tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70613013502662566992024-03-13T12:45:28.775-04:00Les Aventures de la ArtisteIn my Etsy shop, I encourage folks to live life to the fullest and try to promote that mindset through my products. Here is a look behind the scenes to my own adventures--creative and otherwise. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-3200835990672548442015-05-16T18:00:00.000-04:002015-05-16T18:00:04.468-04:00Meat Potato Quiche Recipe<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Howdy!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">This recipe is originally from an old cookbook of my mother's. It was a favorite when I was growing up, and I've since added a few things to make it even yummier. It's beauty might be in it's versatility-- it's perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Ingredients:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">3 tablespoons olive (or vegetable) oil</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">3 cups coarsely shredded raw potato</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup grated cheese (swiss or cheddar)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">3/4 cup diced/shredded meat (ham, browned sausage, cooked chicken--this is perfect for using holiday leftovers!)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 cup evaporated milk</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 eggs</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Optional:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">sweet onion</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">frozen corn</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">red bell pepper</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">black olives</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Directions: </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1) Preheat oven to 425 degrees</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">2) Begin cooking meat (if needed). Once meat is cooked, add in onion, etc, and a dash of black pepper. Saute. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3) Skin and grate potatoes. Mix with oil and form to pie plate or skillet</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">4) Bake potatoes for 15 minutes (until lightly browned)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">5) Layer in meat, veggies, and cheese over potato "crust"</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">6) Beat together the evaporated milk and eggs; pour over meat/veggie/cheese mixture</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">7) Return pie plate/skillet to oven at 425 degrees for 30 minutes (until lightly browned and knife inserted 1 inch from edge comes out clean). Allow to cool for 5 minutes before slicing into wedges.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Bon Appétit!</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></h3>
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<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adventure well; Live fully.</span></span></span></span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">HAK </span></span></span></span></h3>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-3600594871694642362015-05-11T17:07:00.000-04:002015-05-11T17:07:03.312-04:00Mother's Day 2015: Little Things<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">One morning this week as I was wiping down the kitchen counter, I thought about a blog article I read recently, one that encouraged moms in the mundane tasks of daily living by reminding us of a passage from Matthew 25 about the sheep and the goats:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-31"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">31 </sup>“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-32" id="en-NIV-24041"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">32 </sup>All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-33" id="en-NIV-24042"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">33 </sup>He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-34" id="en-NIV-24043"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">34 </sup>“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-35" id="en-NIV-24044"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">35 </sup>For
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you
gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-36" id="en-NIV-24045"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">36 </sup>I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-37" id="en-NIV-24046"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">37 </sup>“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-38" id="en-NIV-24047"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">38 </sup>When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-39" id="en-NIV-24048"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">39 </sup>When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> <span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">40 </sup>“The
King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: large;">I went back and looked for this blog to share with you, but it's already buried in my Timeline, so I guess you're just stuck with my reflections. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: large;">Can you wrap your head around how blessed we are to know that these little things matter to Jesus? </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: large;">When I change a poopy diaper, I'm serving Jesus. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: large;">Sweeping floors? Serving Jesus. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: large;">Sitting still nursing? Serving Jesus. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: large;">Putting a hot meal on the table? Serving Jesus. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: large;">Washing clothes. Washing dishes. Folding diapers. Wiping counters. Wiping noses. Singing whatever song is the current favorite for the 38594th time. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38FKAZJfWzU4YXnYJSGzPxoHvvlwLFol9EcrpcfvOpXBPhIq8e2nHW8JxQxNkQ2YSCY4dl0YaiOwhm5UckkvcF2I-Kq0bxEoeXAExejJCEDjmxCz3ksjdeq8DJDuWXgVEJEgw-pgaNFE/s1600/IMG_9442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38FKAZJfWzU4YXnYJSGzPxoHvvlwLFol9EcrpcfvOpXBPhIq8e2nHW8JxQxNkQ2YSCY4dl0YaiOwhm5UckkvcF2I-Kq0bxEoeXAExejJCEDjmxCz3ksjdeq8DJDuWXgVEJEgw-pgaNFE/s320/IMG_9442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: large;">All of these things MATTER. My little needy son is "the least of these," and all these little tasks matter because I am fulfilling God's calling of raising this little boy. They matter because they are service-- service to my son and to my husband. It is humble work, and it is Kingdom work. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: large;">Be encouraged, Mamas. I think today can feel a bit like the day after Christmas. There's no breakfast in bed, no sweet sticky gifts and cards, no flowers--just another Monday. But be encouraged. Our children may not always remember or know how to say thank you, but Jesus sees our humble, bodily-fluid-filled days, and He is blessed. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: large;">Be blessed by His love for you. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: large;">Adventure well; Live fully.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span class="text Matt-25-40" id="en-NIV-24049"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: large;">HAK </span> </span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-17341290673511909452015-05-05T17:24:00.001-04:002015-05-05T17:33:08.114-04:00DIY: Reusable Nursing Pads<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">You know, I think this has turned into a Mommy Blog after all. I'm more okay with that than I expected. It makes sense, I guess, our kids are awfully important, and we're all in this together-- Remember, it takes a village!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's another DIY for you:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNU6n6kfxOxaqxrh3uKKXW12cv1uaqwQhPB62IlB-0mSQyol_z7v8zZyfIZmING7j5i0JNdwzaYXV_0_iJVy_GXqTqhpeQ40EclA3JnNzh_v90PZKbH2r8xFZjqQVMpd7MSdB8sFjLUU/s1600/IMG_9369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNU6n6kfxOxaqxrh3uKKXW12cv1uaqwQhPB62IlB-0mSQyol_z7v8zZyfIZmING7j5i0JNdwzaYXV_0_iJVy_GXqTqhpeQ40EclA3JnNzh_v90PZKbH2r8xFZjqQVMpd7MSdB8sFjLUU/s320/IMG_9369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7enMh5Axr6URl1EgeS8q4AoS_8Gh7mne-xjHkTRme3hBg8bua8-UyKBv1tH7gzXha45KB3y7V-EaBEUaDGQgnCz4GChVxa_TxFZWG8y55wOPujKKW-C8mvjP5PfzEZ3pMQ3zLnQ2IZE/s1600/IMG_9361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7enMh5Axr6URl1EgeS8q4AoS_8Gh7mne-xjHkTRme3hBg8bua8-UyKBv1tH7gzXha45KB3y7V-EaBEUaDGQgnCz4GChVxa_TxFZWG8y55wOPujKKW-C8mvjP5PfzEZ3pMQ3zLnQ2IZE/s200/IMG_9361.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Confession: I've never actually bought disposable nursing pads. I got some cloth ones from Amazon from the get go, and have been really happy with them. But I imagine that disposable ones (like disposable almost everything) are stinkin' expensive / that they add up. Even cloth ones were surprisingly pricey! And, since even washing them I still go thru what feels like 4739 per week, I figured there had to be another option. Of course--recycled receiving blankets!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">MATERIALS:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 flannel receiving blanket (<span style="font-size: small;">you could also do this with approximately 1 yard of flannel fabric from your local craft store)</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sewing machine/thread</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scissors</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pencil </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Something round approximately 4 inches across <span style="font-size: small;">(I used a coaster)</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">DIRECTIONS (It's as easy as 1-2-3!)</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">1) Fold flannel in quarters then trace your round object with a pencil (I could fit 8 on mine).</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">2) Cut out circles thru all 4 layers. Put a pin in the center to hold them together.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz25pai94fscy8HHBtiU7TjLqInfKx69X-uxsOZI5wtnMzoLWVWkBrsUOUP1_zL_y8x4xyfjT8TyXBa09M7m_evySrQnaW2nqxkpA9zpcWZU60tWiNTHuEYjC6slXkNMqkChdGCRBgSdQ/s1600/IMG_9358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz25pai94fscy8HHBtiU7TjLqInfKx69X-uxsOZI5wtnMzoLWVWkBrsUOUP1_zL_y8x4xyfjT8TyXBa09M7m_evySrQnaW2nqxkpA9zpcWZU60tWiNTHuEYjC6slXkNMqkChdGCRBgSdQ/s200/IMG_9358.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">3) Sew around the edges using a medium length zig-zag stitch.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkZi8HS8HgT5F_cyIOGZWnTHbXTwW1w-AYBIC_hARSnnodRy-oJ_3TmwZM0SkJ-ZbqOqh7os8oWITG7FozzM3WxA_zFr3KTUwKkmrpI0lh22WC6_ZhT3ofFk8gui37SqTR0akzCzOo5s/s1600/IMG_9364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkZi8HS8HgT5F_cyIOGZWnTHbXTwW1w-AYBIC_hARSnnodRy-oJ_3TmwZM0SkJ-ZbqOqh7os8oWITG7FozzM3WxA_zFr3KTUwKkmrpI0lh22WC6_ZhT3ofFk8gui37SqTR0akzCzOo5s/s320/IMG_9364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don't worry too much about being RIGHT on the edge (you can always trim them a bit), but do try not to stretch the fabric too much as you guide it. See in the picture below how the one I stretched tends to buckle more. Fewer buckles means it will lie smoother under your shirt. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ta-da!</span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOZfSVuQaU32KNQf1vmvCclYTxK0zbiSWBNVhwB5moZJN_R3JEevR4qICjNUNvJRj1mWUwecychFOCVOZakDtQvCPQBxAEM2bkEhRIDEFdubELJGp20AwkHKYbWC_Tido9Zdjo5EJYlk/s1600/IMG_9368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOZfSVuQaU32KNQf1vmvCclYTxK0zbiSWBNVhwB5moZJN_R3JEevR4qICjNUNvJRj1mWUwecychFOCVOZakDtQvCPQBxAEM2bkEhRIDEFdubELJGp20AwkHKYbWC_Tido9Zdjo5EJYlk/s320/IMG_9368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> (Maybe I should rename my blog "How to Sew Everything Out of Recycled Receiving Blankets"! haha!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Adventure Well; Live Fully.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAK </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-44713081819191516202015-04-07T20:36:00.000-04:002015-04-07T20:36:02.892-04:00DIY: Cloth Wipes<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It has been a long time since I touched a sewing machine...easily over a decade. But I found an old one in college and told myself for several years that I would clean it up and start sewing. But when I finally got around to it, I discovered that the bit that makes the fabric move was broken (boooo!). Enter Meg and her spare sewing machine. Huzzah! Meg was also the source of the hand-me-down receiving blankets that led to this project...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm cloth diapering our Jem--more on that in another post, but, basically, I love it! We're in a season of increased thrifty-ness and more careful stewardship (ie: I'm no longer working outside the home), so I realized we could save money if I also started using cloth wipes. But, YIKES those are expensive for what they are (fabric bum-wipers. C'mon y'all). Of course the logical leap at this point was to make my own. Yeah!