tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54683149741290961702024-02-07T21:07:58.108-05:00Making a HomeProject: Turn our Vintage 1960's house into a more updated home!Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-71544948732707116412013-02-02T15:10:00.000-05:002013-02-02T15:10:00.341-05:00Funniest Faces of 2012One thing about being "at home" or at least at home with yourself is making faces. Both Robbie and I make some pretty funny faces, but few of them actually end up getting captured by a camera (probably a good thing lol).<br />
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So, after reviewing the pictures of us over the past year, here are my top 5 favorites of the two of us:<br />
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<i>Number 5</i>: "Sometimes I just want to kiss Robbie, even if he's behind the camera!"</div>
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<i>Number 4</i>: "No, SIRI, I was NOT talking to you."</div>
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<i>Number 3</i>: "Oh my goodness, this corn is good!"</div>
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<i>Number 2</i>: "Ehh...who needs to study? Books are for sissies."</div>
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and ... <i>Number 1</i>: "You think you're cool, Robbie? I'll show you cool!"</div>
<br />Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-17894770003199349222013-01-27T14:40:00.001-05:002013-01-27T15:26:05.660-05:00Oh my, How time flies! (2012 Improvements)Yes, we are still alive - and perhaps this blog is too! While we did take quite a break from Home improvements in 2012, there were a few things that happened over the past 12 months that I thought I'd post (at least those that I have pictures of)!<br />
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We started 2012 pretty much as you see in the previous post, although there were quite a lot of Christmas decorations in addition to the room. But in February, we finally found several pieces to "complete" our family room.<br />
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The first piece was a chocolate brown love seat that was just big enough to fit on the wall separating the kitchen and the family room. We originally wanted a larger couch there, but there wouldn't be any room for a lamp or end table.<br />
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The second piece was a lovely coffee table that we found at the Levin's warehouse sale. With only a few scratches on it, it looked like new and was a perfect complement to our other pieces. The last two additions were side tables for the love seat and the sectional.<br />
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Finally, our room looked pretty complete, and we could also put the sectional back together the way it was intended - which meant Robbie got his long reclining area back!<br />
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Since we had most of the inside under control (or at least, were tired of fixing things up inside), we spent the summer working on the outside of the house. The biggest things to deal with were the humongous bushes that were spread everywhere around the side and back of the house.<br />
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If you were to walk around the right side of our house, this is what you would have seen - lots of huge bushes taking over the yard. Yes, they provided a lot of privacy for the back porch, but they were really just overgrown and needed to come out.<br />
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While I sadly did not get pictures of the entire process, it was similar to the earlier <a href="http://theschmidtbergersplace.blogspot.com/2011/05/man-work.html" target="_blank">event</a> I posted on Dad with the chainsaw :-) . After all was said and done, we discovered that the massive clump of bushes we thought was 5 or six, was actually more like 12-15 bushes that grew into each other. We hauled over 25 garbage bags of bushes into our garage (after we took out a lot of the useable firewood), and had to keep our "truck" outside until we could get them taken away a few at a time.<br />
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Several months later, we finally managed to dig up a few of the stumps, mulch the beds, and plant some flowers, so this is a picture of what it looked like in the late summer. LOTS of open space - we had no idea how much room we had without the bushes taking over everything! So last fall we took some time and planted some bulbs, a butterfly bush, and hopefully we'll see some more (pretty) greenery this spring!<br />
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<br />Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-19033877473593713952011-11-06T16:36:00.000-05:002011-11-06T16:36:33.998-05:00Getting the Living Room Going...It's been a long while since I've updated you on our house, and it's not that we haven't been doing stuff on the house, but we haven't been doing anything big, and we've both been crazy with school schedules, so I have not been inspired enough to write lately. But, now that my life at least is a little less crazy than it has been, I'll try to catch you all up.<br />
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So, if you remember the living room in our house, it is the main/middle floor that's attached to the kitchen and dining room. It has been in many different arrangements since we moved in a little more than a year ago. One of our friends that visits somewhat frequently remarked that every time she's here, it looks different, and this could be true.<br />
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When we were redoing the kitchen, the living room became our kitchen, dining room, and living room, and was quite packed. Then we finished the kitchen and got the family room ready to go and all the furniture left so that it was quite open and empty. Around March, we found this fun sectional to take up part of the room.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>But because we didn't have any other furniture in there yet, we decided to separate the sectional into 2 couches across from each other. And then, one summer day, my sister and her roommate decided to come and claim the coffee table (almost from out under my nose!), so we are left mostly table-less for now.<br />
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Sometime in the summer, we found this chair for the corner of the room, which Robbie promptly declared as "the chair of proclamation". So basically that just means he gets to sit there when he's teaching (bible study, home groups, etc.). Otherwise, he is perfectly in love with stretching out on one of the long open sofas. :-) <br />
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Then, after months and months, and eventually a year without having curtains in our living room (much to the dismay of my husband lol), we (read I) finally decided on some curtains and rods to match our furniture.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, now that fall is here, and we have organized this room as much as it will be for now, here's how it turned out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Fall to everyone - hope you're staying warm and toasty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-52911453918456670162011-08-30T11:00:00.000-04:002011-11-13T15:29:21.803-05:00Vacation - St. Simon's Island EditionEvery other year the Howell Clan goes on a family vacation to Hilton Head Island (HHI) with another family that they are close with. This year however it was decided to go elsewhere. A certain son-in-law and a daughter wanted to try someplace new. (Now for certain Howell folks this would have been trip number ten to HHI, so we decided to spice it up.) After a short Sunday meeting, led by my wife, we picked out the things that would make our ideal place: someplace new, watersports, beach, tennis and golf, all within a 13 hour drive of Pittsburgh.<br /><div><br /></div><div>So.. after some web searching and research the following places were suggested: OBX (the Outer Banks), Tybee Island, and St. Simon's Island. After a lot of back and forth between the kids and the parents, the decision was made to try St. Simon's Island in Georgia. Although it was at least an hour farther south than our typical venture (much to my wife's dismay), it looked like a nice place that wasn't too crowded, yet had most everything we were looking for.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tradition dictates that this family getaway occurs over the week of the fourth to allow as many possible days off (i.e. holiday). We arrived on the island on the Friday before the 4th. Little did we know that because of the holiday, basically the entire surrounding population of Georgia was also planning to enjoy the island! Since the island is only about a 15 minute drive from one end to the other, you can imagine the wall of people we encountered - on the beach, in the streets, on the pier, and so forth. As with any typical Independence Day celebration we had fireworks, which was quite fun viewed from the rocks next to the pier where they were shooting them. :-)<br /><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626229504815183922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmI-OVYT0woRfGI_mclKX5HbqNPUCFt6wx_1rWSoX_Dmaicf6pK7IPs4rajGizMi3SertB8oK15_1D4fI-fXXJb1QswHCoCZ8H9hTyTdZDYraRsjav0NWVKHtFmYoB0YqtObBzCakh_I/s320/IMG_1382.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /><br /><div><br />Once the fourth of July crowd finally went back to work on Tuesday, the beaches became much less crowded, and the winds became much more violent, which lent itself for some excellent boogie boarding opportunities with my wife. (Some opportunities were more successful than others lol.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXYr360uZMyxyHoHs3UWWUeGKHndlhBU6kygnYOaV6oPzo0QIfLQH7QE0Xokka8XTxS_9Wapa04GUih3twAZr8we6zRhXeYcZqpm-KK9YwMY_VLf9fzclQsxKLGaO8bUAYTufKLu3ZLU/s1600/IMG_1393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXYr360uZMyxyHoHs3UWWUeGKHndlhBU6kygnYOaV6oPzo0QIfLQH7QE0Xokka8XTxS_9Wapa04GUih3twAZr8we6zRhXeYcZqpm-KK9YwMY_VLf9fzclQsxKLGaO8bUAYTufKLu3ZLU/s320/IMG_1393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> We even were able to go out on the water in a catamaran with a bonafide sailor, which was my number one goal for the week! And (sadly) since the island didn't end up having waverunners, we ended up doing this twice!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UFnuRtFNEeJGufnzFVtG00429Xaw1j-3qAuhMeDnKLymXln50XSrTl-k2qUjax1312GzgyB1DBFHvIpE9M-uNepg0UNWJ3C_N_MSnmrzc9T5ZEf5xuv0QjxSTHmrnCiwmZByV9-nkcs/s1600/IMG_1396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UFnuRtFNEeJGufnzFVtG00429Xaw1j-3qAuhMeDnKLymXln50XSrTl-k2qUjax1312GzgyB1DBFHvIpE9M-uNepg0UNWJ3C_N_MSnmrzc9T5ZEf5xuv0QjxSTHmrnCiwmZByV9-nkcs/s320/IMG_1396.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LHKRgT7DDFoEnSS0SnJAezZ6lXWo1aqJXb0qHQQVpGNtzSGGvHmke7Fec6CbbGio5uc_mBGPPnVkjSjgYDIUjVaglWTi-klipJJjk90IwTfESAE-haQ1AO992cOtCTFSH-vSzE0K778/s1600/IMG_1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LHKRgT7DDFoEnSS0SnJAezZ6lXWo1aqJXb0qHQQVpGNtzSGGvHmke7Fec6CbbGio5uc_mBGPPnVkjSjgYDIUjVaglWTi-klipJJjk90IwTfESAE-haQ1AO992cOtCTFSH-vSzE0K778/s320/IMG_1398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> But of course, what would vacation be (for the Howell's at least) without some rousing games of tennis? ;-) Although there weren't any courts in the complex we stayed at, there were a few public courts within biking distance away, which we frequented a couple times during the week.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLOTbYmwR7YTmq_ykleJwBKQRLqJ5KlWnGlehZbJMVOJX5PzIaIlOmnwXjHkmx-U0cvKkloITb1SZhyuPoUHuw4gT3fxkC8nDxywoBHaJsOJbj5e1IRUaGYdHXFiM7Eu0tkWlnaVrMEI/s1600/IMG_1409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLOTbYmwR7YTmq_ykleJwBKQRLqJ5KlWnGlehZbJMVOJX5PzIaIlOmnwXjHkmx-U0cvKkloITb1SZhyuPoUHuw4gT3fxkC8nDxywoBHaJsOJbj5e1IRUaGYdHXFiM7Eu0tkWlnaVrMEI/s320/IMG_1409.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> So, all in all, it was a very relaxing week, with some sun, sand, surf, food, exercise...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaLfXrzhxl6bcEBIMGSyv4jIrChnDCnwRJyXtxFbn4DjOouLxJTPrVwPCI7808AHo1GCkg0fxP9xq9Cqv0P15kv0Kw-WtgZ2n8I6gTaCFPVup-DFt1UvrIdHsbNBHQ_xEIy0r0HBu7Oo/s1600/IMG_1426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaLfXrzhxl6bcEBIMGSyv4jIrChnDCnwRJyXtxFbn4DjOouLxJTPrVwPCI7808AHo1GCkg0fxP9xq9Cqv0P15kv0Kw-WtgZ2n8I6gTaCFPVup-DFt1UvrIdHsbNBHQ_xEIy0r0HBu7Oo/s320/IMG_1426.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> ...boating, and fun with the Howells!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfCzIGsShAxjReyBCwT0fVSV5SdAwXwTKFY8yivUM_cFGXsdDaKgpt8k8wk1_RpymdH3J0zv-vntreySBB7_ifBA0d-A8BvWL6fKeDXUA_b7utZyZPWONuWi5jztUVZvuZAdwFxC1rmY/s1600/IMG_1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfCzIGsShAxjReyBCwT0fVSV5SdAwXwTKFY8yivUM_cFGXsdDaKgpt8k8wk1_RpymdH3J0zv-vntreySBB7_ifBA0d-A8BvWL6fKeDXUA_b7utZyZPWONuWi5jztUVZvuZAdwFxC1rmY/s320/IMG_1466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hNNjpkQ58axNG86-XbUzM95SWrMgF0a1RYrjdx2i6Y3cHw1Buk6jgkd4usLxgUPpwrwL8_1CZI0xlDaknI-fOCAgHVLtFdmD6XajC6pb84U5Y1cYFYJxXMRKe_kU_GSnfQ4h1fdKjb0/s1600/IMG_1486.