathaloner friends I have been inspired to start <strike>running</strike> jogging.. i.e., their running has inspired me to start jogging. I refuse to mar the good name of running by calling what I do, which is lifting my legs in the fashion of running but at a much. slower. pace, running (no, seriously, I will never ever post the time it takes me to jog a mile because you will sit there scratching your head and wondering why my jogging a mile takes longer than it does your toddler to walk a mile).<br />
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Anyhoo, with running comes listening to music. As I ever-so-gently put it to Justin when I was ranting about my iPod not working, when I don't have music to distract me, my brain screams at me: "Ahhh I'm DYING, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO YOURSELF... GAH my LEGS! DYING!!" I had a few songs in my 'Work it OUT' mix on iTunes, but it became repetitive listening to Michael Jackson over, and over.. and over as I jogged. Upon realizing that I do not jog at nearly a normal pace, I was able to add some music that features slower tempos and expand my repertoire. Hence, the following very-eclectic list of my favorite songs, in no particular order, that make me want to dance and thus encourage me as I'm panting through my 20-minute, 1-mile jog. I may or may not dance/jog along when I think I'm alone in the woods only to turn around and realize there's a 20-person field trip group visiting the nature center I jog at, staring at me. Awesome.<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007B6VOII/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007B6VOII&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Some Nights (Explicit)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007B6VOII" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Fun<br />
2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00137SWIQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00137SWIQ&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">You Ain't Goin' Nowhere</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00137SWIQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova (I'm Not There Soundtrack)<br />
3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001248H1W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001248H1W&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) (Remastered LP Version )</a>- Talking Heads<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001248H1W" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W21GXQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000W21GXQ&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">The Good Life</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000W21GXQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Weezer<br />
5. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00137IGT6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00137IGT6&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Mr. Blue Sky</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00137IGT6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- ELO<br />
6. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002F6LQCS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002F6LQCS&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Dog Days Are Over</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002F6LQCS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Florence & the Machines<br />
7. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NAZRWM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001NAZRWM&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Sunday Bloody Sunday</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001NAZRWM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- U2<br />
8. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PVH8I2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004PVH8I2&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Lights</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004PVH8I2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Elie Goulding<br />
9. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VOMMB2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003VOMMB2&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Crazy For You</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003VOMMB2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Best Coast<br />
10. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NB308O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001NB308O&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001NB308O" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Michael Jackson<br />
11. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SZBWPE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SZBWPE&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Praise You</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000SZBWPE" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Fatboy Slim<br />
12. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00123HFMU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00123HFMU&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Gold Dust Woman (LP Version)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00123HFMU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Fleetwood Mac<br />
13. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SZHS4S/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000SZHS4S&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Dancing With Myself (2001 Digital Remaster)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000SZHS4S" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Billy Idol<br />
14. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002B26MU2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002B26MU2&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">The Galway Girl</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002B26MU2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Steve Earle<br />
15. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007VF2PAA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B007VF2PAA&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Too Close</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B007VF2PAA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Alex Clare<br />
16. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V7JYA4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000V7JYA4&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">For Once In My Life</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000V7JYA4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Stevie Wonder<br />
17. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VGZ2II/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000VGZ2II&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">I Wish</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000VGZ2II" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Another Stevie Wonder classic<br />
18. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TDYPLS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000TDYPLS&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Speed Of Sound</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000TDYPLS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Coldplay<br />
19. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YP26XS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002YP26XS&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Giving Up The Gun</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002YP26XS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Vampire Weekend<br />
20. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030G731A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0030G731A&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Squeeze Box</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0030G731A" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- The Who<br />
21. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00415FUL4/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00415FUL4&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Church On Sunday (Album Version)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00415FUL4" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Green Day<br />
22. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00299AP00/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00299AP00&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Fences</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00299AP00" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Phoenix<br />
23. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016CVICU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0016CVICU&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Paint It, Black</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0016CVICU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- The Rolling Stones<br />
24. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00937HAG8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00937HAG8&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">September</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00937HAG8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- Pomplamoose (cover)<br />
25. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00137G9UO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00137G9UO&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Rock The Casbah</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00137G9UO" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- The Clash<br />
26. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00122WP0S/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00122WP0S&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">Pretty Vacant (Album Version)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00122WP0S" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />- The Sex Pistols<br />
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For those who are curious, I'm following the <a href="http://www.halhigdon.com/" target="_blank">Hal Higdon</a> novice 5K training program. I would've gone with the very popular Couch-to-5K, but after finishing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QZ1RS6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002QZ1RS6&linkCode=as2&tag=whyoweou-20">INSANITY: 60-Day Total Body Conditioning Workout DVD Program</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=whyoweou-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002QZ1RS6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, I was able to run 1.5 miles (kinda sorta without dying) so I wanted to build from there.<br />
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<i>Post contains affiliate links. </i></div>
