tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77911925536772717792024-03-18T14:58:33.541-05:00I Need Mom!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger653125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-70023282270789333092014-06-17T15:11:00.000-05:002014-06-17T15:11:08.709-05:00Alive and Well Just a quick post to say that I am on a blog hiatus. My husband has decided to retire the end of June, we have had some major house projects going on and are going through almost 40 years of stuff to prepare to sell the house and move to Florida. So, something had to go and for now, it is blogging! I will answer emails and would love to hear from you all. I miss my blog friends! Life is certainly getting in the way right now, but hopefully, there will be palm trees in the not too distant future!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-14687628953625421592014-04-23T17:17:00.001-05:002014-04-23T17:17:31.976-05:00Indian Mounds, Food and Cake! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Saturday was a
beautiful day in Illinois. It was much too pretty to stay inside, so we
decided to take a road trip to <a href="http://cahokiamounds.org/">Cahokia Mounds</a>. We have talked about
going for years, but we always seem to put it off. Cahokia Mounds is the largest prehistoric Indian site north of Mexico. I always thought it was all burial mounds, but actually it was once a large city and the mounds had a variety of purposes. The Late Woodland Indians settled here around 700 AD. The Mississippians arrived between 800-1000 AD and created a large community that after 1050 AD became a regional center with a population of 10-20,000 people. The community centered around Monks Mound (above) and a huge Grand Plaza where public gatherings took place. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Some of the mounds were used as final resting places, but others had buildings on top and were used for other things. There are several walking paths that you can take and each mound has a name/number. Some have be excavated, others have not. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Above you see a an example of what they have found to be one of the Stockade walls that once formed a boundary around the central part of the city. Excavation showed the deep holes where the posts had once been and they reconstructed a segment of the wall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Monks Mound is the one mound that you can actually climb to the top of. It is the largest prehistoric earthen construction in the New World. The base covers over 14 acres and it rises in four terraces to a height of 100 feet. The front of the mound is called the South Ramp. They found indentations in the South Ramp that they believe came from wooden steps that were once placed there. Thankfully, they have added new steps so that you can climb in the same place the Prehistoric Indians did, in a slightly easier way (although it is quite a climb).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Above you can see the people on top of Monks Mound and below, you can see our view from about halfway up the stairs. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Z-gZ8Zgm_0dXCXVfVT8sPgQKR9QVKu5T1y2O8SszYshnHiJdkrm1fOaehAeI1glze9fMzMoWhx6coFRc_pFHDUPievsRlOOXad9kt-oa4spjQE-7CRfHuvGrrRqSTCvYJoZTFnmtu4Q/s1600/IMG_5250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Z-gZ8Zgm_0dXCXVfVT8sPgQKR9QVKu5T1y2O8SszYshnHiJdkrm1fOaehAeI1glze9fMzMoWhx6coFRc_pFHDUPievsRlOOXad9kt-oa4spjQE-7CRfHuvGrrRqSTCvYJoZTFnmtu4Q/s1600/IMG_5250.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The view from the top is amazing. You can see the St. Louis Arch in the distance as well as the buildings in the city. From the other side you can see another Stockade reconstruction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> There is a lovely Interpretive Center at Cahokia Mounds with a gift shop, displays, restrooms and vending machines. It has a walk through museum type area that explains more about the history of the site. Cahokia Mounds is free, but they do have donation boxes around to collect money to continue research and maintenance. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The Interpretive Center</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A mural that shows how the city once looked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Artifacts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Part of the exhibit showing how the Indians lived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> After all the exercise we decided to have lunch. I had done a little research and found a place called the <a href="http://www.oatmanhousetearoom.com/">Oatman House Tea Room</a>. It was a cute little house with tables inside and out. We sat outside because it was such a gorgeous day. It will be much prettier when things are actually in bloom in the back garden area, but we enjoyed ourselves anyway. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> We were greeted with strawberry muffins. We also ordered their specialty cinnamon iced tea, which was so good we bought some and brought it home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> My husband had the Cobb Salad and I had their Quiche of the Day, which was bacon and spinach. Our food was delicious and the service was as if we were in someone's private home. We would certainly go back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> From crazy cows years ago in Chicago, to Peanuts in Georgia, Mickey Mouse in Kansas City and Pigs, Alligators and Cars...we have seen decorated "things" in many cities during the past decade. As St. Louis celebrates 250 years, there are 250 decorated birthday cakes all over the area. Below is the one placed at Cahokia Mounds! How fun!</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If you want to read more about the cakes, <a href="http://www.stl250.org/cake.aspx">click here</a>. </span><br /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am addicted to </span><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tripadvisor</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. When we travel, even if it is only an hour from home, I check out the reviews of restaurants and if it is an overnight, the hotels and the listed "things to do". We love to find restaurants that feature local foods or something unique and if we can avoid the chain restaurants you find in every city in the country, we do so. We took our time on the way home from </span><a href="http://ineedmom.blogspot.com/2014/03/so-raise-your-glass_17.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">my daughter's wedding</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. We wanted a little post wedding down time, so after staying a couple more days in Florida on the beach, we headed north. Our first stop was in Prattville, Alabama. We stay here often on our way to and from Florida, but we always grab dinner someplace very close to the hotel. We had read on Tripadvisor that the number one restaurant was </span><a href="http://www.unclemickscajun.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Uncle Mick's Cajun Café</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">, so we decided to give it a try. It was located in historic downtown Prattville, just a short drive from the area with all the hotels. We knew it wasn't going to be fancy, but everyone claimed the food was fabulous and it was!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Cajun food is authentic and served cafeteria style, on Styrofoam plates. "Uncle Mick" greets you and asks if you have been there before...if you say "no", you are suddenly given sample bites of everything and anything you want to try. I walked in thinking I was going to have one thing, but after my sample bites...my mind was completely changed. The plate above is mine. The Shrimp a'La Crème was the best thing I ever tasted (and I usually hate fish in a cream sauce). What you see is a half order of the shrimp and a half order of Crab Meat au Gratin, which was also delicious. My meal came with 2 sides and you can see I selected the deviled eggs and tomatoes with feta. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> My husband had the Shrimp Piquant over rice with the Tomato and Feta and Corn Maque Choux and he loved every bite. Our dinners were both about $9.00 each. We took their Bread Pudding back to our hotel for later and it too was delicious. It was just like eating in New Orleans only we were in a small restaurant in Alabama!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our second night on the way home we spent in the Franklin/Nashville area. We have always loved Nashville, there is so much to see and do there. We met for dinner with a dear friend we hadn't seen in almost 30 years, it was wonderful. If you get the chance to reconnect with someone, take it!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We stopped by The Mall at Green Hills in Nashville and we were greeted with the World of Wicked museum display. Wicked the musical was in town and this display was so much fun. We saw Wicked several years ago in St. Louis and it is one of my favorite shows. It was a small exhibit but there were original costumes and the soundtrack was playing, so fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Our last night was in Paducah, KY. It isn't a long drive to our home from there, but we just had to make the short drive from there to Metropolis, IL to blow $20 at the Casino (we love Casinos, but only play the penny slots and only spend $20, doubt we will ever get rich). We did not love this Casino, it felt dirty to me. We won't go back. We also stopped to see the famous Superman statue.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Once again I turned to Tripadvisor to find an interesting place to have dinner in Paducah. We would never have found this place without reading about it, it is in town, but down a road that appears to lead to nothing and there isn't a sign. </span><a href="http://www.flamingorow.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Flamingo Row</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> is a Caribbean restaurant and as we were driving to it, I wondered what we were getting into.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The outside was very colorful and the inside...was just fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> My husband had the Baja Bash, grilled chicken breast topped with Caribbean Mango Vinaigrette on a bed of coconut lime rice, with black bean salsa, avocados, salsa and topped with toasted pumpkin seeds. It was $10.89 and much prettier than my phone picture shows.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had the Coconut Grove, fried coconut chicken tenders, bananas, pineapple, spring mix, toasted coconut, almonds, and Pina Colada yogurt dressing for $11.99. I couldn't eat it all, it was so big. Our food was interesting and great. We would definitely go back. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I think it is much more fun to find those hidden spots, not the tourist spots. The food is usually delicious and the prices are often much less. The next time you have a road trip, check out Tripadvisor, Yelp or just ask the locals in your hotel or a store where they eat...you may find a new favorite place!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I wasn't compensated by any of the above websites/locations, just sharing my opinions.</span> </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-45641967511336010642014-04-14T11:28:00.000-05:002014-04-14T11:28:06.943-05:00Here Comes Peter Cottontail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D6lBPOvO4FtRdsYU1j99TpjrrjXqxgVuwiDnPP_J0y4CrNymrfJQMj9N0hXoz_DbiimpGX6_NAmJB4hm6JcXMx1YVRFnycljQzpv4aeklrWzO0IH5ha43-2pC-LpTzDVYR5m5GPvZYU/s1600/IMG_5225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1D6lBPOvO4FtRdsYU1j99TpjrrjXqxgVuwiDnPP_J0y4CrNymrfJQMj9N0hXoz_DbiimpGX6_NAmJB4hm6JcXMx1YVRFnycljQzpv4aeklrWzO0IH5ha43-2pC-LpTzDVYR5m5GPvZYU/s1600/IMG_5225.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> A few bunnies have shown up around my house in the past few days. The baby above must have slipped away from her mama as she was sitting in the backyard for a while and we kept the big bad beagle away until she was gone, hopefully back to her nest. I really wanted to pick her up and cuddle her, but I knew her mother might not take her back if I did. </span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0y4dNN8kJuG42PqrOKRLroWEACn8o4Gd8UM8fvXaAeUGb3b0xI0tCPUuYmOtt__qg7WFenT1YR3Qhl5NTcGXPpoeByaPxWD8fUZly86LR2DuvAEljrbwooDzPGcniBlw7htUKxpzJq3s/s1600/IMG_5232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0y4dNN8kJuG42PqrOKRLroWEACn8o4Gd8UM8fvXaAeUGb3b0xI0tCPUuYmOtt__qg7WFenT1YR3Qhl5NTcGXPpoeByaPxWD8fUZly86LR2DuvAEljrbwooDzPGcniBlw7htUKxpzJq3s/s1600/IMG_5232.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> My other bunnies aren't nearly as cute, but at least I did bring a little Easter into the house.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When we were in Florida in March I found a William Sonoma Outlet and bought these cute little bunny plates. I actually did a tablescape, not for the blog, just for me. It had been a long time and I forget how nice it makes the house look to have a pretty table.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The only new items are the bunny plates. I had the egg shaped placemats and matching napkins, the flatware I have used many times and the dinner plates are Fiesta. I used my favorite garage sale wine glasses and that was it.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is my favorite plate!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksZ96a89vxjXEVDgpyCzjjnkvKXuO98pQ4XTkt7j17Rg02T64cIE5SuVUrvLUAaaHS7yG6yj6drRLZEKtjOCkKgVjzQnPznOJAsdZAblQyU_R69xCrrrLUWq1znqCJQ54SFnc-p1b8wA/s1600/IMG_5229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksZ96a89vxjXEVDgpyCzjjnkvKXuO98pQ4XTkt7j17Rg02T64cIE5SuVUrvLUAaaHS7yG6yj6drRLZEKtjOCkKgVjzQnPznOJAsdZAblQyU_R69xCrrrLUWq1znqCJQ54SFnc-p1b8wA/s1600/IMG_5229.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The centerpiece is a basket (of course, it is Easter). I used silk flowers that I already had and tried to make them look as real as possible. I added a few eggs and a moss bunny to create a natural, simple look for the table.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE69Y-yKyk_YJfBYQFGbCY4VGeesQkqZx9LrokCLdeGTQCVAQZWYByvGCxo_vh4j-Crp5bzsh24ZAdZXcMhJ2agPujm0qBPKCzqJFlvRU_P4ayGgiVCztmkJVXnr9ElDhN1yxgMYCEoJU/s1600/IMG_5235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE69Y-yKyk_YJfBYQFGbCY4VGeesQkqZx9LrokCLdeGTQCVAQZWYByvGCxo_vh4j-Crp5bzsh24ZAdZXcMhJ2agPujm0qBPKCzqJFlvRU_P4ayGgiVCztmkJVXnr9ElDhN1yxgMYCEoJU/s1600/IMG_5235.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I think it is easy to forget that not all tablescapes have to be elaborate or expensive. Keeping it simple is quick and easy and it is a great way to add a seasonal look to your home without a major decorating project. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Blogging has obviously taken a back seat to life these days. We have taken on a major project at our house. We are cleaning out, re-packing, decluttering and getting rid of almost 40 years of stuff. We know that an early retirement is coming in the not too distant future and along with that will be a house sale and a major move. We knew we had months of work ahead of us, so we decided to get started. Our first project has been Christmas things. While all of you have been decorating for Easter, I have been going through about 100 boxes of Christmas decorations. Many of our things were already in tubs, but some were in boxes. We are getting rid of things that we either don't use, don't like, or have had for so many years we are just sick of them. The things we are keeping are being packed into tubs and labeled. My goal was to get things down to a dozen tubs, it didn't happen. We probably did cut the Christmas collection in half. Progress. Next up, our kid's toys that they saved. I am loaded with Ghostbusters, Raisin Men, Ninja Turtles, Fraggle Rock, Tonka, Legos, Dolls and all the things that go with them and who knows what else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> The problem we have is that our kids don't have the room to take their own things and they also don't want us to get rid of them. We also have many, many family pieces that pull at my heart strings. I read an article that was about the challenge of my generation getting rid of things. We have items that belonged to our parents and grandparents (and great-grandparents), we have things that our children want but can't or won't take and of course our own things. One of the quotes was, "that sweater your mother gave you isn't your mother" and I am trying to remember that as I go through things. It is only "sort of" working. I am too sentimental but I truly am trying to only keep things that really mean something to me. This is an all consuming task, but one that needs to be done and should have been done years ago!