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/AVvXsEj1hNNjpkQ58axNG86-XbUzM95SWrMgF0a1RYrjdx2i6Y3cHw1Buk6jgkd4usLxgUPpwrwL8_1CZI0xlDaknI-fOCAgHVLtFdmD6XajC6pb84U5Y1cYFYJxXMRKe_kU_GSnfQ4h1fdKjb0/s320/IMG_1486.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnIouHZseFI42_Qay1XyZRgySeeM13xaHL8SiqhaTJ33g1rDBmnCGU4yATTsQEgU7juUgkZuvgIG1C30W7jKrc0Pkv9QR1KhsaICyB0Jx-3IN_BmGUJowO-O21lOvHQPjk0xHfVW1nIE/s1600/IMG_1491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnIouHZseFI42_Qay1XyZRgySeeM13xaHL8SiqhaTJ33g1rDBmnCGU4yATTsQEgU7juUgkZuvgIG1C30W7jKrc0Pkv9QR1KhsaICyB0Jx-3IN_BmGUJowO-O21lOvHQPjk0xHfVW1nIE/s320/IMG_1491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuVyMzBgOUjSrayJQAYVtuaC27i6JgIw-l7UItJbaHfRWoS8y0GgAjbdiSaXUi5qeUZAvgZyyA2oOU44__qK183b0QsFvQooYOEvk9aKRMlSZvdwtKSUi4CjJjwbon3FZMHuV2S_Dos8/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuVyMzBgOUjSrayJQAYVtuaC27i6JgIw-l7UItJbaHfRWoS8y0GgAjbdiSaXUi5qeUZAvgZyyA2oOU44__qK183b0QsFvQooYOEvk9aKRMlSZvdwtKSUi4CjJjwbon3FZMHuV2S_Dos8/s320/IMG_1504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At the end of the week, we spent our last evening walking on the beach and having some last thrills with sparklers while the sun went down. Thanks for the fun, St. Simon!<br /><br />- Robbie<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08401153316237694846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-78395049603543512412011-08-22T14:59:00.000-04:002011-11-13T15:10:00.908-05:00Bright and Beautiful!I was able to capture a few of our roses at their peak of beauty this summer - they are so fun!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHmANFXUqKlAlmnqbTIPWMMkTWOLRvyEtzZNXW5Lx_HlNmHyKQtJKPlwvx4B7RUlKDTpRy2OrEBf85qKFXK6oDsKGr7iIEO2feKFASfDFVFBBAAbleXhwCJDbAHvFQr2wUkVWlizCfC0/s1600/IMG_1334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHmANFXUqKlAlmnqbTIPWMMkTWOLRvyEtzZNXW5Lx_HlNmHyKQtJKPlwvx4B7RUlKDTpRy2OrEBf85qKFXK6oDsKGr7iIEO2feKFASfDFVFBBAAbleXhwCJDbAHvFQr2wUkVWlizCfC0/s320/IMG_1334.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLqPlrHNDCAO4I1rOEliRY9s53hcQn4EFOA83C3AElMgac7BWWMFjzJ2H2nEpy5zcPGWB0YAq3SOrW0rl2yMt42uOfjpP5X0fz5aPexSCO74zoOQX0VHMeJf4woTIbDHixCEbtP8fuxY/s1600/IMG_1336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaLqPlrHNDCAO4I1rOEliRY9s53hcQn4EFOA83C3AElMgac7BWWMFjzJ2H2nEpy5zcPGWB0YAq3SOrW0rl2yMt42uOfjpP5X0fz5aPexSCO74zoOQX0VHMeJf4woTIbDHixCEbtP8fuxY/s320/IMG_1336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-58972418791155920732011-08-14T21:21:00.000-04:002011-08-14T21:26:51.057-04:00How do you like to relax?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftWzANQHVfhMo0bRlpZ2Y1vPYgflGWbDm16-q627MpCsqkNEV5zF_zqHDq_raOjUZVDBsN7OeLeK66I87kHnYKno_IOGh0TBRkX71bJImnpp98vq-KV0Iur6gUhXfWJvJxXhDVmaQ8fM/s1600/IMG_1557.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftWzANQHVfhMo0bRlpZ2Y1vPYgflGWbDm16-q627MpCsqkNEV5zF_zqHDq_raOjUZVDBsN7OeLeK66I87kHnYKno_IOGh0TBRkX71bJImnpp98vq-KV0Iur6gUhXfWJvJxXhDVmaQ8fM/s400/IMG_1557.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640887244795567954" /></a>This is how I do it. You see... I have this thing for hammocks, or as my beloved puts it, I like to lay down. But the thing about a hammock is that you get to lay down outside. Being outdoors is very relaxing. When you get outside you disconnect and unplug from it all. It is you and whatever is around you. But enough about me... how do you like to relax?Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08401153316237694846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-82179647986866341622011-06-01T18:53:00.000-04:002011-07-06T08:50:54.226-04:00Finally in Bloom!We weren't really sure what we would find in our yard this year, since we didn't see the house at all during the month of May when everything was flowering, but much to our surprise we did manage to find a few things that blossomed around the yard!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-m-TpVZxXrd0x27cTXm78Xc_GXVOWZUJj6gBuFeQvHFerPWDqtJyGNebspF3U7AswGIgQ231SBvNcodvZZysAGyQ6AuB5rifgCnunz-bIpqcfIUBRUEOGpRpHIpQJBjeWaA8BynRpVCc/s1600/IMG_1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-m-TpVZxXrd0x27cTXm78Xc_GXVOWZUJj6gBuFeQvHFerPWDqtJyGNebspF3U7AswGIgQ231SBvNcodvZZysAGyQ6AuB5rifgCnunz-bIpqcfIUBRUEOGpRpHIpQJBjeWaA8BynRpVCc/s320/IMG_1298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> As I showed you a couple weeks ago, the first things to blossom were the azalea bushes. I love the bright fushia flowers that came everywhere! In the next few weeks the rhododendron bush started to open, slowly at first, right beneath our bedroom window.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj082G-JE6aOyg_-enueq8go_UBbKGYDKqAeFtZxjQZdPQxt0bNg1OBDXnjxSE1oxrX3CcNdhnOtPS5KCwJnL1O8osYUIP2WTUXe6Zow0oCwdrERoJxVRdnon9AgkThVBVXBU7Wb5gLakg/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj082G-JE6aOyg_-enueq8go_UBbKGYDKqAeFtZxjQZdPQxt0bNg1OBDXnjxSE1oxrX3CcNdhnOtPS5KCwJnL1O8osYUIP2WTUXe6Zow0oCwdrERoJxVRdnon9AgkThVBVXBU7Wb5gLakg/s320/IMG_1299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We also discovered that we had lilac bushes on one side of our house, next to the garage. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuP-8Dq77VqYjgb5Vnp0Xbm11kbkvREVjoU_SIZ1_myTn7eRP6wQDiMY2SP27qmOPVdlPTeMQs9OpsQyp5axON6M-x8Cndp7PQF229Bv0sNKNE7VbA-0vX5FLOI6pfcuJZpUr500vKq0/s1600/IMG_1300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuP-8Dq77VqYjgb5Vnp0Xbm11kbkvREVjoU_SIZ1_myTn7eRP6wQDiMY2SP27qmOPVdlPTeMQs9OpsQyp5axON6M-x8Cndp7PQF229Bv0sNKNE7VbA-0vX5FLOI6pfcuJZpUr500vKq0/s320/IMG_1300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> For the week (maybe two) they were in bloom, we had some lovely smells floating around - and inside - the house, which are some of Robbie's favorite flower smells.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3AqUT5joIq6L7Q-IXl4EeiFap7OH_7vCbwt29wlA_RQcoAWdMqXVdvyZ0dC-PXU7DFnU35Fv5R48WtSRjrSWrle2g8njKy8jOUULeo7PeR9K2itadvhN7WvHcvMXIw62kthh3M3r2AU/s1600/IMG_1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3AqUT5joIq6L7Q-IXl4EeiFap7OH_7vCbwt29wlA_RQcoAWdMqXVdvyZ0dC-PXU7DFnU35Fv5R48WtSRjrSWrle2g8njKy8jOUULeo7PeR9K2itadvhN7WvHcvMXIw62kthh3M3r2AU/s320/IMG_1301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Finally, this past week, the rhododendrons came into full bloom, as the azaleas died off.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFsqce6a3Qv7oWFknN8tf45KH6AvYS-vSDjlNeAwOiyzqOihngwqXAHGLaQkoKEXq4so2cjEazKvWZurDtmw9w7ObIEZZyaPJCDvUAGFsNWgxH8sVkn8h9XExf0OXetbyJ-Y9n_rr4Qw/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFsqce6a3Qv7oWFknN8tf45KH6AvYS-vSDjlNeAwOiyzqOihngwqXAHGLaQkoKEXq4so2cjEazKvWZurDtmw9w7ObIEZZyaPJCDvUAGFsNWgxH8sVkn8h9XExf0OXetbyJ-Y9n_rr4Qw/s320/IMG_1308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> These are some of my favorites too - unfortunately with all the rain/storms we had, they are now not looking so great - but they were pretty while they lasted!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9otZT4_7MCD5_soVPxDTIBOQ9UWjXFLcff2We8gFsXcvAMpDI3bINiCtdOYUH60rBQxJEHowGUK4Y0sjp3KgUe1KoWTtKo1lP0_3S4jDSFCi31kQICfcEIUX7FRz4io_qyFXgWURxqE/s1600/IMG_1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9otZT4_7MCD5_soVPxDTIBOQ9UWjXFLcff2We8gFsXcvAMpDI3bINiCtdOYUH60rBQxJEHowGUK4Y0sjp3KgUe1KoWTtKo1lP0_3S4jDSFCi31kQICfcEIUX7FRz4io_qyFXgWURxqE/s320/IMG_1309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Who knows what we'll see next!Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-54358341035976497332011-05-29T18:53:00.000-04:002011-05-29T18:53:13.497-04:00Man Work!So this past weekend was pretty nice weather wise...there was a threat of rain, but we only got a couple sprinkles. So finally we were able to do some yardwork (demolition) before we put anything new in.<br />
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Remember that awkward looking bush out back?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tWF_XZlaSQp4YmE3dzBNtoHhjgG7UXVAaDxWiLT_31S_2Dc8ZjsxeCaiQgJhz9A7QGlMctkshQGZ91ZoZ4LjbG2vKC4zYCrqAi6X_Pd0BFyULHfQ3UOJRh7v58IPcwQCAwnAPtTJzpY/s1600/IMG_1293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tWF_XZlaSQp4YmE3dzBNtoHhjgG7UXVAaDxWiLT_31S_2Dc8ZjsxeCaiQgJhz9A7QGlMctkshQGZ91ZoZ4LjbG2vKC4zYCrqAi6X_Pd0BFyULHfQ3UOJRh7v58IPcwQCAwnAPtTJzpY/s320/IMG_1293.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Well it finally met its demise :) Now it is waiting to be hauled away...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSxX1dtrTxxJ-946ZSjSilM2n9qgNn_TG4R71Ca_4-9V6B3KBB2dpfm2yOC5gm_lKdW2BXjk9kDDipGjAhqM-AvQT0pSWpaBo9LxwIjYHIEtcraViK0obVyZjPWN4MUZIWsT-HEmanqY/s1600/IMG_1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSxX1dtrTxxJ-946ZSjSilM2n9qgNn_TG4R71Ca_4-9V6B3KBB2dpfm2yOC5gm_lKdW2BXjk9kDDipGjAhqM-AvQT0pSWpaBo9LxwIjYHIEtcraViK0obVyZjPWN4MUZIWsT-HEmanqY/s320/IMG_1293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> And remember that funny looking bush with the shovel holding it up?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OexnKsLBaChG0j-jX5O8TT-TfFkVSCSMxXnELjkiZrR3eK1-Ga4sDTIaUXqdbf1nLJ3I-dglez599u0-8q-MGvaMNzicbF4Z6pttHE7Qzlk-as6G6I9OzmbBhRkbt5k3qtlF32g9948/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OexnKsLBaChG0j-jX5O8TT-TfFkVSCSMxXnELjkiZrR3eK1-Ga4sDTIaUXqdbf1nLJ3I-dglez599u0-8q-MGvaMNzicbF4Z6pttHE7Qzlk-as6G6I9OzmbBhRkbt5k3qtlF32g9948/s320/IMG_1299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Well, this is all that's left of it! One day Robbie decided to take his massive pair of tree clippers to it, and three trashcans later we had its thorny branches contained. Then this weekend we finally were able to dig up the root!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_xCqj1DAI0xA92cbuSo3WKKEZTQ5A4Eqs7DLtAS8y7C7MzXKkP_14k5kjwFHN0GFme_IKKNiN8WOqWO2c5ThQic-ZbCL2hwIFxWdN3jdcompeMsJMkFRCEWqhTOkQo00e2cMUm6nqEY/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_xCqj1DAI0xA92cbuSo3WKKEZTQ5A4Eqs7DLtAS8y7C7MzXKkP_14k5kjwFHN0GFme_IKKNiN8WOqWO2c5ThQic-ZbCL2hwIFxWdN3jdcompeMsJMkFRCEWqhTOkQo00e2cMUm6nqEY/s320/IMG_1294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>But the real "man work" came when my dad decided to bring over his chain saw. There are not many things I have seen him get excited about more so than using his chain saw to chop something down at whatever opportunity he gets :). (Note the safety glasses and gloves - OSHA approved!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmIuJSsJqgsOuei_v_cyqTzbI4nLRLnyj8gULVLOy8M8g7Z5kZXW5Zbdt-6LpVqLdBY3hhyMFWklw5AG_5HjevnRs7yovNGq0XFZYxTwJKjU1WhOIJo4xNrY-9W5BxZDVB_wJclvCrqk/s1600/IMG_1302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmIuJSsJqgsOuei_v_cyqTzbI4nLRLnyj8gULVLOy8M8g7Z5kZXW5Zbdt-6LpVqLdBY3hhyMFWklw5AG_5HjevnRs7yovNGq0XFZYxTwJKjU1WhOIJo4xNrY-9W5BxZDVB_wJclvCrqk/s320/IMG_1302.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Before I managed to make it outside with my camera, they already had one strangled holly tree chopped down and filling trashcans. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWQvMt14OTAegyJtjv4OhbRkG7q47pnrpb0OuLfTz_W2AXBt-To9dr3I93DwF9bKs8rG8qgeZdeLEusTVGTDG_O2J66TEP6n8q1darz2cUaU25T7y2Pnw8CWC5RM4jXUV-7oJmlo5jSk/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWQvMt14OTAegyJtjv4OhbRkG7q47pnrpb0OuLfTz_W2AXBt-To9dr3I93DwF9bKs8rG8qgeZdeLEusTVGTDG_O2J66TEP6n8q1darz2cUaU25T7y2Pnw8CWC5RM4jXUV-7oJmlo5jSk/s320/IMG_1303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxegjXMDncQeKP4yK2usOiAdh6IQbAq7FlPySPpkoX_cQEoIKJM0VS04r6k7YLdHsVTMpOUa1aHHaDOgEX4O0zVPGVqnm_zKi5ZUzx3BMQcpTbMnO0QEGZkbOQxXvUKpM-8htlDEOGfg/s1600/IMG_1304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxegjXMDncQeKP4yK2usOiAdh6IQbAq7FlPySPpkoX_cQEoIKJM0VS04r6k7YLdHsVTMpOUa1aHHaDOgEX4O0zVPGVqnm_zKi5ZUzx3BMQcpTbMnO0QEGZkbOQxXvUKpM-8htlDEOGfg/s320/IMG_1304.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> Then Robbie's turn came with helping make sure the tall one didn't go crashing somewhere it didn't belong!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Oz88Li_f9YDaRRNeW6wJziH7v9tzBp5drBABia35D_psq22Cxs9CAAgEEJ4yWgCtZL53UUJP3cfVoOXkd_VlBkwCAbDc4mvBjLPuQ9JzS_M8SFHqPjM47kq9ynrJc5rmbAetA-85H8U/s1600/IMG_1305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Oz88Li_f9YDaRRNeW6wJziH7v9tzBp5drBABia35D_psq22Cxs9CAAgEEJ4yWgCtZL53UUJP3cfVoOXkd_VlBkwCAbDc4mvBjLPuQ9JzS_M8SFHqPjM47kq9ynrJc5rmbAetA-85H8U/s320/IMG_1305.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> When all was said and done, we were two holly trees shorter, four trashcans fuller, and a few loads of firewood greater for the fall!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiYn2cG-sMASS4jFfbMC-r6BLQZQYjtOHMjSbJX64Xk2qd1ThlFACpM0p15stBcZevbIm1iUOp2hniXMxrP8Wk4r64rPh5f8wfVh-rt3GBo6zTdY1mtbLaQvBp9MsFMyOWBFKmol9x08/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiYn2cG-sMASS4jFfbMC-r6BLQZQYjtOHMjSbJX64Xk2qd1ThlFACpM0p15stBcZevbIm1iUOp2hniXMxrP8Wk4r64rPh5f8wfVh-rt3GBo6zTdY1mtbLaQvBp9MsFMyOWBFKmol9x08/s320/IMG_1307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Fun times in the yard! And more to come! (If you hadn't noticed, our yard is 70% overgrown shrubs, 20% weeds, and maybe 5-10% flowers - but not for long hopefully!)Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-28905371647062968392011-05-15T19:55:00.000-04:002011-05-15T19:55:00.379-04:00And now, for the outside!We have spent quite some time focusing on the interior of our house. At first, it was of necessity, then it was due to the weather! Now that it is finally starting to be nice enough to go outside without a jacket of some sort, and that we have finished most of our major projects inside the house, we turn our attention to the outside of the house.<br />