While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-79939173976463941252012-11-01T08:23:00.001-07:002012-11-01T08:23:18.661-07:00Halloween 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just stopping in to say that we were <i>very</i> lucky, Sandy did not yield anything more than high winds and rain for us. We even kept our power on, which was completely unexpected (at least all my laundry and dishes are done now). We are thinking of all of those in NY, New Jersey, Delaware and elsewhere that weren't as lucky and hoping for a quick recovery.<br />
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Because we were so lucky weather-wise, we were able to go Trick-or-Treating. Here's Dylan in his Bane costume, minus the mask:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZEqMUE_9Yyv5VrJmDj-XuKt09RFtOqsvt7N4VoTCy9T3wjUSwwSmh3_3PYLkZ9V2tUwzY58nwNuc7ZNGnumhoeHCzK9w_UrsL8nRj0pPRk4pRNxBNQ-P5826CwIvESa2NzhUHXl1Hxlb/s1600/IMG_3197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZEqMUE_9Yyv5VrJmDj-XuKt09RFtOqsvt7N4VoTCy9T3wjUSwwSmh3_3PYLkZ9V2tUwzY58nwNuc7ZNGnumhoeHCzK9w_UrsL8nRj0pPRk4pRNxBNQ-P5826CwIvESa2NzhUHXl1Hxlb/s640/IMG_3197.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's <i>really</i> happy that I'm delaying trick-or-treating with a photo shoot. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And here we are, self-proclaimed nerds and damn proud of it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEdP_04zon0U1Bt5kK2jPY-bMlEgFNXgZPT94N2xEdLnyKOfUdYyDi9_GevI-86utjzIOTWKsQVD-jqGk23YhD4sqfQ9ba19u41R6TzILb3o0pSy5Fs8Ut2u3WqZPPD6WdE1F8TDnIUa3/s1600/IMG_3198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEdP_04zon0U1Bt5kK2jPY-bMlEgFNXgZPT94N2xEdLnyKOfUdYyDi9_GevI-86utjzIOTWKsQVD-jqGk23YhD4sqfQ9ba19u41R6TzILb3o0pSy5Fs8Ut2u3WqZPPD6WdE1F8TDnIUa3/s640/IMG_3198.jpg" width="410" /></a></div>
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Side story: I wore my costume to pick Dylan up at the bus stop. He got off the bus, put his hand over his eyes and looked dramatically to the left and right, stating, "Where are you?" HA! That's my kid. Cheesy sense of humor is totally genetic.<br />
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Happy Halloween everyone! I hope your candy haul was as good as ours. Now on to removing my Halloween decorations. Does anyone else get super-excited to put up holiday decorations, and then super-tired of seeing them everyday about a month in? </div>
While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-5766736093814807032012-10-29T06:14:00.000-07:002012-10-29T06:14:28.324-07:00Halloween preparations in light of Hurricane Sandy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The rain is POURING here now and fortunately the winds haven't started up (yet). So, I'll leave you with some Halloween photos that I have taken from the past week. We're hoping to go trick-or-treating Wednesday but the big storm may prevent that. In that case, I picked up some small treat bags for Dylan and the neighbors and maybe we'll play some Halloween games in our costumes. I'm sure the potential power outage will add to the spooky mood.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZLiNO8XuoNGN__W1iuuTwNxqsXy4YTBndwYymFRZbIQYIukFIR7ZeIkOMEyTenHLm4XB1R7no_-s3BuV1IKJbJRXETDhUEAfAs6qwwWf1sz2hJSMvzqr_CMp4d3KQzl0NATdyQnwQ4lG/s1600/IMG_3145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZLiNO8XuoNGN__W1iuuTwNxqsXy4YTBndwYymFRZbIQYIukFIR7ZeIkOMEyTenHLm4XB1R7no_-s3BuV1IKJbJRXETDhUEAfAs6qwwWf1sz2hJSMvzqr_CMp4d3KQzl0NATdyQnwQ4lG/s640/IMG_3145.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Boo"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-axB5kqr-i5odFc6Ktbx7MyqLIASvjDeovLMvpk-BM1ekKTwC4kcn8uX5JIRaS0hSO6voGknqAUhXoRb5DgTtT-VFfuLvTQqQKEDxeTU9Ca4b4rPWNkSnrnn22fSJs7wJ8-bmakKHdjFO/s1600/IMG_3147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-axB5kqr-i5odFc6Ktbx7MyqLIASvjDeovLMvpk-BM1ekKTwC4kcn8uX5JIRaS0hSO6voGknqAUhXoRb5DgTtT-VFfuLvTQqQKEDxeTU9Ca4b4rPWNkSnrnn22fSJs7wJ8-bmakKHdjFO/s640/IMG_3147.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan enjoyed gutting the pumpkin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqMJpuaxySpHn-CjYR9uW5f2db00-hmrH0dphxIz3tMNZR47fTjefDdNAFfy2s_x5N8aajjZUDJ3Cyr7Xlaqh8zC9nOZlQVIQdTRZss2JQ4igOd_9meJtoi7b-bjMefQ0HThOR7imrskN/s1600/IMG_3157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqMJpuaxySpHn-CjYR9uW5f2db00-hmrH0dphxIz3tMNZR47fTjefDdNAFfy2s_x5N8aajjZUDJ3Cyr7Xlaqh8zC9nOZlQVIQdTRZss2JQ4igOd_9meJtoi7b-bjMefQ0HThOR7imrskN/s640/IMG_3157.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished masterpiece!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_SLFGs1W000hz4kqg_FGXCxSrfuA3XztDeTZekAvwO3d3FpzJOYxdCM4cefuVI8dbRUbGQU0aFJws3fsc0RVZQdXCPafFhccgFKimsmE2LQB-aS78KmkQmSraXAbh2UHakuuNvNfRTl2/s1600/IMG_3189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_SLFGs1W000hz4kqg_FGXCxSrfuA3XztDeTZekAvwO3d3FpzJOYxdCM4cefuVI8dbRUbGQU0aFJws3fsc0RVZQdXCPafFhccgFKimsmE2LQB-aS78KmkQmSraXAbh2UHakuuNvNfRTl2/s640/IMG_3189.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bob's riding this storm out. </td></tr>
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While You Were Outhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11365479363682663567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187546196769564015.post-89889693529781236082012-10-26T06:33:00.000-07:002012-11-16T04:54:43.299-08:00Fall recipe: Sausage stuffed acorn squash<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I never thought of myself as a 'seasonal eater' but I seem to crave certain foods during their featured season, and relatedly have been eating up all the squash I can get my hands on this fall. I tried spaghetti squash and found it to be delicious sauteed with some garlic and olive oil.<br />
