tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59313277526284161462024-02-07T11:23:17.884-05:00Fun As You Make ItI strive to feed my creative hunger, and I try to encourage the same to my two young girls. You are welcome to check out our projects and activities - they are usually simple and inexpensive. Because life is as "Fun As You Make It".M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-60333982737915625342012-08-16T13:31:00.001-04:002012-08-16T13:31:56.166-04:00Summer Olympics SoireeThank you, London, for hosting the 30th Olympiad. The Summer Games were thoroughly enjoyed stateside.<br />
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In order to get the international event off to a good start, we decided to host a Summer Olympics Soiree. (Evite had an adorable Olympic-themed invitation with the iconic Underground symbol as one of the Olympic Rings, but I was unable to copy it from their site.) Just a barbecue with some pick-up sports equipment on hand for the kids: hula hoops (rhythmic gymnastics), jump ropes (high jump?) and badminton raquets and birdies. It's too bad we didn't have our own outdoor aquatic center because a dip in the pool would have certainly cooled off the 90 degree evening. Maybe we can have one installed before the 2016 Games.<br />
<br />Of course we had to make the space Olympics-worthy, so the girls helped paint red, white and blue cardboard letters to support the U. S. team.<br />
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The signage was hung with R, W and Blue ribbon, flanked by R, W and Blue string lights (courtesy of Target's Fourth of July clearance: $1.50 per 10-foot set). <br />
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For a little fun, the adults were subject to a brief trivia quiz, with star-splangled mints given to the players who came up with the fastest answers. Kids were lined up to do a (mini) discus throw with R, W and Blue glowstick necklaces for a prize. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIgO1TwMsaiWVLBZ3HYCXFYWInicPOOJhyphenhyphenSS178ZZdamMWskiOZO32l-NeOF2OeANlhe8NOOF-B49wck7gbxIpGM1QkKxhqRVyqWEiL_ZFF8ZPBhEgnBelHC6WnWaZLGbajshXMFYr5M/s1600/DSCN6357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIgO1TwMsaiWVLBZ3HYCXFYWInicPOOJhyphenhyphenSS178ZZdamMWskiOZO32l-NeOF2OeANlhe8NOOF-B49wck7gbxIpGM1QkKxhqRVyqWEiL_ZFF8ZPBhEgnBelHC6WnWaZLGbajshXMFYr5M/s320/DSCN6357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Those were pretty cool to photgraph while they were twirling them around and making glowstick art in motion.<br />
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And as a final note to the evening, we gave the kids a lightweight torch (ie, sparklers) to carry. Who knows? One day one of them could be an Olympic champion!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRCkdRzkPdiZCfNsVXL2b7XV4djyKKREYd2c573X88qeWReegML-BroC09xjV9l7jj-4b11PERrY3q-ob0B6ihA7lCVLsbvNXOS39s_JWzMA-F1OrQ5dIRSUBCeWiYu2rjsM1O-zRLZc/s1600/DSCN6390.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/AVvXsEhkRCkdRzkPdiZCfNsVXL2b7XV4djyKKREYd2c573X88qeWReegML-BroC09xjV9l7jj-4b11PERrY3q-ob0B6ihA7lCVLsbvNXOS39s_JWzMA-F1OrQ5dIRSUBCeWiYu2rjsM1O-zRLZc/s320/DSCN6390.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAV62iBuvhiu2cFiXYYYXmj3fOyx3MhPwiBq4fcCSFFv49nPWQc2voLcfyFSdPUZN8nq9QYarivPATPKW3fsmRs-0ypxfyg5jYkw_IIEF8VC0kfymr1L07qTDndJleeYGXIHJ8w6rTh8/s1600/DSCN6384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAV62iBuvhiu2cFiXYYYXmj3fOyx3MhPwiBq4fcCSFFv49nPWQc2voLcfyFSdPUZN8nq9QYarivPATPKW3fsmRs-0ypxfyg5jYkw_IIEF8VC0kfymr1L07qTDndJleeYGXIHJ8w6rTh8/s320/DSCN6384.JPG" width="240" /></a>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-57690579262037732562011-05-06T11:22:00.000-04:002011-05-06T11:22:39.739-04:00Mother's Day Ribbon Banner<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw6m-93HMquwUUCxU1bm8sVMzoJidfGCv2Yh_PUlNS7AzIcHUvliDBDyCQD0rsvEM1IN6HlUpKU0kF0I6q8ZHN0c-HEFl8We_dgvqbHIIjmLa6apwPtSRjQQXa427xBgD-tXYD51YEas/s1600/DSCN7956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw6m-93HMquwUUCxU1bm8sVMzoJidfGCv2Yh_PUlNS7AzIcHUvliDBDyCQD0rsvEM1IN6HlUpKU0kF0I6q8ZHN0c-HEFl8We_dgvqbHIIjmLa6apwPtSRjQQXa427xBgD-tXYD51YEas/s320/DSCN7956.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>If you know me at all, you know that my favorite crafts take just a few "ingredients". This one calls for a couple sheets of accent scrapbook paper, 3 sheets of colored cardstock (or less), a coordinated ribbon (I prefer grosgrain), a 3 inch circle punch, 2 inch scalloped circle punch, double sided tape, a stapler and a computer printer.<br />
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My accent paper is Sandylion/Disney 'Mini Flowers' design (RMDWSCB83, the same I used for my <a href="http://funasyoumakeit.blogspot.com/search/label/Favors">Paper Pyramid favors</a>). For the cardstock, I chose bright pink, peach and yellow. Then I printed the letters of "Happy Mother's Day" on all three sheets, using capital letters in the Diamond font at font size 54. Don't forget to add an apostrophe after the letter 'R'!<br />
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The 3 inch accent circles get stapled to the ribbon, then the cardstock circles attach to the 3 inch circles with double sided tape, covering the staple.<br />
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The ribbon loop at the top of the hanging ribbon is not a knot (hee hee). I cut a separate piece of ribbon, about 7 or 8 inches, and made a figure eight with it (stapling its center), then tucked the hanging ribbon over that staple.<br />
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Hang one in the doorway of a mom you love:<br />
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Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs, since the payment is pure love. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Mother's Day to all you great moms out there!</span></strong></div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-79797103432997108952011-05-02T22:37:00.001-04:002011-05-02T22:40:49.985-04:00Two Dulcet DarlingsThis weekend, with both days with heavenly temperatures in the high 70s/low 80s, we took the girls to our first Renaissance Festival. There was the requisite headlining act of jousting between two noble knights,<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Kky8kl0f5P-8eMFJC3Ph0sGrenYSk0NjgSrTtaBn_q-i9dsXWxoeJYyGx6iQY9VYaOjwu3hk9gxNfcIc9Hg_pBUQ-rIZbFij3HwtRbZED8pGcf0dtLfcnqr0IM-38OT2xPoCa2ut6O4/s1600/Jouster2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Kky8kl0f5P-8eMFJC3Ph0sGrenYSk0NjgSrTtaBn_q-i9dsXWxoeJYyGx6iQY9VYaOjwu3hk9gxNfcIc9Hg_pBUQ-rIZbFij3HwtRbZED8pGcf0dtLfcnqr0IM-38OT2xPoCa2ut6O4/s320/Jouster2011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>an array of sideshow street performers throughout the day - aerialists, jugglers, contortionists,<br />
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First, they had to learn how to properly curtsey to the queen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE5bwBFe2br2f5pcoAa7KeNtooluU2wUKL3yYukTW93L0oIVkQyOS_iNSqmWVCEOGFXVpzq4V2poA1y6B3y-jrFdYmTvAhn_7qIVdnAkkf6hbT3MvP4MVbc__MQrD5iAivqRW00idPGo/s1600/RenaissCourtsey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE5bwBFe2br2f5pcoAa7KeNtooluU2wUKL3yYukTW93L0oIVkQyOS_iNSqmWVCEOGFXVpzq4V2poA1y6B3y-jrFdYmTvAhn_7qIVdnAkkf6hbT3MvP4MVbc__MQrD5iAivqRW00idPGo/s320/RenaissCourtsey.JPG" width="137" /></a></div>Then the queen <em>herself</em> taught them the secret (shhh!don't tell!) poem for them to address their subjects: <br />
"Elbow, elbow. Wrist, wrist...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp3iNzrFpBVHeCnizsRO9-w8DkGtQ_z_O3JpwdmKg4P0zg2wpcmm7n1GznHUWyHjK9Z5KeOHcHZVKJaM94SiJHeFXhROS27Qbvu24l-aYKGp2rbH80kOMcgMRs0BvMlWcyKHsxEkwfNc/s1600/DSCN8680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLp3iNzrFpBVHeCnizsRO9-w8DkGtQ_z_O3JpwdmKg4P0zg2wpcmm7n1GznHUWyHjK9Z5KeOHcHZVKJaM94SiJHeFXhROS27Qbvu24l-aYKGp2rbH80kOMcgMRs0BvMlWcyKHsxEkwfNc/s320/DSCN8680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Touch your crown, and blow a kiss."<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAgBfsDvCsqAeHSCtww3MQfLLdHxVFdZmckLV7O3CdGiutdOiLHhsUVLastGQiiVAC2W46JhSxRFLABjwl4uzpw8F1N4PTw0y_BZUPfHF5d8W7DuY4p-hNTnQyBVL7Efjkdlb7djhvC4/s1600/DSCN8681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAgBfsDvCsqAeHSCtww3MQfLLdHxVFdZmckLV7O3CdGiutdOiLHhsUVLastGQiiVAC2W46JhSxRFLABjwl4uzpw8F1N4PTw0y_BZUPfHF5d8W7DuY4p-hNTnQyBVL7Efjkdlb7djhvC4/s320/DSCN8681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The little lasses were so intent on the queen's instructions. They all wanted to get it right. (All except for one hungry maiden, who was NOT abandoning her roasted corn on the cob, even when the queen was handing out their princess proclamation scrolls.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T5V_Pr0s-5Ss9fy56v28iaE80iQWo5UT0Qi32u_MjwWy1f8dNYqorkD37m9UDhucuz-73k2VqoL1JXHfPFFEBzvjDxsAjSK1m0ZRYyKZ_jc8nX1GyHZGyulBi2nUUtejYjNSB5-y9KI/s1600/DSCN8689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1T5V_Pr0s-5Ss9fy56v28iaE80iQWo5UT0Qi32u_MjwWy1f8dNYqorkD37m9UDhucuz-73k2VqoL1JXHfPFFEBzvjDxsAjSK1m0ZRYyKZ_jc8nX1GyHZGyulBi2nUUtejYjNSB5-y9KI/s320/DSCN8689.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I hadn't heard the royal poem before. Maybe that's why my legion of two are so insolent! At least they still blew their 'Queen Mum' a kiss.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-17OGuJemig3eD-GCc1lTTbi_M-Z4NWHBmtVV0DZhqjwG4REzmy2n3Bon8DeO9ehlgq4NjOU0xYrKqZ7j_1zXT6pLwCl01JkjmsQvsj9Hi7bwlJyC9-RQ7W4ppl1D1WvxP9wCRr4J7co/s1600/DSCN8683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-17OGuJemig3eD-GCc1lTTbi_M-Z4NWHBmtVV0DZhqjwG4REzmy2n3Bon8DeO9ehlgq4NjOU0xYrKqZ7j_1zXT6pLwCl01JkjmsQvsj9Hi7bwlJyC9-RQ7W4ppl1D1WvxP9wCRr4J7co/s320/DSCN8683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-7855319102076601462011-04-24T21:20:00.000-04:002011-04-24T21:20:15.606-04:00Eggs, Eggs, EverywhereWe are inundated with eggs!<br />
<br />
Eggs to DYE<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ2KeQxb2O1eTIHpZyTggg-l4Yjq4dzTmR3Eo-iEftd1s4nthHuqPavFzXmr0xhacz6K0ZQL3-WFgIC_PySY4JCPY-fRUSC6dr_RsihIPEPjUARH-IaRjma6uIamtKR4ezl6i4nQxxgw/s1600/DSCN8454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJ2KeQxb2O1eTIHpZyTggg-l4Yjq4dzTmR3Eo-iEftd1s4nthHuqPavFzXmr0xhacz6K0ZQL3-WFgIC_PySY4JCPY-fRUSC6dr_RsihIPEPjUARH-IaRjma6uIamtKR4ezl6i4nQxxgw/s400/DSCN8454.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
Eggs to PAINT<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoFszXVpsM5_lkNVnjHReG0AZhaQMYkYUViYALw_P3h7fmcjP0aR_8AoLyXqUOWbJRgpNUqb2ilqkuush5VYykv4Fm8ve6FBOSTNjxGpx_hwOo-vdx4X2dfZsXYllzQaXZkihWl8wRME/s1600/DSCN8458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoFszXVpsM5_lkNVnjHReG0AZhaQMYkYUViYALw_P3h7fmcjP0aR_8AoLyXqUOWbJRgpNUqb2ilqkuush5VYykv4Fm8ve6FBOSTNjxGpx_hwOo-vdx4X2dfZsXYllzQaXZkihWl8wRME/s400/DSCN8458.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
Eggs to EAT<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuL-Yac1kalPoqp-KwLN7RRf54GRitHhRCfUV752C-F77yY0iPWaCc40Gs1pF_V6l9J_UQiLhcHNuEfVaIDtW32mEl5iyZeyx4TV0xB8DTiuMtQ8r4ZPqf4I4hLYwtbPUj6hR-fqoFD4g/s1600/DSCN8461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuL-Yac1kalPoqp-KwLN7RRf54GRitHhRCfUV752C-F77yY0iPWaCc40Gs1pF_V6l9J_UQiLhcHNuEfVaIDtW32mEl5iyZeyx4TV0xB8DTiuMtQ8r4ZPqf4I4hLYwtbPUj6hR-fqoFD4g/s400/DSCN8461.JPG" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
-and-<br />
<br />
Eggs to HUNT<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpPdpZUTUFDoyG-Y7APBT-EvpGj0uB2zB2xmwXGUsxZKyw35XkscHhMt94s3NeI4QyjjQ3RGLW7My0BKKCMJSoIzVcftKjDqNuLvR7nCfkqgxauwB2H5K6SxqF9l8qDf01lyKlMXTOlw/s1600/DSCN8552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpPdpZUTUFDoyG-Y7APBT-EvpGj0uB2zB2xmwXGUsxZKyw35XkscHhMt94s3NeI4QyjjQ3RGLW7My0BKKCMJSoIzVcftKjDqNuLvR7nCfkqgxauwB2H5K6SxqF9l8qDf01lyKlMXTOlw/s400/DSCN8552.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