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Other than that, not much is happening in our world. We both got sick as soon as we got home from Florida. It took 2 rounds of meds to get me back to close to normal and my husband (who wouldn't call the doctor) is still not 100%. We, like many of you, have been trying to get our yard back to normal after the harsh winter. We mowed over the weekend when it was almost 80 degrees and tonight we have snow in the forecast. Crazy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> I will be catching up with some of you over the next few days. If there is a post you really want me to read, leave it in the comments please! </span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-35550428905534024482014-03-17T18:52:00.000-05:002014-03-17T18:52:33.587-05:00So Raise Your Glass!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> When you write a blog, you have to really think about what you are going to post. How much is too much to share? Where do I draw the line between instructional and personal. Why do I write in the first place? Is to just show that I have a little skill with decorating and cooking or is it because I think that maybe, just maybe, if I am lucky...what I write might make a difference for someone. Maybe it is both and maybe that will happen today.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOR96QlBDqUakK0x-d0VCkd7D_Q7ponwtMQgjMA76pxgcc-IQEL47MtNghRGiMdgIxLsfcUITy_nhXiixWTORpiYecCmUOO4FJE9fK3o7yMeV7EbcSAxBmslVSXoU8mQaZn5PcNC8RVdw/s1600/IMG_5191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOR96QlBDqUakK0x-d0VCkd7D_Q7ponwtMQgjMA76pxgcc-IQEL47MtNghRGiMdgIxLsfcUITy_nhXiixWTORpiYecCmUOO4FJE9fK3o7yMeV7EbcSAxBmslVSXoU8mQaZn5PcNC8RVdw/s1600/IMG_5191.JPG" height="300" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> My daughter got married a few days ago. It was a glorious day in Florida at the <a href="http://www.disneybeachresorts.com/vero-beach-resort/">Disney Vero Beach Resort</a>. The ocean is just behind the greenery in the picture above, it was 5:30 in the evening and the temperatures were in the high 70's. With the exception of becoming a mother, I have never been happier than I was that day. Actually, for several days!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> My daughter's bouquet was white hydrangea and white roses. The stems were wrapped in lace from my wedding veil and netting from my mother's wedding veil. A silver starfish was attached to the lace. Just before the ceremony we added a rhinestone brooch that belonged to my husband's mother, so she had a little bit of all of us with her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There were 65 guests. When a wedding is that small, everyone there is very special to the couple. The weekend was full of happy tears. Instead of the Bridal March they entered to Bruno Mars, <i>Marry You</i>, </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After the ceremony,</span>we had hors d'oeuvres and drinks out on the croquet lawn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The colors were the colors of the water. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Turquoise, sea foam and cobalt blue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The tables were kept simple, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> sea glass, candles and live white orchids.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There were several little "pops" of color as you will soon see.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlRb2A0T_UKHWsn-iPgY8Ze2uwLh-wCbyTtS7wiGAFyr88_0OWKwLtCqyW9y9MKvs6D0u_2RLhU8J8I4ZANo21iTV8KPhpvHtrk-9jc_MJphJ-Ps7wy3V_Z1nksPB9NI5H1KZiNnYYq8/s1600/IMG_5211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlRb2A0T_UKHWsn-iPgY8Ze2uwLh-wCbyTtS7wiGAFyr88_0OWKwLtCqyW9y9MKvs6D0u_2RLhU8J8I4ZANo21iTV8KPhpvHtrk-9jc_MJphJ-Ps7wy3V_Z1nksPB9NI5H1KZiNnYYq8/s1600/IMG_5211.JPG" height="400" width="300" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Disney did the cake and the cupcakes. We knew they were going to be wonderful but they were even better than we dreamed. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> They used crushed graham crackers to look like sand. The cupcakes above were key lime with cream cheese frosting and white chocolate seashells. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Vero Beach is known for turtle rescue. So of course there had to be a turtle cupcake. Chocolate, crushed pecans, caramel frosting and spun sugar "water" with chocolate turtles. The really nice thing is that everything tasted as good as it looked. We also had chocolate covered strawberries after dinner of mahi-mahi or filet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> My daughter's gown had a removable long skirt, so she could take it off and be in a cocktail length dress for dancing. I thought that was such a great design idea!</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I could stop writing now, and you would never know the "rest of the story". The traditional destination wedding you have been reading about wasn't all that traditional. We had laughed at how we never set out to be ground-breaking, but we were.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> You see, we had two brides. It was the first time for this Disney resort, although certainly not for Disney's other locations. The entire resort was involved and excited. I spoke with the General Manager a few days later and he said they really wanted to "get it right" and they certainly did. You see dealing with two brides is different. They both have their own ideas. My daughter was all about the beach, but my new daughter was all about rainbows. So, we had little pops of rainbow tucked in unexpected places. You saw the little rainbow treats on each table.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The cake surprised everyone! </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As the guests arrived they all got sunglasses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When the girls walked in, everyone had them on.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The girls also both had on rainbow colored shoes.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I feel so lucky to have another daughter and we couldn't love her more. You can see how excited she was coming down the aisle! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The girls got through the ceremony, but their bridesmaids were all crying. You see, they love their friends and they know how happy they are. I had someone tell me that they were honored just to be a part of it. They exited to Sugarland's <i>Stuck Like Glue</i>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> The bridesmaids and the brides came into the reception to Pink's<i> Raise Your Glass </i>and the party began. There was dancing, a photo booth and a few adult beverages! It was so much fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> So, while I know that some of you may find this hard to imagine, I had several people tell me how it was "just a wedding". In other words, it was the same as any traditional wedding. It was two people in love, surrounded by those who loved them. There were people there who had traveled their journey with them, friends from work, friends from home and family, all united in joy that these two incredible young women found each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I don't like to draw attention, but someone told me that maybe this is my purpose. I hear stories of people who turn on their children when they find out they are gay and I just don't get it. My daughter was a little later than some to put the pieces together, so she certainly surprised us. I have to say that it made no difference in our feelings for her. There</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">were things that concerned me about having a public wedding on Disney property. What if someone said something and hurt my child. It didn't happen. People were watching from the balconies, taking pictures and clapping. My daughter had her dream wedding and it was perfect. The world is changing and while I know that some may never agree with me, I truly feel that love is love and the change is for the better. </span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-8314713536154846392014-02-26T15:26:00.000-06:002014-02-26T15:26:23.219-06:00Here Comes...the Wedding!