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A tried-and-true recipe I make each autumn is this sausage stuffed acorn squash. The recipe came from my mother's good childhood friend, and my photo-copy of the original hand-typed recipe card is already tattered from use. The combination of the slightly sweet acorn squash with savory sausage and stuffing results in a comforting and delicious meal that even my picky eaters will devour.<br />
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You will start with preparing the squash in the oven, and meanwhile prepare the sausage and stuffing stove-top. The filling will be added to the cooked squash and baked together for about 30 minutes.<br />
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If you're unfamiliar, an acorn squash looks like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBbjnQ5MS7v1cQFSVBp7YQZB5t8LHPzxgHajyZ9KuqiF8we982TkDZ_ZJ2_GIApCTgRibOmWgeypV2tP0-Ou1jCqZwBDz0sNfrdUaLGvf3Koj50RoMIe34WvIbuPpkyNRUfcqtL4FnXKk/s1600/IMG_3164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBbjnQ5MS7v1cQFSVBp7YQZB5t8LHPzxgHajyZ9KuqiF8we982TkDZ_ZJ2_GIApCTgRibOmWgeypV2tP0-Ou1jCqZwBDz0sNfrdUaLGvf3Koj50RoMIe34WvIbuPpkyNRUfcqtL4FnXKk/s640/IMG_3164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Start off by preheating your oven to 400 degrees (fahrenheit). Cut your squash in half and remove the seeds. I found an ice cream scoop to be helpful in getting all the seeds out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwaLfa5OOLjxYRVkmNrcRtZVLoLqyBnCD6Z6Su12RAqAk8sYPGHfXpUbRWII0m0ZSFpTRnbWnjMbnbs7R9dy7_tKYblK49rIbE43JR-z_-IhdUtdiPbrFo1Ce5S36t3IdDIgFLNMI2bYP/s1600/IMG_3167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwaLfa5OOLjxYRVkmNrcRtZVLoLqyBnCD6Z6Su12RAqAk8sYPGHfXpUbRWII0m0ZSFpTRnbWnjMbnbs7R9dy7_tKYblK49rIbE43JR-z_-IhdUtdiPbrFo1Ce5S36t3IdDIgFLNMI2bYP/s640/IMG_3167.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fill a rimmed baking pan with 1/2 inch of water and place the cut squash, face down, into the water. Bake in the heated oven for about 30 minutes or until the squash is fork-tender. Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees once the squash are removed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pSirnthVpStlGwlREIC0dV6KnbXKcTqZED2HGFgwuuZTSbzSaGY9L2lyMQHDY7tfk42ZCNfex0SQ-JYahL5GrlxMzanlgDevcK4WxRjdcCX72gpp7vRRwcGBIIG54LXbpjfQUR0EFQoa/s1600/IMG_3168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pSirnthVpStlGwlREIC0dV6KnbXKcTqZED2HGFgwuuZTSbzSaGY9L2lyMQHDY7tfk42ZCNfex0SQ-JYahL5GrlxMzanlgDevcK4WxRjdcCX72gpp7vRRwcGBIIG54LXbpjfQUR0EFQoa/s640/IMG_3168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, mash 1/2 pound bulk pork sausage (or in my case, chicken sausage) in a frying pan with some olive oil. When using chicken sausage, I removed the casings and then mashed with a spatula.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMXZk0QpX_aLfvzD66ZCauq7LsWg8PGV05zbhqpg8JpI9JYi3tTJz_mwWjSIQuBKWX6XaYZ56Fm3R4eXewrjnTDZw0PPJwObWCxu3Ic08h8zlBTOy5pKF8ParMrGYg8a3scDKMiV0IkCj/s1600/IMG_3172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMXZk0QpX_aLfvzD66ZCauq7LsWg8PGV05zbhqpg8JpI9JYi3tTJz_mwWjSIQuBKWX6XaYZ56Fm3R4eXewrjnTDZw0PPJwObWCxu3Ic08h8zlBTOy5pKF8ParMrGYg8a3scDKMiV0IkCj/s400/IMG_3172.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chicken sausage I used.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Fry until the sausage is cooked but not yet brown. Drain off the fat (there was none with chicken sausage), and then add 1/2 small onion, diced, 3/4 cup dry bread crumbs, 1/4 cup water, a 1/2 teaspoon salt and dash of pepper to the mix.<br />
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Before filling, I slice off the stems or ends of the squash to create a flat surface, then flip over to create the 'bowl.' Fill the centers of each squash half with the sausage and stuffing mixture. Bake the stuffed squash in the 375 degree oven for approximately 30 minutes.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<u>Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash</u><br />
<i>Recipe adapted from original by: Sarah Jo</i><br />
<i>Serves: </i>4<br />
<i>Prep Time: </i>15 minutes<br />
<i>Cook Time:</i> 1 hour<br />
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2 acorn squash<br />
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage or chicken sausage<br />
1 tablespoon olive oil<br />
1/2 small onion, diced<br />
3/4 cup soft bread crumbs (I used dried)<br />
1/4 cup water<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
1 dash pepper<br />
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut squash in half and remove seeds. Place face-down in 1/2 inch of water and bake for 30 minutes or until the squash is fork-tender. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees.<br />
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Mash sausage with fork. Fry in olive oil until cooked but not yet brown. Drain off fat. Add onion, bread crumbs, and salt and pepper to pan. Fill centers of squash with sausage and stuffing mixture.<br />
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Bake at 375 degrees uncovered for 30 minutes.<br />
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