A beautiful weekend with my beautiful girls. I hope you all have had a wonderful Easter.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z8ec4BAGLFY_HMaB2ePWfuvfGs3Yef89n0FH-C-cBr8NR-nP2ib511I-3Xli3SefB6PtDcYHBySuxtZBCkMMiDIvY_4PQesb6IugUp9k2c5QMzIUv1ED6aWrc0jB4XOZMbiuvU5kaAo/s1600/DSCN8561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z8ec4BAGLFY_HMaB2ePWfuvfGs3Yef89n0FH-C-cBr8NR-nP2ib511I-3Xli3SefB6PtDcYHBySuxtZBCkMMiDIvY_4PQesb6IugUp9k2c5QMzIUv1ED6aWrc0jB4XOZMbiuvU5kaAo/s400/DSCN8561.JPG" width="400" /></a>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-30634642353568506162011-04-23T22:18:00.000-04:002011-04-23T22:18:18.429-04:00Today's Inspiration IV: Apothecary-Style Candy DishLots of apothecary-style candy dishes were prevalent leading up to Halloween last year, most notable the simple-as-can-be <a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2010/09/make-an-apothecary-jar-for-2/">tutorial on Dollar Store Crafts</a>. I'm not exactly what you would call "speedy", but I consider getting one assembled before a year has passed pretty good for me. Easter candy tastes just as good! Supplies: Covered Candy Dish, Candlestick and powerful glue.<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEgTBPUv-FxroTjDZB1kvmTwglRBfeVsF8x9XK8kkWwk5Fk9a0re4Rf0FC7O4V4xrgFfGGurZor-7BGHBs1hcffhWHaSr5EuzOA1H_KlM4V8CaUTgenFawwo8XpwTSAl3i16Uw-p_kRBJuk/s1600/DSCN8425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBPUv-FxroTjDZB1kvmTwglRBfeVsF8x9XK8kkWwk5Fk9a0re4Rf0FC7O4V4xrgFfGGurZor-7BGHBs1hcffhWHaSr5EuzOA1H_KlM4V8CaUTgenFawwo8XpwTSAl3i16Uw-p_kRBJuk/s320/DSCN8425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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/AVvXsEgpID2BknCEJD9wwJ1l4RG2ORFATMoFpiDO1vZ3_p_MLpPcacmwyoKpHURx0b5VDnVy5NWsD5S5__-bfopfT0IPF9aALV3s06vEiU-3d_dYfdyXjep5Q86hviQ6vlh02CeTf4qJpxpeiGM/s1600/DSCN8432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpID2BknCEJD9wwJ1l4RG2ORFATMoFpiDO1vZ3_p_MLpPcacmwyoKpHURx0b5VDnVy5NWsD5S5__-bfopfT0IPF9aALV3s06vEiU-3d_dYfdyXjep5Q86hviQ6vlh02CeTf4qJpxpeiGM/s320/DSCN8432.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Set...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<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/AVvXsEi1syQmFaGYejoJSu2e59uA6eLXGfdogmpmoxetLsxUUdLRHjg00KI4VmjWB8e0WHQrDxZAbkhpMbOZDYck6LWZGrfPSHw1dix6fDlnTirzxaGT7qC_vYuhx2vLsExn-HPGeU_NRtyEna0/s1600/DSCN8499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1syQmFaGYejoJSu2e59uA6eLXGfdogmpmoxetLsxUUdLRHjg00KI4VmjWB8e0WHQrDxZAbkhpMbOZDYck6LWZGrfPSHw1dix6fDlnTirzxaGT7qC_vYuhx2vLsExn-HPGeU_NRtyEna0/s320/DSCN8499.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fill!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I know they're not fancy but for just about $2 a piece, they are perfect. So, how many days before they're empty?!M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-50687988293260575862011-04-22T21:20:00.003-04:002011-04-24T20:57:55.796-04:00Ingenious EggsPlastic eggs abound this time of year. We've got several dozen around the house already, and we haven't even attended an egg hunt yet. So, what to do with the abundance of eggs now that all the treats and trinkets have been consumed/stashed away? Try what my daughter's preschool teachers did:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3inqAbbtFEh7H0vbSfsDbQGRsLBb0Ks5zilb-Os3wEd5sUOnLQyWMj-kJvH6DK_tPJ4vAl1bCTK273ttWbf_bJv0UweNweJs6Oy3smvwqAonFp-XjTjPC3JkS-_BPs_eb1aDJPaxsWE/s1600/DSCN8405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3inqAbbtFEh7H0vbSfsDbQGRsLBb0Ks5zilb-Os3wEd5sUOnLQyWMj-kJvH6DK_tPJ4vAl1bCTK273ttWbf_bJv0UweNweJs6Oy3smvwqAonFp-XjTjPC3JkS-_BPs_eb1aDJPaxsWE/s320/DSCN8405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There are single syllable rhyming words written on each egg that can be changed at the turn of the shell (jet/let/pet/get; top/hop/pop/stop; etc.). What was also clever was that since they didn't want one child picking up a half dozen "-at" eggs, they used markers to draw color coded dots at the bottom of each egg cup to be sure that each child received all the variations. </div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One of my most favorite bloggers, Lindsey at Filth Wizardry, has created <a href="http://www.filthwizardry.com/2010/07/diy-spinny-spellers-and-repurposing.html">her own version called a 'Spinny Speller'</a> on which uses small-sized duplo blocks for each letter. Then for early readers, she uses stickers with sight words on the wider duplo blocks to construct sentences. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">These eggs are just a simpler, less expensive way to accomplish the same result. A bag of eggs and a Sharpie. Doesn't get much easier than that.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>So by the way, does anybody out there remember the jingle "The Incredible, Edible Egg"? Looking forward to eating some of the chocolate variety this weekend.M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-21406763964601843202011-04-12T21:59:00.001-04:002011-04-12T22:11:24.811-04:00A McSorley's InitiationLife is good when you get to gather with friends. Well, this trip was really about gathering with the hubby's friends. We were celebrating a milestone for him, after all. And what better place to celebrate than in NYC. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZDCdubBn6Z_Gw3G_2s1L42XpIC0hZWolHXvk2ElzU-5gNLDoWZTS2av7iOSk3P7cYBu5u7qG7WdhA8VqTLz1s9d2ghInQw-BX94jTvQTzgYF9mm9XrIVruyol2rgfyqTy_xKhbqD9kE/s1600/DSCN8156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZDCdubBn6Z_Gw3G_2s1L42XpIC0hZWolHXvk2ElzU-5gNLDoWZTS2av7iOSk3P7cYBu5u7qG7WdhA8VqTLz1s9d2ghInQw-BX94jTvQTzgYF9mm9XrIVruyol2rgfyqTy_xKhbqD9kE/s320/DSCN8156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I have heard for YEARS about McSorley's. The fact their window advertises "We've been here since before you were born"; the sawdust covering the floor; the floor to ceiling eclectic array of memorabilia (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/07/nyregion/07wishbone.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha29">including wishbones dating back to WWI)</a>; the crackers, cheese and pot of mustard tray; and of course, the half pints of beer they serve - light beer or dark are the only two beverage choices available - that are impressively served twenty at a time. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_993583784"></span><span id="goog_993583785"></span><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SFBQ4QRKMJO28hi1MoE3aL5uJT0KoPJIYVeGCkWaZaxhXQDIQnqBGPJ_YXGdg4MoSF52fh6MV2Brn76fAYKEpDdMTRuVFCMFNJ_Ku6skil6UlY9K5xhgU8IfcuJ_juGXgJjnwfFRYhE/s320/DSCN8145.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So, this "saloon" has been in existence for 157 years. And, oddly, even though I attended high school just one block away from McSorley's, I had never partaken of the darks and lights until 2011. However, I have a deep, meaningful relationship with McSorley's since 2003, when I was pregnant with my first daughter, and together, we read this Joseph Mitchell book: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREXaVAI0Qf72cYc3eSI1ZHj7s12XGZUOuuXvSnWw9KHveYACLrBUFmY7p4mdpwFcxNV7BaN6zlv7dLIYkFBI3xkV6oXrR7Y5AJgeIEZRWlM80e-cEjyDRzSVarbOrQUGJrIKkz2C5ypI/s1600/McSorley%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREXaVAI0Qf72cYc3eSI1ZHj7s12XGZUOuuXvSnWw9KHveYACLrBUFmY7p4mdpwFcxNV7BaN6zlv7dLIYkFBI3xkV6oXrR7Y5AJgeIEZRWlM80e-cEjyDRzSVarbOrQUGJrIKkz2C5ypI/s1600/McSorley%2527s.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">In it, we found a perfectly fitting name for our daughter. Just like her turn-of-the-(20th)century predecessor, our turn-of-the(21st)century girl has a heart of gold, and hopefully a strong connection to the city her parents love. Cheers to my hubby's 40 years. I love you, honey! </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dcFNC4_cV8_R_nZOQn15Mr_HLlUZGJvTOiqlbDMaXB7r5KoqbiGbJgVSnGB3GxttCImfkNiecL8jXaLKIzZq8IEbG6pnRPEhvowie_pniu94cffj8ryKPp4kJCr1EHPbztc7ta2pIpI/s1600/DSCN8152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dcFNC4_cV8_R_nZOQn15Mr_HLlUZGJvTOiqlbDMaXB7r5KoqbiGbJgVSnGB3GxttCImfkNiecL8jXaLKIzZq8IEbG6pnRPEhvowie_pniu94cffj8ryKPp4kJCr1EHPbztc7ta2pIpI/s320/DSCN8152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-73777614603135626572011-04-01T21:21:00.000-04:002011-04-01T21:21:07.522-04:00Four Basic Food Gr...What?!?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Don't you think every kid's lunch box deserves a little</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xg3AsJ6saA6_r1kDxujl69i3ghUJXc5lToi8QhDrfvGpL6hqqLOMn1rFrfKIOX6yIgSAWwE3GLfpUVs6iTcQYXG2qjklkzNNBB6k-TjfA4aqHr1PB7VYEOggerVYQMcK79IFVamJMxg/s1600/DSCN8234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xg3AsJ6saA6_r1kDxujl69i3ghUJXc5lToi8QhDrfvGpL6hqqLOMn1rFrfKIOX6yIgSAWwE3GLfpUVs6iTcQYXG2qjklkzNNBB6k-TjfA4aqHr1PB7VYEOggerVYQMcK79IFVamJMxg/s320/DSCN8234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">PLAYDOH?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Well, they do say it's non-toxic!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Alright, folks, go check your calendar. It's April Fool's Day!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucA2yK1SQzroRMiQFF_ngkDYCoThgqGrv00DJKty32vChOOYUbZFdoLDT1ikMZfqEVtmfnR0AEuJzEQgoyaS48xTauHksiYOd7dgxl9baZ2NzbbEs8WGaBJ1pEiuoLm2X7Nmbj1NCOlM/s1600/DSCN8209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucA2yK1SQzroRMiQFF_ngkDYCoThgqGrv00DJKty32vChOOYUbZFdoLDT1ikMZfqEVtmfnR0AEuJzEQgoyaS48xTauHksiYOd7dgxl9baZ2NzbbEs8WGaBJ1pEiuoLm2X7Nmbj1NCOlM/s320/DSCN8209.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Thought it was worth a little laugh. Hope you were able to pull off a few pranks before day's end, too. </div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-38983586896925725202011-02-28T22:13:00.000-05:002011-02-28T22:13:08.016-05:00Seuss-inspired Daisy Gear<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You've read 'Green Eggs and Ham' and 'The Cat in the Hat', but can you name another even rarer than that?</div><br />
We are certainly BIG fans of Dr. Seuss in this household, <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP91pd122lABNS7T5MpbkeMd4oLTC82FdV-JgqFHGM5A2ZIsobxAalMPsHKDKsj0nQtwN8nXEcj0HPCMx-dohdpkkNi9lBioVdHyRdyDIz0k0jfDD-yJjdmLXgCL9CEd0wPaDVNyXexA/s1600/DSCN8125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP91pd122lABNS7T5MpbkeMd4oLTC82FdV-JgqFHGM5A2ZIsobxAalMPsHKDKsj0nQtwN8nXEcj0HPCMx-dohdpkkNi9lBioVdHyRdyDIz0k0jfDD-yJjdmLXgCL9CEd0wPaDVNyXexA/s320/DSCN8125.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">but we share a special fondness for this little-known work written by Theodor Seuss Geisel: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiTk-JWi63AAoJBqyvdNutxP-MDrB2AP84DQWy8kp8uPshxZ3kSBSYz4bB6KCvwyy9nYWQ-WthT6KTbPU4Tzt3vVRR8VzLrWdogWBZtAT_fjOi_NtUhxfcQWiOr0R3ZksJR6ys45c9vw/s1600/Mayzie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXiTk-JWi63AAoJBqyvdNutxP-MDrB2AP84DQWy8kp8uPshxZ3kSBSYz4bB6KCvwyy9nYWQ-WthT6KTbPU4Tzt3vVRR8VzLrWdogWBZtAT_fjOi_NtUhxfcQWiOr0R3ZksJR6ys45c9vw/s320/Mayzie.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>Daisy-Head Mayzie</em> was written by Dr. Seuss in the 1960s, yet it was published posthumously. It was made into an animated special for Hanna Barbera cartoons back in 1995, and as I just <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisy-Head_Mayzie">discovered on Wikipedia</a>, is being made into a Disney/Pixar film in 3D. Wow!</div><br />
<strong>So, how would you like to be just like Mayzie and have your very own daisy sprouting up from your noggin?</strong> <br />