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I know, I know...I have been the worst blogger in the world lately, but you should all be thanking me for staying away. I can barely speak in complete sentences, much less write them! My daughter's wedding is very soon and for those of you that have been through this, you will understand when I say that it is "all wedding all the time" around here. I have given up sleep, it seems as if the moment I close my eyes I start thinking of things we need to check on or do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Weddings used to be simple. I know my mother would disagree if she were here. I do remember how stressed she was for mine, but it was three days after Christmas and she still had a young teen at home who expected a real Christmas. I had a lovely wedding, but we didn't have a destination, favors, a fancy dinner, a DJ, or a photo booth and people simply signed the guest book and found their own seat somewhere. We sent out invitations only, no "save the date" and no web page. Well, times have changed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> This wedding is going to be more fun than mine was, there is a beach involved and cupcakes (2 of my favorite things). However, helping to plan a wedding when you are 1000 miles away from your daughter and also planning all the things you need to take with you has almost driven me crazy. Let's just think about the shoes...flip flops for the beach, work-out shoes, walking shoes, flats, shoes for the long dress, shoes for the cocktail dress and I guess I will more than likely need my boots on just to leave my house! It might be hot, it might be cool...so, jackets, coats, long-sleeves, short-sleeves, panty hose aren't in style anymore but if it is cold they might be necessary...throw them in the suitcase! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl5P5tAQHyl-5PjT2YRYeGe29SmBDze_IXzXYS6KuFszknycXM-lTjwSHHqiOWQxdHgAj0SnyFJwoiqkQgAx3yk4b0jGI0tW-urTA8OPJ4uDbUxkIjRGO7wo90qefMcm0hpkKJI_vdTo/s1600/IMG_5159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvl5P5tAQHyl-5PjT2YRYeGe29SmBDze_IXzXYS6KuFszknycXM-lTjwSHHqiOWQxdHgAj0SnyFJwoiqkQgAx3yk4b0jGI0tW-urTA8OPJ4uDbUxkIjRGO7wo90qefMcm0hpkKJI_vdTo/s1600/IMG_5159.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Luckily, most of the table décor is provided by the resort and the florist, but not all of it...some of it is here, grab another box for that! Old, new, borrowed, blue...got it and the jewelry...mine, hers and remember we have two brides, add some more! Reservations are being made, dinners being planned, hair appointments, make-up and nails...all in a town that none of us live in. Can you see my brain spinning? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Actually, we are good to go. My daughter got her gown back from being altered today and she says it is perfect. The ceremony is planned, everything is booked, my family is coming and almost all of their friends are able to make it. We are excited and ready to just have a good time. Of course, after this winter in Illinois, the fact I will be somewhere warm is certainly a plus! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> I really have had very little to blog about anyway. I haven't decorated a thing or set a table. We haven't been able to go anywhere because the weather has been terrible and I have only been cooking plain comfort food. We did escape one nice day to Alton, Illinois to see if we could find any of the eagles that come there in the winter. It was cold, but sunny and we were lucky to find a few of the majestic creatures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We also had a wonderful lunch at </span><a href="http://www.myjustdesserts.org/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My Just Desserts</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We both had the chicken casserole</span>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> They had so many desserts to choose from. My husband had the bread pudding and I had the apple praline pie with cinnamon ice cream. Both were just perfect. We will certainly go back there again.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, wish us luck and good weather! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I am sure there will be pictures to follow!</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-77411605988218683862014-01-29T11:37:00.000-06:002014-01-29T11:37:14.279-06:00Treat Yourself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Like most women, I like to try new things and I love lotions, potions and creams. It has been two years since I first told you all about Mindful Minerals products. You can read the details <a href="http://ineedmom.blogspot.com/2012/01/little-mud-little-saltyou-have-to-try.html">here</a>. Over the past two years, some of the products have evolved into different packaging and new items have been added, but one thing has not changed...I am hooked. I am still using the products daily, I never let myself run out of anything and on the rare occasion that I am traveling and don't take the time to do a mud mask or use the scrub, it is the first thing I do when I get home. I have had no desire to try something new or think I can find something I like better. This never happens to me! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I want to make it clear that I still don't sell the products, I just buy them. Lots of them! I do love to visit when I am in Florida and this was my first visit to this location. They do most of their business online these days, but they still have a retail showroom and it was so much larger than the old location. There is a room that is full of products (yes, that is my pile of things on the table). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can read a little about the idea behind the products.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The night before we were there, there had </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">been an event with wine, food and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">product experiences in the large modern room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> We love to visit with Murad, the owner. He has lived in such interesting places and his life seems very exotic compared to our Midwestern lives. He and his wife Melissa are both very knowledgeable about the product and passionate about what they do. We didn't realize until this visit just how large this operation actually is. They supply many high-end spas, have a large factory onsite and we were able to see cases and cases of product ready for shipping. What I love is that they treat each customer as if they are special and help walk them through the right combination of products. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The current location, the factory is </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> If you want to try some really healthy, high end </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">but affordable products that last a long time, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I really do recommend Mindful Minerals</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have yet to find one product that I don't love. You can check out their website, </span><a href="http://mindfulminerals.