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And what do we find? Well, we weren't entirely sure what we might see come up during the spring, but one thing is sure - we have a lot of bushes!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuomFZ_xTENyaAjmwmsoE1x3CkG0XzEq76RblXnpzzM3n5MuCLIg8ofkojyuLrU2y3BvGJBGFA34nAdXAiC8kfEFPjVegb08TYlma4otqbRKawDQ3VwKnXH0o9WoYSCIEFJH_0LmgiAOs/s1600/IMG_1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuomFZ_xTENyaAjmwmsoE1x3CkG0XzEq76RblXnpzzM3n5MuCLIg8ofkojyuLrU2y3BvGJBGFA34nAdXAiC8kfEFPjVegb08TYlma4otqbRKawDQ3VwKnXH0o9WoYSCIEFJH_0LmgiAOs/s320/IMG_1297.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the back of our house...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR19VV8rFVF4ZeknoeANSeCv1GUBFOEMaSLjN7r20itwJKTZ_PcjuC4W4BcQMoAV7FLOk9YrhHgdeVBLUY7WA4PIhQ4bOoikndDmYb_Zau1Jp9nO48K761EqXpqsNItb5Yo64JLqmRKUw/s1600/IMG_1300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR19VV8rFVF4ZeknoeANSeCv1GUBFOEMaSLjN7r20itwJKTZ_PcjuC4W4BcQMoAV7FLOk9YrhHgdeVBLUY7WA4PIhQ4bOoikndDmYb_Zau1Jp9nO48K761EqXpqsNItb5Yo64JLqmRKUw/s320/IMG_1300.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the front of our house...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKu3CAKICqFi3HFT_GpQbH5Am2KaG3MFnbuF_mbXE_x73AHDjzhVm3iZ3k-Sj5stcMJ-vd_hsCZmQIEfy-doLTTygHHpSJK5n_V-fhtg3KOYXfmbvb75ab-KIvoMDIx6OefZZVRzGxBRc/s1600/IMG_1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKu3CAKICqFi3HFT_GpQbH5Am2KaG3MFnbuF_mbXE_x73AHDjzhVm3iZ3k-Sj5stcMJ-vd_hsCZmQIEfy-doLTTygHHpSJK5n_V-fhtg3KOYXfmbvb75ab-KIvoMDIx6OefZZVRzGxBRc/s320/IMG_1301.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the side of our house...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Bushes, bushes, everywhere! (No these are not all the bushes surrounding our house - only a sampling!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-u1uqPfNtAIao4QFkgyn5lVYJpe5yezVpoHsYOKZanWFoeSPSvb6UQp57fPA1wCAtj4Hx1YDNWmZ6F3265Y_h_u_ffM2soqJt4R9U6C3q7NVQjHOej38bjxUOrk4TJ6M7HwKak9C0qw/s1600/IMG_1298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-u1uqPfNtAIao4QFkgyn5lVYJpe5yezVpoHsYOKZanWFoeSPSvb6UQp57fPA1wCAtj4Hx1YDNWmZ6F3265Y_h_u_ffM2soqJt4R9U6C3q7NVQjHOej38bjxUOrk4TJ6M7HwKak9C0qw/s320/IMG_1298.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a funny bush on the side of our house...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OexnKsLBaChG0j-jX5O8TT-TfFkVSCSMxXnELjkiZrR3eK1-Ga4sDTIaUXqdbf1nLJ3I-dglez599u0-8q-MGvaMNzicbF4Z6pttHE7Qzlk-as6G6I9OzmbBhRkbt5k3qtlF32g9948/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2OexnKsLBaChG0j-jX5O8TT-TfFkVSCSMxXnELjkiZrR3eK1-Ga4sDTIaUXqdbf1nLJ3I-dglez599u0-8q-MGvaMNzicbF4Z6pttHE7Qzlk-as6G6I9OzmbBhRkbt5k3qtlF32g9948/s320/IMG_1299.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Notice the shovel holding it up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tWF_XZlaSQp4YmE3dzBNtoHhjgG7UXVAaDxWiLT_31S_2Dc8ZjsxeCaiQgJhz9A7QGlMctkshQGZ91ZoZ4LjbG2vKC4zYCrqAi6X_Pd0BFyULHfQ3UOJRh7v58IPcwQCAwnAPtTJzpY/s1600/IMG_1293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tWF_XZlaSQp4YmE3dzBNtoHhjgG7UXVAaDxWiLT_31S_2Dc8ZjsxeCaiQgJhz9A7QGlMctkshQGZ91ZoZ4LjbG2vKC4zYCrqAi6X_Pd0BFyULHfQ3UOJRh7v58IPcwQCAwnAPtTJzpY/s320/IMG_1293.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this pyramid-shaped one is my mom's particular favorite - just an odd little thing on the side of our porch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So in all of this greenery, shrubbery, bushery, it was nice to finally find something that wasn't just a bush. Yes, it is still a bush for most of the year, but for a couple weeks out of the year, it becomes something much more beautiful!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgJGuFOPYuy_baE83byDDzwqLnhLYzrTYvbyiTQeFnKMAs97CeT9RIn8JNxcG5iWMIDab5sAmSPkahsyc90iJsW9v3X62uHzQFfOIHAThH7krZ0eCnsKLsChyDLeBF_BrZEFBdpQ-Fdw/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgJGuFOPYuy_baE83byDDzwqLnhLYzrTYvbyiTQeFnKMAs97CeT9RIn8JNxcG5iWMIDab5sAmSPkahsyc90iJsW9v3X62uHzQFfOIHAThH7krZ0eCnsKLsChyDLeBF_BrZEFBdpQ-Fdw/s320/IMG_1294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaPN8JGsu7gezK8luQU_6MQjGZCq3id4VaGh0hmSGwljYX7iHh5TtJftLp5YdWeAm3QMWAh34REk1eCFLz-NEQuHScTn-VVvIzr6O1oRlnCtCKqnc9zsVhxwxIzQZJRgpo_-FYgSW9J0/s1600/IMG_1295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaPN8JGsu7gezK8luQU_6MQjGZCq3id4VaGh0hmSGwljYX7iHh5TtJftLp5YdWeAm3QMWAh34REk1eCFLz-NEQuHScTn-VVvIzr6O1oRlnCtCKqnc9zsVhxwxIzQZJRgpo_-FYgSW9J0/s320/IMG_1295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8Zluhkl3VXrMBuOfLERAsIQ7dkkPEVzFyNdOjKyTQoz7rZWLM9W2HuLafcaANqV9L0ky1KkaHf9-ryE7R70ODsDUVbSTsU-MRGU1NJCuE3QlsxuzeFfsWIPGN27xY5OxL6kDNXr6xuU/s1600/IMG_1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8Zluhkl3VXrMBuOfLERAsIQ7dkkPEVzFyNdOjKyTQoz7rZWLM9W2HuLafcaANqV9L0ky1KkaHf9-ryE7R70ODsDUVbSTsU-MRGU1NJCuE3QlsxuzeFfsWIPGN27xY5OxL6kDNXr6xuU/s320/IMG_1296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We'll see what else might pop up, but personally I'm waiting for the neighboring rhododendrons to open!Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-51023067150827538752011-05-11T19:34:00.000-04:002011-05-11T19:34:00.597-04:00The last room...We have now officially moved into the last room in our house! It is now one of the places we are most - the family room.<br />
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Originally, we figured we were going to move into this room first. Robbie was quick to tear down the wood paneling wall and almost as quick to put up the drywall. But, one thing led to another, and the room ended up becoming a long term storage room! Finally in October, we were able to get the wall plastered so that we could think about painting it. Remember <a href="http://theschmidtbergersplace.blogspot.com/2010/10/mini-project-2-family-room-plastering.html">this</a>?<br />
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But with all the other things going on in the kitchen, and then the holidays, this room got quite neglected for most of the winter months. Eventually, I got around to picking a paint color (actually two!), we had a friend install some trim (the old stuff was ripped out because it was extremely markered up and had some holes drilled through it), Robbie and I both picked out curtains and rods, and we went to work transferring most of our living room into our family room. The results are below!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hwBpaLnse-Qh6Oaxza-wh0ZONo4EB2ktE95QsDDofr3DYtKI8e-OYcfpFOSfPt3nbER90icQVX4iZLljG3wuNBKyVX7F56JVpTFxUzKnGeaJYn9EB4TPRWtir-7LoXmseE3EUI7ABnw/s1600/IMG_1279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hwBpaLnse-Qh6Oaxza-wh0ZONo4EB2ktE95QsDDofr3DYtKI8e-OYcfpFOSfPt3nbER90icQVX4iZLljG3wuNBKyVX7F56JVpTFxUzKnGeaJYn9EB4TPRWtir-7LoXmseE3EUI7ABnw/s320/IMG_1279.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We just moved our furniture downstairs (hopefully we'll get new stuff for upstairs) and the wall hanging was a wedding gift!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ijq266pdehfPRdg8ig0U2C_myoZtanUF9mFpZndjX5cJdozM6jSPpR7F1zm1p5JP4B6JU_98Lof0zZyKungnLaEcoy46eA9Rx1Y1D319OldhjSQyetso9INF4kOozRx7_PEpr1KYN3E/s1600/IMG_1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ijq266pdehfPRdg8ig0U2C_myoZtanUF9mFpZndjX5cJdozM6jSPpR7F1zm1p5JP4B6JU_98Lof0zZyKungnLaEcoy46eA9Rx1Y1D319OldhjSQyetso9INF4kOozRx7_PEpr1KYN3E/s320/IMG_1280.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the flowers spread all over the window - this one gets the best sun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXuOKhHR4yMqpC_msQQwsYDrlIvf8qZ2PbrO8HCSL1c0vsxoDgQUsca9tO9yxngc-QUV-1fkbK7MRCjaEBblOeLAd70ndZyuWr6cw51K8i87Y37fk3uDGiG_pItRj7S4wIKs1oCQ2y6s/s1600/IMG_1282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXuOKhHR4yMqpC_msQQwsYDrlIvf8qZ2PbrO8HCSL1c0vsxoDgQUsca9tO9yxngc-QUV-1fkbK7MRCjaEBblOeLAd70ndZyuWr6cw51K8i87Y37fk3uDGiG_pItRj7S4wIKs1oCQ2y6s/s320/IMG_1282.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, we went bold with a bright blue wall! No it's not going to stay bare like this! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We're hoping to find some type of entertainment stand to replace this one, which has come a long way with me through college and everything else! We haven't fully moved everything down yet either, simply because we don't have any tables to replace them with upstairs. But soon enough, it will all come together!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So after quite a long wait, we are finally (mostly) moved into the last room in our house! It feels good to be using all the rooms as we thought we would. Now just to organize everything!Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-15645948538253543682011-05-07T16:41:00.000-04:002011-05-07T16:41:09.049-04:00Three Years Ago...I said "I do" to a tall, handsome, Irishman. He was just (barely) out of college, I was getting situated with my job, and we moved into a small (almost closet-sized) apartment in Murrysville. Those of you that visited us there, know that we weren't exaggerating - in fact, the apartment was actually a storage closet prior to being converted into an apartment!<br />
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Thankfully, we were only in that apartment for 2 months before we moved into a 2-bedroom, fairly spacious apartment in another building of the same complex. We could actually fit a bed set into the bedroom (before only a mattress would fit), a couch into the living room (before we only had a few chairs), and enjoyed a separate dining area from the kitchen (before it was all in one 'room').<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7tOlVH3mvQJwQTfblD_3qpvcRsQedeNwy5yC7hCfpaNpQrnzpe3nDu7RzU28fGXQXSMxlMfFw0Pbeh7vKHHerwt0ebA0A5ELUKSSFxbokqrG0tV8gRgcGdl7C6zo1ffEw6XKVx8FRmo/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7tOlVH3mvQJwQTfblD_3qpvcRsQedeNwy5yC7hCfpaNpQrnzpe3nDu7RzU28fGXQXSMxlMfFw0Pbeh7vKHHerwt0ebA0A5ELUKSSFxbokqrG0tV8gRgcGdl7C6zo1ffEw6XKVx8FRmo/s320/IMG_1292.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;">Two years ago, we were fully settled into our 2-bedroom apartment, and had bought our first car together. Robbie was finishing his first year of teaching, I was very settled in my job and tackling a Masters degree in the evenings. Around our first anniversary, we still had not received our wedding pictures and discovered much to our dismay that our photographer had conveniently gone bankrupt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Unsure if we would ever get our wedding pictures back, we had a friend come out and take some updated pictures of us together in the Oakland area. The pictures were great (see the left picture below), and thankfully after some legal involvement were able to retrieve our original wedding pictures as well (see the right picture below).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHp5CwDQF-lwjjulbrH0eiDHN_znI0AkXHEylkLNa3dOyX983etmrX76uAZ0rs4IPKps_G5k6QOLe7EdQMMBtliQrX9Hp40Uz7jP8drwDuAVWuyYGUep2p3tXR7F8r_sx8h9fuvLo_2k/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHp5CwDQF-lwjjulbrH0eiDHN_znI0AkXHEylkLNa3dOyX983etmrX76uAZ0rs4IPKps_G5k6QOLe7EdQMMBtliQrX9Hp40Uz7jP8drwDuAVWuyYGUep2p3tXR7F8r_sx8h9fuvLo_2k/s320/IMG_1289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
One year ago, we decided that the time was right to look for a house, and after I completed my Masters degree in March, we spent the entire month of April searching for just the right place in time to qualify for the homebuyer's tax credit. Robbie was now in seminary part-time taking evening classes, so I really wonder how we squeezed in seeing so many houses in such a short amount of time.<br />
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As Robbie will tell you, my first impression of our house was not a good one - everything was old, dirty and in some instances just plain gross, and I had a really hard time seeing beyond the filth and work it would take to make it feel like a home. Thankfully (and providentially), there really weren't any other houses that were really drawing me, and our time was running out. We took a second trip to the house with my parents this time and decided that there was a lot of good in the house under all of the "bad", and it would just be a work in progress for the next few months.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCW1bO_zmqTMS_u5TgmZRx9poGlTO9EAu5w3IV_Ae6P0qP2D0Mw3ZufmIMzISMAic45REIAhHVIh7gzq5nWTrHk1mCB7DgOivFKpZqkJCLhQcudtnw_5BzqRFA_XWDqPkxcAV3RcSulmM/s1600/IMG_1286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCW1bO_zmqTMS_u5TgmZRx9poGlTO9EAu5w3IV_Ae6P0qP2D0Mw3ZufmIMzISMAic45REIAhHVIh7gzq5nWTrHk1mCB7DgOivFKpZqkJCLhQcudtnw_5BzqRFA_XWDqPkxcAV3RcSulmM/s320/IMG_1286.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Well, as you may have seen from the series of blog posts, this project has lasted a lot longer than a few months :) . But on the whole it has been a good experience and made us appreciate what we have now more fully (it also makes me want to stay here a very long time --- so we don't have to go through that again!).<br />