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It's simple! Gather a sheet of white poster board, some yellow cardstock, a green foam sheet, popsicle sticks, and white daisy-shaped die cuts. (I used a set of daisy paper coasters from the Martha Stewart collection.) Other necessary tools: scissors, scallop paper punch, packing tape, double sided tape, tacky glue, exacto knife, stapler.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZ9j_438lY7nZB1VvAoa_IMGIRdB_HKkg00SVo1fZEYmusf-9jS2WduGQ6BI1WJvf0iVSmXO-1UIRBETaZZOhr-KfW7EztIy7tX34TO3igdO0ABIEPEg5ZtCLbIXI3vTxYsOsbU3Fglc/s1600/DSCN7012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZ9j_438lY7nZB1VvAoa_IMGIRdB_HKkg00SVo1fZEYmusf-9jS2WduGQ6BI1WJvf0iVSmXO-1UIRBETaZZOhr-KfW7EztIy7tX34TO3igdO0ABIEPEg5ZtCLbIXI3vTxYsOsbU3Fglc/s320/DSCN7012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
1. Start by cutting bands from the narrow end of the poster board, close to 2" tall. This band should be wide enough to encircle the head of any child.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV06o5i12YMj_M32RglM5dYVbxaqJwRg1qZlz2K5Ip6R9qj8iDTWh6hs9wT-0w25OCC4jp1kg0DmG5ecWpqcbOjuP06r8Jx0eLv3YLFUciqaIpdE7abdQJFkeQTg2hg7U-uhvUU63PlRE/s1600/DSCN7021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV06o5i12YMj_M32RglM5dYVbxaqJwRg1qZlz2K5Ip6R9qj8iDTWh6hs9wT-0w25OCC4jp1kg0DmG5ecWpqcbOjuP06r8Jx0eLv3YLFUciqaIpdE7abdQJFkeQTg2hg7U-uhvUU63PlRE/s320/DSCN7021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>2. Use the scallop punch to cut two yellow card stock centers of the daisy, one for each side of the daisy. Use a thin strip of packing tape to attach the popsicle stick to the daisy base, then use double-sided tape to adhere the centers, with one center covering the top of the popsicle stick.<br />
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3. Cut a leaf shape for each daisy from the green foam. Use the exacto knife to cut a slit in the widest part of the leaf. Slide the leaf onto the popsicle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CxxQrOFJzbRrzeaCswOPwHv_1heqLmi7HfF289MLYr__zaLuKUbIXbd5uekKBm-iJp-5QfK0Lm6d6VueSn8haCiicQOstSDrLfPsWxVo8sffT4V63ukFze0_dSV0Fd6pKUi6RKW1YjA/s1600/DSCN7024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CxxQrOFJzbRrzeaCswOPwHv_1heqLmi7HfF289MLYr__zaLuKUbIXbd5uekKBm-iJp-5QfK0Lm6d6VueSn8haCiicQOstSDrLfPsWxVo8sffT4V63ukFze0_dSV0Fd6pKUi6RKW1YjA/s320/DSCN7024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
4. Put a few drops of tacky glue at the base of the popsicle stick and press onto the poster board band. Reinforce with packing tape.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuvur4GWuA7KA0No5lFxYt8gw9KtU-5aLEN1DTqPXcLR1_gqekqYOGb61fnX-794f4arl_vAnlCtXS53E88fOFcIi7DHfopUoEsEBGmhyjKw58XFmwma3lIf7bQqSbCiwQK9HNbOxzxs/s1600/DSCN7031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuvur4GWuA7KA0No5lFxYt8gw9KtU-5aLEN1DTqPXcLR1_gqekqYOGb61fnX-794f4arl_vAnlCtXS53E88fOFcIi7DHfopUoEsEBGmhyjKw58XFmwma3lIf7bQqSbCiwQK9HNbOxzxs/s320/DSCN7031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">5. When all the daisy "stems" are attached to the bands, the bands can be sized and stapled around the heads of the children you are going to read <em>Daisy-Head Mayzie</em> to. Take a photo of their happy faces, then send it to me!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKykMhJNZ-J-7DiN_D5NbvjdhdZAbkXk-eksVVjMeGHgah1s0GaoLqW4MLjNlh49I8wLY-OknhLk6skVOiF_DpTrfmVX9_XRFjwZLhALykmVPgg0MFc08yCjYi9xc9eshkyQBUF75rt0/s1600/DSCN7036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKykMhJNZ-J-7DiN_D5NbvjdhdZAbkXk-eksVVjMeGHgah1s0GaoLqW4MLjNlh49I8wLY-OknhLk6skVOiF_DpTrfmVX9_XRFjwZLhALykmVPgg0MFc08yCjYi9xc9eshkyQBUF75rt0/s320/DSCN7036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you have an opportuny to pick up <em>your</em> favorite Dr. Seuss book and participate in <a href="http://www.nea.org/readacross">Read Across America Day</a> on March 2nd.</div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-70387021739170055842011-02-21T22:06:00.000-05:002011-02-21T22:06:42.811-05:00Sugar Cookie S'moresShhhh...don't tell our dentist! <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">With temperatures in the 70s this weekend, we grilled dinner out, and then of course we needed to roast some marshmallows over the warm coals afterwards. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XJBIOyvbM24P-DTWpA24MPhGkEtml8DK2iTtIjml_NM4LrW1rx074tXAw_qhhc3brK7RXttKFo7zsK3fsXBTPxRaz56uJKzpl4DcxKRG4un38yneG_r2AOAQMGo46kppu_QDWkwWuKU/s1600/DSCN8102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XJBIOyvbM24P-DTWpA24MPhGkEtml8DK2iTtIjml_NM4LrW1rx074tXAw_qhhc3brK7RXttKFo7zsK3fsXBTPxRaz56uJKzpl4DcxKRG4un38yneG_r2AOAQMGo46kppu_QDWkwWuKU/s320/DSCN8102.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Since there seemed to be some leftover Valentine sugar cookies in the kitchen (and let's face it, you know there is never a shortage of chocolate at my house), I figured what better way to use them up than to make Sugar Cookie S'mores? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaR-UpSvsya1SEshTaBiX2gUhDK_xZ7dDo3N_k8e1GkKobdmhwmw-UnCuGECtn0lUTZf02aiTBFuZUje0d2OV9sRVMxybs9yA2TybeARlUL9ujoutPi5BsnlKQt7w5r-sTs3gz-HcgiF8/s1600/DSCN8094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaR-UpSvsya1SEshTaBiX2gUhDK_xZ7dDo3N_k8e1GkKobdmhwmw-UnCuGECtn0lUTZf02aiTBFuZUje0d2OV9sRVMxybs9yA2TybeARlUL9ujoutPi5BsnlKQt7w5r-sTs3gz-HcgiF8/s320/DSCN8094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Beats a run of the mill graham cracker s'more any day. Well, at least any day that tops 70 in February!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWTV6-fiJEW_xVr-CWP5UFk200r5KrT38edmKjDEeH_D7M_4uxidVdqdlOKy7sAL5hxqdoPOyorl26avbx3grmpsC6dH-ywS9J7K5n9u7Vwnk5maRCa-EOnhU7kdGga8STBdHu6gO2lU/s1600/DSCN8108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWTV6-fiJEW_xVr-CWP5UFk200r5KrT38edmKjDEeH_D7M_4uxidVdqdlOKy7sAL5hxqdoPOyorl26avbx3grmpsC6dH-ywS9J7K5n9u7Vwnk5maRCa-EOnhU7kdGga8STBdHu6gO2lU/s320/DSCN8108.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Added bonus: Sloppy melted chocolate smooches, and a five-year-old who uses her marshmallow on a stick as a fairy wand. Introducing my little Marshmallow Fairy. The sugar intake nearly did make her airborne. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvWnQhoN2eVr27ard6WQuhh_1Gfldjef8lK8ZGVG6RSi815tXqNDeUk_9x32FMMObwP7iCaaDMm_jB_YMB8myMtQG8nA49HZeLdAYxoxqa4v-zc1-r3MZay1-1AF9Jol9zuamh_LUAGY/s1600/DSCN8115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvWnQhoN2eVr27ard6WQuhh_1Gfldjef8lK8ZGVG6RSi815tXqNDeUk_9x32FMMObwP7iCaaDMm_jB_YMB8myMtQG8nA49HZeLdAYxoxqa4v-zc1-r3MZay1-1AF9Jol9zuamh_LUAGY/s320/DSCN8115.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-87166633837451163862011-02-14T12:06:00.000-05:002011-02-14T12:06:59.644-05:00Cupid's Peppermint TrufflesDo calories count on Valentine's Day? I sure hope not, because these little beauties are WHOPPERS!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg3Fkpy-MwvoD7m28h5MWGmdKXfDUG-XuMXWHuaqWH3ui_arhw4ZlOzk8x6fkd1tNgKQ_nWiauA_3iEyi-tLNYDI5zG3QO_1vS93b-SlIyD1ZPaaQpIMGiE_kvGPrYyvhtMWaSh4kSbY/s1600/DSCN8060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgg3Fkpy-MwvoD7m28h5MWGmdKXfDUG-XuMXWHuaqWH3ui_arhw4ZlOzk8x6fkd1tNgKQ_nWiauA_3iEyi-tLNYDI5zG3QO_1vS93b-SlIyD1ZPaaQpIMGiE_kvGPrYyvhtMWaSh4kSbY/s320/DSCN8060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I hosted a children's cookie decorating party at my house last Friday and I wanted to make some special treats for the moms coming as well. I had never made Oreo truffles myself before, but I have savored *a few* at a friend's home.<br />
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I came upon a recipe for <strong>WHITE CHOCOLATE OREO TRUFFLES</strong> on ehow.com and tweaked it a little. So here goes:<br />
1 pkg. Oreos (or Newman's O's)<br />
1 8 oz. block of cream cheese (Neufchatel or full fat, your choice)<br />
1 12 oz. bag of white chocolate chips<br />
1 Tbsp. canola oil<br />
Wax paper<br />
Sprinkles and toothpick "arrows" are optional.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-s7zT9zo1Prazoqp_UNAXlulJN5FLFwC3VpJUCspPImTv9Ioo1V3VROsdHJGI8T1iWjrsDj2ZJtlYocZa3hl7-99YGkwoKCDVVhTaeHY-c1t9LUYMiVCFfgpu7vT8oQLTMTODsyhre7M/s1600/DSCN8046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-s7zT9zo1Prazoqp_UNAXlulJN5FLFwC3VpJUCspPImTv9Ioo1V3VROsdHJGI8T1iWjrsDj2ZJtlYocZa3hl7-99YGkwoKCDVVhTaeHY-c1t9LUYMiVCFfgpu7vT8oQLTMTODsyhre7M/s320/DSCN8046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Start by crushing the Oreos inside of the package. I did this just by using my hands, but you could use a rolling pin or other blunt instrument to help you get the job done if necessary. Next, blend them into the room temperature cream cheese by hand with a spatula. It will look very mushy, but don't worry.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cfGTRTUoXq9veYzCRuiOBWI80cS2PdbHH-fcoZSqM24Faj-JizgN48pSMsXniYhSVwcHbA908KhaqCWtdB15BGIvtblOYYHnahE8Oqbe3-mM2BzVRPKloRRwaI8Ef_jNnngp_sja8Nk/s1600/DSCN8049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cfGTRTUoXq9veYzCRuiOBWI80cS2PdbHH-fcoZSqM24Faj-JizgN48pSMsXniYhSVwcHbA908KhaqCWtdB15BGIvtblOYYHnahE8Oqbe3-mM2BzVRPKloRRwaI8Ef_jNnngp_sja8Nk/s320/DSCN8049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Roll this mixture into 1 inch balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. All of the handling can make the mixture become warm and difficult to keep its shape, so you may want to chill the mixture in its bowl to make it easier to form into balls. I was able to produce 34 truffle balls.</div><br />
Place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator for at least a half hour before you begin to chocolate coat them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKbHxeurGMyhV9hnuMbXvdPnWbS5uhJ3tWdQ9WIrkCs5qGYdkoN9ez04R-wFTrZDbbfr69737-nfdF3QYwO5wzcXJIMGN1xmhSvBzIj1BiTntWOG498YTQtXy4N4gYZHVewDqSzwZLOc/s1600/DSCN8058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKbHxeurGMyhV9hnuMbXvdPnWbS5uhJ3tWdQ9WIrkCs5qGYdkoN9ez04R-wFTrZDbbfr69737-nfdF3QYwO5wzcXJIMGN1xmhSvBzIj1BiTntWOG498YTQtXy4N4gYZHVewDqSzwZLOc/s320/DSCN8058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
When your truffle balls have chilled long enough, get your white chocolate coating ready. Place the 12 oz bag of white chocolate chips in a microwave proof bowl or pyrex measuring cup with the tablespoon of canola oil. Melt in the microwave in 30 second intervals until completely smooth.<br />
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Skewer each truffle ball with a frill-top tooth pick (I bought mine at Publix) and dip each one in the melted chocolate, spinning slowly to allow the excess chocolate to drip off. <br />
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Finally, sprinkle each truffle ball with a few Valentine hearts (mine came as a topping with a tub of Pillsbury frosting) before the chocolate hardens. <br />
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Serve on a fancy plate, and use a paper doily if you have one!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-9b081vCA2z7pjiDM6jK4Xga5A6fdYBwHof0jNGFzNLs-9Cr0Pg_pwe8U61e7cfoKuZIKzL-K8n9ZFqgXK7Ie3mrOch2UdCHJMRHWhy1mhPQwi0TbV244LkI4v9v8uDMeX1uMip5tek/s1600/DSCN8081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-9b081vCA2z7pjiDM6jK4Xga5A6fdYBwHof0jNGFzNLs-9Cr0Pg_pwe8U61e7cfoKuZIKzL-K8n9ZFqgXK7Ie3mrOch2UdCHJMRHWhy1mhPQwi0TbV244LkI4v9v8uDMeX1uMip5tek/s320/DSCN8081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Any math geeks out there (like me) who are wondering about the full calorie count?<br />
Full package of Oreos: 2100 cals<br />
Full block of cream cheese: 560 cals<br />
Full bag of white chocolate chips: 1680 cals<br />
Full tablespoon canola oil: 120 cals<br />
Total calorie count = 4460 calories <br />
Yield: 34 White Chocolate Oreo Truffles,<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">making each truffle 131 calories each. Not really <em>too</em> bad...if you can manage to cosume only one!</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Happy Valentine's Day, and I hope you enjoy somthing a little sweet with someone you love!</div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-62036415991434608452011-01-15T22:48:00.000-05:002011-01-15T22:48:21.770-05:00Snowcation (Day Five)Yes, folks. We have made it to the end of the school week, effectively without sending the children to school. If you remember I reported we had five inches of snow Sunday night into Monday. Apparently according to my friend Christy, there is a standard ratio in Georgia that one inch of snow is equal to one day off from school. Or as I heard a Weather Channel meteorolgist report, "Five million people, five plows. You do the math." So yes, we were at home once again. Or were we? <br />