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">. They have great sales on the website and Facebook if you just watch for them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*I was not compensated in any way for this post. Mindful Minerals did not request that I write it. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-64639324148052671342014-01-22T13:09:00.001-06:002014-01-22T13:09:31.270-06:00Christmas Eve Trailer Decor-2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> You may remember my post after last Christmas about our Christmas Eve Adventure! On Christmas Eve, just before sunset, we got in a golf cart at Disney's Fort Wilderness and drove around the campground looking at the wild and crazy decorations that people put up. We had such a great time last year that we were all looking forward to doing it again this year, only we were more prepared. We put on Santa hats, Mickey ears and carried bags of candy canes to hand out to the kids at the campground. We had so much fun! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> We didn't realize that they actually have a parade of golf carts. It was starting just as we arrived, so we pulled our cart to the side of the road and watched. These people go all out with the decorations! Donald Duck was the Grand Marshall and we aren't sure who actually won the prize, but we had our favorite! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Once the parade was over, we started driving through all the campground areas. The pictures just don't show how many decorations there are. Every blow up Christmas decoration there is, lights, streetlamps, wreaths, trees...you name it, they have it! Lots of it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> What is the most fun about this is that everyone is having such a good time. People are cooking out, it smells heavenly. There are children and puppies, parents and grandparents and everyone is saying Merry Christmas and waving. One lady was handing out bells to those "who believe" and several people were giving candy canes. I think this will continue to be a strange and unusual Christmas Eve tradition for us!</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-9494062913454733142014-01-14T19:48:00.000-06:002014-01-14T19:48:57.051-06:00Christmas Day-Florida Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> This was our 7th Christmas in Orlando. I can't believe my daughter has been out of college 7 years and I also can't believe I still live in Illinois! There are things that I really miss about being "home" for Christmas. I miss the rest of my family, the noise, the chaos and seeing everyone else unwrap presents. What I do enjoy, is the weather and the fact that we have our Christmas dinner and take a walk with so many beautiful things to see. Once again, we did the Cape May Seafood Buffet at the Walt Disney World Beach Club Resort. We talk every year about trying something different and we all love the holiday traditional foods along with all that seafood so much, we keep going back. I just took a picture of my dessert plate (that is all you really care about isn't it). I didn't eat every bite, but I certainly tasted them all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I love the beach theme at this resort. They always have the chocolate carousel and this year they added a few other chocolate beach sculptures. Do you see the sand castle on the horse's back?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> After dinner, the sun was just starting to set. The Beach Club is truly located in a beautiful spot. There is a small beach next to the lake, you can see several other resorts and walk all the way around the lake boardwalk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We stopped to see the tree inside the Dolphin Resort. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The train was running around the base </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and it was like a magnet to small children.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLCAGYBd8ZZLKUWFJcY4Czqpn2DRSeW2N-q754emp0K_TFApGp10q9OOG-3o8cS94os6mPZbB3u0R2pJaQ7fbRmCFSwDD_G9nnu0mn1HtxQ7DgDWOscWEg147aYUJan4GTlNs6QI87Og/s1600/window+dolphin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLCAGYBd8ZZLKUWFJcY4Czqpn2DRSeW2N-q754emp0K_TFApGp10q9OOG-3o8cS94os6mPZbB3u0R2pJaQ7fbRmCFSwDD_G9nnu0mn1HtxQ7DgDWOscWEg147aYUJan4GTlNs6QI87Og/s400/window+dolphin.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> This is one of my favorite photos. I took it standing inside the Dolphin Resort, looking out at their massive fountain. The water changes color constantly and I love how it looks with the chandelier. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The walkway of palm trees leads from the Dolphin Resort to the Swan Resort. You can see the above mentioned Dolphin fountain in these pictures. The palms "dance" with color as Christmas carols play. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> By the time our walk was over, it was dark and there was a lovely glow as the buildings are reflected in the lake. It was a perfect day in paradise. </span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-18199962599244862202014-01-13T12:03:00.000-06:002014-01-13T12:03:30.324-06:00Don't Leave Home Without It<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> You may remember before Christmas that I mentioned I had been asked to review the Powerocks Magicstick. I wanted to receive mine and actually use it before doing my review. Mine arrived just before we left for Florida, perfect timing. It was purple, which for some reason made me very happy! It only took me a few minutes to figure out what I needed to plug in and where. So, I charged my Magicstick and tucked it in my purse. One thing that you do need to carry with you to use it, is the power cord for your phone. The picture below shows the phone charging. Prior to doing that step, you plug in the Magicstick (with the included cord) to the wall to charge it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4-VLMuqbQgnMUikjE9f0AWEDc66K7cZ5rv0CYK2S8FQFcm9xTCEj0GYW9eG9lwi_cB-jEaT6edt_iiEAU4ePHzZC2lIAh7zO2dkFqUqTujxRObSdQSdhjytpuufjqYiSmWUOdSmlPQw/s1600/Magicstick_in-use-Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4-VLMuqbQgnMUikjE9f0AWEDc66K7cZ5rv0CYK2S8FQFcm9xTCEj0GYW9eG9lwi_cB-jEaT6edt_iiEAU4ePHzZC2lIAh7zO2dkFqUqTujxRObSdQSdhjytpuufjqYiSmWUOdSmlPQw/s400/Magicstick_in-use-Blue.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> We actually found ourselves stuck in a car dealership for 7 hours (don't get me started). During those hours, I was on my phone quite a bit. I was watching the battery drain when I remembered my Magicstick was in my purse. I pulled it out and plugged in my phone. It wasn't long before my phone was charged again and ready to use. I also attracted some attention with my "gadget" because no one had seen one. I love it. It isn't heavy to have in your purse, it comes in a little bag to carry it and most importantly, it works! I have also used it while shopping all day and it is very simple to use and removes that worry of a phone with no charge at the end of the day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The details: A single USB port and corresponding cable with micro to USB connections let you charge a variety of devices seamlessly. This cable can also be used to charge the Magicstick from any high current USB port. A single button illuminates when pressed and shows the power capacity via a colored LED light, so you know at a glance how much charge is left. The Magicstick also features a smooth, brushed aluminum finish available in a variety of colors. An included drawstring carry case keeps it protected and always handy for use. Just grab, go, and get charged up with the Magicstick. Charges standard smartphone and other digital devices such as Bluetooth headsets, cameras, GPS, e-readers, and more. The battery capacity provides up to 2 full charges before needing recharging. The MSRP is $49.99, but I have seen it for less in stores and on Amazon. It weighs 2.6 and is 3.622 inches in length. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> My review is absolutely positive. I not only love mine, I will be buying these for gifts. Don't you just love it when they ask you to try something and you really like it? </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-17743243942252241442014-01-10T11:47:00.000-06:002014-01-10T11:47:40.509-06:00Welcome to My World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h_a6RsfyTE">Highway to Hell-Video</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This was filmed on the highway that I can see from my house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was filmed 3 days after the storm, so imagine what those first 3 days were like. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> To say that life has been interesting in my "neck of the woods" lately, is an understatement. We were right in the middle of the Blizzard of 2014. For us, it started last Saturday night. The weather reports were constant and scary. We actually brought our son from his apartment to our house to stay, just so he wouldn't end up trapped alone if all the "bad stuff" actually happened, and it did. Once the snow started, it simply would not stop. In our small town, we had 12.2 inches on top of a few inches already on the ground. That is the most snow I have seen fall since the 70's, but it certainly wasn't the worst of the problems. By Sunday, we had high winds along with the snow and the conditions were a complete white out. We can actually see the junction of two interstates from our back yard and at first, traffic was just moving slowly and we could see cars and trucks spinning and sliding off the road. Soon, we couldn't see the interstate at all. Reports were coming in of people stranded in their cars and semi-trucks were causing accidents all over the state...and the temperature started dropping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> By Monday morning, our wind chill was -43. Everything in town was closed (except for the power company where my husband works and a few truck stops). There were people still stranded in their cars after 14 hours, they could not be reached by emergency crews and a "no tow truck" order was issued. The semi-trucks that could move on the interstate were trying to get off into our town, which is very much prepared for truckers. We have several truck stops, but every one of them was full. All of the parking lots in town were completely filled with semis, the interstate exits were backed up for miles with semi-trucks and they lined the streets all over town. I have never seen anything like this. Our son works at a factory and it was closed on Monday, but Tuesday morning (wind chill -33) we ventured out to take him to work. The roads in town were icy but it was possible to drive on them. I road along with my husband to see the trucks and it was seriously like being in the Twilight Zone. They were everywhere, hundreds and hundreds of semi-trucks in every space in town and lining all the city streets. The interstate was still solid ice and what little traffic there was, moved slowly if they were moving at all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> We didn't get mail until Wednesday. School has been closed all week. The grocery stores did not get any fresh food until Wednesday and the shelves were emptied by Saturday night. Everything is still snow covered with drifts several feet tall. The roads are still icy and slick but travel is finally getting better. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I caught a bad bug on New Year's Eve and was in bed for several days before this happened, so when I finally left my house last night to go to the grocery store...I had been in here 9 days, other than my brief car ride on Tuesday morning. Cabin Fever!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Amazingly enough, there were no fatal accidents that I have heard of. There were a few power outages, but they were handled fairly quickly and the police, fire, utility and city workers did an amazing job of keeping people safe, warm and fed. Central Illinois is certainly prepared for winter weather, but when you get the heavy snow, high winds and sub-zero temperatures all at once, there is simply no way to keep up with the problems. It has been a very interesting and sometimes frightening week and as things are beginning to melt today...we are all breathing a sigh of relief. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did the storm get to your house? How is your cabin fever?</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-55869727660877181752014-01-01T15:17:00.001-06:002014-01-01T15:17:21.612-06:00New Year's Day Brunch Bread Pudding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfpAoxIfLlBEN-o7a9rv_a4CYJQqXg3EVrGLs56Pc5f2aAdh98e9xjII8g3mcmnWZhX7HnJFN7e8x7u5NLthOQvZ3gJHAZeabCkMwe8xkQwgdRr4uF7U9nDtf8bwH5Q4IeXFuwrCDdfI/s1600/IMG_5117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfpAoxIfLlBEN-o7a9rv_a4CYJQqXg3EVrGLs56Pc5f2aAdh98e9xjII8g3mcmnWZhX7HnJFN7e8x7u5NLthOQvZ3gJHAZeabCkMwe8xkQwgdRr4uF7U9nDtf8bwH5Q4IeXFuwrCDdfI/s400/IMG_5117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> My daughter gave me a new cookbook for Christmas and I couldn't wait to try out some of the recipes. I decided the Breakfast Bread Pudding with Peaches and Blueberries would be perfect for brunch on New Year's Day. After all, this is the day where we eat anything and everything because we know we have to "be good" again starting tomorrow...right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The ingredients were simple and easy to put together. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, spray a 9x13 pan with PAM and you are ready to put this breakfast dish together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Cut an <u>8 ounce loaf of stale Italian Bread</u> into cubes (about 8 cups), or if you cook like I do...tear it into pieces. Put the cubes into the greased pan. Add a <u>1 pound bag of frozen</u> <u>peaches</u> and <u>2 cups of fresh blueberries</u> to the bread in the pan and sprinkle with <u>cinnamon</u>. The recipe calls for 1/4 tsp., but we like cinnamon...I just sprinkled away! Toss the bread, fruit and cinnamon together in the greased pan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <span style="text-align: center;">In a separate bowl, beat <u>6 eggs</u>. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8H2b8m8Fb4aZ8ARPS23VYjal7ISPn3CuRA9RhoUHW_0q1VUacU_VSTsz3f6U57enmICq8P4N1K4SjzePyRCU3y_9ynH_aOmXZhn6A_HmCRmpTb8VMIpOpX_lajCbhjMajmsWw39l6ws/s1600/IMG_5120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8H2b8m8Fb4aZ8ARPS23VYjal7ISPn3CuRA9RhoUHW_0q1VUacU_VSTsz3f6U57enmICq8P4N1K4SjzePyRCU3y_9ynH_aOmXZhn6A_HmCRmpTb8VMIpOpX_lajCbhjMajmsWw39l6ws/s400/IMG_5120.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Slowly whisk in <u>2 cups of whole milk</u>, <u>1 cup half and half</u> and <u>3/4 cup of sugar</u>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stir in <u>1 tsp. of vanilla and a pinch of salt.</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> At this point, it looks and smells like it could be frozen custard. Tempting to get out the little ice cream freezer, but I did promise my husband breakfast!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHz-u3lQ0TqaeGO6s_bPoUssg9UxYheO8Z4o5Wp7UZ2oyL3NZkQxR5uWUB7sUx51P2FAxvxeoL-QlIiK1IkZ9cxn_E04SVnl7abiSqdVp-TWN_VYoBi-XsHE1NtpAyRx8JhwnbhYEwohc/s1600/IMG_5122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHz-u3lQ0TqaeGO6s_bPoUssg9UxYheO8Z4o5Wp7UZ2oyL3NZkQxR5uWUB7sUx51P2FAxvxeoL-QlIiK1IkZ9cxn_E04SVnl7abiSqdVp-TWN_VYoBi-XsHE1NtpAyRx8JhwnbhYEwohc/s400/IMG_5122.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Pour the egg mixture over the bread and fruit and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. You can also get to this step and put it covered in the refrigerator overnight. Press down on the bread pieces to make sure they all get soaked into the milk/egg mixture. After waiting 30 minutes, put into the 350 degree oven for 1 hour. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When it is done, it looks like this!