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Now that we have been married three years and owned our house for almost one year, I am finally feeling quite settled. Although we have things we will continue to work on with the house, both inside and out, the vast majority of the house is furnished, unpacked, and settled into like it should be. Now I am looking forward to enjoying a summer here without having to be stuck inside painting and cleaning! I am looking forward to spending more time at our house with family and friends - so please, come over and join us sometime! If you're in the neighborhood, come see if we are there - we'd be glad to have you. :)Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-37631140931699316692011-04-25T21:29:00.000-04:002011-04-25T21:29:09.102-04:00On the Road (Blog) Again!Yes, I am alive, if any of you were wondering. No, we actually didn't stop doing home improvements, but we combined them with so many other things that I haven't had a chance to write a cohesive thought lately! :)<br />
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The house is actually coming along quite well and starting to really feel like our house --- finally! I believe that is a combination of (finally) moving into all of our rooms, (finally) unpacking (almost) every box, and (finally) hanging some things on the walls. Not to worry, for those of you who are thinking - it's been almost a year! - this is actually quicker than what it took me to hang curtains and fully decorate my 2-bedroom apartment!<br />
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So, for those of you who haven't been to our house lately (which is pretty much everyone, thanks to our crazy weekday and weekend schedule), here's a bit about what we've been up to in our living room:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW528iAUTMzC0QlWsdhzmB_EfNXThQ_z4jG_CWPejM2kGFmr1pc4Mqx50WeiHaod_uwtHJlX2KZXiKYAPj7U9OFEyXWhBxWudzSPUVzEKexAHSlpnSqa2EvFOKNLFflVHfTeOED0T7n0Y/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW528iAUTMzC0QlWsdhzmB_EfNXThQ_z4jG_CWPejM2kGFmr1pc4Mqx50WeiHaod_uwtHJlX2KZXiKYAPj7U9OFEyXWhBxWudzSPUVzEKexAHSlpnSqa2EvFOKNLFflVHfTeOED0T7n0Y/s320/IMG_1270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The newest edition to our living room is this rusty red sectional. Since we both enjoy to spread out and relax after the day's work, this was just perfect to fit both of us comfortably in the reclining position :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqAiw75Cwhakz1FoUmTo-_WrqeWrTroVYYzUi1HCz_lnjUm2CgF-ZMJmJPbqEvyfU_XiHknVLa_eh2K1nn5SXc4q7q_dHyKGy5nw2lt2khOurk1zkO1lOXGbJ1kDmY7QUSowp-UIXBws/s1600/IMG_1271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqAiw75Cwhakz1FoUmTo-_WrqeWrTroVYYzUi1HCz_lnjUm2CgF-ZMJmJPbqEvyfU_XiHknVLa_eh2K1nn5SXc4q7q_dHyKGy5nw2lt2khOurk1zkO1lOXGbJ1kDmY7QUSowp-UIXBws/s320/IMG_1271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
For awhile (until we finished the family room) we had this sectional in the living room - in addition to the other furniture (a couch, coffee table, 2 end tables and a large rocking great chair). But eventually the family room was finished and so the old furniture got moved down there. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPEMfS4wGrreQo-hhMNmEMf7tVCSkHSP9NRKoho5AjoSxt8n2Wb7IqrjDudp-RCq8U1lg5PCR7_DFFG71ayBknQmF1Y5BPsYhwoYaEUWZQMoDZGsnr-o2qOQHsco355OKrvoQn62Wkcs/s1600/IMG_1272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPEMfS4wGrreQo-hhMNmEMf7tVCSkHSP9NRKoho5AjoSxt8n2Wb7IqrjDudp-RCq8U1lg5PCR7_DFFG71ayBknQmF1Y5BPsYhwoYaEUWZQMoDZGsnr-o2qOQHsco355OKrvoQn62Wkcs/s320/IMG_1272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now we definitely still have some space to fill since the room is so big, but we're still deciding on what should accompany the sectional, and where to find it. In the meantime, the room looks big and open again - much like it did when we first moved in. But not to worry, it's high on both our lists to get it finished soon!<br />
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Next step for this room is also some curtains! My hubby has been desperately wanting them for a looooong while, so as soon as we pick the rest of the colors for the room/furniture, that's my next task!Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-10525295756664932062011-03-05T17:56:00.000-05:002011-03-05T17:56:03.258-05:00Pictures on the wall!I believe I have mentioned this before, but it takes me quite some time to figure out what room I want pictures to be hung, and then where! Well, today I decided it was time to stop thinking and start doing! (I tend to over think these things when really I can change them whenever with a little work - probably less work than it's been taking to put them up in the first place!)<br />
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Well, a couple weeks ago I took a survey of where I should hang pictures in our kitchen, and today we finally managed to get them hung. So here's the finished product! (Looks a lot better without us standing in the way of the pictures hehe.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6LSjsApWP9hey_75c2uxkVEa09Mt-peb-VthyphenhyphentVgK8MD3E7YlVqWfPbOo_QjqLb2H-_0Jptj2yFtLaCcgX8KERn2nr8g1mvIxdpRBqnUUodmobwkIO9mnVg5aSMmORFFPmXbVs5Gnx8/s1600/IMG_1170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6LSjsApWP9hey_75c2uxkVEa09Mt-peb-VthyphenhyphentVgK8MD3E7YlVqWfPbOo_QjqLb2H-_0Jptj2yFtLaCcgX8KERn2nr8g1mvIxdpRBqnUUodmobwkIO9mnVg5aSMmORFFPmXbVs5Gnx8/s320/IMG_1170.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6JI627gpO2aZ1AkiAq6ZRM3fqPU1Moi9c7b66YXBwonMNMKRRFuqSm1J290tntGReCiCIn0gvej2sCjxe4kBf-T6B9lmsYjB8f5TrDL6eXrWvBGRYbZVNSi7_6L5SjCDLfWDWPYFcPA/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6JI627gpO2aZ1AkiAq6ZRM3fqPU1Moi9c7b66YXBwonMNMKRRFuqSm1J290tntGReCiCIn0gvej2sCjxe4kBf-T6B9lmsYjB8f5TrDL6eXrWvBGRYbZVNSi7_6L5SjCDLfWDWPYFcPA/s320/IMG_1176.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The vertical votes won, and I agreed - it just went better with the rest of the kitchen layout.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Not today, but we also hung some pictures in our dining room that we had for several months and were just waiting to find a hutch to match our oak table. Well, thanks to craigs list, we did indeed find one that was reasonably priced, matched, and just the right size for what we needed!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB2ezcUnhyphenhyphen0kdweX_eoHxjnAtujHLW09LP2UkPepqKqv-m4NzmSN9xG43y1ItguQ3BGznnuG6jShiSurzTLlVKYGU74EkZXV8IN4h_ucf4rH73bGfu7wbnnnjlGGa9MMfyUnEa2Zp-uY/s1600/IMG_1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB2ezcUnhyphenhyphen0kdweX_eoHxjnAtujHLW09LP2UkPepqKqv-m4NzmSN9xG43y1ItguQ3BGznnuG6jShiSurzTLlVKYGU74EkZXV8IN4h_ucf4rH73bGfu7wbnnnjlGGa9MMfyUnEa2Zp-uY/s320/IMG_1172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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After we got it put back together (hutch separates from buffet) and got our dishes in there, we decided to complete the room with these fun pictures from Kohls! You can't exactly tell in this picture, but the grays in the paintings matched perfectly with the dining and kitchen gray colors. Woohoo! Definitely better than boxes and college wire stackable cabinets! ;)<br />
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Now if only I could get the other rooms in order! Hopefully we'll be having some trim work done in our family room soon so then we can move all the furniture in, and finally get "fully" settled into our rooms. Happy Saturday!Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-11794234316146411482011-03-01T21:46:00.000-05:002011-03-01T21:46:51.793-05:00Snowmaggeddon...again!In light of our little burst of Snowmageddon last week, and despite the fact that today is the 1st day of March :), I thought it was appropriate to revisit the craziness of 2010's snowstorm. I might add that if the burst of snow we had last week had continued for as long as it did last year, we would have had even more snow than we did last year!<br />
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Thankfully I was not working in Cranberry that day last week, for many people waited over 2 hours just to get out of the parking lot, and some never made it home that night! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgRFyC7nPjUh9UUw1fRhkj02n7pJ4GOENzoFaGxbznIM89qdJtaZ4Xhmx6rX95WFPPWfUWJU4aCqQR5i58S26aXoqfKEhh1ujhz1ZPQxHpgPuuW4q3bMUZ9TyRzA0IXZ2d7nB1EW9udg/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgRFyC7nPjUh9UUw1fRhkj02n7pJ4GOENzoFaGxbznIM89qdJtaZ4Xhmx6rX95WFPPWfUWJU4aCqQR5i58S26aXoqfKEhh1ujhz1ZPQxHpgPuuW4q3bMUZ9TyRzA0IXZ2d7nB1EW9udg/s320/IMG_0712.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of our apartment complex, after the snow hit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PTlzV-BsXGFCbG4Xr71qDUlYESSRd2Wu4biv-HFvDndiyOovpT-CM80l84E18vOwdtOfQs76woIYk7ByIhC9eJ47XtvyrCsAgLpHaIdAZ8lr8A4gqNSDZrXbe7bZsUAYs3Av6ZfKfOs/s1600/IMG_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PTlzV-BsXGFCbG4Xr71qDUlYESSRd2Wu4biv-HFvDndiyOovpT-CM80l84E18vOwdtOfQs76woIYk7ByIhC9eJ47XtvyrCsAgLpHaIdAZ8lr8A4gqNSDZrXbe7bZsUAYs3Av6ZfKfOs/s320/IMG_0713.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"After" the snow plow came through ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to dig our truck out of the snow...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Fxg-RulORwOIDjc0lIUaqaVo5dwieaDmOp3zlQVCAm6n36tTLfRJJ6-PXe21xeIG1SykizKJue-_sYf7ppg2Q5CkLk7y-EWEf7D5nLIFMuVqhwDlhlfka4obeq50fuctbdVon5jhVQs/s1600/IMG_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Fxg-RulORwOIDjc0lIUaqaVo5dwieaDmOp3zlQVCAm6n36tTLfRJJ6-PXe21xeIG1SykizKJue-_sYf7ppg2Q5CkLk7y-EWEf7D5nLIFMuVqhwDlhlfka4obeq50fuctbdVon5jhVQs/s320/IMG_0722.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Still trying...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOdZLcX0m-XZ_QCc7G8OTlwtmK2iv5GuOXDKZ9Jz-xs8mUsX5w5ONNEzle6iG53BSJdnQGO4geiwvbXNAzYGQkvm1OUaot4mBdZPDjn0OgTVtunDOijHFRae0Q1s01Xwo9NW8Cy-wZaI/s1600/IMG_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOdZLcX0m-XZ_QCc7G8OTlwtmK2iv5GuOXDKZ9Jz-xs8mUsX5w5ONNEzle6iG53BSJdnQGO4geiwvbXNAzYGQkvm1OUaot4mBdZPDjn0OgTVtunDOijHFRae0Q1s01Xwo9NW8Cy-wZaI/s320/IMG_0723.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Then, trying to find the car!</td></tr>
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I'm still amazed by how much snow we had, and now that we have a house, really really glad we have a 2 car garage and a short driveway - plus a Robbie-sized shovel! :)<br />
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Hope your first day of March looked nothing like this! <br />
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</a></div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-44857524382551255072011-02-21T20:35:00.000-05:002011-02-21T20:35:55.351-05:00Beating the Winter Blues...with Color!Last week was pretty lovely. Most of the snow melted, the sun came out, the sky was blue, and things were looking up.<br />
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This morning was pretty dreary. The sun was gone, the warmth was gone, and in its place was cold and rain. This afternoon the snow started. Thankfully I made it home safely through the frozen ice pellets, freezing rain, and finally snow - despite the treacherous roadways that looked suspiciously unsalted!<br />