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NO! We broke free from our house arrest and we ventured out into the wild white yonder. No problems to speak of, except for a few shady areas where sunlight hadn't had a chance to fully melt away the ice pack.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WfZae4SpEoX5jyYz0VeJv5s8kyTkfatfF6lqsU_-XHw5axupAOH7gUFfA3pyag18RhgkF-QmFgOlT4xrmg5CGNJMIJq6yEw4jbP9us4wVXDH7VL0d8VsJJuGBvOZ4M0_ssGm_EOwiYo/s1600/DSCN7859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WfZae4SpEoX5jyYz0VeJv5s8kyTkfatfF6lqsU_-XHw5axupAOH7gUFfA3pyag18RhgkF-QmFgOlT4xrmg5CGNJMIJq6yEw4jbP9us4wVXDH7VL0d8VsJJuGBvOZ4M0_ssGm_EOwiYo/s320/DSCN7859.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The girls and I went out for lunch (Mmmmm, yummy burritos at Moe's) and then went on the hunt for more Rainbow Fairies books. My oldest just can't get enough of them, and I figure if she hasn't been in school all week but keeps pleasantly busy reading to herself, then I will do my part to keep her happy. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7o9a2N8dzbK9mhxy9GXHkLyLVI5oQ7HlvVe39IW8qCYQDJL_DPwxpc3hN493jyshVmZXsD7CV9jj7B_HO9JVGhAN00kMFLnll0lM10Vxg6Zsq-bQR_3jsIq0ktvy2UMDsutnWqcEdsrM/s1600/DSCN7872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7o9a2N8dzbK9mhxy9GXHkLyLVI5oQ7HlvVe39IW8qCYQDJL_DPwxpc3hN493jyshVmZXsD7CV9jj7B_HO9JVGhAN00kMFLnll0lM10Vxg6Zsq-bQR_3jsIq0ktvy2UMDsutnWqcEdsrM/s320/DSCN7872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So with today's addition, 'Juliet the Valentine Fairy', that brings the count up to 10 that the girls own. The girls not only love to hear the stories and act out their own vignettes, they have also decided that the black and white illustrations inside the books are too mundane, so they have begun coloring the pages of the chapter books, too. That's a lot of mileage out of a paperback for $4.99 (or 75 cents if you're lucky enough to score one at a consignment store!).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_vwgMYErRPHieIJQgWA-GKQ2u5cLTnnJN3tzDKI_nIKCja-nP-b7JJZ8xxDRgfsOYaL79coYZ2cT2z57Osvbu2V_H2LDfe3PinNzqmdayOBjuJAUmmgq5peqYnlKsF6euyl2ZYpAOmA/s1600/Valentine-Fairy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_vwgMYErRPHieIJQgWA-GKQ2u5cLTnnJN3tzDKI_nIKCja-nP-b7JJZ8xxDRgfsOYaL79coYZ2cT2z57Osvbu2V_H2LDfe3PinNzqmdayOBjuJAUmmgq5peqYnlKsF6euyl2ZYpAOmA/s1600/Valentine-Fairy.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-17515577848309971092011-01-14T22:34:00.004-05:002011-01-14T22:57:28.827-05:00Snowcation (Day Four)OK, we're on to Day 4 of this snowy week. We've got to start getting creative to keep from going batty. Thankfully my two girls have deep wells of imagination, and they are proficient at entertaining themselves. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For instance, M is still getting a thrill out of her Rainbow Fairies books. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvYT-2BhyphenhyphenqF6iLozE70vb5vGWPCwX8AIMhBi4TLxaJsnieE576fq8cLN9Hnke88RgecZa6UFwi6uAtrwJDCImpd504CCM_Cf5qHywaiDXUNwBsQ4S6ccUGE_Ox5nD2i4-94Q04fV0g_8/s1600/DSCN7796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvYT-2BhyphenhyphenqF6iLozE70vb5vGWPCwX8AIMhBi4TLxaJsnieE576fq8cLN9Hnke88RgecZa6UFwi6uAtrwJDCImpd504CCM_Cf5qHywaiDXUNwBsQ4S6ccUGE_Ox5nD2i4-94Q04fV0g_8/s320/DSCN7796.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And B can find fun just in playing hairdresser to her Doggie and ballerina.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMu1dJTcfzmpANtIJ9yR9BQtbE4R4SMAsHuSMPvgp3FVrQxB4sSNbxMvA0u6WxCbzVmf5xeFas4MgH8nX0kTa749Ta2QQcc5EbUtEnlF3GlvUBHTg_6QHH-ky3sVefs1TmAxbgzQ5mA0/s1600/DSCN7797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMu1dJTcfzmpANtIJ9yR9BQtbE4R4SMAsHuSMPvgp3FVrQxB4sSNbxMvA0u6WxCbzVmf5xeFas4MgH8nX0kTa749Ta2QQcc5EbUtEnlF3GlvUBHTg_6QHH-ky3sVefs1TmAxbgzQ5mA0/s320/DSCN7797.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">While I spent an hour 86-ing some of our expired pantry items (ew), </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlmtb_URFZ9-IkA1Deb4-tb-3907k7al6y7nfexbeMVi7yqiro8OK-iw6hXMhPivHACJPLfnso_Km-PQs5K9ydz27EfcEj1vaXoH24aF7OxHCezcm3BdcohyRrKRd3sJ-GPre3iKb-mU/s1600/DSCN7803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlmtb_URFZ9-IkA1Deb4-tb-3907k7al6y7nfexbeMVi7yqiro8OK-iw6hXMhPivHACJPLfnso_Km-PQs5K9ydz27EfcEj1vaXoH24aF7OxHCezcm3BdcohyRrKRd3sJ-GPre3iKb-mU/s200/DSCN7803.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiQepAB4-LHTjRiV5QtvwGxWHuO1AAUF91V7NL-ovgU2tT-W0e1ZuJknu84vI7yPUlUEo6gCvnZ1SGqUB3CZXTZ0Cwe8foGi46wZejOlTh1eoKAlYaLLaeOpCDk-67_ciFJNzIJcmigQ/s1600/DSCN7816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiQepAB4-LHTjRiV5QtvwGxWHuO1AAUF91V7NL-ovgU2tT-W0e1ZuJknu84vI7yPUlUEo6gCvnZ1SGqUB3CZXTZ0Cwe8foGi46wZejOlTh1eoKAlYaLLaeOpCDk-67_ciFJNzIJcmigQ/s200/DSCN7816.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOpkRg-WkB3-QDW2jyS_XI0rg3i9kv6qVWqb1yNbJ22SBm7ylrxneKOXjmwVQ3rXMjnUhCRXBqNgOmoO4ftTy4yFPRugRSLQNiaJGhOKcwn-FNMN9Wu1Qznx-quhE5S8u4i73MjIyFfc/s1600/DSCN7815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOpkRg-WkB3-QDW2jyS_XI0rg3i9kv6qVWqb1yNbJ22SBm7ylrxneKOXjmwVQ3rXMjnUhCRXBqNgOmoO4ftTy4yFPRugRSLQNiaJGhOKcwn-FNMN9Wu1Qznx-quhE5S8u4i73MjIyFfc/s200/DSCN7815.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilz2yDij-l1nvU1TRC7UIy4icsuyRQ3ofTtpvRUz-DS8UaSiEqepwoJsBj_-FjTHyeeP193TFvHJwKpDGJMuLp1Z_deviMNwmtv7u29nx2dj5n7IG-udecNX5cpvQRi0TdoNaAzKmUSUg/s1600/DSCN7814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilz2yDij-l1nvU1TRC7UIy4icsuyRQ3ofTtpvRUz-DS8UaSiEqepwoJsBj_-FjTHyeeP193TFvHJwKpDGJMuLp1Z_deviMNwmtv7u29nx2dj5n7IG-udecNX5cpvQRi0TdoNaAzKmUSUg/s200/DSCN7814.JPG" width="200" /></a>the girls were excited to decorate the remaining Hello Kitty cookies (purchased at the Target bakery) from M's birthday party. B's are the top two which were given pink grins and eyelashes; M's two have "rainbows" over Hello Kitty's head and a cherry pattern on her jumper.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yf8hBS3yZZ-bMD7-jta8XZg2vmPDmXBkRiBSYoQWfE2aMU2EAG33Z7KfUqGca44BbbSp32RPX6TGWa1-sBiCCU8RUHSG6xGz89CPsDRDmERMX7JGmzyLaHiPAbhndL0qsX9QATV9PqA/s1600/DSCN7811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yf8hBS3yZZ-bMD7-jta8XZg2vmPDmXBkRiBSYoQWfE2aMU2EAG33Z7KfUqGca44BbbSp32RPX6TGWa1-sBiCCU8RUHSG6xGz89CPsDRDmERMX7JGmzyLaHiPAbhndL0qsX9QATV9PqA/s320/DSCN7811.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We had some neighbors join us for indoor fun like making jewelry with pop beads and more hairdressing.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zBXYo3KHO4xHoAxwpTpjpLbR78DEAvmuJOJfq8sE0JwmmBxbwm2UQoip5BiVqmGtpPdEyfm0V5lfK3KNehbNkjwHiEbx0ZD2x4ubONDBNWfwCdcEbIhB99lYtsZXkGPBIYxt_4GuoN0/s1600/DSCN7838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zBXYo3KHO4xHoAxwpTpjpLbR78DEAvmuJOJfq8sE0JwmmBxbwm2UQoip5BiVqmGtpPdEyfm0V5lfK3KNehbNkjwHiEbx0ZD2x4ubONDBNWfwCdcEbIhB99lYtsZXkGPBIYxt_4GuoN0/s200/DSCN7838.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1moGKDOWjailjFLfIkwW14SS3cASdL0HIb8Hn_Fvg89ifkV9brb9rpmRFcffi5seWOttPyXGRNIdr6bhHJFKRCc3M6-cWccyjc-HtAb9HJLFIgdUEOlZ9D1xaKS38STD5l8Es5R7F9bA/s1600/DSCN7826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1moGKDOWjailjFLfIkwW14SS3cASdL0HIb8Hn_Fvg89ifkV9brb9rpmRFcffi5seWOttPyXGRNIdr6bhHJFKRCc3M6-cWccyjc-HtAb9HJLFIgdUEOlZ9D1xaKS38STD5l8Es5R7F9bA/s200/DSCN7826.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">And now that our mail delivery has resumed (!), M was able to open a couple more gifts that were delayed by the storm. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhe3gY3RlkgVim6dfXEcCk0soQIua0xHkMD2w6AcVwzxfGBI0RtW_CGmVMLAVmTw1Qv3fo_SvqK2uGKjucC7yCEC4GclQ9kRSJssXKCHzqd9GIik0yjmBtpt5dYXZPYEO7LYVBVtjwkuY/s1600/DSCN7848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhe3gY3RlkgVim6dfXEcCk0soQIua0xHkMD2w6AcVwzxfGBI0RtW_CGmVMLAVmTw1Qv3fo_SvqK2uGKjucC7yCEC4GclQ9kRSJssXKCHzqd9GIik0yjmBtpt5dYXZPYEO7LYVBVtjwkuY/s320/DSCN7848.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Our mail lady even paid us a compliment and said our driveway was the best clearing job she had seen by far. Do we own a shovel? Um, no. My husband dug through the garage and came up with a tile scraper he had bought at a home improvement store 3 years ago. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6cad4h-cEpqaI8z1OBQh8xkRUDQ2EnGIsjLqIBgbFXQSj28VdIRsDPiUyQGTRN6kR6_8MUuL5cChTbCgFWA90mF6xgmT595EKdFuDvyLdaoOPyvi7b3Dr24AOxhs8ztd62-Iyc1Ckco/s1600/Tilescraper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6cad4h-cEpqaI8z1OBQh8xkRUDQ2EnGIsjLqIBgbFXQSj28VdIRsDPiUyQGTRN6kR6_8MUuL5cChTbCgFWA90mF6xgmT595EKdFuDvyLdaoOPyvi7b3Dr24AOxhs8ztd62-Iyc1Ckco/s1600/Tilescraper.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">It's not meant to clear snow, but it sure beats a sheet of ice on our downhill driveway. Then again, he probably unearthed my ice skates while searching for the tile scraper, so maybe the sheet of ice would have been useful after all.</div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-11870883819241467172011-01-13T11:37:00.003-05:002011-01-14T22:59:08.359-05:00Snowcation (Day Three)<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">What's on the docket of fun for Snow Day #3?<br />
<br />
Get a manicure from Mom<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XypdjqDzoOIvWiKaepnpS3ArNuqhV5hUqzRl40bso7f0NlMNq3br5K6m3YFTa_lpCsE0ZhX-owULi_ZAU_YH3ZTMRLR0hWyRbMMhuDFefXJGLYmCjM0xl6haYtgpHNRVOeU9irnXTWw/s1600/DSCN7727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XypdjqDzoOIvWiKaepnpS3ArNuqhV5hUqzRl40bso7f0NlMNq3br5K6m3YFTa_lpCsE0ZhX-owULi_ZAU_YH3ZTMRLR0hWyRbMMhuDFefXJGLYmCjM0xl6haYtgpHNRVOeU9irnXTWw/s320/DSCN7727.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Play a few more games on the new laptop <br />
(Get excited for your little sister when she gets 10 out of 10 right)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsqAjnC9EcWynhsRZO4Gr7qKbubFkASSaWEd-rxvVAMYeRdEbyFzOJLzloZwVEDJbTtiCadYkqfS4ggQEWhPjxY2BvyM6dJiNb3zcuuyERHsN4OLzWJzJxqzvYgtMP9ztAq4IRrVNOyo/s1600/DSCN7733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsqAjnC9EcWynhsRZO4Gr7qKbubFkASSaWEd-rxvVAMYeRdEbyFzOJLzloZwVEDJbTtiCadYkqfS4ggQEWhPjxY2BvyM6dJiNb3zcuuyERHsN4OLzWJzJxqzvYgtMP9ztAq4IRrVNOyo/s320/DSCN7733.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Bundle up like characters in 'A Christmas Story' and head outdoors<br />
(Do not attempt to lick any sign posts)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSopKRFWcphA0atIAYNgS3CGwVzDHq2yb6kkMGoqsnwC0J7hhO9SKKr71Q5kFzKPIJr3i9CLPnlEC4-4l1jBVO2ezmq9b6WPTacigXoh1TXNR2mzCnsBFx8hPQ1bJqW8jXzjY4x3fQK-0/s1600/DSCN7741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSopKRFWcphA0atIAYNgS3CGwVzDHq2yb6kkMGoqsnwC0J7hhO9SKKr71Q5kFzKPIJr3i9CLPnlEC4-4l1jBVO2ezmq9b6WPTacigXoh1TXNR2mzCnsBFx8hPQ1bJqW8jXzjY4x3fQK-0/s320/DSCN7741.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Try out a makeshift cardboard sled<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMyj1HR3VEGpVm_QpHDQ8Tu40AhFcPmAOYxOIhZkJ66ijq_oL_KBwZfijWpwH5M0nOkUEzXsGR3P0s8A8OaxNv4q5B5cloupOIvgnnXOrGMWlr-dbHk9ef3K7PP6uwPLC0U9KSGmniyk/s1600/DSCN7764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMyj1HR3VEGpVm_QpHDQ8Tu40AhFcPmAOYxOIhZkJ66ijq_oL_KBwZfijWpwH5M0nOkUEzXsGR3P0s8A8OaxNv4q5B5cloupOIvgnnXOrGMWlr-dbHk9ef3K7PP6uwPLC0U9KSGmniyk/s320/DSCN7764.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