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb32s45UW_agjbA20eLZAO7JCHswwiuhcGvsckerXlsm99kUYWHy-t6iLPBEl94Ai4XBm9NaDvL_6fVNXN6UB1MvrFAYxhcepi7TlDAYdcZ9GnJdvLLbDlhJPKe4M24D-rKoZCZM6Z0c4/s1600/IMG_8751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb32s45UW_agjbA20eLZAO7JCHswwiuhcGvsckerXlsm99kUYWHy-t6iLPBEl94Ai4XBm9NaDvL_6fVNXN6UB1MvrFAYxhcepi7TlDAYdcZ9GnJdvLLbDlhJPKe4M24D-rKoZCZM6Z0c4/s1600/IMG_8751.JPG" height="320" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">What you need:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 flannel receiving blanket</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(mine was a hand-me-down!)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ruler</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Scissors</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pencil</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sewing Machine</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(or the patience of Job to hand-sew these)</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span> </span> </span> </span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFT8wR1qlaCWo2gE71l7S5UJhf5Ipe4wjCN6HW-OE7xLYpOkKwcwWdhUVBIGO2T-YuBN9xuBS4261jZ1QqbAjja9UKoCrNnxUAEnX0TgMkkZoVlvDax0pzqMDyXwYXCYIRV_1EAMs8cQ/s1600/IMG_8734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFT8wR1qlaCWo2gE71l7S5UJhf5Ipe4wjCN6HW-OE7xLYpOkKwcwWdhUVBIGO2T-YuBN9xuBS4261jZ1QqbAjja9UKoCrNnxUAEnX0TgMkkZoVlvDax0pzqMDyXwYXCYIRV_1EAMs8cQ/s1600/IMG_8734.JPG" height="200" width="200" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Step 1:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cut blanket into strips</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">(approximately 7 inches wide). </span></span></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHPtl-_oh_VQpZ7oRjVqTRs677W9wVFd6qb4PupvldXEkBTTL-Bqn8psWLTkJV2BAVUcvJgAvwh0JwmkyZ71m3A8bOB4EMbW4RS9eBCfWLq1KDtUyQaTFAMvgYBKUHnQBRI-Ov0j3OrU/s1600/IMG_8737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHPtl-_oh_VQpZ7oRjVqTRs677W9wVFd6qb4PupvldXEkBTTL-Bqn8psWLTkJV2BAVUcvJgAvwh0JwmkyZ71m3A8bOB4EMbW4RS9eBCfWLq1KDtUyQaTFAMvgYBKUHnQBRI-Ov0j3OrU/s1600/IMG_8737.JPG" height="200" width="200" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Step 2:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cut the strips into rectangles</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">(approximately 7x4 inches)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I just marked all these measurements with a normal pencil. It'll wash out soon enough. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Bsam9_QyKDrxXx9qzyvDtWE6jqmQJ7tWgsJ3oRZ16MQQDQv52bxtdpG3pmwCPiZA5L9mxKjTSS-4vM-TEQUCWe7hgRk2iT4U-mQKLrSYwp4wQQMBiuPGriqWrrzEFMjk6mGsX20mB5M/s1600/IMG_8740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Bsam9_QyKDrxXx9qzyvDtWE6jqmQJ7tWgsJ3oRZ16MQQDQv52bxtdpG3pmwCPiZA5L9mxKjTSS-4vM-TEQUCWe7hgRk2iT4U-mQKLrSYwp4wQQMBiuPGriqWrrzEFMjk6mGsX20mB5M/s1600/IMG_8740.JPG" height="200" width="200" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Then you have a nice pile of wipes-to-be:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(my blanket made 36) </span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMMwrNts4SucifEVt8upUn4hDwh0lpPd8YomisnzBcqDMS8hN-fztpwMsEG_S9rdbh2nwxgKMTqaJsRFbPXGjGBP32Os-26Spc9zqcv7KOghl1XoatyYayBXHzf0LG3Y-QnwxbIzELd8/s1600/IMG_8742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMMwrNts4SucifEVt8upUn4hDwh0lpPd8YomisnzBcqDMS8hN-fztpwMsEG_S9rdbh2nwxgKMTqaJsRFbPXGjGBP32Os-26Spc9zqcv7KOghl1XoatyYayBXHzf0LG3Y-QnwxbIzELd8/s1600/IMG_8742.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Step 3:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hem those suckers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(I promise you can do this with minimal sewing machine skills. The thing I loved about this project was that it was no pressure. It's totally fine that my hems are wobbly and corners wonky. The important things were that, in the course of one nap time, I tried something (re)new, and I am saving $$.)</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSwDd_YQ0Z6kZqKXRNKLbuvdZhIo0CH0OYyXIqpfHSqxCI8irO8FsFXiPC2b1SfUeEM-eM5WpCpXw3KQmkU90FvjngTift_AeK_jVGwb2aXM_-Hvne41bLTCFT6hxSBLbKWzBsq1VIhc/s1600/IMG_8743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSwDd_YQ0Z6kZqKXRNKLbuvdZhIo0CH0OYyXIqpfHSqxCI8irO8FsFXiPC2b1SfUeEM-eM5WpCpXw3KQmkU90FvjngTift_AeK_jVGwb2aXM_-Hvne41bLTCFT6hxSBLbKWzBsq1VIhc/s1600/IMG_8743.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOSRdIT5VzYT4WE3U2yix_mweaXy14fjmx9OYys0aRrS9zGIfwtkb6EbpYBOXS9Pv4Z9gcOBdad5qqjYNRxoSpwej1ZCfzR0wMxgkTE5pqnWQhgWY91kLsAEr4MPwO3RULFZD0ALQWjE/s1600/IMG_8744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOSRdIT5VzYT4WE3U2yix_mweaXy14fjmx9OYys0aRrS9zGIfwtkb6EbpYBOXS9Pv4Z9gcOBdad5qqjYNRxoSpwej1ZCfzR0wMxgkTE5pqnWQhgWY91kLsAEr4MPwO3RULFZD0ALQWjE/s1600/IMG_8744.JPG" height="200" width="200" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Ta-da!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Look at you, you super crafty, super thrifty, super-hero mama, you!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Now pop those in a wipe box and</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">just add water! </span></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq2t0BUCXeE4fneXpwAuZ3obtU4_-n7_IILL1lid6EK7sQ-jkOnKN-72WbBDh-giGwASJu1cOcWtXUCLnxL2LYDp-_xDzPdwH0LL5hUrjHVcDlpQzTeKU68qpKIQ7vYdEQCOW8Sw2iC0/s1600/IMG_8747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdq2t0BUCXeE4fneXpwAuZ3obtU4_-n7_IILL1lid6EK7sQ-jkOnKN-72WbBDh-giGwASJu1cOcWtXUCLnxL2LYDp-_xDzPdwH0LL5hUrjHVcDlpQzTeKU68qpKIQ7vYdEQCOW8Sw2iC0/s1600/IMG_8747.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7vC0-QfZLJ8fc_Qz5A8jD-nNgUsDJJreKSrQrtRhw6RMks8LjnS-398YynjbM9Bx9HLqUedqsFoBqo3fc-p5H95fnQ1gJ4iKlApMrKvFgqeFrrJrCtC0aDlsMqEMg-Hoj4BSbH-EL34/s1600/IMG_8746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7vC0-QfZLJ8fc_Qz5A8jD-nNgUsDJJreKSrQrtRhw6RMks8LjnS-398YynjbM9Bx9HLqUedqsFoBqo3fc-p5H95fnQ1gJ4iKlApMrKvFgqeFrrJrCtC0aDlsMqEMg-Hoj4BSbH-EL34/s1600/IMG_8746.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This is a gratuitous picture of Monte being a bit freaked out by and totally fascinated with the sewing machine. ;-)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2K0ny8fg5AWN_SVYaWW_Bq5SSWAROYV1uQ0wdfUj8sXuGMTz7fnSuODWH6D6vbbAkABqzElT4CeWR6J3P6J9msuD4nRAS18TV-mASeFRqY-OM8EKC7BeHXSpSYVBqnxCNCllAmcuj2AQ/s1600/IMG_8745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2K0ny8fg5AWN_SVYaWW_Bq5SSWAROYV1uQ0wdfUj8sXuGMTz7fnSuODWH6D6vbbAkABqzElT4CeWR6J3P6J9msuD4nRAS18TV-mASeFRqY-OM8EKC7BeHXSpSYVBqnxCNCllAmcuj2AQ/s1600/IMG_8745.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">It really is amazing how doing something new-ish makes one feel accomplished (as a mom, as a woman, as a person). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Adventure well; Live fully.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAK </span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-8995680301208540322015-03-16T15:19:00.000-04:002015-03-16T15:19:21.967-04:00Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup Recipe<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Just in case you were wondering, it's no coincidence that both recipes I've recently posted are for slow cooker/ crock pot soup meals. I probably make a hearty soup about once a week-- it serves as our "staple" for lunches and quick meals, then I cook a few other things during the week that don't create so many leftovers. This serves two purposes: 1) convenience. A reasonably well balanced meal all in a bowl that's easy to heat up and eat quickly on busier days. 2) cost. These soups are money saving because they usually use frozen veggies and often broth from previous recipes, so I can get more food for less money, freeing up funds to make the other meals I cook a little nicer. Plus, it's nice to have at least one meal each week that is <i>super</i> quick and easy to make.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSQOoEdm52CiX8yoZ9CfNZTVXQJw__n1EJxbDzKiZDyICOfF2kJAHxT2ZWa0J44jeKkGFA4y_WZDwD4bt6TH3lCpCPZ2fE4QMjbCQJmUB9HInPXXU-h_SnDdbv9-jqCPFRemvI8Oh680/s1600/IMG_7590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSQOoEdm52CiX8yoZ9CfNZTVXQJw__n1EJxbDzKiZDyICOfF2kJAHxT2ZWa0J44jeKkGFA4y_WZDwD4bt6TH3lCpCPZ2fE4QMjbCQJmUB9HInPXXU-h_SnDdbv9-jqCPFRemvI8Oh680/s1600/IMG_7590.JPG" height="320" title="Slow Cooker Crock Pot 16 Bean Soup Recipe" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I wanted to go ahead and post this recipe because tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day! And if y'all celebrate with Corned Beef and Cabbage (which I also make in the slow cooker, by the way), this is a great recipe to make with all the leftover broth. Also, to mention cost again, if you use leftover broth, then you will basically be able to make a huge pot of soup for the cost of dried beans and an onion. That's, what, $3? Cha-ching! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1 package dried beans (16 bean soup mix--toss out the flavoring packet)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">4 cups water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">6 cups broth (I used leftover broth from making corned beef and cabbage, but you could use chicken broth from the store, veggie broth, etc).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">large onion, chopped </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2 cloves garlic, chopped (or about 1 tbsp dried)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2 medium bay leaves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">thyme</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">black pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">rosemary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">basil </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b>Instructions:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">1) Rinse beans, then soak in 8 cups water for 4-5 hours. Drain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">2) Add all ingredients (spice to taste--I added about a teaspoon of each) to slow cooker. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">3) Cook on high for 4-5 hours (Until beans have just the tiniest bit of crunch left. That's what makes them hearty and yummy. Don't let the beans get mushy)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">That's it. No joke. Easiest, cheapest soup ever? Probably! AND Hubster and I both loved it (and we aren't even that big of bean people). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">You could add some carrots and celery if you want a little more color. </span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Bon Appétit!</span></span></span></h3>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span>Adventure well; Live fully.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span>HAK</span></span></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-24022007135076400072015-03-13T09:04:00.000-04:002015-03-13T09:29:02.463-04:00Mommy Blog: Daily Living<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">I didn't know it was possible to have a child and love absolutely everything about him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">(Hubster questioned whether I even love it when Jem poops. Don't get me wrong--I don't have some strange poo-love, but diapers reassure me that I'm making enough milk and feeding my boy well). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxZKebPL2TgJ2Xicoda7Mif0JnY0IxSLOTnQ1go8yuoybsUasMzsdFYVikPPbSfeWHlslwd18u8ivCM78f1uwjcq1gJpX1Ndig8sNYB5lw_-sH3E0So1aTnD0CBCrAxndZchyK_-KzZk/s1600/IMG_7452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxZKebPL2TgJ2Xicoda7Mif0JnY0IxSLOTnQ1go8yuoybsUasMzsdFYVikPPbSfeWHlslwd18u8ivCM78f1uwjcq1gJpX1Ndig8sNYB5lw_-sH3E0So1aTnD0CBCrAxndZchyK_-KzZk/s1600/IMG_7452.JPG" height="320" title="Mommy Blog Daily Living Baby Pic1" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Anyway. Everything. I love absolutely everything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">First morning squeaks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">"Ah goo, ah goo" as I change his diaper (I promise you this means "All good," even though my linguistics training tells me it's far too early for him to make meaningful utterances).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Wiggles, grunts, grins, and incredible belches when he nurses. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Spontaneous, frequent, wonderful, ear to ear, toothless smiles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Giant, dramatic hand gestures. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Coos, almost giggles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Stretches, kicks, holding his head. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Sheer delight at all his new discoveries. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">And, yes, even dirty diapers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Pre-Jemsy, I led a crazy-full always on the go life. I'm rather often asked what life looks like now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">It's still full. But not so hectic. A beautiful blessing of nursing, that I totally didn't foresee, is the rhythm it gives my day. Every four hours I must stop, more or less, and just be. I do little things during this time--talk, read, day dream-- but the motion must stop. So what does a "day in the life" look like? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Our daily living varies a bit, based on whether I have Zumba in the morning or discipleship in the evening, but, for the most part, it looks a lot like this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">In the early hours, I nurse briefly then put super cute cuddle boy back down. I then crawl back in bed myself while John gets ready for work until it's time for us to eat breakfast together. After Hubster leaves, I drink coffee, browse social media (that means connecting with all you cool-cats!), do little chores around the house, and shower before Jemsy wakes again. He nurses, and we cuddle, sing, read, and giggle. We take a walk with Mama Deb. We have lunch with Daddy, and then Jemsy takes a little nap while I putter in the studio, lining up my tasks for the afternoon. He nurses again, during which I usually read aloud to him from something like <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i> (not so much because I think a 2 month old will derive great literary benefit, but so he can hear my voice and hear new words). He naps for several hours in the afternoon; I start dinner, then knit, paint, sew up seams, take pictures, and generally do the bulk of my creating and business running while he sleeps. John comes home and we eat. Jem nurses again while we catch up on our day. We spend time together as a family. Jem has his last meal then goes to bed with a round of "Hush Little Baby" and a whispered prayer still floating in his ears. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">He smiled at me today during that early morning nursing when neither of us are really awake. It melts my heart every time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Mama-hood. A gentle refining. Someday, I know he'll teach me lessons in patience and self-discipline. But for now, the lessons are sweeter: rhythm, routine, slowing down, and so much gratitude. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOegktJukMDClr_ZvP7s2NuzXs3aJwYaYgrNBXaGC04b7FDiX7aiDlXEvShFiBB0lqgY3xUFrchrGhzdBDC9YJxrCXpXrL_FgBHXqWYwaruK2ys3VqZcCO37rXahcJIDILA_g25OOTcZM/s1600/IMG_7447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOegktJukMDClr_ZvP7s2NuzXs3aJwYaYgrNBXaGC04b7FDiX7aiDlXEvShFiBB0lqgY3xUFrchrGhzdBDC9YJxrCXpXrL_FgBHXqWYwaruK2ys3VqZcCO37rXahcJIDILA_g25OOTcZM/s1600/IMG_7447.JPG" height="320" title="Mommy Blog Daily Living Baby Pic 2" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Adventure well; Live fully.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">HAK</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-54839693086170927172015-03-05T23:01:00.000-05:002015-03-13T09:24:38.280-04:00(Slow Cooker) Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome back!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was thinking about this blog all morning, yet when nap-time came, it completely escaped my mind as I got lost in knitting and drafting a new stationery design. So many happy projects!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Without further ado, a recipe for yummy, comfort food, keep-me-warm-and-nourished-on-a-winter-day soup! </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiX2XDXSsAJs8MzLFV4B3GOtih8lTDLJTmyYRrrM7RMBmhjM8OcbibVhxZvxDddk733g0mKvi80ZKP8y8MoLl4kSrIWNptgGHRg2WV3F4F4gptzYBUMtWpHYMBtt7ej_Kf6hguSkb2wY/s1600/IMG_7361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiX2XDXSsAJs8MzLFV4B3GOtih8lTDLJTmyYRrrM7RMBmhjM8OcbibVhxZvxDddk733g0mKvi80ZKP8y8MoLl4kSrIWNptgGHRg2WV3F4F4gptzYBUMtWpHYMBtt7ej_Kf6hguSkb2wY/s1600/IMG_7361.JPG" height="320" title="(Slow Cooker) Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe" width="320" /></a></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">(Slow Cooker) Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZH7DWOVcrPjiHG4OMmyKgrSmXfv4YC9sV9ll3puqxW3aUPOdSymN4NN8HeyHM7-uMc6ot5_Ht5Nq8jAeaCPqdkiKxCATAVnw0XxwswCfg29-t3BvaurO5bcEktFDD1aSjY0P5IWNHtus/s1600/IMG_4733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZH7DWOVcrPjiHG4OMmyKgrSmXfv4YC9sV9ll3puqxW3aUPOdSymN4NN8HeyHM7-uMc6ot5_Ht5Nq8jAeaCPqdkiKxCATAVnw0XxwswCfg29-t3BvaurO5bcEktFDD1aSjY0P5IWNHtus/s1600/IMG_4733.jpg" height="320" title="(Slow Cooker) Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe 1" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ingredients:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Large soup pot (or slow cooker) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Large skillet</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">1-2 lbs ground beef (or turkey)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 large bag frozen mixed vegetables</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 large white potato (or 3-4 red potatoes)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 large stalks celery, chopped</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">1 large onion (or 2 small/medium ones) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">4 cups beef broth</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">28 oz diced tomatoes</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Basil</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oregano</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thyme</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sea Salt</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pepper</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Garlic</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bay leaves</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Instructions:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">1) Brown beef in skillet</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">2) Chop onions and garlic</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">3) Add onions, garlic, and spices to beef. Stir and simmer until onions begin to become clear and soften. (A note on spices: I purposefully neglected measurements because I rarely measure them, a technique referred to as "throwing flour" by our friend Stuart. I tend to be passionate about garlic and stingy with salt. Season to your preference)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCzBEHiMy6XBCFn4tSzaEw5o5GF2I4VYPJNg3qT1_ktUFPHijInFf_Lt_XsFSjDgkL88AQEyZ-Aryn3c_SMexbLD0yFXRWIUHkiM4-K3_Sgaj5Qj1SfoUiuHBruaKXf5H7q7YcQmyyAU/s1600/IMG_4744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCzBEHiMy6XBCFn4tSzaEw5o5GF2I4VYPJNg3qT1_ktUFPHijInFf_Lt_XsFSjDgkL88AQEyZ-Aryn3c_SMexbLD0yFXRWIUHkiM4-K3_Sgaj5Qj1SfoUiuHBruaKXf5H7q7YcQmyyAU/s1600/IMG_4744.jpg" height="200" title="(Slow Cooker) Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe 2" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">4) Dump the contents of the skillet into the soup pot or slow cooker. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">5) Add remaining ingredients and stir.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-8kZQnI13tO_3sIN5L35jEhosHPY5S0y42neaZiwDaNTsEb7cnPHeUZfykXZjPrcJUIi1ilQ7Nvk_X1e9ccQKYEbbSi4S8zn2qwkn2zFK_75_BYUHqRgiE9WIvw1BG3Ce5KLBI0YUjU/s1600/IMG_4748.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-8kZQnI13tO_3sIN5L35jEhosHPY5S0y42neaZiwDaNTsEb7cnPHeUZfykXZjPrcJUIi1ilQ7Nvk_X1e9ccQKYEbbSi4S8zn2qwkn2zFK_75_BYUHqRgiE9WIvw1BG3Ce5KLBI0YUjU/s1600/IMG_4748.jpg" height="200" title="(Slow Cooker) Beef Vegetable Soup Recipe 3" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">6a) Soup pot: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">6b) Slow cooker: Cook on low for 4-5 hours (until potatoes soften)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">7) Serve with your favorite crackers, crusty bread, or pita</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Adventure well; Live fully.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAK</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-78596081084007523502015-02-27T08:29:00.000-05:002015-03-13T09:25:11.857-04:00Mommy Blog: Unmedicated Waterbirth<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fabulous-- week 2 of being back at blogging, and I'm a morning late. In my defense, the yarn for my spring collection arrived yesterday, and I spent nap time (aka, Mama's Work Time) knitting furiously rather than blogging. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Besides, what better topic to talk about first thing in the morning than <span style="font-size: x-large;">child birth</span>, right? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">First thing you should know: I.hate.needles. To the point that, no kidding, my first reason for investigating unmedicated childbirth was to avoid needles. I remember talking about it with a friend of mine shortly after John and I got married, and she told me about another friend who had delivered her last child as a waterbirth. I was intrigued-- supposedly the waterbirth was a lot less painful than a regular unmedicated vaginal birth. I like water (a lot), so, hey, nothing to lose right? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">After John and I got pregnant, I started doing my research. <span style="font-size: x-large;">What exactly does it mean to have a natural, unmedicated birth? What is waterbirth?</span> We watched the <a href="http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/" target="_blank">Business of Being Born</a>, and I was off in a whirlwind of learning everything I could about childbirth. I read mommy blogs; I watched documentaries; I devoured <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425039079&sr=8-1&keywords=ina+may" target="_blank"><i>Ina May's Guide to Childbirth</i></a>. What started out as a fear of needles quickly became a passion: God designed a woman's body to grow and bear children, and, while that process is marred by sin (resulting in pain, complications, etc.), it is a natural, beautiful experience. I'm not saying that every woman with a sound doctrine of creation must have a natural birth, but I did become convinced that 1) the fear women have of birth is a lie-- perhaps even part of the curse of sin. I would love for all women, however they choose to deliver, to be able to birth without fear. And, 2) unmedicated waterbirth was the best choice for me and for Jem. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">When people find out I gave birth without any sort of pain medication, they generally react some level of horror. When they realize that I did it on purpose, I'm pretty sure the general consensus is that I'm insane. Then there are some answers to common questions:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yes, I gave birth in a hospital. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yes, I would have (and did) accepted medical interventions that kept us safe.<br />Yes, Jem came out underwater. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">No, he was not in danger of drowning. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The tub was about 3 1/2 feet deep and 5 feet across. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yes, John was in the water with me (and, yes, he wore pants. (No, I don't know why that's a question either)). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yes, it hurt. No, it was not unbearable. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yes, I would do it again. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"> More questions? Maybe I should start at the beginning:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jem was due on December 18th. At my midwife appointment a couple of days before, I was slightly dilated, had my membranes swept, and was told labor was imminent. A week and a half of waiting later, on Christmas Eve, we thought something might finally be happening (Don't even get me going on all the false/early labor I had. Weeks and weeks of it. If you aren't sure if you're in labor, you are not alone. I was a wreck more than once simply because I was so frustrated by not knowing if it was time or not!). We had dinner with my parents and some friends; we went to the Christmas Eve service at church. By the end of the service (around 10pm), my contractions were just a few minutes apart. We had been at this point before (several times, actually), and the standard advice I had been given was to go to bed and see if the contractions kept going thru the night. But, no, I had done that and had them stop, and I wanted to have this BABY ALREADY. We ended up checking into the hospital at 1am where, of course, the first thing they did was convince me to take an Ambien to try to sleep (I had been awake for about 23 hours). I sort of slept, but it mostly just made Jem sleepy so that I spent most of my labor looking like this:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZQTs5K82rhG6KMC2YK_1mbn_qDVF58wjiyrLKHs-Nq2uyQ_5LZtotipCKZ4tiXINdOG3pmNnDtL6MvtJoEtgV8_IcnR8xgjRe6sU5Vw-WP5_71WbB1KkBAj6bLVbqDzzO7Uyj_6rLYM/s1600/Jem+Waterbirth+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZQTs5K82rhG6KMC2YK_1mbn_qDVF58wjiyrLKHs-Nq2uyQ_5LZtotipCKZ4tiXINdOG3pmNnDtL6MvtJoEtgV8_IcnR8xgjRe6sU5Vw-WP5_71WbB1KkBAj6bLVbqDzzO7Uyj_6rLYM/s1600/Jem+Waterbirth+3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once Jem finally woke up, though, they released me from the fetal monitor and let me walk around the maternity ward to encourage my contractions. Now, my contractions never became very regular--to the point that the nurse and midwife almost tried to send me home a couple of times, but then found that I was still dilating. Best I can tell, this and a couple other things were the result of me having soooo much pre-/early labor. My body started this process tired and was thus rather inefficient about the whole thing. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">After 18 hours in the hospital (it's now about 7pm on Christmas), my water broke just as we were ready to have it broken. This is when the fun really began. All of a sudden, those contractions HURT a lot more. Until then, I could close my eyes and breathe/ lightly moan through my contractions without too much trouble. All of a sudden, I was mooing like a cow from somewhere down in my toes. They took one more 30 minute fetal strip, the tossed me in the tub (for the second time. I had labored in the tub for 90 blissful minutes during the afternoon). As I started feeling pushy (aka, started losing my mind), <span style="font-size: x-large;">I remember thinking, "Well, it's too late for drugs now." </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">I pushed for a little over an hour before Jem was born. If John hadn't been in the tub, I likely would have drowned. Keeping one's head above water is not a high priority when mid-contraction, apparently. He held on to me and made deep, low sounds for me to imitate as I pushed. Mom and the midwife reassured me over and over again when I simply felt too tired to keep going. Yes, I screamed as he crowned, though the scream seems more etched in my mind than John's or Mom's--the focus of the moment was that head full of hair entering the world. And the next moment, he was with us!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3llBJLJyUwoTIhy4njnlKDzofuhM0UH418IpFnZ0V_idvBB1TQH1SOIoCU6suZEHbO9HLRXSM2EP6tpLXOyhOf-r9yivFhSvIMVRPnaps_FRAH-nSS85hPCSX9YNGvknmXnOasiejgA/s1600/Jem+Waterbirth+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3llBJLJyUwoTIhy4njnlKDzofuhM0UH418IpFnZ0V_idvBB1TQH1SOIoCU6suZEHbO9HLRXSM2EP6tpLXOyhOf-r9yivFhSvIMVRPnaps_FRAH-nSS85hPCSX9YNGvknmXnOasiejgA/s1600/Jem+Waterbirth+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXiW2fgA_xbNiAU4jXxRiHnZVHsfCZB9kU3BjRGdPwfW49fZqiyAnXwXjZsaptHf75PlG7bchtOz-mypqcMWEEMrCUzwmu0EiLyhvlkIbfJlAuCdgd8Ms8ekmadce-5Y8EKp7FkJ8Gow/s1600/Jem+Waterbirth+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXiW2fgA_xbNiAU4jXxRiHnZVHsfCZB9kU3BjRGdPwfW49fZqiyAnXwXjZsaptHf75PlG7bchtOz-mypqcMWEEMrCUzwmu0EiLyhvlkIbfJlAuCdgd8Ms8ekmadce-5Y8EKp7FkJ8Gow/s1600/Jem+Waterbirth+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">We basked in the awesomeness of the moment for a few minutes, then John cut the cord and cuddled Jem on the couch while I was fished out of the tub and delivered the placenta. Here's the part about medical interventions I alluded to: because I had been in labor for so long, my body was more tired than it has ever been, and my uterus had trouble contracting down to stop the blood flow where the placenta had torn away. Basically, I had a moderate hemorrhage. While I wouldn't say I was on death's door or anything (they didn't even give me an IV, thank goodness, because n.e.e.d.l.e.s.), it was serious. I was given two drugs, one of which was a shot of pitocin, to help me contract (during which, Mama had to promise me ice cream to distract me. Did I mention I hate shots? She was good to her word and brought me a smoothie the next morning). I share this, because, <span style="font-size: x-large;">for me, an unmedicated birth meant not being induced with drugs or receiving pain medication.</span> I had no problem receiving medications (like the Ambien early in labor or the pitocin afterward) that were intended to make me as healthy as possible to take care of my baby. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8CxtzhktbiZKhtT1yetM1kdUD_mQdw_AuIKbW9ivgN7qHkz27KP9ZdRsP2zaU-LVQp6f4iJv4UtuArBaD808RTpBQI2CUQ6qR-6QtEsOVY-U_ERdAtyy7Z7zBi5wzRiEV_fnAdL3cnE/s1600/Jem+Waterbirth+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8CxtzhktbiZKhtT1yetM1kdUD_mQdw_AuIKbW9ivgN7qHkz27KP9ZdRsP2zaU-LVQp6f4iJv4UtuArBaD808RTpBQI2CUQ6qR-6QtEsOVY-U_ERdAtyy7Z7zBi5wzRiEV_fnAdL3cnE/s1600/Jem+Waterbirth+4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">We had an amazing "golden hour" in the birth room before transferring to post-partum. At one point the midwife came in with a laugh and asked if anyone had weighed Jem yet. "No, but can we??" I begged. I had been told all through my pregnancy that I would have a small baby, "7 pounds, tops." (I gained 40 pounds while pregnant--I had some serious doubts that my baby would be so small). Sure enough, Jem was 8 lbs 15 oz, and I may have overheard a nurse or two express surprise that I, a pretty petite woman, could manage to deliver a baby of that size and not need stitches. I guess these wide hips paid off. ;-) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">The bottom line?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Birth is beautiful.</span> It's earthy, messy, a "blow your hair back experience," and beautiful. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNnD2kO4bY6G-RdAhqXL1dV98rsS2wlDPdqWDE0KJmBz9CC6H4aBVXCD9blQ2x2SXSNa1lnk0cMEgOr7LgQFYSnYjGp1K66qeRLc3WsRpbCGSm_P62gJwVLQw2yPBmCsR0xQLJ8MU3Xk/s1600/Jem+Waterbirth+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNnD2kO4bY6G-RdAhqXL1dV98rsS2wlDPdqWDE0KJmBz9CC6H4aBVXCD9blQ2x2SXSNa1lnk0cMEgOr7LgQFYSnYjGp1K66qeRLc3WsRpbCGSm_P62gJwVLQw2yPBmCsR0xQLJ8MU3Xk/s1600/Jem+Waterbirth+5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Adventure well; Live fully.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">(Note: None of the links in this blog benefit me financially in any way--I just wanted to make it easier for y'all to access some resources I found helpful.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">(Also, I'm young-- like 23, people-are-still-surprised-that-I'm-married-and-more-than-one-stranger-implied-that-I-was-a-teen-pregnancy young. That meant that my odds for an uncomplicated birth and easier recovery were really good. Always talk to your doctor or midwife to choose the safest birthing plan for you and your little one). </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-2155477399663727572015-02-19T16:37:00.000-05:002015-02-19T16:37:55.314-05:00Rebirth of the Blog<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hey y'all!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wow, it's been awhile, huh? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I spent November working in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MesAventuresCraftsCo?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">shop</a> which was absolutely wonderful. Now I'm trying to regain that momentum because...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Baby boy was born on Christmas! Jem is 8 weeks old today and absolutely wonderful (even if he does need 487 diaper changes per day. ;-) ). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As you may recall, I took a blogging "sabbatical" because, well, I wasn't blogging anyway and felt like I needed to give myself permission to not worry about it, take some time, and come back with an actual plan. No joke, it took me this long to feel like I had enough ideas to confidently reenter the blogosphere without total fear of neglecting this space all over again. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">For now, I'm going to blog once per week on one of four topics: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I really hope to "build up" over time as I get the hang of this thing-- it is, after all, about my adventures, and I have a lot of those, so I should theoretically have endless fodder, right? right... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Please, please, please write in the little box below and leave a comment-- things you want to hear about, things you never EVER want to hear about, your latest adventure... Speaking of which...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Adventure well; Live fully.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">HAK</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-85165502376647991712014-10-20T12:24:00.006-04:002014-10-20T12:24:40.681-04:00A Quick Update...<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hey Y'all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As you may have noticed, I am not the most faithful blogger... Thus, I have decided to suspend my attempts at blogging for the present time. While I'm away, I hope to focus on better developing my business and products over at Etsy (and having this lovely baby boy in December!). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to stay in touch via <span style="font-size: x-large;">Instagram</span> (@MesAventuresHAK) where I post almost daily, and through my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/MesAventuresCraftsCo" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">shop</span></a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope this sabbatical will only be temporary and that I'll return freshly inspired!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Until later,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Adventure well; Live fully. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAK</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-13543088543597369792014-08-18T13:59:00.000-04:002015-03-13T09:15:51.768-04:00Super Straighforward Steps for Pregnancy Fitness<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Back to School!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbrYZIyiOn9zJJnxOUqSDEQDK_cT5C4No7hEPgbH7SCr8vVG_xCLNkNtHHsq5jLWEF02KgrrhRkFtC8JqzHU23RO8Ijiyzp7Yc5Qsfya2hZYLCPlJM0ITPhRfEnF-yTrh8SI3upR1vIA/s1600/IMG_4255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbrYZIyiOn9zJJnxOUqSDEQDK_cT5C4No7hEPgbH7SCr8vVG_xCLNkNtHHsq5jLWEF02KgrrhRkFtC8JqzHU23RO8Ijiyzp7Yc5Qsfya2hZYLCPlJM0ITPhRfEnF-yTrh8SI3upR1vIA/s1600/IMG_4255.jpg" height="320" width="203" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's that time of year again--Summer is winding down, kiddos are back at their books, and the rest of us are once again renewing resolutions of fitness and health. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">22 and a half weeks pregnant (and still taking silly selfies, but who could resist??) with a BOY (yippee!). </span>A few weeks ago, at the sweet nudging of my Hubster, I realized that walks, even long, frequent ones, were not cutting it as my pregnancy fitness plan. About this same time, my Mama bought me a fabulous pair of maternity jeans, and I wanted to look and feel great in them. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hadn't gained any shocking amounts of weight or anything like that, after all, I'm growing a whole other person, but John could tell I was lethargic and losing confidence about how I looked and felt.</span> So to the Y he sent me (side note: It takes a special man to tell his wife that she needs to get her backside out to the gym and be able to do it in a way that makes her feel encouraged and confident, not fat or criticized). </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, in light of the last couple of weeks, here are my very straightforward </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Tips for Staying Fit and Feeling Great </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">During Pregnancy:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1) Talk to your OB or midwife. </span>Really, don't skip this step, especially if you don't have a history of being active. If you are fortunate, you'll get a green light like me, "Anything that you can do that you are able to do, do it." If they have guidelines, listen to them. You can always ask them to reevaluate your condition later after you make some progress, etc. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUkclOkBntXp3drUkvgf3_9MhKFpjzZCDsXG8Zuf8XtI8zcQCqOpEHOtbjkxkrpiCZ1uJ4xICqAlNo9LOaqteMYv97SigbEQghHq5YZWeNNrVJoLP18mYjiiznM-w9vO5y0uCZeCULIk/s1600/IMG_4258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUkclOkBntXp3drUkvgf3_9MhKFpjzZCDsXG8Zuf8XtI8zcQCqOpEHOtbjkxkrpiCZ1uJ4xICqAlNo9LOaqteMYv97SigbEQghHq5YZWeNNrVJoLP18mYjiiznM-w9vO5y0uCZeCULIk/s1600/IMG_4258.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2) Just do it.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Really, do it. Put on your big girl yoga pants and your sneakers, and do something. Cant think of anything but walking? Walk. Start somewhere, anywhere. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3) Shake it up. </span>Fresh out of ideas? Shake it literally (Zumba class, baby! I'm in love!), or figuratively--try an Expresso bike or the elliptical instead of just walking. Keeping your mind engaged is also important when working out. Boredom busts good intentions. Find ways to make exercise fun.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4) Don't forget to hydrate and eat well.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Hydrate means <i>water</i>, and plenty of it. Also, don't interpret that as "eat perfectly." I'm definitely pro-ice cream. ;-) But pay attention to what goes in your body. Don't undermine your workout with crummy eating. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">5) Look good.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">Choose flattering maternity clothes. Budget busted? I've found some lovely steals on Old Navy's clearance rack. Knowing that you're rocking a fun outfit will add bounce to your step and serve as both reward and motivation for staying active. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Keep it simple. Keep it fun. :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Adventure well; Live fully.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAK </span></span></span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-7973307299470056182014-07-12T12:29:00.000-04:002014-07-12T12:29:00.611-04:00Studio Update: More Word Art<span style="font-size: large;">Howdy, everyone!</span><br />