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Now, after about 4 hours of snow, here is what is staring at me out the window (besides the snow plow that barrells through every hour or so):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Vi8yXdXnAxNfka0MX2xcJIQ_9TffJfFKat-MFR9UseQPyI9qpHLCx4JOgxkbHwWFISPz5VFB80uBSqpuh3gnKQiUWmY_eiM0pHpLQqTYm_7TpLv_WywKTs4nqYNmorqCkvJWwRl4VBU/s1600/IMG_1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Vi8yXdXnAxNfka0MX2xcJIQ_9TffJfFKat-MFR9UseQPyI9qpHLCx4JOgxkbHwWFISPz5VFB80uBSqpuh3gnKQiUWmY_eiM0pHpLQqTYm_7TpLv_WywKTs4nqYNmorqCkvJWwRl4VBU/s320/IMG_1148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So peaceful, so quiet...yet so threatening! So colorless, too! So despite the work it takes to keep my plants alive, they are just a little source of happiness as I water them everyday (or as much as I remember!) ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxTE4yUkTmbdP4ZyAbTl5lxUrgcC4lw5Ej6xqVr8GSYkI0tz-CoBcgon9n6bwfk9Ti7RoMMuL8OuJghd2ORJ6UEb7FYkhLqsGzOBFVe0AmgFKA9BKrQFbRUbADGwWJ0cPL_giM-0e-uE/s1600/IMG_1144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxTE4yUkTmbdP4ZyAbTl5lxUrgcC4lw5Ej6xqVr8GSYkI0tz-CoBcgon9n6bwfk9Ti7RoMMuL8OuJghd2ORJ6UEb7FYkhLqsGzOBFVe0AmgFKA9BKrQFbRUbADGwWJ0cPL_giM-0e-uE/s320/IMG_1144.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the longest surviving plant I currently have - a Christmas Cactus. After I presumed it dead last year and was going to throw it out, my mom nursed it back to health and it has been blooming several times this Christmas!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPfOsq8ftUd1NTZWkqfadFtrA3LNFQz5xL-AZEk4CYdmOJTi1kA3k1oR5oefFfDPJLGFuivVlvQxc4zh4FZoEQ-YH68Xyw_qUOM6Q5qh8CpJpYMJ2ym8cz1xQCrLtCGS0KTlzu__5dTg/s1600/IMG_1145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPfOsq8ftUd1NTZWkqfadFtrA3LNFQz5xL-AZEk4CYdmOJTi1kA3k1oR5oefFfDPJLGFuivVlvQxc4zh4FZoEQ-YH68Xyw_qUOM6Q5qh8CpJpYMJ2ym8cz1xQCrLtCGS0KTlzu__5dTg/s320/IMG_1145.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly as it may sound, I've actually wanted a legit cactus for a long time. One of Robbie's students gave him this as a present this year, so now I have at least one thing I really can't kill!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNHYa0sVFaMTnioYeOsjD2vcnMUyfmuS2eceXEUaug0Nj2hn7gLAIsWgkoVr49pRWYJAUsUB1Drqyd_znZd9oNU_9PvF6AvJ15DiXsw8XY2lJiTAcRKT4uDpjjUhR56dSd5DPFq2AnfA/s1600/IMG_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNHYa0sVFaMTnioYeOsjD2vcnMUyfmuS2eceXEUaug0Nj2hn7gLAIsWgkoVr49pRWYJAUsUB1Drqyd_znZd9oNU_9PvF6AvJ15DiXsw8XY2lJiTAcRKT4uDpjjUhR56dSd5DPFq2AnfA/s320/IMG_1147.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't buy a poinsettia this year because we were out of town for the holidays (even though we did put up a tree!), but after Christmas my grandparents brought it over to keep while they headed south for the winter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSXwU4AVYZkbyETzqz2E_RjYvGvcHdONKU3smTjJlAKHBsOhlWpyWXCDWX_0EAW6nL5ODzUQpaca3DDFqZzoAy-J_lFvSkm2UPyynbLrBIJsGB7_gZmcc0sWJ16wai9AxELFfB1d7t7Y/s1600/IMG_1150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSXwU4AVYZkbyETzqz2E_RjYvGvcHdONKU3smTjJlAKHBsOhlWpyWXCDWX_0EAW6nL5ODzUQpaca3DDFqZzoAy-J_lFvSkm2UPyynbLrBIJsGB7_gZmcc0sWJ16wai9AxELFfB1d7t7Y/s320/IMG_1150.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another strong plant, this one was killed once after it bloomed in the summer, but is making a nice mid-winter comeback in my front window where it gets lots of sun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KIGqHQQAjg8BKmmHACLo0SD0exkqXQlxDwzdyCoLEznU4Mu2DWExvYOEdvSGFrfynOTr4eE3oXUMke4Z84en7_ww6a3Hcom59417ZM_lDxWO7zSEOllFTH9l8r3V1F3Bv0G-WEjddPw/s1600/IMG_1151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KIGqHQQAjg8BKmmHACLo0SD0exkqXQlxDwzdyCoLEznU4Mu2DWExvYOEdvSGFrfynOTr4eE3oXUMke4Z84en7_ww6a3Hcom59417ZM_lDxWO7zSEOllFTH9l8r3V1F3Bv0G-WEjddPw/s320/IMG_1151.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally, the newest edition to the plants in my house, this primrose is very particular. One day I came in to find all the flowers drooping like they were dead, but with a little water and a couple hours, they were back up and back to normal (as long as I remember to water daily) !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Feeling the winter blues? Find yourself a little piece of life and color to perk up those blah winter days!Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-51962512623088729822011-02-15T21:00:00.000-05:002011-02-15T21:00:19.084-05:00You know you're bored when... :-)I really have no reason to be bored...I really have no time to be bored! It's not like I'm sitting here, doing nothing, but at the moment I do not have a focused task that <i>has</i> to be completed tonight, and I'm pretty drained from an intense day of teaching, <i>but</i> silly me still needs to feel productive, so in between laundry loads, what's a girl to do?<br />
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(Those of you who are wondering, why not just relax on the couch? need to realize that in my messed up head, being productive around the house is relaxing --- to a certain extent. I definitely take a break on Friday nights and crash on the couch with a movie if I can, but hey - it's only Tuesday!)<br />
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So the clue to me that I'm really bored (or just plain procrastinating on everything else!) is that I think it's a good time to pull out the cross-stitch. ..."Cross-stitch!?" you say, "What's that?" You know, that thing most all women used to do 'a hundred years ago' in their spare time, that involves a creative type of sewing for fun.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVXJio6mz_1FjNRfxTtjmSUXj2lHLYzmLCxsW1peejYCVfYzydGq1EZ3FK88x1CE_naN75y16bVhi8icumdhW8idgtMr_t50gh038q5gxDTDKHbTDPoU9MN-InNh3P6dhI5qUKioQz-c/s1600/IMG_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVXJio6mz_1FjNRfxTtjmSUXj2lHLYzmLCxsW1peejYCVfYzydGq1EZ3FK88x1CE_naN75y16bVhi8icumdhW8idgtMr_t50gh038q5gxDTDKHbTDPoU9MN-InNh3P6dhI5qUKioQz-c/s320/IMG_1144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This project was actually supposed to be in a plant (the pieces should be wired together and stuck on a plant stake - not sure why I or anyone else thought that would be a good idea!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This activity is just perfect for the high-strung person like me who needs to feel productive while sitting still. Usually it comes out on long car rides or when I know I'm going somewhere there isn't internet (hmm...that doesn't happen anymore for us Blackberry people!). This also may be why I have actually finished very few projects ;-) .<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyT77gr6v0fyDsp9hamGiZXF0QsGIbRdLFUEeaSYabQaNk3xkDf6dyiOnw75eI_QviTxxxJE3fDxfuHeYXUCGv5IejvpZc6rfY8pxVRaNJDtAaEIp_tuG9PrEo0JdVEsLoeYKlaN1Riw/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyT77gr6v0fyDsp9hamGiZXF0QsGIbRdLFUEeaSYabQaNk3xkDf6dyiOnw75eI_QviTxxxJE3fDxfuHeYXUCGv5IejvpZc6rfY8pxVRaNJDtAaEIp_tuG9PrEo0JdVEsLoeYKlaN1Riw/s320/IMG_1142.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Four napkin rings (this is the only one that got started!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>All the projects have been abandoned (for the most part) since before I was able to drive. However, one project in particular I have been working on off and on since then. It is also the largest project I undertook, consisting of the cartoon character Tigger jumping on Winnie the Pooh. You can see where I am right now below!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6qbCGdEM744XF_fNzrA6GLaaWp9F-EB6ymIuKu93niVwDAUrsi0ZflzrJgZdzjxtpUNCDsSRZgTw9TrcmUADKI9p-LP8JH4cxovfh9nFAsumnAgdzNf0zlVcv6be_AvtgzrTGcx92cs/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6qbCGdEM744XF_fNzrA6GLaaWp9F-EB6ymIuKu93niVwDAUrsi0ZflzrJgZdzjxtpUNCDsSRZgTw9TrcmUADKI9p-LP8JH4cxovfh9nFAsumnAgdzNf0zlVcv6be_AvtgzrTGcx92cs/s320/IMG_1141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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The way I see it, I'll be very lucky to have this project completed by the time we have kids to appreciate it! Haha - I guess that's a step better than my mom, who finally gave my sister her cross-stitched birth announcement when she graduated from high school! (The thing to understand here is that my sister really thought she was getting second fiddle because I had one and she didn't...)<br />
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So, now that I've shared my own little boredom idiosyncrasy(!), I want to know what yours is! What do you do when you're really bored? How do you know you've reached the ultimate in boredness? ;-)<br />
Can't wait to find out!Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-38278058054873674772011-02-07T15:04:00.000-05:002011-02-07T19:12:03.070-05:00A Nicer Light to the Outside World - Windows!Some of you may have noticed from the initial pictures of our house, or perhaps if you have visited our house, that the windows (like everything else) were original to the house, and some of them in quite a state of disrepair (i.e. picture below).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6Gh-4pF0fYwfn7EQbtIBBrE3XyITfrV47crfZQeCA2L8OFKF1mqStObjpdZenlpQ91OCyMFOtE3ZMA0vT2lmGj_9Mb-TQRldc5e-x3eIzeJY8OIKkm7D0m-q6uieuG5K8CL9oJ47zCo/s1600/IMG_3808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6Gh-4pF0fYwfn7EQbtIBBrE3XyITfrV47crfZQeCA2L8OFKF1mqStObjpdZenlpQ91OCyMFOtE3ZMA0vT2lmGj_9Mb-TQRldc5e-x3eIzeJY8OIKkm7D0m-q6uieuG5K8CL9oJ47zCo/s320/IMG_3808.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This one was my (least) favorite. Both bedrooms were equipped with window air conditioners permanently, such that there was no window pane to put back in the window if you took them out. This one was not even sealed very well, so soon after moving into the house we decided to make the best of it by duct taping all around the window and A/C unit in hopes to reduce the amount of air escaping or coming in. Still, the rooms didn't cool or heat very well, and we knew we needed to replace them soon.<br />
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So we decided to take the plunge and replace a few really bad windows this fall, and wait on the rest until spring. Well, with the kitchen taking so long and us not entirely having our act together, we didn't get the windows ordered until November. It shouldn't have been a problem to get them installed before the end of the year, as we usually have fairly good weather through December, but not this year!<br />
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We were hoping to take advantage of the little we had left to claim on the energy rebates / tax credits, but when we left for Ireland on Christmas day, we had little hope that it would happen. BUT, thanks to a last minute heat wave and our SUPER window installer, we were able to get them in on Dec. 30 & 31! Whew - that was close! :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE7PC7CWpPW2F4U8p31oWgKxmXz7LXRRzGQU6wedEhZkgFRKoZeQeWUTBIcQ45UpiOTHbajQ43sTmhrNNFtTdyJx3sWckkE_xu7T5saEb4X5Y1maKt1RsgnDwu4wUnKlnul07wQtmmrs/s1600/IMG_1117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwE7PC7CWpPW2F4U8p31oWgKxmXz7LXRRzGQU6wedEhZkgFRKoZeQeWUTBIcQ45UpiOTHbajQ43sTmhrNNFtTdyJx3sWckkE_xu7T5saEb4X5Y1maKt1RsgnDwu4wUnKlnul07wQtmmrs/s320/IMG_1117.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This window lives in our family room on the first floor, which is still "under construction"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
So now we have 5 nice new beautiful windows, and it really is funny how much a difference it makes (to me) looking outside! They are a lot cleaner than the old ones obviously, but I also like the crisp white instead of the dull aluminum gray.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiLe8oR5jPGiGG46ois7gqAw_MhvfCm09T5ybLr2Vm4Qpo8on5XZwWXfBqy9F_eLFlqHa5G1QcyrZnEa2z-ms3ZMRr7p_LRydTdAPtA0xLpfGw98d8VSGY2BFzPnh_UhUYvy1rxfUH1A/s1600/IMG_1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiLe8oR5jPGiGG46ois7gqAw_MhvfCm09T5ybLr2Vm4Qpo8on5XZwWXfBqy9F_eLFlqHa5G1QcyrZnEa2z-ms3ZMRr7p_LRydTdAPtA0xLpfGw98d8VSGY2BFzPnh_UhUYvy1rxfUH1A/s320/IMG_1118.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This window resides in the "purple room" or my office :) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now we can't wait to get the rest of the windows done, especially since we have only one new window on the front of the house (looks a little silly, but oh well - it will hopefully be fixed in a few months).Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-40220873870211802652011-01-16T17:13:00.000-05:002011-01-16T17:13:36.720-05:00Starting to Decorate - Finally!So I have a confession to make - I'm a little bit obsessive when it comes to order (this is probably no surprise to those that know me well). We have been in the house for about six months now, and I just had Robbie hang up the first pictures on a wall last week. I guess it had something to do with the fact that I didn't want a bunch of holes in my walls if they weren't going to stay there for awhile, but this can also lead to (a LOT) of indecision about where to hang things.<br />
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Another aspect to the lack of permanent decorations is that we're still planning to completely move the living room furniture into the family room after it's done, so we're really not sure where everything's going to end up. I should probably just acknowledge the fact that pretty much anything can be fixed with putty and paint, but that would be too easy... ;) <br />
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So I was finally going to jump into it for Christmas decorations and put some stuff on the walls, but I then decided that this year I'd just utilize the nails in the doors and hang stuff there until I really decided what to do with everything. <br />