Get excited when neighbors come to the rescue with snow tubes <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LhDCM2Gd7PF-XgcBItij6ea_U7eLVCkFFsBm1mUyOwkqBSiV7Y-Y9SW-wC3yigJ8DGJ3YzoQRu18lsUDDOEEPoE4WIqHi-1GLQTtJKAxT7yH_tKHrDHnhYRqtLL7XZjCUvozyYPzCD0/s1600/DSCN7768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LhDCM2Gd7PF-XgcBItij6ea_U7eLVCkFFsBm1mUyOwkqBSiV7Y-Y9SW-wC3yigJ8DGJ3YzoQRu18lsUDDOEEPoE4WIqHi-1GLQTtJKAxT7yH_tKHrDHnhYRqtLL7XZjCUvozyYPzCD0/s320/DSCN7768.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Come in to warm up with a toasted bagel; <br />
Design a zen garden in the cream cheese with a fork<br />
(This is not a 'Snow Day thing' - my daughter has always done this.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Oh-CM-yMekW0gnYB7ctgIYQ1m-2fd0GbSqfGpYcQIrRe3wbVhTj6AAvV9pVDK_wSY9KVB-cssPE6N7s_y8zepSYCXpXN_OEgD9Fn-w_YRkSEXR-yyyBVwVAKbNP1s2uBXb0obnqMsUo/s1600/DSCN7772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Oh-CM-yMekW0gnYB7ctgIYQ1m-2fd0GbSqfGpYcQIrRe3wbVhTj6AAvV9pVDK_wSY9KVB-cssPE6N7s_y8zepSYCXpXN_OEgD9Fn-w_YRkSEXR-yyyBVwVAKbNP1s2uBXb0obnqMsUo/s320/DSCN7772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">The girls also spent a half hour chatting with their friend in England on Skype, and an hour playing with neighbors at a friend's house down the street. During that hour I inflated our air mattress intending to have a movie night by the fire, but the girls wanted to use it as a landing pad instead while they practiced their flying skills as 'Ruby' and 'Icilina' the Ice Dance Fairies.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I know some parents are having a hard time coping with the kids being home from school at length, but we are having a really fun time spending long mornings in our pjs just not having to go anywhere. It would be nice to have the mail delivered sometime soon, though. We have had no deliveries on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. What is the possibility they will make it through on Day 4 after the storm?</div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-40376136121225144752011-01-12T15:39:00.008-05:002011-01-14T22:50:04.846-05:00Snowcation (Day Two)<div style="text-align: center;">Looks like it's going to be another day at home. Let's see what kind of fun can be had on Day Two: <br />
<br />
Try out the new "laptop" from Grandma (runs on 2 AA batteries)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwfuVQ-YjXcFFM9SluxxjRdxPitaDsOcUuflVi_sGYpspmihltUczqgBv2gNArlDapLVsrEbsgf2rv688Upb6ar-78P7YmcmwQeFqF1Ni7dzJ6mvhgttyTJgRZU6w5iMxrGzK9GLJO6E/s1600/DSCN7635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwfuVQ-YjXcFFM9SluxxjRdxPitaDsOcUuflVi_sGYpspmihltUczqgBv2gNArlDapLVsrEbsgf2rv688Upb6ar-78P7YmcmwQeFqF1Ni7dzJ6mvhgttyTJgRZU6w5iMxrGzK9GLJO6E/s320/DSCN7635.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
Catch up on your "Rainbow Fairies" book series while snacking on Doritos</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8QkumAW0rVx7U4qiuk08e061spCJyZcWTADpjYMP1H-0-qzJw8yuHydiqEd-5FWzmJIc0kvHV5GVNfXxhXlZQb5mXUp2uUa2PpHk51j4I4eJ-G_Z_U3X0vi2t7lGqC191NxL7Dlr41c/s1600/DSCN7637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8QkumAW0rVx7U4qiuk08e061spCJyZcWTADpjYMP1H-0-qzJw8yuHydiqEd-5FWzmJIc0kvHV5GVNfXxhXlZQb5mXUp2uUa2PpHk51j4I4eJ-G_Z_U3X0vi2t7lGqC191NxL7Dlr41c/s320/DSCN7637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Take a break from reading to watch a neighbor <em>shoveling the roof</em> of his SUV<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_1Xtoa_TfpPUQPc-0iXl6gpZXZfxa4dVcWHeBeLQggqVzYc9NB9sJkH0-x9IHqNvFITKEsR-wsgydqmn5z1GkaJmHhflpxLtPqrwhIZvds8uGEUMC0YNFT95PPAWyJQOTUi7YJHrbos/s1600/DSCN7641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_1Xtoa_TfpPUQPc-0iXl6gpZXZfxa4dVcWHeBeLQggqVzYc9NB9sJkH0-x9IHqNvFITKEsR-wsgydqmn5z1GkaJmHhflpxLtPqrwhIZvds8uGEUMC0YNFT95PPAWyJQOTUi7YJHrbos/s320/DSCN7641.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
Craft some necklaces with a new bead set from Aunt N & Uncle J <br />
(all of these are original designs strung by my 5 year old - I only had to tie them off)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zx8S1Xtz5LF929KEcTNAiQnOy5NwgBbBUqx0XwdqMuHK1FrjpXNJRtXGMvHQKrmHnSZLSrY7abedBMJQigie0ylaMg1ZLgrD4o0NUJZFwlBMBnx6Yk2_6KhShE36l1-yJF69Y_ZBI9k/s1600/DSCN7648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Zx8S1Xtz5LF929KEcTNAiQnOy5NwgBbBUqx0XwdqMuHK1FrjpXNJRtXGMvHQKrmHnSZLSrY7abedBMJQigie0ylaMg1ZLgrD4o0NUJZFwlBMBnx6Yk2_6KhShE36l1-yJF69Y_ZBI9k/s320/DSCN7648.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
Spend a little time outside collecting ice "trays" <br />
from the top layer of snow <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv78qN10uVneNgm7Iqzms731zctBvVE0VBlq65mxXfPVxcIqZUbm3pMyEbXKaAMLAothsp83sFB8QA2X5zahntVfFhizSTAJiGMIycGnjGo8uUuczjjKGVKPqxEfqCQ-e2oEnqCtDDQaE/s1600/DSCN7656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv78qN10uVneNgm7Iqzms731zctBvVE0VBlq65mxXfPVxcIqZUbm3pMyEbXKaAMLAothsp83sFB8QA2X5zahntVfFhizSTAJiGMIycGnjGo8uUuczjjKGVKPqxEfqCQ-e2oEnqCtDDQaE/s320/DSCN7656.JPG" width="240" /></a> <br />
Scout the neighborhood for five foot snowmen <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWE1OCsHi7WjKiaGvOxVykDIAuvbeNIb82qxEqx-mhSghDVbRDQgHVJFChbw6jRVNnxSfduz2PkcpJKzduns5hJXcZ4h7cLOjC3Wb3RxfWT7KThm7d3lhVctvTCiJcoTtKuYHRXIEvyY/s1600/DSCN7655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWE1OCsHi7WjKiaGvOxVykDIAuvbeNIb82qxEqx-mhSghDVbRDQgHVJFChbw6jRVNnxSfduz2PkcpJKzduns5hJXcZ4h7cLOjC3Wb3RxfWT7KThm7d3lhVctvTCiJcoTtKuYHRXIEvyY/s320/DSCN7655.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Ask Daddy to join you in a Shaun T "Insanity Workout" directly after dinner (even if there's a fire blazing and you are wearing pants, long sleeeves or fleece jackets)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yqs6vFCI_EPz3mUc7YhMnkDRkYm8hdQomFodfgL1UJowS8sgoUeg7SOPIktoKe1Ci6bRMNPW6YLRzE2k__cbi7hfSK3C1zlwsehEc2aGZvlOVZT39Nc8otyG3QWWpvezYmxmOEINBxY/s1600/DSCN7663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yqs6vFCI_EPz3mUc7YhMnkDRkYm8hdQomFodfgL1UJowS8sgoUeg7SOPIktoKe1Ci6bRMNPW6YLRzE2k__cbi7hfSK3C1zlwsehEc2aGZvlOVZT39Nc8otyG3QWWpvezYmxmOEINBxY/s320/DSCN7663.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Pretend you are a workout instructor and make up <br />
new moves like "Twist Kick" and "Flower Grow"<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdl_TLFUOvn_Tq67_EyYKqhLbB8y6F1Wu279KHA4DQIJpMPxre_t9w-4rBRnXjI4dqO7BO2Wp_HRlcfiz_PS06FDX1CyXv_EoGMu-7iHY8Ua9A3_R2fw1s8v9wyeevzCH8Cq2-0XRJe8/s1600/DSCN7712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdl_TLFUOvn_Tq67_EyYKqhLbB8y6F1Wu279KHA4DQIJpMPxre_t9w-4rBRnXjI4dqO7BO2Wp_HRlcfiz_PS06FDX1CyXv_EoGMu-7iHY8Ua9A3_R2fw1s8v9wyeevzCH8Cq2-0XRJe8/s320/DSCN7712.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-6028156573563462992011-01-11T11:56:00.004-05:002011-01-11T23:00:56.852-05:00Snowcation (Day One)Well, the weathermen were right about the crippling snowstorm in the South. We had FIVE inches of snow on Monday. And if you can remember how much of a tizzy <a href="http://funasyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html">a third of an inch </a>caused last year, you can imagine the shut down five inches of snow brings about. <br />
<br />
To start the day off right, with <em>just </em>the right amount of sugar, I put together these edible snowmen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNELY_dtyZZ5RnyouE1QAK-tHeAwaJeC6Sa48_xhyphenhyphenOXeLFppiKZq2Jkw8ZB9fFqcdVacHx1LtUlsQG4N3M79aMfoBf5yHg0wULeD8YDHmYzMPJZaPDPbMCTIxawOFEnzr5_3_ioOhMCU0/s1600/DSCN7564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNELY_dtyZZ5RnyouE1QAK-tHeAwaJeC6Sa48_xhyphenhyphenOXeLFppiKZq2Jkw8ZB9fFqcdVacHx1LtUlsQG4N3M79aMfoBf5yHg0wULeD8YDHmYzMPJZaPDPbMCTIxawOFEnzr5_3_ioOhMCU0/s320/DSCN7564.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Start with a mini powdered donut, add regular chocolate chips for the eyes, mini chocolate chips for the "coal" mouth, and a triangular slice of a marshmallow dipped in orange sugar sprinkles for the nose.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yi_v6V_4JDRXf5Z7icqGo7iWbDxTYVTYGmFdPkYrXqSJVo9w_D1Fzyyny9aMtekZeMY2Bli-hSNKnCB3lTl1XWFuiVuNrQmy5nvjQbRdGKn2qZW48sycE-ttoznW3LvZj2igcuGoWrY/s1600/DSCN7565-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yi_v6V_4JDRXf5Z7icqGo7iWbDxTYVTYGmFdPkYrXqSJVo9w_D1Fzyyny9aMtekZeMY2Bli-hSNKnCB3lTl1XWFuiVuNrQmy5nvjQbRdGKn2qZW48sycE-ttoznW3LvZj2igcuGoWrY/s320/DSCN7565-2.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAnHZDiLwvaKGf7LTmLOfcePYCBTE5mNRPHjcR6t4SkkBgv1eOColdpQ4Q-GQwVBd8Uw-ma2LxNGH0KmDK9auaLuhz6RyEDLv2Kb_VuKfjvJ0eZc7ZePoniX_U9yd2x9nhHn2xKa3jPU/s1600/DSCN7567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAnHZDiLwvaKGf7LTmLOfcePYCBTE5mNRPHjcR6t4SkkBgv1eOColdpQ4Q-GQwVBd8Uw-ma2LxNGH0KmDK9auaLuhz6RyEDLv2Kb_VuKfjvJ0eZc7ZePoniX_U9yd2x9nhHn2xKa3jPU/s320/DSCN7567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Other clever moms would have saved a handful of candy corn from Halloween for a proper nose, but I'll just have to be more diligent next year. You could also use orange m&ms if you had those around, too. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Roads are treacherous and cars have been abandoned all over, and they are predicting that temperatures won't get above freezing until Saturday, so we'll have to wait and see if the kids make it to school at all this week. We'll make plenty of good fun with the white canvas we have outside our door. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0sAbK-yRBP3nxkyRNa1wZn6m9Q5UF_sY09uKxNdmE7HFswEIwKRrAgFLxoyvgDxUhrLJDJOsqDn9bTNdyolHol1zCWNcEcrOGavSyGsRNXvQ_VhhFVn6XEWHdJMdULMpSB2CGg63sRc/s1600/DSCN7592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0sAbK-yRBP3nxkyRNa1wZn6m9Q5UF_sY09uKxNdmE7HFswEIwKRrAgFLxoyvgDxUhrLJDJOsqDn9bTNdyolHol1zCWNcEcrOGavSyGsRNXvQ_VhhFVn6XEWHdJMdULMpSB2CGg63sRc/s320/DSCN7592.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNpNc45yR0vfZWmzPoB6n2OdJOamsWCyx0axQuDy4AIEbP21JDNSbEdIHWshpjcRhuBvZuQbIeawuycXpybok4k-2kp0-u79GHHhjneuyTIF8VxAo5vYGhhsAuBYJOQli4_oRWQUcN9s/s1600/DSCN7581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: undefined;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNpNc45yR0vfZWmzPoB6n2OdJOamsWCyx0axQuDy4AIEbP21JDNSbEdIHWshpjcRhuBvZuQbIeawuycXpybok4k-2kp0-u79GHHhjneuyTIF8VxAo5vYGhhsAuBYJOQli4_oRWQUcN9s/s320/DSCN7581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-5384682000785122762010-12-29T22:39:00.001-05:002011-01-03T17:07:22.024-05:00Finally: A Gingerbread House!Yes, Virginia. There is a Santa Claus. And, yes, M&B, our gingerbread house <u>will</u> get done. (That is in answer to the 750 times they asked if we could make it, while I was vacuuming or preparing dinner, or when we were expecting company, or when it was 10 minutes before bedtime.) Well, the stars and the planets must have aligned last night because we were able to construct our very own edible edifice. <br />
<br />