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-GpSjx2ODEhxa0Tmrqbvq00n08KyL4lBMmQZ1Qfu_fEyfaHaAnmLZTnqfmQmYMj3BTbdjKJjIc44s5BmjQywCH8peBwDpt0q-1SQhQU3SQH0aZyP1HtWONheSV7aqK_XOvhBcJh4Ciw/s1600/IMG_5118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-GpSjx2ODEhxa0Tmrqbvq00n08KyL4lBMmQZ1Qfu_fEyfaHaAnmLZTnqfmQmYMj3BTbdjKJjIc44s5BmjQywCH8peBwDpt0q-1SQhQU3SQH0aZyP1HtWONheSV7aqK_XOvhBcJh4Ciw/s400/IMG_5118.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> This is the cookbook. The recipe says it makes 8 servings at 344 calories each. True confession: We each ate almost 2 servings. I will worry about that tomorrow!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLHqj5phPhDBMNT5T3G5PfwjYtpntwZwahEpVGJWf2ofNn4WSAiF01b-mXIO6AlZI9swKpNhjPynarPaCns38BIecGeXiJvVls1RD8iT219URx4GNue-06y_NdgaPpt1fJkdTTSj-28A/s1600/IMG_5123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLHqj5phPhDBMNT5T3G5PfwjYtpntwZwahEpVGJWf2ofNn4WSAiF01b-mXIO6AlZI9swKpNhjPynarPaCns38BIecGeXiJvVls1RD8iT219URx4GNue-06y_NdgaPpt1fJkdTTSj-28A/s400/IMG_5123.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I may have mentioned Broadbent's in Kentucky in a previous blog post. We get all of our bacon there and have for so many years I can't remember when we didn't. It is simply the best. My husband also loves the ham steaks and these little biscuit ham slices. I find them too salty (but I had one anyway) for my taste, but the bacon is perfection. We get ours on trips to Florida, but they do have a mail order catalog. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z20QJFNEgVgVDzun8R5kI0JwyKcp6srbQItXchB8vZs9kFZWzBLlirQdnuKvtoY6-FQCPCGSjiAWDkEE1dSKCM27WWHXlA0qXIqVPMzrRJTZQyVAo8vdLUkMmli9fYK2L8ZbGNP0WaY/s1600/IMG_5124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z20QJFNEgVgVDzun8R5kI0JwyKcp6srbQItXchB8vZs9kFZWzBLlirQdnuKvtoY6-FQCPCGSjiAWDkEE1dSKCM27WWHXlA0qXIqVPMzrRJTZQyVAo8vdLUkMmli9fYK2L8ZbGNP0WaY/s400/IMG_5124.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I usually drink my coffee black, but I had a little </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">of that half and half left over...and it is a holiday!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgok9Ebx3RthUp1ZpziITxY0bL081YODJgjaxBQK3e5f6s5SZrZOTjUCegDddVLT9gE_YLQY12ZF3vWNXcT3SshIlFdcHN_hwlQ6Lb_b8DxFwXSCVZ3mQn5mVnO_fnNZckFlS487wRGxzM/s1600/IMG_5134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgok9Ebx3RthUp1ZpziITxY0bL081YODJgjaxBQK3e5f6s5SZrZOTjUCegDddVLT9gE_YLQY12ZF3vWNXcT3SshIlFdcHN_hwlQ6Lb_b8DxFwXSCVZ3mQn5mVnO_fnNZckFlS487wRGxzM/s400/IMG_5134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> We were supposed to wait until the casserole cooled a little so it would be in pretty squares on our plates. It smelled so good, we just couldn't wait. This recipe is a keeper. We both loved it! </span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wishing you all the Happiest of New Years!</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-21498460384690166082013-12-24T20:41:00.001-06:002013-12-24T20:41:09.835-06:00Merry Christmas To All!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtfg7U5I7feaXv9PwEhyphenhyphenIYHcMNGTalypaSFvByX_4tiXUUoyagsmAJFLyX4X9xs6zDLQdwp-TEpfF40KDXWAgypv6deeArvz1sXq7cozvyZckxibHM20QoBPwT-nqGzs-OyjV51XRUMo/s1600/IMG_5023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtfg7U5I7feaXv9PwEhyphenhyphenIYHcMNGTalypaSFvByX_4tiXUUoyagsmAJFLyX4X9xs6zDLQdwp-TEpfF40KDXWAgypv6deeArvz1sXq7cozvyZckxibHM20QoBPwT-nqGzs-OyjV51XRUMo/s400/IMG_5023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> We were lucky to escape the freezing weather in Illinois (driving the first two hours in terrible ice and snow) to the balmy state of Florida for Christmas. More importantly, I am getting to spend time with my daughter, finalizing wedding plans and actually getting a wedding gown. After 8 months without seeing her, I know I can never let that happen again. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsiGFau5wl4PvZKNUmoEMyOt_dHKX0xFPS5b_DtfnEsrKC2nXgq5k2DGdcR_O8ej3uUTmoTnWHen-mLmnJBOOqFaW6LMj2XNbY6VDOIAvj6M8mdvLMH9NiMbQyRa2kvUNQ_kmipvGaks/s1600/IMG_4999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsiGFau5wl4PvZKNUmoEMyOt_dHKX0xFPS5b_DtfnEsrKC2nXgq5k2DGdcR_O8ej3uUTmoTnWHen-mLmnJBOOqFaW6LMj2XNbY6VDOIAvj6M8mdvLMH9NiMbQyRa2kvUNQ_kmipvGaks/s400/IMG_4999.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Before leaving home, we were blessed to spend a little time with our grandsons. They are really growing up way too fast. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yN3fiuUcJUtutRq7fkLzbOoN8X_bZb2Q5XYqtXS4i3oeYjLRwr9FcJawSfgJzYvmq0LddXs7ejBUsz5YZ1c0T7DwW_LAcENYofGMTw7YEwNXPveuke_AalnvvXO2Dv5qkEWgE2Ulvxg/s1600/IMG_5012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yN3fiuUcJUtutRq7fkLzbOoN8X_bZb2Q5XYqtXS4i3oeYjLRwr9FcJawSfgJzYvmq0LddXs7ejBUsz5YZ1c0T7DwW_LAcENYofGMTw7YEwNXPveuke_AalnvvXO2Dv5qkEWgE2Ulvxg/s400/IMG_5012.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have taken some time to enjoy </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">the beauty of Christmas at WDW.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7sgL0OdsiIumHLmn4VxgHd2uxXv14u_ZgUbq9K3jO7lRvcgGFgPczhvcok439_bHNimbjXsuqCVD9Uy5NdtiZRKLwI27BPrHwQRn9MtbX5OFaC8CrBPvv24NVe74HqszyWtPv_WdYEQ/s1600/IMG_5021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7sgL0OdsiIumHLmn4VxgHd2uxXv14u_ZgUbq9K3jO7lRvcgGFgPczhvcok439_bHNimbjXsuqCVD9Uy5NdtiZRKLwI27BPrHwQRn9MtbX5OFaC8CrBPvv24NVe74HqszyWtPv_WdYEQ/s400/IMG_5021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We listened to the Disney Choir (my daughter is a member) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">sing beautiful Christmas hymns and carols.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIGDCpgC7TAPPDDbzn1IRQM2l9ydTZqPEVjDug36XrqeQgwOQD4W20KNHQ-2o2u6QmuV1lA8UP57FUeR9ZBXEpOn_JmlI51LhaGifDdlFovpTDpxQQF9eMJLDzUfFAmVRfrpQFnzA5cI/s1600/IMG_5022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIGDCpgC7TAPPDDbzn1IRQM2l9ydTZqPEVjDug36XrqeQgwOQD4W20KNHQ-2o2u6QmuV1lA8UP57FUeR9ZBXEpOn_JmlI51LhaGifDdlFovpTDpxQQF9eMJLDzUfFAmVRfrpQFnzA5cI/s400/IMG_5022.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Christmas Story was narrated by Edward James Olmos.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirT89IZlUIIZ9fh8zyj5CEwss32TsACrRwhgR3TQe7ZAxv4qRGbNx7kp-k07jwvPUrD3O2inOshIPKuMCxuU6W8lcPF-fyFGWeHzbz9Ue-yljbzqJmSB2gtFoMNL4qjmopZjtNvkcbaTU/s1600/IMG_5040+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirT89IZlUIIZ9fh8zyj5CEwss32TsACrRwhgR3TQe7ZAxv4qRGbNx7kp-k07jwvPUrD3O2inOshIPKuMCxuU6W8lcPF-fyFGWeHzbz9Ue-yljbzqJmSB2gtFoMNL4qjmopZjtNvkcbaTU/s400/IMG_5040+(2).JPG" width="318" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I was also blessed to spend some precious time with my Daddy. We had him with us here for 5 days and then we put him on the plane to my sister's home for Christmas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> My wish for each and every one of you is a Merry Christmas and only the best of health, love and joy for the coming New Year. </span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-77135589841153144692013-12-06T11:01:00.000-06:002013-12-06T11:01:09.670-06:00It is Christmas Around the House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q9R70zAruN8gDCkwFOo1mK2vcvPMdWC7Jhux1-o-oWQn4anAdSjQuiPSY71qrM4nfI43XY6kTYGwT5t26EEj4sQWhzN8sRZ_zuMNbwnQnmhQGsWe4GnZC9mBvFaMaLMvKXVORKSLXhM/s1600/IMG_4967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Q9R70zAruN8gDCkwFOo1mK2vcvPMdWC7Jhux1-o-oWQn4anAdSjQuiPSY71qrM4nfI43XY6kTYGwT5t26EEj4sQWhzN8sRZ_zuMNbwnQnmhQGsWe4GnZC9mBvFaMaLMvKXVORKSLXhM/s400/IMG_4967.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> You may remember the wreath I made for Halloween using ribbon. I wanted to see how it translated into a Christmas wreath and it was a fun project. A girlfriend came over and we had a craft day. She used burgundy and gold ribbons and it was really interesting to see how mine turned out whimsical and fun, while hers was elegant and classy. You can find the tutorial to make a ribbon wreath </span><a href="http://ineedmom.blogspot.com/2013/09/getting-ready-for-fall-wreath-tutorial.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">. Use a variety of ribbon colors and textures for whatever holiday you are doing. I added two of my Annalee dolls for a little more fun.