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Custom orders have kept me in the studio and away from my computer for quite a while! Though that is indeed my favorite way to spend my time, it means that y'all have been rather left out of all the excitement. Even now, in fact, I should be knitting away on yet another lovely project, but I'm finally bursting to show y'all what I've been doing.<br />
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A couple months ago, I shared the word art I created as a gift for a teenage gal in need of some encouragement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Pp_ZenNyieT3mUOtDjqJ4iMq-5OycAjxbz4KcnsWiqpO2b7x4FWn11oN2ovfpq198BMJcHrJQ4_w9V5zkBj_tGs69QISCJiuNxYEScIyVx1bnIvRvWldJbeWl-bqtG9H1e5iSfGwT9U/s1600/IMG_1351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Pp_ZenNyieT3mUOtDjqJ4iMq-5OycAjxbz4KcnsWiqpO2b7x4FWn11oN2ovfpq198BMJcHrJQ4_w9V5zkBj_tGs69QISCJiuNxYEScIyVx1bnIvRvWldJbeWl-bqtG9H1e5iSfGwT9U/s1600/IMG_1351.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A quick nose around Etsy showed me that no one else is really doing word art like this, so I added it as a custom item in my shop. </span><br />
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In May, I got my first order! I put together this piece as a gift for a mom from her 4 kids:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5A1VB6XS_XEltV6GxDTImeuTH1BCy9Vx5vSIDRSqpX4y7aSmdpjZg-xGQ96hZltgsZDyxCinwd40DZAixPIzEd2O9WVX6xsQuwf7YV7bxY2gwtuY0yj-xTUDR14tn2g8HsqTDDNFjK0c/s1600/IMG_2859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5A1VB6XS_XEltV6GxDTImeuTH1BCy9Vx5vSIDRSqpX4y7aSmdpjZg-xGQ96hZltgsZDyxCinwd40DZAixPIzEd2O9WVX6xsQuwf7YV7bxY2gwtuY0yj-xTUDR14tn2g8HsqTDDNFjK0c/s1600/IMG_2859.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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It included some of their favorite qualities about their mama and was "signed" by them. At 9x12 inches, it's also large enough for her to frame and hang it where she'll see it every day. <br />
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Then, a few weeks later, I received another order. This time for a family heirloom piece to be featured in the couple's new library. This piece took more planning and skill, and I loved the challenge!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvn0oRjF8qylZUsaPrQkodkWT1LjPqRdQnTGp1LR8zryip5L6q4D8Tr65kNMe6WxgVkNYWi8SYAGiiBCf1M_3LaUR8nMM1U8XHtToW7jIdj9VcswoqCt3kDL1LbsL2tpsVbEq0BV1cABo/s1600/Caruthers-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvn0oRjF8qylZUsaPrQkodkWT1LjPqRdQnTGp1LR8zryip5L6q4D8Tr65kNMe6WxgVkNYWi8SYAGiiBCf1M_3LaUR8nMM1U8XHtToW7jIdj9VcswoqCt3kDL1LbsL2tpsVbEq0BV1cABo/s1600/Caruthers-Final.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a> </div>
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This painting was huge: 16x20 inches. In fact, I ordered special watercolor board for it so that it would be easier to manage, ship, and for them to frame. <br />
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The family name was Scottish, so I incorporated some of the better known Highland flowers: thistle, heather, and bluebells. The "calligraphy" is all outlined by hand then painted in and lends it self to the classic, heirloom feel of the work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx5k5KLbKW0WuY0SjIcPoOMxmqzGIC975eEWa8k5yJ-7lzQYt1hIVt-GIJXpnZammZIOih5gDZsZStbiohvXwc4pmD85McT-2e0Jd59C6nVh6N_EuLEHvdzaduGz_Sk-0Ptau0BjrTww/s1600/IMG_3489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx5k5KLbKW0WuY0SjIcPoOMxmqzGIC975eEWa8k5yJ-7lzQYt1hIVt-GIJXpnZammZIOih5gDZsZStbiohvXwc4pmD85McT-2e0Jd59C6nVh6N_EuLEHvdzaduGz_Sk-0Ptau0BjrTww/s1600/IMG_3489.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOcfD4iRHiK1-poTKdmBJXR0gMRVFtT4VqMBQtNPigOW0Te1d4RuiLd4emg1Gi8djKTmPhRsGEbhODgkugl-cbrtByry-WeUcUr0rxjKje0hfR7WpCR1VVLHrZxAae2eeVEf7GzZcocA/s1600/IMG_3490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOcfD4iRHiK1-poTKdmBJXR0gMRVFtT4VqMBQtNPigOW0Te1d4RuiLd4emg1Gi8djKTmPhRsGEbhODgkugl-cbrtByry-WeUcUr0rxjKje0hfR7WpCR1VVLHrZxAae2eeVEf7GzZcocA/s1600/IMG_3490.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9a4Bk47FULL2ZzQk4cDUbvtEGdCU0WoYf65xZ5N004dtRXiBZUli5MXBoW5CKsI_onH4pVY6r0FnNuQ1IFnB2XaXSow82et03G_r5HkNC1GsU8nUwDoNYSRjH1VqaFDBghJ5QHuNZ57o/s1600/IMG_3491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9a4Bk47FULL2ZzQk4cDUbvtEGdCU0WoYf65xZ5N004dtRXiBZUli5MXBoW5CKsI_onH4pVY6r0FnNuQ1IFnB2XaXSow82et03G_r5HkNC1GsU8nUwDoNYSRjH1VqaFDBghJ5QHuNZ57o/s1600/IMG_3491.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope to do more work like this in the future</span>--I really enjoyed working with my customers to select color palettes and draft sketches. It challenges me to listen well, ask careful questions, and think outside of work I've done before. It's a unique adventure!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Want to learn more? Check out <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/178390567/custom-word-art-with-name-teen-gift-baby?ref=shop_home_feat_3" target="_blank">this listing in my shop!</a></span><br />
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Adventure well; Live fully.<br />
HAK<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-23272723338262775542014-05-19T13:50:00.002-04:002014-05-19T13:50:37.028-04:002014 Tour de Cure<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We did it; we did it; we really, really did it!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">After two+ months of training, fundraising, and then wondering if I could bike that far with morning sickness, the Tour is complete! All 28 miles!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before anything else, THANK YOU to our wonderful sponsors and supporters for your financial gifts, encouragement, and prayers. You were behind us all the way! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, the story. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday was rainy. Like, really, REALLY rainy. And all we could think as we drove to Douglasville through the downpour was, "Wow, this is going to be miserable." </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We got there and suited up for the worst (at least as best you can when you're going to be on a bike...). </span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We registered, and pinned our numbers on our coats. John even got a super cool bike jersey because he's a "red rider," meaning, he rides with diabetes. He kind of got special treatment like that all day. ;-) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It wasn't raining at the starting line, so off we went. The ride was gorgeous--through the woods and farms of south west Atlanta. The air was cool and fresh, but the roads were hardly wet, and the rain, and my nausea, held of the whole ride. God is so good! Every 7ish miles there was a pit stop--with water, gatorade, granola bars, and the.best.oranges.ever., so we refueled often and took our time. We rode 28 miles in 2.25 hours (plus stopped time). The hills were challenging, but we really did enjoy it (probably me most of all. ;-) ). Yippee!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps the best surprise was that not just Stuart, but April, Anna, Adam, AND Chester were all waiting for us at the finish line with cameras and cheers. What a welcome!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was an awesome experience. Yesterday's riders collectively have raised $400K to STOP DIABETES! And, as our lives are daily impacted by the disease, the thought that better treatments and maybe even a cure can be found is an awesome thought. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="Photo: Tour de Cure 2014 is here! Just remember to "Keep on and Ride on"!" class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="504" src="https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/q71/s480x480/10341613_830232963671641_9155365478646461497_n.jpg" width="336" /> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo from the Tour de Cure Atlanta Facebook page)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Adventure well; Live fully. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">HAK</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-42129536280235203312014-05-17T11:51:00.000-04:002014-05-17T11:53:38.203-04:00Moby Gimli Bat-Cat<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Good Morning!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How about a happy cat story to start your day with a smile?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once upon a time, there was a tiny little kitten. As far as anyone knows, he was only 6ish weeks old when he was abandoned at a PetSmart near Chattanooga. He was black with a grey undercoat and amazingly social, affectionate, and playful. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One day, a husband and wife wandered into this same PetSmart. They were there to buy a white betta fish and name it Moby Dick (the wife was nerdy like that). On a whim, they decided to go say hi to the cats in the adoption center. They were busy sticking their fingers in the cages and cooing at the cats when they heard a most insistent mew. They looked around to see where it was coming from just as the little kitten crawled out from under the cages. He stunk to high heaven and had fleas galore, but the wife picked him up anyway. It didn't take long to figure out he had no where to go, so the couple decided to take him home and try to convince their landlord to let them keep him. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the way home, they named him Moby. Little Moby was so tired that he fell asleep in his litter box as soon as he ate a little bit of food.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They took him home, bathed him, and made sure he had plenty to eat. He fluffed up and settled in very quickly--loving both his makeshift bed and his little mouse. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But, alas, the couple's landlord was the only soul on earth not completely vulnerable to Moby's charms, and he would not let them keep him. But, after a week of agonizing over the fate of the world's best kitten, HA met Erin. Erin and her hubby have two kids and three other cats, and were thrilled to add this feisty, loving kitten to the mix. So, for about 6 months, Moby lived with them, enjoying kitty-friends and being carried around like a dishtowel by the little girl. During that time, he grew up quite a bit!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He never quite grew into his ears, though, and was known as the Gimli Bat-Cat. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Then, in March, Erin called HA and asked her about readopting the Bat-cat. He has a knack for mischief that was just a little overwhelming with 5 other potential mischief-makers in the house. HA drove to Chattanooga the next day and brought him home to the Studio. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Mob-ster is still crazy, but also crazy cuddly. There is certainly never a dull moment!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (He's also still not sure if he's cat, dog, or human. ;-) ).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And they all lived happily ever after--including Erin and her family whom we love very much! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Adventure well, Live fully.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">HAK</span></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-82027763926298041912014-05-16T20:30:00.000-04:002014-05-16T20:30:46.566-04:00Knightlet #1<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Howdy, Everyone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Shortly after my last post, Hubster and I got some exciting news: Our first Knightlet is on the way! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I wish I could eloquently describe our emotions and thoughts, but it's really very simple: we are so <b>happy. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Rather than trying to keep the secret, we told the whole world pretty much right away with the help of our Moby-cat:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwDiQzvEtR7t1GE5xuzNwL48b6AFjY292a_Dy3417B_AzVL09tPWqTX3dYjnK6NHVtnngqvQajVVVXtZ7rLhQPSsJQKc-H2b1j5qzPQasUmu0Ml0YGr4OHBf1x2SB1rX9O1tqrzIMVrg/s1600/photo1(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtwDiQzvEtR7t1GE5xuzNwL48b6AFjY292a_Dy3417B_AzVL09tPWqTX3dYjnK6NHVtnngqvQajVVVXtZ7rLhQPSsJQKc-H2b1j5qzPQasUmu0Ml0YGr4OHBf1x2SB1rX9O1tqrzIMVrg/s1600/photo1(1).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">While I can promise you he doesn't really have a clue that I'm pregnant, he's the only one that has reveled in the exhaustion of the first trimester--he's getting spoiled by all this extra cuddle time! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our parents are over the moon--which is the most wonderful thing ever, and my friends are excited, too (and maybe just a little overwhelmed ;-) ). </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR3bTnbDJhwmGme5JErBByw67LK8ex9h1e0Quh1DElupjyIZAvZanu_e1APIaUZbGSELUG3Ql72xUKOH05s0JWJ_rA7QcDJq8gCuKvCUdDC4f9goIO7ua0xfqVSCgzhlnlqv8RjLOEpc/s1600/PREGNANT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR3bTnbDJhwmGme5JErBByw67LK8ex9h1e0Quh1DElupjyIZAvZanu_e1APIaUZbGSELUG3Ql72xUKOH05s0JWJ_rA7QcDJq8gCuKvCUdDC4f9goIO7ua0xfqVSCgzhlnlqv8RjLOEpc/s1600/PREGNANT.