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In light of all that, you'll now understand why I need your help on this very big, important decision ;) - Which way should I hang these pictures?!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1I4L7KmBihpMAz4SEcEltsHcCpiTJRM3cDi3j4Qt4AlH3xmXIgiylxI1MZ30-4lZcsMU0Cz4dXeCH-n3LV3JeMhDY6Nj2992Nb87udlBmyWuu7EFCwGk0fx5-w_KJMBBjKs83llQbNs/s1600/IMG_1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1I4L7KmBihpMAz4SEcEltsHcCpiTJRM3cDi3j4Qt4AlH3xmXIgiylxI1MZ30-4lZcsMU0Cz4dXeCH-n3LV3JeMhDY6Nj2992Nb87udlBmyWuu7EFCwGk0fx5-w_KJMBBjKs83llQbNs/s320/IMG_1059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie8y-Wais5qmfo4Yy2DDSg0XeEjvIjdUokqkoo5aSOttCkicjw7Pt0dw3gaDhZtZQcemn2JNrvSvbQ-VnXNLUMe-sKCp52F-WCyna2ru7flFrsybZ-kiITBLf6qb2HniJqIaVJG32tO8/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie8y-Wais5qmfo4Yy2DDSg0XeEjvIjdUokqkoo5aSOttCkicjw7Pt0dw3gaDhZtZQcemn2JNrvSvbQ-VnXNLUMe-sKCp52F-WCyna2ru7flFrsybZ-kiITBLf6qb2HniJqIaVJG32tO8/s320/IMG_1060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Technically, they can be hung either way - there is no "right" or "wrong" way as far as the pattern goes. But I'm not quite sure which way looks better with the rest of the kitchen & bar area. For example, if they are hung horizontally (above), will they clash or come too close to the bar light fixtures (also red)? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_072koEObc7jNCkbzrOjPp09yVhVM16eamIX-mhVv_YrDxluPl9Ax6jMwM3KN43iAye_D7hYRNDN2dRFZQE7sJfKNGTPFu5sGWv4dJ99u2Jxt0Dco4s4FJ7xtRwT1GwXWwrPN8SLyqY/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_072koEObc7jNCkbzrOjPp09yVhVM16eamIX-mhVv_YrDxluPl9Ax6jMwM3KN43iAye_D7hYRNDN2dRFZQE7sJfKNGTPFu5sGWv4dJ99u2Jxt0Dco4s4FJ7xtRwT1GwXWwrPN8SLyqY/s320/IMG_1061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-uP7Nqk9Py-aDc_IJkX61V4Ju4bkNczjC0AwvI9nV2qjKJvFsG3UogpVZJhqZy7srwg6nc5zBqfXjBwcUAOtzP8o_IDXlE394WvBey0n1yIJsNlnzjf4bC-L-EoczMucY5Vl2ZpaQis/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-uP7Nqk9Py-aDc_IJkX61V4Ju4bkNczjC0AwvI9nV2qjKJvFsG3UogpVZJhqZy7srwg6nc5zBqfXjBwcUAOtzP8o_IDXlE394WvBey0n1yIJsNlnzjf4bC-L-EoczMucY5Vl2ZpaQis/s320/IMG_1062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
But if they are hung vertically, does it seem unbalanced on the wall, being so much on the right and not anything on the left?<br />
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So you see my dilemma :) - now please help! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think is the best way, if it doesn't matter, or if you think I'm crazy! Thanks!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-60024359482756965232011-01-12T17:29:00.000-05:002011-01-12T17:29:00.465-05:00Ireland - Part 2!I thought I'd give you a little more about our trip to Ireland over the holidays before taking up the home improvement adventures again! One day a few of us were able to go explore the city closest to us - Londonderry, or Derry, as some refer to it! (More on this later)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb51Bw92dOt4Hcc3gfoUxNL7PgGJWU-k74izx6vA-cPzn_qLHysCkwfN_FTsOq8xm0k2eqhn8_vd-QQiwzhgPJDll_qJTGAbOAIFhOVaBaYYW7eTqNUSoBivPCzuA6VkmUnQJ0MB7I-lU/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb51Bw92dOt4Hcc3gfoUxNL7PgGJWU-k74izx6vA-cPzn_qLHysCkwfN_FTsOq8xm0k2eqhn8_vd-QQiwzhgPJDll_qJTGAbOAIFhOVaBaYYW7eTqNUSoBivPCzuA6VkmUnQJ0MB7I-lU/s320/IMG_1098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Londonderry is known as "The Walled City" because the original city wall still stands. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLc6C3F07P0yQNKREmjYC00jh0zcVhLyVK2cb_3zgHQOnw2OhAzZanqwYfrOUsYMpbZH2xovLDdvL_eeP8Oi8liKTPbTP3Dm5Bsh5Avk_sSD2xKRQSgw40UjUPUnYXzz5c0-eLu06WuY/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLc6C3F07P0yQNKREmjYC00jh0zcVhLyVK2cb_3zgHQOnw2OhAzZanqwYfrOUsYMpbZH2xovLDdvL_eeP8Oi8liKTPbTP3Dm5Bsh5Avk_sSD2xKRQSgw40UjUPUnYXzz5c0-eLu06WuY/s320/IMG_1099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">However, as you can see above, today the city extends quite beyond the walls themselves, such that the walls really only surround the city center.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDhEatbtiGPTmJOyx5MrbsMAqonEg-PKWTGNkfhD-TrUWzCDrC0-r1_SxaMTlgDS1R0PaQAyQWaxVMcaFIioctaOHPoJMaQGv5dzQ8r0j_RW1U96BiN2mYoBcni960T8Xul10a9VZNpg/s1600/IMG_1100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDhEatbtiGPTmJOyx5MrbsMAqonEg-PKWTGNkfhD-TrUWzCDrC0-r1_SxaMTlgDS1R0PaQAyQWaxVMcaFIioctaOHPoJMaQGv5dzQ8r0j_RW1U96BiN2mYoBcni960T8Xul10a9VZNpg/s320/IMG_1100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> You can walk all the way around the city center on the walls themselves...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hjqmSrC8WSQfARjSW_9S2VKAAoQTe61xwUMy5JKW8gqYtOf-3iUXq9qJS3WB1qTcdqHArKXTya68x0cbQfjtWCrgLhqKjWkTjmIUhyphenhyphenepArAk4_FjeqCGCoroHaiVU4eGLgeSUAtFFqM/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hjqmSrC8WSQfARjSW_9S2VKAAoQTe61xwUMy5JKW8gqYtOf-3iUXq9qJS3WB1qTcdqHArKXTya68x0cbQfjtWCrgLhqKjWkTjmIUhyphenhyphenepArAk4_FjeqCGCoroHaiVU4eGLgeSUAtFFqM/s320/IMG_1107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...and see a lot of the history of the city that was...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHOJ3bEEsjM0ya3d6C3s6Jz1S3yCwEgHp4TWHbrxAcPRYUvbaNe0W4rGzRK4o16DeaGfCBZRQ1lrmWROT6o9x8y6SILz_he__bYYZlLg1AfFY4hqu6eb1bfI5aKhkhXxJvAuu-L1I6Bc/s1600/IMG_1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdAOCHprHP0rHFX7UHt9UixmIwz2U-NdKZH1OqDFFKnFexnYOs_U6aCV6YJmDo_1o94g1HJyPMZ966gtfEKzVMPVzmSnQZz3ndy78iaq82kpYMPpUXoYWcceuzhLwbLMZYusaHlaH3uU/s1600/IMG_3098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdAOCHprHP0rHFX7UHt9UixmIwz2U-NdKZH1OqDFFKnFexnYOs_U6aCV6YJmDo_1o94g1HJyPMZ966gtfEKzVMPVzmSnQZz3ndy78iaq82kpYMPpUXoYWcceuzhLwbLMZYusaHlaH3uU/s320/IMG_3098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2Ak-0v0vO4GgLxGKZmzf71FbV3uXTy2mwup8Q-tXn6EYLc3rfvMPucBj-che6oGtr6Au3yY8LrSmP7Dj-NHyGtWrLGTliWNEXfsy4nFktkUos9vlLgnTdlpYnlt9fO-DHmUA6iNv2Rs/s1600/IMG_1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2Ak-0v0vO4GgLxGKZmzf71FbV3uXTy2mwup8Q-tXn6EYLc3rfvMPucBj-che6oGtr6Au3yY8LrSmP7Dj-NHyGtWrLGTliWNEXfsy4nFktkUos9vlLgnTdlpYnlt9fO-DHmUA6iNv2Rs/s320/IMG_1118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...and some of the history that still is...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoSNYMvFMdfhagJjHBauLyJvBhckWOOb3r3k0YpcW53L1kfuPYpwohEXakYhuSrtDZDSrz90exJ_HoeP0vzlTMH1w_DK8uzkMjaw5_VtU7tCaVi3Xbmdd50z0-n2IN9EGgfM3K67vnsE/s1600/IMG_1125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoSNYMvFMdfhagJjHBauLyJvBhckWOOb3r3k0YpcW53L1kfuPYpwohEXakYhuSrtDZDSrz90exJ_HoeP0vzlTMH1w_DK8uzkMjaw5_VtU7tCaVi3Xbmdd50z0-n2IN9EGgfM3K67vnsE/s320/IMG_1125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The reason the city is either called "Londonderry" or "Derry" is due to the religious or political affections of the people - "Loyalists" are true to the crown (UK) and even paint their curbs to show their loyalty. They refer to the city as Londonderry, as it was originally named.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMlCR1uKwgJvo8VVgHToBrHXPFIYjBTinoNAJk37kSvM98BN3qyZnCJpRD_Mtv_dufKqnev96t05dmKNPvGOh4yukmmacae18LJRQ0yqoT5Wx_SyN8tvs3jS6G4FbN_zZWAosemE5gg0/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMlCR1uKwgJvo8VVgHToBrHXPFIYjBTinoNAJk37kSvM98BN3qyZnCJpRD_Mtv_dufKqnev96t05dmKNPvGOh4yukmmacae18LJRQ0yqoT5Wx_SyN8tvs3jS6G4FbN_zZWAosemE5gg0/s320/IMG_1126.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> From a religious perspective, the Protestants are also generally associated with the Loyalists.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsBYml1Z2-y7pKzxXFSWNcvIXKFEX5aUGVMnUoyhgYJP_TZENWSzgcnad7WQuik8sH9MQEnd6EJYsJudOipKVIz4v65fwvDzWxkktNDawK89va4uOLURA2pMPHZEuWeu4Zv1UNseHAvc/s1600/IMG_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsBYml1Z2-y7pKzxXFSWNcvIXKFEX5aUGVMnUoyhgYJP_TZENWSzgcnad7WQuik8sH9MQEnd6EJYsJudOipKVIz4v65fwvDzWxkktNDawK89va4uOLURA2pMPHZEuWeu4Zv1UNseHAvc/s320/IMG_1143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> On the other side of the city are those who generally want Northern Ireland to leave the UK and join with the Republic of Ireland. Generally, they are of the Catholic faith, and do not want the city to be associated with London, hence the name "Derry".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq-_RQ8vSyatIQbVFQNI408hJmmx-ZHRn1HqLBA3Taqapgsg3as3qmAa6lm49UyFgJuwluVOPxKKD4MwO82ftkj2lnEMFfrTXPFqrr-IkO7aRHY4vI5nudjsC1OPQnUcrGhDqm0a4rDQ/s1600/IMG_3092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq-_RQ8vSyatIQbVFQNI408hJmmx-ZHRn1HqLBA3Taqapgsg3as3qmAa6lm49UyFgJuwluVOPxKKD4MwO82ftkj2lnEMFfrTXPFqrr-IkO7aRHY4vI5nudjsC1OPQnUcrGhDqm0a4rDQ/s320/IMG_3092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking from the city walls on the southern side of the city, you can see several murals painted on the side of apartment buildings. These murals recount times of political unrest during the "Troubles".</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MA1fDj_jdM6NIBV6SCzzrrxKYux0vD4rkWku_r9R6Nb21a0uJApeUlhHpeNY1dfsIKzI975T1IT1BMI5hdjJtFg7JBWX6WCjNyY57KaRr1ZpWLM2U3wWbyFYjnNREv4carPsoHUW9lY/s320/IMG_3060.JPG" width="320" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking towards the city from a bridge crossing the river Foyle. The bridge is a double-decker, so there are two ways people/traffic could get into and out of the city. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CyRzD8vU67j4ggi2-DHOqR8tmn22PpBxpOKiMCVFyUd7djSET7NBAIqIdCJ_t2v2sUShIl3ha0I1xLS3OLPg0bEaf9Z4KWsbkU7fqYsTSgXY-GyQCYcmC6ZT2uOqHHQuu7bVGOnfXJw/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CyRzD8vU67j4ggi2-DHOqR8tmn22PpBxpOKiMCVFyUd7djSET7NBAIqIdCJ_t2v2sUShIl3ha0I1xLS3OLPg0bEaf9Z4KWsbkU7fqYsTSgXY-GyQCYcmC6ZT2uOqHHQuu7bVGOnfXJw/s320/IMG_1142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And yes, they still care about their money, whether it's dollars or pounds! We found this and stopped in to see what you might find in a "Pound World"! (Think Dollar Tree)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, if there is one thing the Irish love to eat it is their sweets (of course along with their tea)! We brought back some European goodies, most of which involve chocolate, and a few that involve potatoes! (Meat-flavored potato crisps!) What an experience!</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-85197143606567857762011-01-09T17:29:00.000-05:002011-01-09T17:29:05.596-05:00Break is Over - Back to Reality (Kind of!)So Robbie and I did something different for Christmas this year - we spent the majority of the day on a plane - to Ireland! Most of Robbie's extended family is in Ireland, and I had not met many of them, so during the week between Christmas and New Years one of his cousins gave us a good excuse to come visit - an Irish wedding!<br />
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So we, Robbie's mom, sister, brother-in-law, and new niece all made the long trek over the "pond" (as Robbie calls it) to the "homeland". Seven days and 7,000 miles later, we were back in the US and catching up on the multiple time zone changes. But along the way we managed to get some pretty good photos of the journey!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGTYq_VYmNRRZf8_erEIaUDCcUCyZ1azs_LBnH7NOsvVVCJH3tjuYdYL8llhtcvaA8ugGWD8_2pt1vh2iqg_wte4afoiC3qwwsnL2ZVjHfspGm-U2QY0HwJ4RoAHz8a6b7hgvMuE6pOM/s1600/IMG_1078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGTYq_VYmNRRZf8_erEIaUDCcUCyZ1azs_LBnH7NOsvVVCJH3tjuYdYL8llhtcvaA8ugGWD8_2pt1vh2iqg_wte4afoiC3qwwsnL2ZVjHfspGm-U2QY0HwJ4RoAHz8a6b7hgvMuE6pOM/s320/IMG_1078.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> On top of Greinan Fort, which dates back to the time of Christ.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Windy, but we could see for miles in every direction!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVveyRws8z3UnDGlAHdvLKvJMu9fsHZ0ccApTjRFQEi1aR43cYEwdjtOHcmTCVLoJv2jGnepyqGoNyVtINCqQ6f5SdK_V0Po9k7o2UyQNa-H1kNdseeibZJ6Z0gWgRlOYTC11zbQ3ZoMc/s1600/IMG_1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVveyRws8z3UnDGlAHdvLKvJMu9fsHZ0ccApTjRFQEi1aR43cYEwdjtOHcmTCVLoJv2jGnepyqGoNyVtINCqQ6f5SdK_V0Po9k7o2UyQNa-H1kNdseeibZJ6Z0gWgRlOYTC11zbQ3ZoMc/s320/IMG_1086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVfUJJDfJKDlBwME80KtapZCDBTc-4ExM_F6LkIt3UZzqy5qzobNX73EKEW7hg2-kyBnfDrpsZUK2UDwZOdviOaCh7lH17x9oy9ZZPfCi0EA3OJcBDvUVOGq097fJx0o8IiLmY8hX9n0/s1600/IMG_1097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVfUJJDfJKDlBwME80KtapZCDBTc-4ExM_F6LkIt3UZzqy5qzobNX73EKEW7hg2-kyBnfDrpsZUK2UDwZOdviOaCh7lH17x9oy9ZZPfCi0EA3OJcBDvUVOGq097fJx0o8IiLmY8hX9n0/s320/IMG_1097.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Overlooking the Northern coast of Ireland, where the cliffs drop right into the water!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKU7R6CXooIaT97VMyfluttLul5aHLcXmaoqP5Qz2XDMNdliGTqXiaOgHkVxNCh-zCZb7DMLesGIMOY0yLdwxOl2dIdZ1jPiE5nSJi_z4rA7ztVPWDZ_SyxRLcFGnzl_0K5MA5i8M526E/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKU7R6CXooIaT97VMyfluttLul5aHLcXmaoqP5Qz2XDMNdliGTqXiaOgHkVxNCh-zCZb7DMLesGIMOY0yLdwxOl2dIdZ1jPiE5nSJi_z4rA7ztVPWDZ_SyxRLcFGnzl_0K5MA5i8M526E/s320/IMG_1099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Above, a view of the Dunluce castle ruins in the distance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Below, hanging out right below the castle ruins.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL31mDzadRU2dKVQ3qfP52c1NuoDvup3ot8hWIG_T1yB_4G6Yo0hx1I1gTIF0a35c0R_0ZcAmYFWX7NF18uBGc_Q5zHKn1tsheE90MKxJP_p_zWhpXRXTeiELUsJh7612XxR4r39vhO0s/s1600/IMG_1110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL31mDzadRU2dKVQ3qfP52c1NuoDvup3ot8hWIG_T1yB_4G6Yo0hx1I1gTIF0a35c0R_0ZcAmYFWX7NF18uBGc_Q5zHKn1tsheE90MKxJP_p_zWhpXRXTeiELUsJh7612XxR4r39vhO0s/s320/IMG_1110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Fences are there to discourage the honest, right? Well, we can all guess who's idea it was to hop the fence and make our way to the coastline! (Below)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ70vPBWREgWuEH1Yl12ya6jJUwPapZCqnFssnhYiZ_DfxV95Rgf8mUYTERyUQ_twCJSqh1_1cJIog8Kyj2BwWA0154P5PSzQ24mvEf2GRQPWxO3inj4b6PPMIJY1cAmOxTuEkgyZTps/s1600/IMG_1123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZ70vPBWREgWuEH1Yl12ya6jJUwPapZCqnFssnhYiZ_DfxV95Rgf8mUYTERyUQ_twCJSqh1_1cJIog8Kyj2BwWA0154P5PSzQ24mvEf2GRQPWxO3inj4b6PPMIJY1cAmOxTuEkgyZTps/s320/IMG_1123.