Step One: Open the PRE-CONSTRUCTED box of gingerbread walls made by Anna's Swedish Bakers, often found at IKEA. Ours came from Carolina Grandma.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDv0XyAKPc0vcIgYPQZf1LnnO9VBiNOvrnSxM74OD7e5n2X2OUkoK59tsga4NMPxAOEq0bzOaPSmdNo8zYrRva2RlE_smhM5OQciHcEKW63FQ4GDcyddBYCLeu7cQgj40i9B_gJh_kt0/s1600/DSCN7346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDv0XyAKPc0vcIgYPQZf1LnnO9VBiNOvrnSxM74OD7e5n2X2OUkoK59tsga4NMPxAOEq0bzOaPSmdNo8zYrRva2RlE_smhM5OQciHcEKW63FQ4GDcyddBYCLeu7cQgj40i9B_gJh_kt0/s320/DSCN7346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Step Two: Heat up the 1/4 tub of Duncan Hines frosting you were keeping on the top shelf of the fridge for just the right occasion. Pour the microwaved frosting where you need to attach walls and the rooftop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBF5rmQNgEsh9SFPb1q6EMowQtaZvsepRHfw3ctNlJn_-l_BOSMfM8wpVKV_VnMdjtZ32t_QLO5rjRokR_cNXE0u09CiIAjY4ozrt-76weqkVFTVsGFHDHtuKWiAWQvLXpF3-Uyx0uM8/s1600/DSCN7347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBF5rmQNgEsh9SFPb1q6EMowQtaZvsepRHfw3ctNlJn_-l_BOSMfM8wpVKV_VnMdjtZ32t_QLO5rjRokR_cNXE0u09CiIAjY4ozrt-76weqkVFTVsGFHDHtuKWiAWQvLXpF3-Uyx0uM8/s320/DSCN7347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> This step is a lot easier if you have a handsome architect on hand.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkomvo9kPi_EUoovnxxZ3ziExDYLWPDrbkcfKcj7XGF5rDrU_nKupweEMRXDk4wRJ3D06foTHgJQ6SnYGVD1fUsgRFd5jZrdw05QHxw7FDGgOlQdVitRJwMoZ_T0XI5PHeT6mKNZhfOY/s1600/DSCN7348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkomvo9kPi_EUoovnxxZ3ziExDYLWPDrbkcfKcj7XGF5rDrU_nKupweEMRXDk4wRJ3D06foTHgJQ6SnYGVD1fUsgRFd5jZrdw05QHxw7FDGgOlQdVitRJwMoZ_T0XI5PHeT6mKNZhfOY/s320/DSCN7348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step Three: Patience! Let the walls harden so the house doesn't implode when you try to decorate it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step Four: Open all the mini packages of colorful candy that <strike>mom didn't consume</strike> you saved from Halloween. Sample every package you open to make sure the gummies and m&m's are still fresh! :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhRCl1fmokQ-CyYdXiLh09VxlfF4EbXaNB_F7d13TKE2owzq3xDmpXGbb5soFKdzC5YFQACf9eHckNIPmSzeTqcHGogRGFrKapB6GPC750lbBPsznMtGtD9o0cz0Nx4pyILF6KP3EGIo/s1600/DSCN7360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhRCl1fmokQ-CyYdXiLh09VxlfF4EbXaNB_F7d13TKE2owzq3xDmpXGbb5soFKdzC5YFQACf9eHckNIPmSzeTqcHGogRGFrKapB6GPC750lbBPsznMtGtD9o0cz0Nx4pyILF6KP3EGIo/s320/DSCN7360.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Step Five: Have at it! Get your frosting spreaders and decorate from north to south, east to west. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0q6LpKYGxnnEy2hFL6H-flATsebZ7fsEZspNVc5ZS_hWuv2e9po1ean897t8NNdHpVfZv74UZlEefEwKr-DkSkfHzQLyWTB42qusO9r63dFK6l2gtW0Os1d79tfDZOYRGN1seNqTbsY/s1600/DSCN7372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0q6LpKYGxnnEy2hFL6H-flATsebZ7fsEZspNVc5ZS_hWuv2e9po1ean897t8NNdHpVfZv74UZlEefEwKr-DkSkfHzQLyWTB42qusO9r63dFK6l2gtW0Os1d79tfDZOYRGN1seNqTbsY/s320/DSCN7372.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2sF1WURm6Y66hzpy-jSx9hfpVR5bgTG1srIDQVstASh8S9lEUhWa9qBaSjXIaGzkLruwa-JXgtOegQTgwDLTQM9HMwVpixNIkjf2VAXOAP_Rhc0a1YSg8j5-wjpyGZIFljv7Yx3SrNk/s1600/DSCN7401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2sF1WURm6Y66hzpy-jSx9hfpVR5bgTG1srIDQVstASh8S9lEUhWa9qBaSjXIaGzkLruwa-JXgtOegQTgwDLTQM9HMwVpixNIkjf2VAXOAP_Rhc0a1YSg8j5-wjpyGZIFljv7Yx3SrNk/s320/DSCN7401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Step Six: Smile with your sister and your finished product! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3D66xWlzAqqCIGza8wNy9HUNZCdMWtm6E0HbjmShSKx3Bx5jC33uQ-B7DM5OHkfruhTQPiocoAGljZtVDv91yWNNNq0dpTUS5vy_-sW713tEpkhbDQUghTcML2tFc3n-qihX4CVrHSGc/s1600/DSCN7407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3D66xWlzAqqCIGza8wNy9HUNZCdMWtm6E0HbjmShSKx3Bx5jC33uQ-B7DM5OHkfruhTQPiocoAGljZtVDv91yWNNNq0dpTUS5vy_-sW713tEpkhbDQUghTcML2tFc3n-qihX4CVrHSGc/s320/DSCN7407.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you have no Duncan Hines frosting in your fridge or pantry, this is the halved recipe from the Domino's powdered sugar box that I used for Day 2's "mortar". (Didn't think I needed the full recipe which is supposed to be enough to frost a 2-layer cake.) I urge you to splurge on GOOD vanilla. I used Costco's Kirkland brand 100% pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla and the result was divine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All it takes is 1/2 of a one pound box confectioners sugar; 1/4 cup butter; 2 Tbsp milk; 1 tsp vanilla.</div>Don't bother sifting the powdered sugar. It will be mixed with a hand mixer. Place all 4 ingredients in a medium bowl, then mix on LOW speed (to avoid the powdered sugar dust cloud). If the final product is too stiff, add a mini, mini, mini splash of milk from a teaspoon until you reach the desired consistency. But remember, you don't want the end product to be too moist, because it will take longer to harden.<br />
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Anyone else make a gingerbread house this year?M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-60515989078950836922010-12-25T22:51:00.002-05:002011-01-03T17:06:41.787-05:00Christmas 2010 Wrap-upMerry Christmas to Everyone! Ours was one of much joy and many sweets... <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cookies for breakfast? Check. Skyping with family on East Coast and West? Check. New Christmas outfits for Doggie and Teddy? Check.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEGuGHSeuNvzCXgSdRx2PuzvshXEawgwD_2ftSIGsIi39JrvcCRiasPkIrS5Itc5eCNUew53fsw_BGjuZ8zIEVWeeSjVYihFZOkl3T6EF9w5ziHDBJRi3K2rBlzNcLK8PySEfcm3bb7A/s1600/DSCN7150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEGuGHSeuNvzCXgSdRx2PuzvshXEawgwD_2ftSIGsIi39JrvcCRiasPkIrS5Itc5eCNUew53fsw_BGjuZ8zIEVWeeSjVYihFZOkl3T6EF9w5ziHDBJRi3K2rBlzNcLK8PySEfcm3bb7A/s320/DSCN7150.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Very own Pillow Pets to squeeze tight? Check.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFFXJkLcHjAp3Ct9QPpXi7YeRCn84eTtHgrXLAsZWzlTz8_telJlYk28bG9G2h1_uRi_sSD2-5Npqwdgmkz4SDTIRmw1BtgocVxt15MrHQKttvK_FzMZbsvfjCYXw3w4AirQj9qkqgYo/s1600/DSCN7198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFFXJkLcHjAp3Ct9QPpXi7YeRCn84eTtHgrXLAsZWzlTz8_telJlYk28bG9G2h1_uRi_sSD2-5Npqwdgmkz4SDTIRmw1BtgocVxt15MrHQKttvK_FzMZbsvfjCYXw3w4AirQj9qkqgYo/s320/DSCN7198.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Fistfuls of Rolos in stockings? Check.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfiX5_-CtLCgRw-JEZxUcZiRC92tXILsbGOMV1ZtUwQW3NHsTDT1JGoxi7SdG9yuP-5TmTr0LXuw-u6VqlxedIdV9gjlun_pQwufvqawU3QhKF3DrrXPNmQXlGEkR1MMOx4jlil0YOAY/s1600/DSCN7246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNfiX5_-CtLCgRw-JEZxUcZiRC92tXILsbGOMV1ZtUwQW3NHsTDT1JGoxi7SdG9yuP-5TmTr0LXuw-u6VqlxedIdV9gjlun_pQwufvqawU3QhKF3DrrXPNmQXlGEkR1MMOx4jlil0YOAY/s320/DSCN7246.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> An adorable husband to sit by the fire with? Check.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoujzSF9OtCCBgJYsnLZH2-guFw27xmSDVJ3h_AF7dUvV8KvAMIve8WPywYPW0dJJNSQQYAXPh6M9UI7hxi5qBYTbqbVtH6z8o2BeUehSeBni-auLdKP62yH1pqocZZxuR_baDpkf7iA/s1600/DSCN7249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCoujzSF9OtCCBgJYsnLZH2-guFw27xmSDVJ3h_AF7dUvV8KvAMIve8WPywYPW0dJJNSQQYAXPh6M9UI7hxi5qBYTbqbVtH6z8o2BeUehSeBni-auLdKP62yH1pqocZZxuR_baDpkf7iA/s320/DSCN7249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And snow making a white Christmas to top it all off? Check!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NiLSaJR3M7C3VAn86eZPMFHN4JZg7L1a581yXAfr71_h29h-vfohOykc73Ivt1Dq_o07jRKPlz4SWi1OjSDHPKKi44StMdUpCh4J9yURZQH88yDN5zbaj3QClLs6ouwc2tiFaem7Mns/s1600/DSCN7282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NiLSaJR3M7C3VAn86eZPMFHN4JZg7L1a581yXAfr71_h29h-vfohOykc73Ivt1Dq_o07jRKPlz4SWi1OjSDHPKKi44StMdUpCh4J9yURZQH88yDN5zbaj3QClLs6ouwc2tiFaem7Mns/s320/DSCN7282.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I hope you've all had a wonderful, memorable Christmas wherever you may be. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_i_julkxtywmS5Xhyphenhyphen5auiyAVub6zWxP6I_rRPNv61AD19MhQIZiwuLnoArU4zZjl0gsewaxFjGaGpKd54qJdrBk2Dbgpdp_PnCLsOi_zl2AUUi9vBBZ8S6MGotKj9imhMn6Gad1-dvM/s320/DSCN7317.JPG" width="240" /></div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-54538602938229750662010-12-13T22:42:00.001-05:002011-01-03T17:06:20.162-05:00Tasty Tradition: White Chocolate Chex Mix<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I like baking. I do. But the kids elbow to elbow over the oven? Not too keen. And the cleanup afterwards? No thank you. How about a DELICIOUS salty, sweet, and crunchy treat that only takes 2 bowls and the ease of a microwave? Sign me up!</div><br />
I have been making this mix for at least four years. And I'll tell you why. The ingredients are not too expensive, they can all sit at room temperature, and even the youngest sous-chef can scoop the required amounts. Also, once assembled, the mix keeps really well after you make it. Not like some baked treats that start to go south a day after they come out of the oven.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">First, grab a Santa hat to get in a jolly mood.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIseFtv9Eu5RR7kfa_eIIlQwMR48PSdDAIv6_kXvh1R3q6-T-mQqnqi-HEWWIh7xoongWncM4lsOUl1HEiYb3aRxPWzJPImo0-HZ-vcUf25DGX6f5B3cqu7CTM7LyTmV5Q2Q1JUqw56IQ/s1600/DSCN6630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIseFtv9Eu5RR7kfa_eIIlQwMR48PSdDAIv6_kXvh1R3q6-T-mQqnqi-HEWWIh7xoongWncM4lsOUl1HEiYb3aRxPWzJPImo0-HZ-vcUf25DGX6f5B3cqu7CTM7LyTmV5Q2Q1JUqw56IQ/s320/DSCN6630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Next, print the recipe and find two bowls: one small for melting the chocolate and shortening in; the other LARGE for mixing the whole concoction without tossing it over the sides.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then, grab your favorite aunt and start the fun!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwv9iVnUDWQaGPs6NpI_68vyR2gGaKshJjYrmGJ_o_x6igUhYnklqDXzhA2MNZfT3K15KgmmEGZcpaDoinNKsBkSKr33RABHwMbahGNxWmZ6UIruqUfdWLiT0szO7NLvrANIIRbdfbMP0/s1600/DSCN6635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwv9iVnUDWQaGPs6NpI_68vyR2gGaKshJjYrmGJ_o_x6igUhYnklqDXzhA2MNZfT3K15KgmmEGZcpaDoinNKsBkSKr33RABHwMbahGNxWmZ6UIruqUfdWLiT0szO7NLvrANIIRbdfbMP0/s320/DSCN6635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u>White Chocolate Chex Mix</u></strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr8H-lNzK1yF_Tgk-bW567AveKb8dt3Et34W5gnZPCp0xd7bMWrK0TFYnsXfr7IenO2CO9phoIq4Nk33KlnUzLdbBz5ZboAJlgJ6mqbuPNRqyc6qgO6bi8E-U0pwduTbrz2HoRon0ivM/s1600/DSCN6628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr8H-lNzK1yF_Tgk-bW567AveKb8dt3Et34W5gnZPCp0xd7bMWrK0TFYnsXfr7IenO2CO9phoIq4Nk33KlnUzLdbBz5ZboAJlgJ6mqbuPNRqyc6qgO6bi8E-U0pwduTbrz2HoRon0ivM/s200/DSCN6628.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">5 cups mini pretzels</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">4 cups corn chex cereal</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1 cup salted peanuts</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1-1/2 cups M&Ms (or Reeces pieces)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2 cups white chocolate chips (12 oz.)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1 Tbsp. shortening</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div>In a large bowl, combine the pretzels, cereal, peanuts and M&Ms. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1rwAmWUERtb0TAP7kR9I2j1cAd2B3iiAVD9BGZa41kEucXHeO62bE_X2ooH1e_9ut83hfF_r41Vtc3RPieuw03xRET0_PSIYDrmSwKq6bZKr8ToN6xKBij5Grnznr3UGB-Gq4XXCgmo/s1600/DSCN6648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1rwAmWUERtb0TAP7kR9I2j1cAd2B3iiAVD9BGZa41kEucXHeO62bE_X2ooH1e_9ut83hfF_r41Vtc3RPieuw03xRET0_PSIYDrmSwKq6bZKr8ToN6xKBij5Grnznr3UGB-Gq4XXCgmo/s320/DSCN6648.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In a separate microwave-safe bowl, microwave the white chips and shortening for 1-2 minutes or until chips are melted, stirring every 30-45 seconds until smooth. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TeN1OfQckr-Ytt_zS6rFcYgvHYWHuWDJVyAY-6yjLMzMU62AkZU8aAIZ_Kc6ZPYt8m1bO2uWaf26XPMSmZ9Mg10UCghT8yKzOaEe2QziNbhruIbrotpRH-QCtEY8ZtIm19O3KRaiv7k/s1600/DSCN6638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TeN1OfQckr-Ytt_zS6rFcYgvHYWHuWDJVyAY-6yjLMzMU62AkZU8aAIZ_Kc6ZPYt8m1bO2uWaf26XPMSmZ9Mg10UCghT8yKzOaEe2QziNbhruIbrotpRH-QCtEY8ZtIm19O3KRaiv7k/s320/DSCN6638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Pour over cereal mixture and mix quickly.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHBi88WQkmf-7FXQK9_HG7Rd562xzaDNYwBlVUiANcnp5g7DSml9Tq6dxkOuRIdfr8_ksh0iGj6RJWrihMDRRc16xsH5BpeG-mo6J7Pc-02cL6zj39fMG6Qy2bD8N-o0KKHZ7jhGPYfk/s1600/DSCN6651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHBi88WQkmf-7FXQK9_HG7Rd562xzaDNYwBlVUiANcnp5g7DSml9Tq6dxkOuRIdfr8_ksh0iGj6RJWrihMDRRc16xsH5BpeG-mo6J7Pc-02cL6zj39fMG6Qy2bD8N-o0KKHZ7jhGPYfk/s320/DSCN6651.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Spread onto a 15x10x1 inch baking pan lined with wax paper. Allow to cool completely, then break apart into small morsels. Store in an airtight container until ready to serve. Makes about 4 quarts.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtBJxyEQMCvi8Xrg4V6th5ZF4ubG6PgZK42RNZAIw0YktP-IpnLtZHdQ9-q43myFqE5oFDOHD2ngzdUlMLJdIaj1xyjPZLXtjDcn-R0wFH4N8Sh_0s9n3ma4hFxtH4IajAYDyAumgq9U/s1600/DSCN6650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtBJxyEQMCvi8Xrg4V6th5ZF4ubG6PgZK42RNZAIw0YktP-IpnLtZHdQ9-q43myFqE5oFDOHD2ngzdUlMLJdIaj1xyjPZLXtjDcn-R0wFH4N8Sh_0s9n3ma4hFxtH4IajAYDyAumgq9U/s320/DSCN6650.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Oh, and when I say store in an airtight container, I mean a husband-tight container, because if you make a batch tonight, you may not see any of it left tomorrow. <br />