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And, after weeks of waiting, we FINALLY had a prenatal appointment this week and got to see our little baby (and his/her heartbeat!).</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4v4ZFtV71KFrwlPXr4tnsele35uoAV_gQywhj-AY99z_qVwqyq2KadZdWrHIiwq7cBfg9kQNUa8tLdp-TuadvCWig1-sc6E2v0TSRmFud4Si6UdPamggZSgpG9aOywvoLOdI3pbLbFY/s1600/photo1(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4v4ZFtV71KFrwlPXr4tnsele35uoAV_gQywhj-AY99z_qVwqyq2KadZdWrHIiwq7cBfg9kQNUa8tLdp-TuadvCWig1-sc6E2v0TSRmFud4Si6UdPamggZSgpG9aOywvoLOdI3pbLbFY/s1600/photo1(3).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I'm 9 weeks along, and just can't wait till December 18th! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Talk about a new adventure! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Adventure well; Live fully.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">HAK</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-69027201813421459312014-04-01T10:32:00.000-04:002014-04-01T10:32:38.610-04:00A Month's Adventures<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy April 1st!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It has been over a month since I blogged, y'all, which is just nuts to me. In some ways, I suppose my life has been too full of living and has left little room from writing about living. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've been on <span style="font-size: large;">Instagram</span>, so those who follow there have seen all that I've been up to. Two things on that:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1) FOLLOW ME!<span style="font-size: large;"> @MesAventureHAK </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I definitely Insta more than anything else because I love sharing snapshots of daily life. </span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2) Look up^^^ I added that <span style="font-size: large;">cool, scrolling bar of photos</span> this morning. Those are my Instagram pictures via SnapWidget. So, if you click a picture it will take you to SnapWidget, but you can link to Insta from there. Fun stuff. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There will be more stories on all of the below soon, but for now let me give you a fly by of the last month:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1) <span style="font-size: large;">Moby Gimli Bat-Cat. <span style="font-size: small;">He's that silly black cat in so many of my photos. He has quite a story all by himself, but the gist of it is that we have the best cat in the world!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2) <span style="font-size: large;">Biking. <span style="font-size: small;">With only 7 weeks till the Tour de Cure, training is in full swing. Audrey has been a trooper as I challenge her day after day to push her mind and body just a little further in the saddle. To climb one more hill, pedal one more mile, practice riding on the roads and in the rain, etc. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3) <span style="font-size: large;">Drawing. <span style="font-size: small;">I won't be so bold as to say that I'm doing a drawing a day, but I'm trying to do several a week. Some are just quick sketches inspired by a verse in my morning devotions, and others are exercises in my sketchbook. I tend to be a bit pencil shy--strongly preferring my paintbrushes-- but the time has come for me to develop my drawing skills. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">4) <span style="font-size: large;">Reading.<span style="font-size: small;"> I.love.reading. But I've done less and less of it in my spare time over the last few years as college work has dominated my reading energies. With just a month of university left, I am being more intentional about building "fun reading" back into my life. I recently finished <i>Demon Fish</i> and <i>Ender's Game</i> and am now tackling <i>Atlas Shrugged.</i> Good stuff. :-) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remember, I always love to hear about your adventures in the comments or on any of my social media outlets! <span style="font-size: large;">Be in touch!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adventure well; Live fully. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">HAK </span></span> </span></span> </span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-26672770574403250422014-02-26T11:52:00.000-05:002014-02-26T11:52:11.766-05:00Atlanta Tour de Cure: We Need Your Help!<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good Morning! </span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've actually been quite productive in my studio lately, but I'll write more on that later. For now, I need to fill you in on a new adventure:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <b>American Diabetes Association's</b> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">Tour de Cure</span> Bike Ride. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-SSaZiBQSSBJE7TLtyZRlkIuuMKk8dgg5gI9YVxYJuV5HyjAjKDhXVY-Ii1g6bbLydsNmRpndH7485tz8U8c3bslXb6lU9WBZELEW9sBBRrN3Uo1E3Vz8ucjsPOMmoAUwzHP_GJ8RH0/s1600/IMG_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-SSaZiBQSSBJE7TLtyZRlkIuuMKk8dgg5gI9YVxYJuV5HyjAjKDhXVY-Ii1g6bbLydsNmRpndH7485tz8U8c3bslXb6lU9WBZELEW9sBBRrN3Uo1E3Vz8ucjsPOMmoAUwzHP_GJ8RH0/s1600/IMG_0694.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Hubster, Audrey, the sweet 7th grader I nanny, and I are joining Audrey's Aunt Stacey and some friends in the Atlanta 2014 Ride. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Who:</span> John & HollyAnne Knight and Audrey Sylvester</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">What: <span style="font-size: large;">The American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure <b>28 mile</b> Atlanta ride.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">When: <span style="font-size: large;">May 18, 2014</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Why: <span style="font-size: large;">To raise money for diabetes research, raise awareness about all types of diabetes, and celebrate the champions who live with diabetes every day (<span style="font-size: x-large;">Like my Hubster,<span style="font-size: large;"> who has had Type 1 for 13+ years).</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>How Can You Help:</b> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We need <span style="color: red;">prayer</span>: for safety in training and riding, for this ride as a whole to raise lots of money for research, and for that research to find new and better ways to fight, prevent, and CURE diabetes. </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are <span style="color: red;">FUNDRAISING.</span> We need to raise a minimum of $200 <b>each</b> in order to ride, and we'd like to go above and beyond that. The fastest way to donate is by going online. Follow these links!</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://tour.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=9926020&pg=personal&fr_id=9372&s_src=email_tour&s_subsrc=autoresponder-forward" target="_blank">Donate to <b><span style="color: red;">HOLLYANNE</span></b></a><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourAdmin?px=9926781&pg=personal&fr_id=9372" target="_blank">Donate to <b><span style="color: red;">JOHN</span></b></a><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourAdmin?px=9926794&pg=personal&fr_id=9372" target="_blank">Donate to <b><span style="color: red;">AUDREY</span></b></a><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b> </span> </span> </span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">THANK YOU!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adventure well; Live fully.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">HAK </span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-25424192712776921142014-02-21T09:18:00.000-05:002014-02-21T09:18:24.329-05:00A Lesson from the Fishes<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy Friday, everyone!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As y'all may know from Facebook and Instagram, I set up my aquarium this weekend. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">29 gallons of Amazon River happiness. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp6fH_EbBKbr4j3nRb6ismyf1FfaTbic2xDifUWwEeYgb4KoqsoiDrIc8CAEgswdKOewI5WSFHdbzeWqRVKzPdYkbT_6j4btsXsd-EobL51mwcwY8WB8ZKbdMZw0Q1-a4KwFFiQwLwf8/s1600/photo(47).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp6fH_EbBKbr4j3nRb6ismyf1FfaTbic2xDifUWwEeYgb4KoqsoiDrIc8CAEgswdKOewI5WSFHdbzeWqRVKzPdYkbT_6j4btsXsd-EobL51mwcwY8WB8ZKbdMZw0Q1-a4KwFFiQwLwf8/s1600/photo(47).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The tank is still cycling, so we'll see if everyone makes it through these critical next few weeks, but for now we have 2 striped angel fish, 6 lamp-eye tetras, and 6 cory catfish (3 different varieties: 1 green, 1 julii, and 4 sterbai...we kind of bought all the leftovers at the pet shop).</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I knew that these fish were very different from each other (even though angels, tetras, and corys are a pretty common community tank combo), but since this is my first community tank, I'd never had the opportunity to see how different species reacted when introduced to a tank . </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By the end of the day, I had a few thoughts:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tetras</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ycQXuCQ6mqCCyNYTWxh8WmmADzQAL2a6_ZnUm9NNooGudwzk15gQycgWGJeNwqaCqj7sl53lGHq8beDkuaZGXyGAj5jSYmSSTiSMjeab8gtaXJ_0XNmVbCca8ny6qPjkdcZxpjy-3m4/s1600/photo_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ycQXuCQ6mqCCyNYTWxh8WmmADzQAL2a6_ZnUm9NNooGudwzk15gQycgWGJeNwqaCqj7sl53lGHq8beDkuaZGXyGAj5jSYmSSTiSMjeab8gtaXJ_0XNmVbCca8ny6qPjkdcZxpjy-3m4/s1600/photo_3.jpg" height="183" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My apologies that they are so far away, but they are shockingly camera shy. Just trying to get this shot was an adventure--the angels love to hog the limelight!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So how did they handle their big ol' home?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As soon as the dropped in they just started puttering around like it was no big deal. They've explored some since, but <span style="font-size: large;">they were overall pretty nonplussed by the whole thing.</span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Angelfish</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEodTBXfbH0P-luXQF_Q3ZSwTWAc1ZC0C5iF4KrFmsbcJ42LINTh1Sxw2SYGQSvO97U9jJw-_aENENyz7qVN1Up67wqUxLe8Xu7i_wg_ZMfzwnm7qobti38zxKnIAc8Uf-B3XcZ8hHWQ/s1600/photo_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEodTBXfbH0P-luXQF_Q3ZSwTWAc1ZC0C5iF4KrFmsbcJ42LINTh1Sxw2SYGQSvO97U9jJw-_aENENyz7qVN1Up67wqUxLe8Xu7i_wg_ZMfzwnm7qobti38zxKnIAc8Uf-B3XcZ8hHWQ/s1600/photo_1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">We call this guy Quatro (he has 4 stripes), and we also have Trip (3 stripes). Quatro is certainly the dominant one and has decided that he loves the camera...though he hasn't quite figured out how to hold still. haha. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Anyway, these guys are about the size of a quarter and already growing. Quatro has shown mild signs of aggression (that dominance thing), so we're hoping that doesn't become an issue as he gets bigger (they'll both be bigger than my hand at full size). But let me tell you, that tough guy act was NOT a thing the night we put them both in the tank. <span style="font-size: large;">They both had freaking panic attacks.</span> If I hadn't been so worried about them adjusting well, it would have been funny. They had been moved from a crowded, bare store tank to my wonderfully planted Amazonian haven...and they were having a cow. It was ridiculous. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cory Cats</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWdQeL07s6qmY_3slKyPl6BcDM4pPr61BzrEWWl8953tnfvg6leZyJi50c-LOwRu10-fWTDPYb_xQ-UIelqgpdUWqr0RfqhzVUlwFYCGaCMCn7uVh6JRHM6AKJigz3DfHM9pkEEz-NVA/s1600/photo_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWdQeL07s6qmY_3slKyPl6BcDM4pPr61BzrEWWl8953tnfvg6leZyJi50c-LOwRu10-fWTDPYb_xQ-UIelqgpdUWqr0RfqhzVUlwFYCGaCMCn7uVh6JRHM6AKJigz3DfHM9pkEEz-NVA/s1600/photo_2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDVB88P5PqHDP9WCBjtV2K4PHvgMXozIkXL-stknnwQ54vPqLFb1P2iXhdu-132ERZTyckx2Ze7ynJ8pB1beH0uf84Sq7IlvUPQ6PvpLh5QNoKkDBeYY2IPodqrPBh-4hwduuHTpx8s0/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDVB88P5PqHDP9WCBjtV2K4PHvgMXozIkXL-stknnwQ54vPqLFb1P2iXhdu-132ERZTyckx2Ze7ynJ8pB1beH0uf84Sq7IlvUPQ6PvpLh5QNoKkDBeYY2IPodqrPBh-4hwduuHTpx8s0/s1600/photo.jpg" height="320" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">If you are not an aquarist, this may be </span></span>the first time you've heard of "cory cats." Corys are catfish and members of the family Corydoras. They are small, usually growing to 2-3 inches in length, and they are much more active and diurnal than many other catfish. They are very peaceful and prefer to life in schools. Really, they're like a bunch of swimming puppies. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The top photo is of my Green Cory and the bottom is a Julii Cory (We also have 4 sterbai--they look a lot like the Julii, but without the black dorsal and the stripes on the side). I bought the Green Cory first because he was just so active and playful, and we got the rest to keep him company. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unlike the tetras who took everything in stride or the angels who panicked, the corys seemed to embrace being introduced to a new home. <span style="font-size: large;">As if on an adventure, they immediately began to explore their new tank and make themselves at home.</span> It was only a day or so until I found they'd dug quite a hole against one of the logs to give themselves a new hidey hole, and I've found them everywhere from under the java fern to lounging on the Amazon Sword leaves. I often find them swimming excited laps or all piled together in a corner. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So, what's the point?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's the point:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I want to be like the corys. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I don't want to act like life is either no big deal or the scariest ride ever. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I want to admit that I may not know or understand it all and embrace new things with a bit of excitement, making a conscious decision to focus on the learning, growing, and process of life rather than a race for perfection. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I want to focus on the good stuff. For example, corys typically prefer to school with their own species, but we couldn't find 6 of any one species, so we just bought all the oddballs--and they all seem to be getting along just fine. They'd rather have 5 other corys of 2 other species than be alone I suppose. I want to embrace the folks in my life without expecting them to be perfect or just like me. I just want to do life together, each teaching <i>and</i> learning. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I told y'all, I recently started a job as "Mary Poppins" for a teen girl and her teen brother. We've been spending the last few weeks learning how to do life together. They and their dad keep talking about stuff that I'm teaching them, but let me tell you--I am learning so much and being so blessed by these kiddos. They ask me to plan and be patient; they ask me to try new things so we can figure out paths to success; they ask me to walk away from my homework for Apples to Apples or biking, or just a story. They ask me to laugh and love and, most of all, just <i>be</i> with them. They ask me to make time and room in my schedule, my thoughts, and my heart for them. We're not just alike; none of us are perfect. But, like corys, we're finding friends and safe places and room to swim and time to discover, and those are treasures. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Keep calm and Cory on. ;-) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adventure well; Live fully. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">HAK </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </span> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-47510046112308816462014-02-18T11:11:00.000-05:002014-02-18T11:11:19.008-05:00Share a Friend: The Hubster! (Knight IT Consulting)<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh, hey, Stranger!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I hadn't really planned to take a weekish long blog-break, but the last week just flew by. I've been knitting my fingers off, having a blast nannying, bowling with the hubster, and sometimes studying ( ;-) ). </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyway, I'm BAAAAAACK, and I have some news for you! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">While we were gone, this handsome guy: </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgxGlmktSLPAauVDbJCLZs8IZuWsLFUC4DflKf5tyd_mBTH_23PWqSquHQoEKMvK_x0LIeGLokysRYEjgJhsGGhIfzomyGSjg5hU7SW5AXDiYjiJdq0dMr8mJADxMU-f4jFFqBY6AOWc/s1600/HollyAnne+John+s+Preview-Preview-0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgxGlmktSLPAauVDbJCLZs8IZuWsLFUC4DflKf5tyd_mBTH_23PWqSquHQoEKMvK_x0LIeGLokysRYEjgJhsGGhIfzomyGSjg5hU7SW5AXDiYjiJdq0dMr8mJADxMU-f4jFFqBY6AOWc/s1600/HollyAnne+John+s+Preview-Preview-0062.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">...started his own IT company: <span style="font-size: large;">Knight IT Consulting.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Right now, it's just local in the Atlanta area, but he's hoping to offer remote services soon. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">John is well equipped to help you out with computer configuration, maintenance, and repair (on site or drop-off) as well as Parental Consulting. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, the first part of that is pretty self-explanatory: he can get your computer running, keep it running, and fix it if it quits running. He can also help you understand things about using your computer. But what about that second part?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Parental Consulting Services are for helping YOU know how to protect your children online, safeguard their devices, and know where your kids are. He will set up parental controls on devices and show you how to use them. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">John is an excellent coach (he's helped me with everything from rollerblading to grilling to bowling), so if you are looking for a computer guy who can get the job done and explain it to you in plain English as well--he's your man!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">John is Comptia A+ certified. :-) </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Visit his website at http://www.vcita.com/v/knightitconsulting</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">or "like" him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/johnknightitconsulting </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adventure well; Live fully. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">HAK </span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-87106252982093545762014-02-07T10:22:00.000-05:002014-02-07T10:22:21.549-05:00Scary Ride<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sometimes our adventures are thrilling and wonderful. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But sometimes, they're just terrifying. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sometimes, adventure isn't even the right word. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sometimes, it's a <span style="font-size: large;">nightmare.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our worst fears come true, and we find ourselves living in bondage to that pain and anxiety. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Life is hard. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Even the good stuff is hard oftentimes. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So we watch, and we wait. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We cling to <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>hope. </b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My little sister was in <i>Into the Woods</i> last night. Frankly, it was a scary play. But it made me think. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The best things in life aren't wishes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Or perfection. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Or riches. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The best things in life give us reasons to keep putting one foot in front of the other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Love. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Hope. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Faith. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> Joy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Delicate, elusive things that slip thru our fingers like wind and sand and hover in the corner of our visions like strands of gossamer.</b> </span></div>
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<i><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Hope has a way of turning it's face to you <br />
Just when you least expect it <br />
You walk in a room <br />
You look out a window <br />
And something there leaves you breathless <br />
You say to yourself <br />
It's been a while since I felt this <br />
<b>But it feels like it might be hope.</b>" </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Hold on. Hold on. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Keep your eyes on the prize. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Hold on.</b>"</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">~Sara Groves</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Adventure well; Live fully. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">HAK</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-55666982565938617072014-02-05T17:17:00.000-05:002014-02-05T17:17:09.755-05:00Studio Update: Watercolor Word Art<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This piece grew out of a desire to encourage a young teenager who has been struggling to find her place in life. </span>The details aren't my story to share, but the bottom line is that she has been needing some reminders of God's plan and purpose in her life and His love for her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As I worked on this piece, I also decided to offer Watercolor Word Art as a custom listing in my shop because<span style="font-size: large;"> I think other people would enjoy having their name surrounded by their favorite quotes, verses, lyrics, words, etc. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This piece is unique in that I spent a lot more time planning it than I usually do. I'm rather notorious for just sitting down to create or paint without putting proper forethought into the matter. Sometimes it works, but trust me, there are plenty of things that never make it to the shop or the blog or anywhere else! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I got a text in class one day about what was going on in Siena's life and almost immediately jotted a doodle on the corner of my paper: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsAIB9SOzQDXt01Y-8NWt4GTEMC-M7clOsJMXv9dxHRSCBpVW5TtQINVqqKmEuI89ZP742uNBy8SqXsBpjvFrsVLCrxPFyC3-jFcp6wdYbbQMZefKmX93U_d-vFrmWBKD7q8mVatADio/s1600/photo(47).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsAIB9SOzQDXt01Y-8NWt4GTEMC-M7clOsJMXv9dxHRSCBpVW5TtQINVqqKmEuI89ZP742uNBy8SqXsBpjvFrsVLCrxPFyC3-jFcp6wdYbbQMZefKmX93U_d-vFrmWBKD7q8mVatADio/s1600/photo(47).jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Over the next few weeks (and our move), I kept scribbling ideas in my sketchbook, playing with lettering and how to frame her name...how to include verses and add color, but without making it look too "busy." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">By the time I sat down today to give this idea its first real go, I had a general idea of where I was heading...just enough that the work took on a life of its own as soon as I began. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My very first steps were in pencil, then I inked over those lines and added the verses. The little geometric shapes were my first hint that this piece already had its own ideas. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Shockingly, I slowed down enough to make a color palette. I'm so glad I did!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">About halfway through I panicked. Her name was colored, the key words were "highlighted," and I'd started adding the extra geometric shapes around the outside sections. It looked VERY awkward, and I wasn't sure it was going to work at all... But I was surprised and delighted when I finished!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Once it dried, I took it off the painting board for proper photos:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">As I mentioned, your own customized word art is available in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MesAventuresCraftsCo?ref=si_shop" target="_blank">shop</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Names, quotes (verses/lyrics/words), colors, and general style are all fully customizable!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/178390567/custom-word-art-with-name-7x12-in?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">here</a> to learn more. :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Adventure well; Live fully. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-521082435169411882014-02-03T17:09:00.000-05:002014-02-04T07:44:25.577-05:00Share a Friend: Audrey<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Howdy y'all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As you know, I recently started a wonderful nannying job as "Mary Poppins." What you don't know is that one of my new kiddos, <span style="font-size: large;">Audrey, is a super awesome artist!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEodRpzTxq5zH7Tka5RLulDeo1mB-Hwf3PjSi8YrPaars0-TdxielulRQHRug1cEyW5lVARuYFrHTA5iHhETtA6sEHPk1HXZ5S5kN5ch06wPuPIuIfhHZwZ1huBY4CGnXJAo3cKFsteq8/s1600/photo(46).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEodRpzTxq5zH7Tka5RLulDeo1mB-Hwf3PjSi8YrPaars0-TdxielulRQHRug1cEyW5lVARuYFrHTA5iHhETtA6sEHPk1HXZ5S5kN5ch06wPuPIuIfhHZwZ1huBY4CGnXJAo3cKFsteq8/s1600/photo(46).jpg" height="320" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> She has been taking classes from a local artist, Larry Smith, and this is her latest work in progress. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here's a few questions I asked her this afternoon: </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Why do you like to paint?