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the most well-known places in Ireland is filed with thousands of these volcanic rock formations, which might look like stones placed into a road using a man-made pattern, but are actually naturally occurring...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxN92V2KQOB5NfHT7TGVLnuYJhXD4NQGX6AY8zhIcvh1-urd0ku18tK_IlLGVlu5kxMRRYlkzCU3o0AXvfNJoNca3slrAoyfo3Wdp2liRfRtEF1fhaoipXMikPI_IPSVSEdzLll6OZQQQ/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxN92V2KQOB5NfHT7TGVLnuYJhXD4NQGX6AY8zhIcvh1-urd0ku18tK_IlLGVlu5kxMRRYlkzCU3o0AXvfNJoNca3slrAoyfo3Wdp2liRfRtEF1fhaoipXMikPI_IPSVSEdzLll6OZQQQ/s320/IMG_1139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Some rise and fall like pyramids or hills of steps...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ237QHbG_wYFcHhtUCnGHNguUz2MX7AWxH5zL10l-dNIai-9oeyJNJBhZPaQ7p53rODRdd5KUfsf9YxQQxcxgV6cPVyVwXw6frbjghDEy7iU3F4dGwVvXQT12LBEKQ_XXBHuyKdQDr1k/s1600/IMG_1140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ237QHbG_wYFcHhtUCnGHNguUz2MX7AWxH5zL10l-dNIai-9oeyJNJBhZPaQ7p53rODRdd5KUfsf9YxQQxcxgV6cPVyVwXw6frbjghDEy7iU3F4dGwVvXQT12LBEKQ_XXBHuyKdQDr1k/s320/IMG_1140.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...while others are fairly level, but go up and down the coast for a good ways.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FQ1_O8oKD-rsWAcDYIj_tRVTTeTgHa_cQE3wovtP4AYbE6fntUcv7TCbKTgz97mR3-EXQU2bF4PyWFKXy63oufcuWBqcSERTCRwC_DMTd7YF0P1LeCdQZvyOAyFruxkJZx-qSMkHsL0/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FQ1_O8oKD-rsWAcDYIj_tRVTTeTgHa_cQE3wovtP4AYbE6fntUcv7TCbKTgz97mR3-EXQU2bF4PyWFKXy63oufcuWBqcSERTCRwC_DMTd7YF0P1LeCdQZvyOAyFruxkJZx-qSMkHsL0/s320/IMG_1145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is the Giant's Causeway, named such because there is a similar formation in Scotland, across the water (and I guess actually goes under the water as well), and the myth is that two giants were throwing rocks at each other from across the sea.<br />
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These were some of the natural beauties of the northern coast of Ireland...next time I'll show you a little bit of the city life!Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-14627089229395311722010-12-23T12:59:00.000-05:002011-02-21T20:39:26.273-05:00Masculinity and the Christmas tree<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfQhkdGNE3gzj5d4geSrNKnefECP1Dd6_wC3tpc4Ab1yW9sIKRrJfd8L1PUsD2tMsJGsapRmSAVFWhoWoljpIwSLPFiue9Wln82C3Pa1a6hnhI2-XwoPIUq3VNkObBbjWJjM71Rea_Fk/s1600/IMG_1088.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553941180945381410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfQhkdGNE3gzj5d4geSrNKnefECP1Dd6_wC3tpc4Ab1yW9sIKRrJfd8L1PUsD2tMsJGsapRmSAVFWhoWoljpIwSLPFiue9Wln82C3Pa1a6hnhI2-XwoPIUq3VNkObBbjWJjM71Rea_Fk/s320/IMG_1088.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
It is no secret that Jen is a very ladylike woman. After all it is one reason I love her. But, when we spent our first Christmas together, I was ashamed to call the Christmas tree ours. Jen has like every barbie Christmas ornament known to Hallmark and lots of crystal like, or birch wood, or porcelain decorations for the thing we called our tree.<br />
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So my sister Sarah fixed that. So did my mother in law. To date Sarah has always served me in this capacity. So here are a following of masculine ornaments. (To date I have 6 on the tree, there is still a lot of room to be done though. One of my students got me an electric guitar one with the inscription: "Jesus Rocks." I like it.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNWQQ0j14UtjAH3nmeHlAFs7leImvTD_fcucpuYc2oBprQO_9m5Zwz8TTJZj-dqn9InLAtvX3Hxt9HN7gINvHie_N07uXB6ccNyUHHX1qDTQrXWRTe6hBLpQwOVzNgWL_0X_vOYrkQOo/s1600/IMG_1076.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553941032952401410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNWQQ0j14UtjAH3nmeHlAFs7leImvTD_fcucpuYc2oBprQO_9m5Zwz8TTJZj-dqn9InLAtvX3Hxt9HN7gINvHie_N07uXB6ccNyUHHX1qDTQrXWRTe6hBLpQwOVzNgWL_0X_vOYrkQOo/s320/IMG_1076.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Jen got me this one. It is my favorite. She said when she got it, "Never say I discouraged your want of a motorcycle, cause here is yours. Now you cannot have more than one at a time."<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZ3emp1wqmbcXiNfYyFxqde0x8zD0ta4YCbee_7lRRtBig6Hxk0DsYsndWnofLdB40roIdKO6KbZx93aKvSbnwK2PpEP5Y_1bQIBMfrcxeLj5gOh_cTGPl6AROzQMwZgRW9u1hNfGeDg/s1600/IMG_1075.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553940880038767826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZ3emp1wqmbcXiNfYyFxqde0x8zD0ta4YCbee_7lRRtBig6Hxk0DsYsndWnofLdB40roIdKO6KbZx93aKvSbnwK2PpEP5Y_1bQIBMfrcxeLj5gOh_cTGPl6AROzQMwZgRW9u1hNfGeDg/s320/IMG_1075.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a>Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08401153316237694846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-85762425127821553492010-12-19T19:22:00.000-05:002010-12-19T19:22:14.147-05:00Ornaments on the Tree - Life with RobbieHard to believe that Christmas is less than a week away (Yikes!), but there it is! Today I'm going to focus on a few ornaments that are special to Robbie and I (at least I think haha), because they represent our life together thus far. This will be our first Christmas in our new house (obviously), our third Christmas together as a married couple, and our sixth Christmas together overall.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uhyJ1orJiVNVRBjuBZh3keqhfARziLEwmY9BBgeZCP68P2hscD77V5OZyYyKPWoxVPHkbJ9T64IQP9HGe6EAZDbAjnERHy8sdUuyrhQj77S4y_bZPxAz__klAPfDbx8kHuNjwj_LJ8c/s1600/IMG_1071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2uhyJ1orJiVNVRBjuBZh3keqhfARziLEwmY9BBgeZCP68P2hscD77V5OZyYyKPWoxVPHkbJ9T64IQP9HGe6EAZDbAjnERHy8sdUuyrhQj77S4y_bZPxAz__klAPfDbx8kHuNjwj_LJ8c/s320/IMG_1071.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The first Christmas as a married couple is probably always interesting for newlyweds as they determine what traditions they will take from each family and blend together to make their own (unique or continued) traditions. One Christmas Day tradition that Robbie learned from my family is that Christmas morning, before any presents or even any stockings are opened, everyone puts a card for each member of the family somewhere in the tree. So the tree is full of cards by the time everyone is up and ready to start the festivities. A tradition I learned from Robbie's family is having Christmas poppers. Christmas poppers (or crackers) are a British tradition, and are basically little gifts wrapped such that there are two ends to pull on. One person pulls on each end until the popper breaks, and the "lucky" one gets the gift enclosed on their side of the popper!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIef97AkzlhfqhiWgmQqOE266hoO7MK9kk-02Xm9Pw-Atq9Tij_R_ZedGeX2eQ9HPWjqRxH3hG9WJSpr2Eqpr7aRJWxf58TjK5JMi7BZvt9ivq3u1pqpgsVQHpIrsD9bVuqFSh4-dDf0/s1600/IMG_1082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIef97AkzlhfqhiWgmQqOE266hoO7MK9kk-02Xm9Pw-Atq9Tij_R_ZedGeX2eQ9HPWjqRxH3hG9WJSpr2Eqpr7aRJWxf58TjK5JMi7BZvt9ivq3u1pqpgsVQHpIrsD9bVuqFSh4-dDf0/s320/IMG_1082.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This special glass ball comes from our Alma mater, Grove City College, showcasing Harbison Chapel. While this was originally where I wanted to get married in Grove City, we were unable to have our ceremony there because our wedding was the same weekend as Parent's Weekend at the College. Nonetheless, we did manage to get beautiful wedding pictures in front of the chapel and the Quad. We both loved our time there at college, and will always remember that place fondly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1bd6cd5IWzlsKKjItDgWQEbsa8t1gvDI77unYpLeoEba3zIGBNuNAn8Zqu3KqBkCCmMEeK1q9bRakSOOaVB0O1xJlawbm_HMcWUQ5TBgNpBO5zBWICmFrmEXBoKBd8Ks66flZuYrM7k/s1600/IMG_1077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1bd6cd5IWzlsKKjItDgWQEbsa8t1gvDI77unYpLeoEba3zIGBNuNAn8Zqu3KqBkCCmMEeK1q9bRakSOOaVB0O1xJlawbm_HMcWUQ5TBgNpBO5zBWICmFrmEXBoKBd8Ks66flZuYrM7k/s320/IMG_1077.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Ok, so enough serious stuff - this is a funny memory! :) In our apartment, we lived on the third (top) floor, right next to the woods. We lived in Murrysville, so there's obviously lots of wildlife out and about in that area already. Well, we hadn't been living in our apartment for too long before we encountered these little critters. Thankfully, not face to face like a few of our neighbors, but we would hear them having a party almost every night, late into the wee hours of the morning! The first time we heard them scamper about, we were in bed with the lights turned out, and we honestly weren't sure if they were in the apartment or not. Both of us (probably myself more so) were quite scared to get out of bed to find out, but thankfully after some sleuthing, determined that they were in the walls.<br />
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They continued to remain active throughout the night, scampering about - up one wall, over the ceiling, down another wall - again and again. There were many sleepless nights on account of those squirrels, but thankfully, as I mentioned, no face to face encounters (I may never have been able to sleep again if there were)! Finally, after several months of similar activity, our landlord was able to get rid of them, but their memory lives on each Christmas as they hide somewhere on our tree :) .<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYCGavOlZE9hNXng016MMZhiqzK8o3Cp4RuIe_Nh4TeI2ONnSR_WgJ0IgPMBLNwN9fGvCecNfb5Ptr0mvyGR8gfobwRpcXm0Xty_mQQjKCc5m6HftRTL3MqqZl-KcWsD4UYkW8Z9zPX4/s1600/IMG_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYCGavOlZE9hNXng016MMZhiqzK8o3Cp4RuIe_Nh4TeI2ONnSR_WgJ0IgPMBLNwN9fGvCecNfb5Ptr0mvyGR8gfobwRpcXm0Xty_mQQjKCc5m6HftRTL3MqqZl-KcWsD4UYkW8Z9zPX4/s320/IMG_1087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This last set of ornaments doesn't have a specific memory of me and Robbie to go along with it, but were made for us by my sister (I'll let you decide who is who!). I think penguins are cute anyway, but these are definitely one of my favorite ornaments on the tree! Perhaps this year we'll be able to add some more ornaments from our adventures in the "Homeland", killing two birds with one stone - world travels AND life with Robbie!<br />
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Next time I'm going to ask Robbie to write a few words about his own ornaments, and the story behind them. Don't worry, he doesn't have nearly as many as I do, but there's a story behind that as well! Look for his post sometime this week, and in the meantime Happy Christmas Decorating and Shopping!Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-12823690440589220992010-12-17T08:31:00.000-05:002010-12-17T08:32:41.518-05:00Ornaments on the Tree - World TravelsSo today is my first day of Christmas vacation (I'm off for the rest of the year), and I find that I was wide awake at 6:30 am when I rolled over to tell my husband it's time to get up! I don't think I'm ever wide awake at that time - even when I've been up for 45 minutes getting ready to go to work by then!<br />
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Nevertheless, we came downstairs to eat breakfast and it was then that I realized it had been a couple days since I'd watered the tree. Really? How can such a large decoration in our house go unnoticed (or rather, uncared for)? Hopefully it will survive despite my lack of attention to it! Maybe more blog "face" time will make it feel better :) .<br />
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Today's ornaments will feature some of the cool places I and my family have been able to go over the years. Since the girls in the family love ornaments, we're always looking for them, whether it's December, February or July!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsnyy7SnoqOIbxQ6lGUQZnNVl491apzVoknEw4a89xEghv88V5LP2b4R8zCkgIU6Yc-xSWnztuNPFEIVB_lt1X-Nu-i5biXuuIG078qXAoiDfQ89SHBnFuE4U5iQoBWngQu2TJAQk9tE/s1600/IMG_1062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsnyy7SnoqOIbxQ6lGUQZnNVl491apzVoknEw4a89xEghv88V5LP2b4R8zCkgIU6Yc-xSWnztuNPFEIVB_lt1X-Nu-i5biXuuIG078qXAoiDfQ89SHBnFuE4U5iQoBWngQu2TJAQk9tE/s320/IMG_1062.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Most of you that know me probably know that our family has been going to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina every other year, for a long time. I think our first trip as a family was in 1995, but my parents have been going even longer than that. When we were kids, Lauren and I would go on the beach and find real sand dollars. One year, we found tons of them, and decided that we would just let them dry out on our condo porch, and they would turn out beautifully white like this one :) . Well, you can probably guess what happened, but several days later we had a lot of smelly sand dollars on our porch, and they weren't that pretty! So now we have a much better looking (and smelling) reminder of the fun on our tree.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvhOTX7hXfUNYA0U1vW29lePWP7Zw3bfUW51UN05cxq3qrktG-GNpwMTrbaFqpg0ZEEkTLKryHwPFZpCqQx-sp-Iy84l2srscDiDigAY5BLHS2gRnSqkRnaN_5c-tFFukUXbf2VwoMoM/s1600/IMG_1080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvhOTX7hXfUNYA0U1vW29lePWP7Zw3bfUW51UN05cxq3qrktG-GNpwMTrbaFqpg0ZEEkTLKryHwPFZpCqQx-sp-Iy84l2srscDiDigAY5BLHS2gRnSqkRnaN_5c-tFFukUXbf2VwoMoM/s320/IMG_1080.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