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Sidebar: If you buy your holiday m&m's at the after-Christams prices, you can stash away the red ones and make this mix as a Valentine's gift, and you get to snack on the green ones all through January and February! Happy eating!M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-13918840135886681582010-12-03T17:11:00.000-05:002010-12-03T17:11:08.637-05:00Special Day for FamilyWhile celebrating Thanksgiving last week with visiting family was nice: the turkey, the trimmings, the pies and ice cream; this past Sunday was even more special. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLJ_1szp0s9dT85oiQHzuo1YsNVemhz2rcGyfME6rp3lbDAEV8ol8PYG3R2tDR3iLbim2xmKQQ6R_iKX2Udyy5b0CMK_PJ2Xf47jgw_oYYKIllkDoV-CuMG71Xj2jQUGvWjWZAXy6Syw/s1600/DSCN6616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLJ_1szp0s9dT85oiQHzuo1YsNVemhz2rcGyfME6rp3lbDAEV8ol8PYG3R2tDR3iLbim2xmKQQ6R_iKX2Udyy5b0CMK_PJ2Xf47jgw_oYYKIllkDoV-CuMG71Xj2jQUGvWjWZAXy6Syw/s320/DSCN6616.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Even though I attend church and my girls are being brought up in my faith, I had never made the formal arrangements to have them baptized. Typically in the Catholic religion, children are baptized within the first few months of their birth. What took me so long? First off, my husband is not Catholic, so that makes it complicated, and secondly, all of my family lives 1,000 miles north of us. Not to mention, I have a certain reputation as a procrastinator to boot.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But lo and behold, we had a Thanksgiving miracle! I was able to schedule a dual baptism when my mother, my sister and her husband would be in town for Thanksgiving. The girls with their new godparents at their backs, and Grandma to my side.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKjXQxQHRPWjIRh7CCdl3Y5J_vjkB1KFk8W0CQNENsu89xa4fqZvS0XzAtso5Vvncc6DQKCQ6N0eotrggy_zc1j7LPDc3S9wPDnfixjejcEE9BB7_LuZC8h2OywiG2yU8K9hUGGLLTko/s1600/DSCN6615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKjXQxQHRPWjIRh7CCdl3Y5J_vjkB1KFk8W0CQNENsu89xa4fqZvS0XzAtso5Vvncc6DQKCQ6N0eotrggy_zc1j7LPDc3S9wPDnfixjejcEE9BB7_LuZC8h2OywiG2yU8K9hUGGLLTko/s320/DSCN6615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>My girls looked lovely and they had a truly special day. What the priest mentioned, and I had been thinking myself, too, is that they may actually remember their Baptism. M even wrote about it in her weekly at-home writing assignment, and has been telling all our neighbors. And in recapping the day's event with my mom, who is of few words these days, she mustered, "That was beautiful." So I know that it meant a lot for her to share the day with us too. A day I wasn't too sure would ever come to pass, but it has, and I am so grateful. I am blessed to have a supporting family and a sweet husband who understood how much it meant to me. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEmujQJyjr1d8C76RL9zV-qE5ue6iYkRIJs4Du7JEDsK9HcGmOEAhoZcL3anqIYlZF_wKJpVYZ3TTsUQT_0R_KO2_nTeLTdarMgkRbERDobd_pGwKu3Afqc1WwdiJAmyczyvg8vrttxo/s1600/DSCN6619-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEmujQJyjr1d8C76RL9zV-qE5ue6iYkRIJs4Du7JEDsK9HcGmOEAhoZcL3anqIYlZF_wKJpVYZ3TTsUQT_0R_KO2_nTeLTdarMgkRbERDobd_pGwKu3Afqc1WwdiJAmyczyvg8vrttxo/s320/DSCN6619-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-74281390502901244992010-10-31T23:01:00.001-04:002010-10-31T23:04:42.669-04:00Happy Blog-o-ween!I made it, folks! A whole year of blogging. Not the most prolific year, but a year nonetheless. I wish to thank each and every one of you who ever stopped by to see what was going on in the Fun As You Make It lineup.<br />
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Halloween is a great time to celebrate, and boy, did we ever. We had a send off party for friends at a restaurant on Friday night, a MOMS Club party Saturday morning, a neighborhood party on Saturday night, and our traditional Halloween bag-filling and trick-or-treating today. Quite a fun-packed weekend.<br />
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Here are my two beauties tackling the 87 bags we filled, which turned out to be <em><strong>insufficient</strong></em>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOTkgSptq6SDe7r5kvlXS636EqbB0uHzaUg51tVOaRJlqwAHeCso1aRtwuZFCDeda2_kuHDJ4UZj_sY821vZl2W7lE99S4eo7ebNtvCENuz3TSWKlOiNraWdllxw59E38hTKgjiJuhPw/s1600/DSCN6181-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOTkgSptq6SDe7r5kvlXS636EqbB0uHzaUg51tVOaRJlqwAHeCso1aRtwuZFCDeda2_kuHDJ4UZj_sY821vZl2W7lE99S4eo7ebNtvCENuz3TSWKlOiNraWdllxw59E38hTKgjiJuhPw/s320/DSCN6181-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>For the record, I had to use backup lollipops and Smarties that I had leftover from our Paper Bats craft and Candymen I made for the kiddies, AND open another bag of chocolates I had set aside for a special occasion.<br />
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The girls were more than thrilled to don their costumes multiple times. Daytime, nighttime, twilight - it's all good. Have you ever seen a prettier pumpkin or more unique unicorn??<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlyLKQShNFYcNepKgMyMNFTx9R871bJHwqxfmoVkQYoTavfJp3dnvtvTJiYccMWcbCgiv1XZZOhn9zV0sQzQDLr31GnK1l4egAbOV6pnwtKoNJ-6U9-seiF-ZGAcnDC15ZZbzDCBYCYM/s1600/DSCN5982-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlyLKQShNFYcNepKgMyMNFTx9R871bJHwqxfmoVkQYoTavfJp3dnvtvTJiYccMWcbCgiv1XZZOhn9zV0sQzQDLr31GnK1l4egAbOV6pnwtKoNJ-6U9-seiF-ZGAcnDC15ZZbzDCBYCYM/s320/DSCN5982-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpY6Y705YaVaRN6neeGYCDZyVwS4E85JLdEWvTh1MRtdbLkx0ZYdXCAEZbeAggApQsWTRCpF5xsL0T_M2zJJJ8DhOTJ8RVsVvfxxl5f70WmacM69g8gGEQFInnCAN_vtC4CqDDw4UWQlM/s1600/DSCN6012.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpY6Y705YaVaRN6neeGYCDZyVwS4E85JLdEWvTh1MRtdbLkx0ZYdXCAEZbeAggApQsWTRCpF5xsL0T_M2zJJJ8DhOTJ8RVsVvfxxl5f70WmacM69g8gGEQFInnCAN_vtC4CqDDw4UWQlM/s320/DSCN6012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Can you spot them at our annual MOMS Club party at our Town Green? Mom and Dad had a chance to get in on the costumes, too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNEv5CR7CE1ghgHZiMUZ6PIZRe1AW0zFFTYUY2624imkC7gTScwlYUoCUS2h-4yTO9t0Y6DyFH1HOLUSaZ-QZeMEcewn7rLk8yl4S17Y-_L3PgSlR6u5JI8yQto8Lcog-i_-waJBx1mg/s1600/DSCN6165-2.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="209" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNEv5CR7CE1ghgHZiMUZ6PIZRe1AW0zFFTYUY2624imkC7gTScwlYUoCUS2h-4yTO9t0Y6DyFH1HOLUSaZ-QZeMEcewn7rLk8yl4S17Y-_L3PgSlR6u5JI8yQto8Lcog-i_-waJBx1mg/s320/DSCN6165-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Happy Halloween from yours truly, 'Benjamina' Franklin!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-14318321906782482732010-10-30T22:59:00.001-04:002010-11-01T00:09:28.633-04:00Double the Cookies, Double the FunFor today's back-to-back Halloween parties, I decided to bring a bunch of cookies. But I was not about to bake several dozen cookies from scratch. Instead, I made a set of 'Witches' Hats', <a href="http://funasyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-wet-but-wonderful.html">like I did last year</a> and Chocolate Drizzled Mint Cookies. <br />
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My cookie arsenal:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaH93dk8t0wJXt0mnsH1nVlIU7C3MA15RBq01QYOlRCh9seyPRAjU7c9FuYAiMfP1h-U1AskFa7YS2X1Dm-zHZ_wxuqJAK8Cn4z-zAWhqYCmcHc1L2Zm79TLeEFlook-VOGi0jjPOfOrk/s1600/DSCN5951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaH93dk8t0wJXt0mnsH1nVlIU7C3MA15RBq01QYOlRCh9seyPRAjU7c9FuYAiMfP1h-U1AskFa7YS2X1Dm-zHZ_wxuqJAK8Cn4z-zAWhqYCmcHc1L2Zm79TLeEFlook-VOGi0jjPOfOrk/s320/DSCN5951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The Witches' Hats consist of Fudge Stripe cookies, Hershey's Kisses, and frosting tinted orange or melted orange candy melts. With the cookie upside down, dab on a bit of the orange frosting or melts, then adherre the Hershey's Kiss on top. Can't get any simpler than that!<br />
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For the Chocolate Drizzled Mint Cookies, I started with prepackaged mint cookies, drizzled them with a bit of white chocolate, then a bit of melted orange melts, and finally a tiny toss of Halloween sprinkles on top for extra color.<br />
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Final product of cookie deliciousness: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22aIt_IZ845sIj4qzlQtGBI4BzsXK9Gd0D1MjgEHwfUA1ycWSJmb4YWwpOB4fKVG3ONx9PxGODTqdGjLT09ZwPGjwS_cG6N3YHWc4MPBXA6P-Vvh1LuY-ImIZx4FDflyeg8tQmzjgOZY/s1600/DSCN5964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22aIt_IZ845sIj4qzlQtGBI4BzsXK9Gd0D1MjgEHwfUA1ycWSJmb4YWwpOB4fKVG3ONx9PxGODTqdGjLT09ZwPGjwS_cG6N3YHWc4MPBXA6P-Vvh1LuY-ImIZx4FDflyeg8tQmzjgOZY/s320/DSCN5964.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But before the orange candy melts made it to the cookie trays for their dainty decoration, they first made a detour via the piping bag to my pajamas: a nice bright orange sash across the front of my shirt, down the leg of my pants, to the top of my slipper and onto the floor. And, no, the carnage didn't stop there. There was a broad splatter on the countertop, as well as the crack between the counter and the stove, the cabinet door, and the cabinet knob. Not so dainty. It was like Amityville Horror, but with melted orange chocolate instead of blood.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kdJDsWWqLCongk74yBsI6HjbK2Gkz-hwllfMdmwMFr8Zub6VBER_COpztNN1tDE9ivBVKK1soDYgFKFHDSnyhw5nm1TvzIY3wJPuoUIacIGCflYeSaiIHXm4J1ZZU2CUqbzd84TUK0Q/s1600/DSCN5952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kdJDsWWqLCongk74yBsI6HjbK2Gkz-hwllfMdmwMFr8Zub6VBER_COpztNN1tDE9ivBVKK1soDYgFKFHDSnyhw5nm1TvzIY3wJPuoUIacIGCflYeSaiIHXm4J1ZZU2CUqbzd84TUK0Q/s320/DSCN5952.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">All was not lost, however. There was even some melted chocolate left over to make a few tasty skulls. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi59DK11HFBsCtJroGA2v7oTUi8GMoJ2GwnbTDb0MqTDLa0Y4qBMKAisKIvqvp9mF1cRiQ5sQsV0M9KQ0W_DnSCMJ103ZvYAmBegs-0MS785eFiCG4IDzijXmUoAinLS2eMiA_BCyZkk/s1600/DSCN5960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghi59DK11HFBsCtJroGA2v7oTUi8GMoJ2GwnbTDb0MqTDLa0Y4qBMKAisKIvqvp9mF1cRiQ5sQsV0M9KQ0W_DnSCMJ103ZvYAmBegs-0MS785eFiCG4IDzijXmUoAinLS2eMiA_BCyZkk/s320/DSCN5960.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The skulls made a nice addition to the tower of treats I made with gummy worm skewers winding up around a styrofoam cone topped with a creepy rubber spider. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6c-kknMSCsvT70tli-ZnvtxR7AYXP1BYbR1Ipc3x0OBKZYH5LgYZPYpytcsPQp_5XbIqKa-pD3_sg0Jv4EfPaEih8CeLy0_xAJnSQSXC1Sk6R2XBw8Sj2g4yzPhLsmAEzxDEKmY_N0_w/s1600/DSCN6130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6c-kknMSCsvT70tli-ZnvtxR7AYXP1BYbR1Ipc3x0OBKZYH5LgYZPYpytcsPQp_5XbIqKa-pD3_sg0Jv4EfPaEih8CeLy0_xAJnSQSXC1Sk6R2XBw8Sj2g4yzPhLsmAEzxDEKmY_N0_w/s320/DSCN6130.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Gruesome and tasty. Hope you've had your share of Halloween treats too! </div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-49697662074924371332010-10-29T12:57:00.003-04:002010-11-01T20:41:21.273-04:00A Halloween HomecomingMy daughters have a friend who was born in the US and lived here up until the age of 5. Last year, she moved back to her parent's homeland. Last weekend she arrived for her first visit back to the States, so we celebrated with a Halloween-themed homecoming party. <br />