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A: It's relaxing. When you have so much to do, and you finally get to sit down to paint, it's calming. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What do you plan to paint next?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A: A fox in the snow from a photograph my friend's grandfather took. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What other creative things do you like to do?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A: I like to sculpt polymer clay, and I like to paint with watercolors. And I occasionally sketch. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Watch out, Etsy, she's heading your way in a few years! ;-) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Adventure well; Live fully. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">HAK </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-4247896302562652812014-01-31T16:24:00.000-05:002014-01-31T16:24:25.266-05:00Studio Update: Knits and Paintings<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Greetings from The Studio!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In this case, I mean not only my studio, but also our home, recently christened The Studio because of the way my arting space is central in our new place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you've been following the shop or any of my social media, you know a lot of things have happened in the last week or so. Here's an overview of all the latest shop items!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/176568921/custom-watercolor-painting-from-your?ref=shop_home_feat_2" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Custom Order Watercolor Painting</span></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This listing is for one custom order painting from a photograph (or an idea. ie: "I would like a painting of a field and barn." I can make that happen!). </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Subjects can include:<br />Pets<br />Animals<br />People (faceless only)<br />Cityscapes<br />Landscapes<br />Homes (or other buildings)<br />Flowers, trees, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sizes range from 4x6 inches to 11x14 inches. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The photos above are examples of the kind of work I can do--I love creating custom paintings!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/176942558/tree-of-life-fingerless-gloves-one-pair?ref=shop_home_feat_2" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Tree of Life Fingerless Gloves</span></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">I have been wearing a pair of these for the past two winters, and I looooove them. I recently worked out a deal with the pattern designer so that I can offer them to YOU in my shop. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mine are moss green and knit from wonderful soft wool. But, I can knit them in any number of colors for you! They come in two sizes: S/M and M/L. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> (Photos courtesy of the wonderful designer, Jenny Williams)</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/177544293/original-winter-woodland-painting-mixed?ref=shop_home_feat_4" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Snow Day: A Mixed Media Painting</span> </span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If y'all have been following the news, we got a lot of snow and ice here in Atlanta this week. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This piece was inspired by the view outside my new studio. It was also a lovely foray into mixed media art, using permanent pen, watercolor, and oil pastel. It is 12x7 inches. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/177763556/berry-mug-cozy-celtic-cabled-cup-cozy?ref=shop_home_feat_3" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Celtic Cable Knitted Mug Cozies</span></span></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">These originated from a custom order, and I loved them so much, that I just <i>had</i> to put them up in my shop. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBhg1cBrWStJmYy5v5FaAaYdDYdHpPN8Y27CzTs2A2UuCaq5dg16DiWC40NdH_dyPK0reoU6qQo30-saEX5Z9OHQAxippUg14eQ4wCNJUrnTy3EY3bSNcMUb2RptF4hFSGbFF_oSqoDE/s1600/IMG_1133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBhg1cBrWStJmYy5v5FaAaYdDYdHpPN8Y27CzTs2A2UuCaq5dg16DiWC40NdH_dyPK0reoU6qQo30-saEX5Z9OHQAxippUg14eQ4wCNJUrnTy3EY3bSNcMUb2RptF4hFSGbFF_oSqoDE/s1600/IMG_1133.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6LErQ1R3RO58MWuMoWNZrc7-33wDpu2Lqtyt0cX_F4hvbqWprI8BLDnatB2OL3OMqxdqPtFy1nbO-S2VGqjIKwg-HqPsTv2AOfpCtb_HLRv4ggvxjwZ2cLQKGXOmDFxnwcH_RpZB-vk/s1600/IMG_1134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6LErQ1R3RO58MWuMoWNZrc7-33wDpu2Lqtyt0cX_F4hvbqWprI8BLDnatB2OL3OMqxdqPtFy1nbO-S2VGqjIKwg-HqPsTv2AOfpCtb_HLRv4ggvxjwZ2cLQKGXOmDFxnwcH_RpZB-vk/s1600/IMG_1134.jpg" height="320" width="240" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
are two colors listed, hopefully with more to come soon. If you are
just itching for a different color in the meanwhile, all you have to do
is ask! </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last one, y'all:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175312252/original-gourami-watercolor-pencil?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175312252/original-gourami-watercolor-pencil?ref=shop_home_active_2" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Kissing Gouramis: Watercolor Pencil Drawing</span></a></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">These fish compete for dominance through lip-locking...</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLCT0An_HbQ9JL6R9QbAw0Dbxw2FzB0czlgufsNyx-Rh_LI3tnOvy-jWVIlp22JyCo-xqAmZ2ci6Yh8MVXDhOZ2PlVve_C1_IABJNknwtf7kFK9ndgvDurFSDH5M6x1RIe48-F8oWCsA/s1600/Gouramis-closeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLCT0An_HbQ9JL6R9QbAw0Dbxw2FzB0czlgufsNyx-Rh_LI3tnOvy-jWVIlp22JyCo-xqAmZ2ci6Yh8MVXDhOZ2PlVve_C1_IABJNknwtf7kFK9ndgvDurFSDH5M6x1RIe48-F8oWCsA/s1600/Gouramis-closeup.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">...but I think they're a pretty cute idea for your fish loving honey, too! </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remember, Valentine's Day is coming! :-) </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adventure well; Live fully.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">HAK</span></span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-12659897838216171722014-01-30T11:42:00.000-05:002014-01-30T11:42:01.552-05:00Mary Poppins and Walking by Faith<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For the first time since I started writing, I have a back-log of blog ideas. BUT, for today I simply want to pause and reflect:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM9Xi0tBp0RpujUwPGmHUd27msCI4uFz8pRwYawqP2GpUiVidIc7Fc5ydLpeqOuOqUSPmZ9Ddhi_6WSoZxJs6MpTuHlUhkeCaJya6V7w-nXrFw5_i87WrPpFPtOpAqAESTm1WqXWuGro/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-30+at+11.38.19+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM9Xi0tBp0RpujUwPGmHUd27msCI4uFz8pRwYawqP2GpUiVidIc7Fc5ydLpeqOuOqUSPmZ9Ddhi_6WSoZxJs6MpTuHlUhkeCaJya6V7w-nXrFw5_i87WrPpFPtOpAqAESTm1WqXWuGro/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-30+at+11.38.19+AM.png" height="398" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I start a new job today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">I'm going to be "Mary Poppins" for my best friend's youngest two siblings because their mama went Home unexpectedly in October. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm neither mom nor sister, but it's my job to love and care for and teach these two young teenagers in the best ways I can so that they continue to grow and so their dad has more time during the work day to provide for his family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">I woke up this morning feeling daunted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">I'm excited beyond all belief--I love these kids, and I love nannying. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">But I woke up this morning staring my own weakness in the face.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On the one hand, I'm well equipped. I've got about 8 years of nannying experience under my belt, I'm a great cook, and I have a lot of confidence in these kids. But it's a new road for all of us. School, doctors, dinner, home responsibilities, spiritual growth, love and encouragement...my job bumps up against and includes all these things. It can be overwhelming to think about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I ran myself in circles for awhile this morning before I came up short:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My inadequacy is not what matters: Jesus matters. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Walking by faith, being faithful in prayer, lifting these kids and their family and all of these responsibilities to the throne of grace daily, hourly, minute-ly. That is what matters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This job has been on my heart for the better part of two months. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I feel called to it, and I'm so blessed that God moved us back to Atlanta, and that I have this opportunity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Join me in prayer for these kiddos, their family and friends, and for me as I seek to show them Jesus in how I love and care for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Adventure well; Live fully. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">HAK </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7061301350266256699.post-22986152682737992812014-01-28T18:27:00.000-05:002014-01-28T19:48:27.957-05:00Studio Update: My New Sunroom Studio!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hey, y'all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Hubster and I are back to my hometown outside of Atlanta, and I'm just about done setting up my studio! I wanted to sell some early photos with y'all. :-)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8CBPIGB2zWGBEwi9daA7g-ft3Jzr5Hufi1ZnEpaEZoe2-AZ1EdjzBYPPrDylsY-LZehAs3LaHPHsEjP94RTtj9RUgg0Ov9CFR8CtMO5edpxlybRBg88SXjycrIHDqp8OXxmb4-vZZeE/s1600/photo_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8CBPIGB2zWGBEwi9daA7g-ft3Jzr5Hufi1ZnEpaEZoe2-AZ1EdjzBYPPrDylsY-LZehAs3LaHPHsEjP94RTtj9RUgg0Ov9CFR8CtMO5edpxlybRBg88SXjycrIHDqp8OXxmb4-vZZeE/s1600/photo_3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My studio is in our sunroom, nestled between the living, dining, and guest rooms. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ4ZLEgtB8AkB5xS2Cng_h1p_m0LAb8ZTsnNE-PnuW-HY2RJloPtcIw49PeHmBHxleJFML0Xy1QK9FXkBReBYqQDqZOO95cg_WBIL4HVTPRCFEA-Hj9O8wb5py4xhDQL8g_eJHRTGhyphenhyphen8/s1600/photo_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ4ZLEgtB8AkB5xS2Cng_h1p_m0LAb8ZTsnNE-PnuW-HY2RJloPtcIw49PeHmBHxleJFML0Xy1QK9FXkBReBYqQDqZOO95cg_WBIL4HVTPRCFEA-Hj9O8wb5py4xhDQL8g_eJHRTGhyphenhyphen8/s1600/photo_2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I have this huge, wonderful window, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's been snowing all afternoon, and I have the best winter view in the house!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbUcBrWjSfRJ34LiCnxv2KNlv_L2TD897lGUWrqIH7dRq3mJHYoC3tPnNB7LQpkt7GyO8ToO_ExxXOHTIYWlaHXEUECQMbhYJ_UDHmZa0h_eOnfVKGjoN0BGeLRflS9W4wLgVgl2JBoU/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbUcBrWjSfRJ34LiCnxv2KNlv_L2TD897lGUWrqIH7dRq3mJHYoC3tPnNB7LQpkt7GyO8ToO_ExxXOHTIYWlaHXEUECQMbhYJ_UDHmZa0h_eOnfVKGjoN0BGeLRflS9W4wLgVgl2JBoU/s1600/photo.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">One of my bestie's Christmas gifts was this "Hipster Decorating Set." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Polaroid cards, strings, and clothespins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love it!! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSglbsqL-XpSQ7qGN8_o8-d1LOE-uptRvjQxsz3oDAoM8P4swomK8ZoeJ13UXKcYttb2chZm_BeAs1p8h2esntoJnxz5t3ZSJHjCW631EjWCA9pkmSL14o9u7BQt-N2aitluibiIO3u8/s1600/photo_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSglbsqL-XpSQ7qGN8_o8-d1LOE-uptRvjQxsz3oDAoM8P4swomK8ZoeJ13UXKcYttb2chZm_BeAs1p8h2esntoJnxz5t3ZSJHjCW631EjWCA9pkmSL14o9u7BQt-N2aitluibiIO3u8/s1600/photo_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And, in case you were wondering, it's still mug cozy central around here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love these, too! :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But, wait! There's more!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0k-_Q80GDAn8Zplw7I2HmQJowgAIK8MdAy2PbbJltASrjOinoOPVGj76v_RjJXTzAalHpayKLL7-0U_OB7aehIZsPJZdLRTLp7izkO6BO_8etznStWWSJzXePp4o4B2ozGg97sid5b1o/s1600/photo(46).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0k-_Q80GDAn8Zplw7I2HmQJowgAIK8MdAy2PbbJltASrjOinoOPVGj76v_RjJXTzAalHpayKLL7-0U_OB7aehIZsPJZdLRTLp7izkO6BO_8etznStWWSJzXePp4o4B2ozGg97sid5b1o/s1600/photo(46).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Mes Aventures, Crafts & Co. has a mini "store front" in my studio now! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm hoping there will be some snowish art soon to come. Until then, stay warm!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Adventure well; Live fully. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">HAK </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08365124465362541476noreply@blogger.com2