This one might just look like a pretty snowflake to some, but if you got up close (and especially if you could feel it), you'd see that it was made completely of salt. Not just any salt either, mind you, but salt from the Great Salt Lake out in Salt Lake City, Utah. Now, I have never been to Utah, but my parents have been at least a couple times. This was actually not for my Dad's business travels, but for my Mom's! (I'm sure you can imagine that doesn't happen often!) Mom used to sell Stampin' Up! rubber stamps, and their annual convention was out there a couple years because that's where they are headquartered. So Mom actually took Dad on a business trip with her and they brought us girls back some souveniers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhAvzqwARIF1aLwz1k22HU41azAAhHXq_gBfFM-zNeLI-ml9hVaKYDDOzgiFKcX1bXttEtlA34WqzX1F9-_fox900i6UCILSIauceybwsQognJSsJfHNEeyCJNlkZu-aJ8pntvWsUHtk/s1600/IMG_1069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhAvzqwARIF1aLwz1k22HU41azAAhHXq_gBfFM-zNeLI-ml9hVaKYDDOzgiFKcX1bXttEtlA34WqzX1F9-_fox900i6UCILSIauceybwsQognJSsJfHNEeyCJNlkZu-aJ8pntvWsUHtk/s320/IMG_1069.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This little wooden dutch shoe actually isn't symbolic of my heritage, but of a trip we took out to Holland, Michigan to see some family friends. This town is usually bursting with people coming to see all the tulips in the spring, but when we went it was during the off season and everything was cold (and dead lol). But that didn't stop us from visiting all the cute little Dutch shops! This ornament also has my name carved/burned into the other side of the shoe. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErbhlCvtLBUGKMc7IlQBkVAwRYdPpFgchDbC3tEXUk3RtkZMEmGhrRyzmqDx_V3gpsjYS4Wma0WEi9cb1lcMD1th3PFnsusotwaUHstXQhnHWE44-jIxzPlqFABpWVBSxai79tdDfLc0/s1600/IMG_1064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErbhlCvtLBUGKMc7IlQBkVAwRYdPpFgchDbC3tEXUk3RtkZMEmGhrRyzmqDx_V3gpsjYS4Wma0WEi9cb1lcMD1th3PFnsusotwaUHstXQhnHWE44-jIxzPlqFABpWVBSxai79tdDfLc0/s320/IMG_1064.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These next three are all from the same basic area, but each tells a little different story :) . Only a week or so after Robbie and I got engaged, my family decided to take a short getaway to Arizona - one last trip as a family before I got married. So we headed out to Arizona expecting the weather to be cool, but definitely warmer than Pittsburgh. We were in for some surprises! It was pretty cold, and in some places that we went (i.e. the Grand Canyon), there were several inches of snow! It was really cool to see, but a lot colder than expected!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyways, the cool cow ornament comes from a little town called Jerome, which had some great history behind it (that right now I just can't remember!). It also had a lot of little shops that were mostly small businesses selling things that were homemade and such. The cow ornament actually came from a store that basically sold everything cow you could think of!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgrCiG56zlWI8fynnts9bORLHbawjdPEWwYXHP60HSZFEGxzTNGhyg61CUYiJj6r8Zb-_kfNsTbjpbsJLWoJtndD6kurPT3jm33Oocp8cpoesDf1Y6B2X3t1Ar1K1WcyCQc_2Ca4V38c/s1600/IMG_1070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgrCiG56zlWI8fynnts9bORLHbawjdPEWwYXHP60HSZFEGxzTNGhyg61CUYiJj6r8Zb-_kfNsTbjpbsJLWoJtndD6kurPT3jm33Oocp8cpoesDf1Y6B2X3t1Ar1K1WcyCQc_2Ca4V38c/s320/IMG_1070.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRMWRvl2zsVS9TlGzfdRQ-Pbh5W2CUvHpNgU7qqjRD1csYiFnyU7HNRZ2nMV71AMhY5KhXgCEORYozEH4BZqGfRFtnvY9cBR4HB7dECpx9KiJuuuCsvI5ZLlz6joKu-NY0bd-bivzrEM/s1600/IMG_1078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRMWRvl2zsVS9TlGzfdRQ-Pbh5W2CUvHpNgU7qqjRD1csYiFnyU7HNRZ2nMV71AMhY5KhXgCEORYozEH4BZqGfRFtnvY9cBR4HB7dECpx9KiJuuuCsvI5ZLlz6joKu-NY0bd-bivzrEM/s320/IMG_1078.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
This trip to Arizona certainly was amazing - I saw another part of the country that I had never seen before - all very beautiful, in many different ways. Hopefully I'll get to take Robbie there someday - perhaps when it isn't snowing!<br />
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Happy Friday to Everyone - 1 week until Christmas! :)Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-52282293897112252062010-12-12T21:56:00.000-05:002010-12-12T21:56:26.625-05:00Decorating for Christmas!So it's been about six months that we've had our house now, and the kitchen renovations are almost done (yay!), and since it's Christmas and there is soooo much else going on, we've taken a little break from renovating the house and focused more on decorating the house. After getting ready for Thanksgiving, I wasn't ready to instantly create a winter wonderland just yet (even though the snow did come on Dec. 1!). So this weekend we finally got around to getting a Christmas tree and decorating it!<br />
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As we were putting up the many different and diverse ornaments, it reminded me of lots of memories or symbolic memories that are found in most all of them, and I thought I'd take a stroll down memory lane and share some with you for the next week or so. After reading one of my friend's <a href="http://justpluckingdaisies.com/2010/12/11/twelve-blessings/">blogs</a> on a similar topic, I decided it was worth sharing with all of you! So I hope you enjoy and I also hope it stimulates some of your own decorating / ornament / family / friends memories! Please feel free to share them with me by commenting below!<br />
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Each post I'll try to keep a theme, so for the first group of pictures I'll be selecting some of my childhood ornaments and memories to share with you.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8ByD5q3gxmTaVGtx6-OvAcxoc4BaHnwYHVmWfFhIoB85g4Jc7MrnOUOHF7BBDjqK87izMe3-8WPrunrp0Y4TpSVyzbz9CFzBKI0yNACo8mSF8j-M5gQtG1gxqmZcYK03D_41CW3uCxA/s1600/IMG_1060.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8ByD5q3gxmTaVGtx6-OvAcxoc4BaHnwYHVmWfFhIoB85g4Jc7MrnOUOHF7BBDjqK87izMe3-8WPrunrp0Y4TpSVyzbz9CFzBKI0yNACo8mSF8j-M5gQtG1gxqmZcYK03D_41CW3uCxA/s320/IMG_1060.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The glass pickle ornament is an old German tradition. Each year families would "hide" the pickle ornament on the tree somewhere and children would try to find it to get a special present. This ornament was a gift from my (German) grandmother, who first told my sister and I about this tradition when we were very young (but old enough to find a pickle!). That first Christmas there were two pickles on the tree - one for me and one for my sister. Every year since then we have made it our tradition to "hide" our pickles on the tree just for fun (no special gifts to those who found them).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3Do0zwzSFgToPQ0sNyZ92WC3VWRStjU7ntNb6XgJL688edj4oIx2TnCn37Z3rPmQEjgJ8e_bbawWUVxi6mKvHYUQPo-IJe3F9AZkGx9kyY_GE1fffsjgLgpep8ZSt8Z4Nq6L_PUbLFA/s1600/IMG_1063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3Do0zwzSFgToPQ0sNyZ92WC3VWRStjU7ntNb6XgJL688edj4oIx2TnCn37Z3rPmQEjgJ8e_bbawWUVxi6mKvHYUQPo-IJe3F9AZkGx9kyY_GE1fffsjgLgpep8ZSt8Z4Nq6L_PUbLFA/s320/IMG_1063.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Another one of my family Christmas traditions was going to see the Nutcracker ballet each year downtown. I (more than my sister) simply loved the ballet, and even had visions of becoming a ballerina (unfortunately, one year of ballet class when I was 6 cleared that dream - professionally, at least). The Nutcracker was my absolute favorite Christmas tradition, and even when I got older and we stopped going to the ballet (Dad was falling asleep through most of it!), I still would listen to Tchaikovsky played by the London symphony orchestra each year - still do! This ballet shoe was one of a pair given to my sister and I by my mother, and reminds me of the fun girlie dreams I had of being a ballerina!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQimuJQBtLVgcxBME-OTlxOzUT-x0zha3NziDyP9H_QaGs2u-B5CrV7blBCtNrJpdAqopCWJAMdQ_B32kq24pC-9zK2dg_QSsAUyGKaZfbrg5pQcEcI44MBxCl3EvpAAPd6PT4YgjE_bA/s1600/IMG_1095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQimuJQBtLVgcxBME-OTlxOzUT-x0zha3NziDyP9H_QaGs2u-B5CrV7blBCtNrJpdAqopCWJAMdQ_B32kq24pC-9zK2dg_QSsAUyGKaZfbrg5pQcEcI44MBxCl3EvpAAPd6PT4YgjE_bA/s320/IMG_1095.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
There were many glass ornaments given to me over the years from my mother and grandmother - many from German shops and some even made in Germany. They were precious to me as a child because they were so fragile - extra special care was taken to make sure they survived through 20+ Christmases to make it to my own Christmas tree as an adult. This ornament I actually found in Virginia while visiting a friend, and I found similar ones that were shaped as a basketball, tennis ball and football for my sister, mother, and father (respectively). My hope is that I can keep these glass ornaments long enough to pass on to my own children someday!<br />
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Well I hope you have enjoyed this brief trip down my memory lane, and I'd be delighted to hear about your own recollections. More to come later this week! Happy Decorating!Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468314974129096170.post-22124957878825613112010-12-09T20:36:00.000-05:002010-12-12T20:21:19.901-05:00Breaking in the Kitchen!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jennifer went out and bought me some goat cheese. It is the only cheese I can have since I am lactose intolerant. It is a major curse. Trust me on that. A few months back, well weeks, my mom gave me our beloved recipe for Pepperoni Rolls. (I am telling you these things are great.) </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAOyATwszNy61MrjrpjXHtw4Iln2mOirLamP1kaXTuGbVK91OYXLVZKFwy7lRu3EVBK-GcMb2Yh6DsB5sCVWxJicOT-tAqPTkMTlh_SChUu4mXy19ALtkmFC7TARdHYmzRLJYxG8yalo/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAOyATwszNy61MrjrpjXHtw4Iln2mOirLamP1kaXTuGbVK91OYXLVZKFwy7lRu3EVBK-GcMb2Yh6DsB5sCVWxJicOT-tAqPTkMTlh_SChUu4mXy19ALtkmFC7TARdHYmzRLJYxG8yalo/s320/IMG_1018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So here is the deal: you need white bread dough, olive oil and egg yolk and some seasonings. Once you roll the dough out, you need to baste the egg mixture on the dough. Then throw down some meat, cheese, and whatever else you want. Throw them in the oven for 25-30 minutes. And they are lovely.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZMP3X61fDa1J_NlX7vhbnyYdr2hGUbxOMETKo-XAuX869YRdOojDugkKgSaNtL0F9WTDXCJZGxawtI8CDxfCKVGQbS9ZIZDcRsxumnswkupnj2H14bFi9_5YBtbRZGnUzHohvkIvkzw/s1600/IMG_1019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZMP3X61fDa1J_NlX7vhbnyYdr2hGUbxOMETKo-XAuX869YRdOojDugkKgSaNtL0F9WTDXCJZGxawtI8CDxfCKVGQbS9ZIZDcRsxumnswkupnj2H14bFi9_5YBtbRZGnUzHohvkIvkzw/s320/IMG_1019.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is what they look like before the oven. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIH8oT6jw1KGI8mRoIXCwb5xLL8RSkuQLsQjIF8tYb46crtnjs0t_R5kVAuVLvfL-SXNGT7wePfCqoq15x_hZqyZTrpcf_AwgBVHBMYgeL76nMdqtJuusC6MoQ8yGVIHCZdyESSZWVkGU/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIH8oT6jw1KGI8mRoIXCwb5xLL8RSkuQLsQjIF8tYb46crtnjs0t_R5kVAuVLvfL-SXNGT7wePfCqoq15x_hZqyZTrpcf_AwgBVHBMYgeL76nMdqtJuusC6MoQ8yGVIHCZdyESSZWVkGU/s320/IMG_1021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">These are the finished product.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2JS7NCMQDeijmzo7mAfuKySfYnTHogdLOK-cQDUb_WOYYJN7n653nk57FpIRhPRhbA-t_sTBZ3vVmvJyBUrsQDqocFxmgl9sRH4Ef029qS0VBrW14KX_SIdJR-jwDf2mP3liyQxcoqA/s1600/IMG_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2JS7NCMQDeijmzo7mAfuKySfYnTHogdLOK-cQDUb_WOYYJN7n653nk57FpIRhPRhbA-t_sTBZ3vVmvJyBUrsQDqocFxmgl9sRH4Ef029qS0VBrW14KX_SIdJR-jwDf2mP3liyQxcoqA/s320/IMG_1024.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was the first thing that either of us made in the newly revamped kitchen. It was great. I loved having a bar that I did not have to bend over on. That is one bad thing about average height countertops. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(post by Robbie if you did not notice) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Elisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17484562297046869232noreply@blogger.com0