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First were the hugs and squeals to pass around.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDccb5NrYyS4ym-z6g9MsqhhTBWbaGhZMluqRgElYjcU_NYrXLG9ORlbNcjwHbtHGaUHnCO4VoBMfSJbud1YeoaJiIBEoCLkhCTdwwlCGBp4zokSiti9PXY6ugREFxEXMW-tJjDRpsR4/s1600/DSCN5614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDccb5NrYyS4ym-z6g9MsqhhTBWbaGhZMluqRgElYjcU_NYrXLG9ORlbNcjwHbtHGaUHnCO4VoBMfSJbud1YeoaJiIBEoCLkhCTdwwlCGBp4zokSiti9PXY6ugREFxEXMW-tJjDRpsR4/s320/DSCN5614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After much playing and giggling, the girls in attendance got down to serious craft making.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3kuPliWlDdTccR4vvX_E9MB7L_eRQSYW_kT8i3YRblJd6endVTYXiDtXfygoad1HNYgdIrwdC2gW2k-lzSZjLLNolTeTxYnFzNGAI2UXuZ6Bn83FUXUSUOJB2JcgyimYOyLfooYtmEg/s1600/DSCN5618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF3kuPliWlDdTccR4vvX_E9MB7L_eRQSYW_kT8i3YRblJd6endVTYXiDtXfygoad1HNYgdIrwdC2gW2k-lzSZjLLNolTeTxYnFzNGAI2UXuZ6Bn83FUXUSUOJB2JcgyimYOyLfooYtmEg/s320/DSCN5618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My thanks to Mama King for supplying the idea of these simple prepare-in-advance <a href="http://4crazykings.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-craft-paper-bats.html">paper bats</a> that also serve to hold a lollipop. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuq64XCSvQTXyGQTmeUd65-0rhqtGSmxC8s4CLXTqGjcHUohEzBxacWrYNmwRY5ZnAkei4__ymncP3ppz9uVmbVbWtl0_Tk2_McbAA-fBIOcr2zKDw6Limjb2LpqllqVHEdU5cd0MGaZE/s1600/DSCN5723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuq64XCSvQTXyGQTmeUd65-0rhqtGSmxC8s4CLXTqGjcHUohEzBxacWrYNmwRY5ZnAkei4__ymncP3ppz9uVmbVbWtl0_Tk2_McbAA-fBIOcr2zKDw6Limjb2LpqllqVHEdU5cd0MGaZE/s320/DSCN5723.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There was the obligatory kid's requested pizza party. (They thought was funny that they all sat at the kitchen table and mom and dad were relegated to the kids table!)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVgno6k4kPL7JtZ9sl1LeOfy3qbyeR_FhoUda8i8d2V5kgMKjRkkAjt66js9rEtMaEgfGfY0DBbFGrO5P02GIi268dEoozSafYC_gHLKhzRjzeJO2c2g5OUvweyMMSKuNuvDICfPRq7M/s1600/DSCN5619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVgno6k4kPL7JtZ9sl1LeOfy3qbyeR_FhoUda8i8d2V5kgMKjRkkAjt66js9rEtMaEgfGfY0DBbFGrO5P02GIi268dEoozSafYC_gHLKhzRjzeJO2c2g5OUvweyMMSKuNuvDICfPRq7M/s320/DSCN5619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">To wrap up the evening, we had drop in guests of neighbors and the mom/dad/lil brother of one girl arrive just in time for the scavenger hunt and dessert. The kids had to search for clues around the yard that lead them to the sweet toppings (frosting, candy corn, m&m's, marshmallow ghosts, and orange sprinkles)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYN5c2mn0kncY8Pd0p03whkkXNQiIJZwCAY6toZnPs_jK3qkbjyYnTuW5TNReCINGWphJgCNNbs4Nyikn5f6k8s_pilZuqtlIBxUszEgGr1ZJbvrUuNLQDpihsXUv_0K9sm55mP-eBhs/s1600/DSCN5624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYN5c2mn0kncY8Pd0p03whkkXNQiIJZwCAY6toZnPs_jK3qkbjyYnTuW5TNReCINGWphJgCNNbs4Nyikn5f6k8s_pilZuqtlIBxUszEgGr1ZJbvrUuNLQDpihsXUv_0K9sm55mP-eBhs/s320/DSCN5624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDFMCL180UmhtNVueBt_HvjohMbdRO-wrXEGjY7OVBiqK5WpqJOreP4oDPE7zMINB0-OJRY7J_ToI7PqCeh2CA5QZOFGiwBbEJFZBU08hATNVFOeUyJ0P6celNLV45B8Suzo9hC-ioY4/s1600/DSCN5631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDFMCL180UmhtNVueBt_HvjohMbdRO-wrXEGjY7OVBiqK5WpqJOreP4oDPE7zMINB0-OJRY7J_ToI7PqCeh2CA5QZOFGiwBbEJFZBU08hATNVFOeUyJ0P6celNLV45B8Suzo9hC-ioY4/s320/DSCN5631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">to decorate their own Devilishly Good Cupcakes:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6jArsN3dsKFPBYtwLcWOZZxqSbBThDWheLzfi-T9PsOxSXJQm-gdVkJGJV_AxD-cPA7tEQiLoKyiNAGxwQAMMub9G7YPBZLm4ttUAV9iPhVVj9CVv1fVmCdfRnjbx07sqqQfXi-PoZo/s1600/DSCN5635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6jArsN3dsKFPBYtwLcWOZZxqSbBThDWheLzfi-T9PsOxSXJQm-gdVkJGJV_AxD-cPA7tEQiLoKyiNAGxwQAMMub9G7YPBZLm4ttUAV9iPhVVj9CVv1fVmCdfRnjbx07sqqQfXi-PoZo/s320/DSCN5635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtPrg8n4hFyzITSxa0J9pDqzaA9kGXj6z_0ku6wEIS-mdzWWJsf165Jg_Ud1lKa-SOluhNpsZ62sKCd48RpepnIBpW1QZB6DmxdHcuN1l0f1U3xkY31vbDK4jPEUJRN0aRK2HP7y1shE/s1600/DSCN5634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtPrg8n4hFyzITSxa0J9pDqzaA9kGXj6z_0ku6wEIS-mdzWWJsf165Jg_Ud1lKa-SOluhNpsZ62sKCd48RpepnIBpW1QZB6DmxdHcuN1l0f1U3xkY31vbDK4jPEUJRN0aRK2HP7y1shE/s320/DSCN5634.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A very special night of reconnecting with friends and getting us in the Halloween mood. I hope to get back to you with more of the great Halloween fun I've been knee-deep in this month but haven't made time to post about yet.</div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-9413005215546223102010-10-26T22:56:00.000-04:002010-10-26T22:56:17.697-04:00Pumpkin Fever!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What is one to do when Pumpkin Fever strikes? Make as many pumpkins as possible!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Friday: The girls painted a pumpkin patch - using water balloons (inflated to different sizes) dipped in orange paint, and a green marker for the vines.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir92m3dNOd_wBFi2IZP4FlOie5tn1TDjJQz2sLO3BFABp2PvbuPNR_4Dq5VimtjrYOlTbw7m9Ug9aGD_oUzAk9LCueeuGteZsRv9slKHzkGXGM7TShyphenhyphenFCDy4HsWcd5yFiiWrH_7rsNgxA/s1600/DSCN5722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir92m3dNOd_wBFi2IZP4FlOie5tn1TDjJQz2sLO3BFABp2PvbuPNR_4Dq5VimtjrYOlTbw7m9Ug9aGD_oUzAk9LCueeuGteZsRv9slKHzkGXGM7TShyphenhyphenFCDy4HsWcd5yFiiWrH_7rsNgxA/s320/DSCN5722.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Saturday: They assembled 3D paper pumpkins. Eight strips of orange cardstock (each just under an inch wide), two small brads to connect the ends, and a loop of green construction paper glued to the top for a stem. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59vS6y8FhbzM2XEJioY51mG03gsEy8eW3jGfmPOKRJbRKEayaQYi7oXREabRKOTaeAy4hhoYHTzHVbxWe5n3bmHs-43i7Jq2qvbgJ3Xzcdc4a-8TsL5uRN7vg1mIaxtW1PhJIyMMFFuc/s1600/DSCN5726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59vS6y8FhbzM2XEJioY51mG03gsEy8eW3jGfmPOKRJbRKEayaQYi7oXREabRKOTaeAy4hhoYHTzHVbxWe5n3bmHs-43i7Jq2qvbgJ3Xzcdc4a-8TsL5uRN7vg1mIaxtW1PhJIyMMFFuc/s320/DSCN5726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Then they drew jack-o-lantern faces on orange paper sacks, stuffed them with balled up newspaper, and added contruction paper leaves and a pipecleaner stem they had coiled around a pencil.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWUyYvePFCYehaT1Vgi4-fcZ5GaCjCec_2N9xatxCGSe3FNmDcGkwDsczTGAq083FDnDGO2wzxDAFQL7SXeitOTBE4USylvYkb8sfI9yFF3pOMWhQP0ChKlOQxKBje__AiFJc8JtT3oU/s1600/DSCN5733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWUyYvePFCYehaT1Vgi4-fcZ5GaCjCec_2N9xatxCGSe3FNmDcGkwDsczTGAq083FDnDGO2wzxDAFQL7SXeitOTBE4USylvYkb8sfI9yFF3pOMWhQP0ChKlOQxKBje__AiFJc8JtT3oU/s320/DSCN5733.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Sunday: And last but not least, they broke out the paint brushes once again to jazz up their mini pumpkins.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6S4vXHsjquRbdiU8Lud_uap8vAuvGouuUnSN7w2m3HcSYwPd0G9MrYfiD-aIRq5RrkV9cXWRZth8jf3Rxtsuy5yHoPpZtu31NDs1ebrDvPX6HRu29k3tsohcH4LUEZOCrZ5XNHT7YB0/s1600/DSCN5734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6S4vXHsjquRbdiU8Lud_uap8vAuvGouuUnSN7w2m3HcSYwPd0G9MrYfiD-aIRq5RrkV9cXWRZth8jf3Rxtsuy5yHoPpZtu31NDs1ebrDvPX6HRu29k3tsohcH4LUEZOCrZ5XNHT7YB0/s320/DSCN5734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next Saturday we get to carve the big ones!</div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5931327752628416146.post-16797083104904703492010-10-13T14:56:00.000-04:002010-10-13T14:56:59.045-04:00Lighthouse with a View<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This past weekend, we headed over to South Carolina to visit my in-laws. They live on a salt water creek that puts on a daily display of nature's wonders. Steadfast sweetgrass in the changing tide, numerous water birds (heron, ibis, cranes, laughing gulls) and regular dolphin sightings. We witnessed one family of dolphins 'storming' the shore line, making almost ominous waves in pursuit of their shrimp dinner.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">B and I spent a good deal of time spying on a couple sting rays circling around the dock, stirring up the fluff mud in search of food. The two of us were also invited by a neighbor to watch him cast and haul in his shrimp net. Along with some decent sized shrimp, he also netted a young flounder (about 7 inches) and a mini squid which he taught us appears white on the surface, but turns black when released to the water again.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH7KiTKDx58e5MgaYCtWu6isF8U8F3MU4Inwgaq-HtVQQwrtuWEDL7LSiw1BzU0eKuok2bZEraxTGPlOQEVnJA5moDOj4g_hUv2xckEnx8tO_B7MQYMaz9Ju55pymzvTQNwXHMqjjJVw/s1600/DSCN5338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH7KiTKDx58e5MgaYCtWu6isF8U8F3MU4Inwgaq-HtVQQwrtuWEDL7LSiw1BzU0eKuok2bZEraxTGPlOQEVnJA5moDOj4g_hUv2xckEnx8tO_B7MQYMaz9Ju55pymzvTQNwXHMqjjJVw/s320/DSCN5338.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One afternoon, the hubby and I were able to venture out on our own and take a walk on the beach at <a href="http://www.huntingisland.com/index.html">Hunting Island State Park</a>. It is an incredible spot, with enormous trees dotting the coastline, downed by the encroachement of the sea. This is our 7th year coming to this beach, and it's the 1st time we took the opportunity to climb the lighthouse. The only lighthouse in the state of SC open to the public, mind you.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">After climbing 167 steps of the spiral staircase...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9J49A7iJjiLRLRfllVWuZDcAHa9KCNM0UAx8ONrzq2Cj55NbErt_9kzIzPpRh9KAr-_3EExPW2Rw7Y1qeRwz_LTc1PJV2MYOmWUhJZBTbsnzuTDgEvljUFkyns1G8M-nV58XY7f2pw4/s1600/DSCN5337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9J49A7iJjiLRLRfllVWuZDcAHa9KCNM0UAx8ONrzq2Cj55NbErt_9kzIzPpRh9KAr-_3EExPW2Rw7Y1qeRwz_LTc1PJV2MYOmWUhJZBTbsnzuTDgEvljUFkyns1G8M-nV58XY7f2pw4/s320/DSCN5337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>this was the view of the beach from 132 feet in the air.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVMM8lpH6tIb9cVlLUwwcen_Ck_F9hT5OkzK1FUCqpcqtKM4B4lJN56TVIO-OE3kFtOFwOBztSoz5uGcrcOcgqLpLeaGuOGTDc5NdKwaHC_Bs12SHhjDJrVGABNi42HIzi6M9Uk-7NnY/s1600/DSCN5334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVMM8lpH6tIb9cVlLUwwcen_Ck_F9hT5OkzK1FUCqpcqtKM4B4lJN56TVIO-OE3kFtOFwOBztSoz5uGcrcOcgqLpLeaGuOGTDc5NdKwaHC_Bs12SHhjDJrVGABNi42HIzi6M9Uk-7NnY/s320/DSCN5334.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Personally, I kind of enjoyed the view from one and a half feet directly in front of me. :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1xsCvfSym1vMXuqnSswaYbguupzltV2KdAWmqe3mVABRq24lX661eKFDQ3OvUTiLmraDvuQezjavzgC34ZC59UEG5troRetDlo9a93-J0q47w_MgBG88tFzz1yFqK-cVmVeYqrHB1aU/s1600/DSCN5336.2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1xsCvfSym1vMXuqnSswaYbguupzltV2KdAWmqe3mVABRq24lX661eKFDQ3OvUTiLmraDvuQezjavzgC34ZC59UEG5troRetDlo9a93-J0q47w_MgBG88tFzz1yFqK-cVmVeYqrHB1aU/s320/DSCN5336.2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>M for Shorthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04572898415343978659noreply@blogger.com0