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUWVgRevMlV2pxh_kIGeHwipDK6a9XwUW1o3lkiqzgAZfjrBZbbRZZXeTTB5smKgwFRoS11Mfhoz8dcOrSNrZwoq4MlIpAKfXLCWUnwlHO_AT6MnGMyKe3CI9zdIJFIye34hhRmG5dew/s1600/IMG_4969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUWVgRevMlV2pxh_kIGeHwipDK6a9XwUW1o3lkiqzgAZfjrBZbbRZZXeTTB5smKgwFRoS11Mfhoz8dcOrSNrZwoq4MlIpAKfXLCWUnwlHO_AT6MnGMyKe3CI9zdIJFIye34hhRmG5dew/s400/IMG_4969.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Around the rest of the house...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzauiSdMZwqwOi9t-ruvAeVdL2DFUq8J0hFitn4zL3Ok4GcGsgc3f8WwB5qTxVMOzBOPy7pLvA2g8vHhudgl0hHi_AEJEjzbdATN0wLTV8RjkiqO6_N6P7DoH87DU_hfR9Nb-pWb2VV0/s1600/IMG_4970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzauiSdMZwqwOi9t-ruvAeVdL2DFUq8J0hFitn4zL3Ok4GcGsgc3f8WwB5qTxVMOzBOPy7pLvA2g8vHhudgl0hHi_AEJEjzbdATN0wLTV8RjkiqO6_N6P7DoH87DU_hfR9Nb-pWb2VV0/s400/IMG_4970.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A snowman tucked into my </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">twig wreath in the kitchen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This year red is the color in my house,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> along with several snowmen and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">quite a bit of "sparkle"!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Little hints of color to brighten the kitchen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> One of my few new purchases, this sweet little wooden plaque </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">with glittered stockings. I found this in St. Charles, MO for only </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">$7.99 and it had to come home with me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Snowballs in a bread bowl?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I think this is my favorite spot in the house this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can't have a Disney daughter without adding a bit of Disney Magic to the house. How many other women my age got Sven from the movie <em>Frozen</em> for their birthday?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Are you seeing a pattern? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Snow people, wildlife, red, silver and green.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> This sweet little snowman was another St. Charles purchase. I got him in a gallery, he is made of recycled products and this one is called Snowman Praying. Love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The hallway and guest bath have a bit of snow and also kept some seashells. The ornaments on the candlesticks are made of shells and if you look closely, you will see the starfish in the picture above. I love mixing all sorts of things around my house. There are no rules, just love the things you use!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> What I really wanted was a gorgeous holiday quilt set from Pottery Barn, what I got was my grandmother's Christmas quilt across the bottom of a plain white quilt. Much more practical and yet it still adds just a hint of Christmas to our bedroom. Just a little hint of holiday color can really make your house festive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I hope you enjoyed your tour.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Come back soon!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I was asked yesterday if I would review what looks to me to be a great gadget. I turn down a lot of requests to try merchandise, but this was something I would buy for myself if I had known it existed. I wanted to mention it here before I even get mine because I know many of you are still Christmas shopping and this looks like a great gift idea for almost everyone. The <a href="http://www.powerocks.com/">Powerocks Magicstick</a> is a portable battery that keeps your cell phone powered on-the-go. You charge this colorful gadget with the included USB cable and then it fits in your purse (or pocket), and you can re-charge your phone while you are walking around the mall, or any other event. I can't wait for mine to get here so I can try it. I can't tell you how many times I am shopping for the day and my phone is down to almost no charge. I will be doing a review as soon as I get mine and try it out.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-65201033722191477162013-12-03T15:51:00.001-06:002013-12-04T17:42:49.906-06:00Tree 2013 and Topper Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Of all my posts since I started blogging, the two most popular are my tutorials on making a tree topper and tying a bow. You can find both on my sidebar. I took a little blogging break (unplanned) but I didn't take a break from decorating for Christmas! When I started getting messages asking me where the tree topper for this year was, I decided the break was over. I actually liked my tree decorations last year so much, for the first time I considered using the same theme two years in a row. I did repeat some of my decorations, but I did use ornaments this year along with lots of red, polka dots and bright green.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I found these fun red, green and polka dot balls and used them as the starting point for my topper. They look a little alien to me, but happy.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Red glittered twigs make the next layer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Another layer, this time with green sticks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The bunches of sparkling green leaves are added to fill in the front of the topper and are placed slightly lower than the other "ingredients". At this point, using a fine wire, tightly wrap all of the layers together leaving long tails of wire on each side. Don't worry if things seem too close together, once it is on the tree you can pull and adjust the spray of twigs and leaves. Wire the topper to the top of your tree and then add your bows. Just a reminder from past tutorials, many people only put one bow on the top of their tree at the base of the tree topper. I always use 3 or 4 bows (this year I used 3). Tie the bows about the same size and wire them evenly around the top of the tree. It makes your topper much prettier from all sides.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I used ornaments in green and red/white stripes along with redbirds, ice crystal covered twigs and some wispy green roping that I cut into pieces and layered around the tree for texture.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Of course I think a tree is prettiest in the dark, but the picture below shows it in the daylight. I was happy to find polka dot wrapping paper and ribbon too.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I don't know about the rest of you, but it certainly feels like Christmas is coming quickly this year. My shopping is done and my packages are wrapped, so I feel like I can breathe a little bit now.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Thank you to those of you who worried about me. We were very lucky when the tornadoes hit our area a couple of weeks ago. The closest was about 20 miles away and we certainly were hiding in our basement. We lost our big Bradford Pear tree in the front yard and had enough roof damage that the roof has to be replaced. I have been dealing with insurance, tree cutters and adjusters and we are still in the process of trying to get things done. So many others in Illinois lost their homes and loved ones that we feel very blessed to only need a roof. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> I am anxious to see all of your decorations. Thanks for visiting!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am joining Kim @ <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/12/wow-us-wednesdays-147.html">Savvy Southern Style</a> for</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Wow Us Wednesdays</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-41818288941266966092013-11-13T11:28:00.000-06:002013-11-13T11:28:22.314-06:00I Can't Get It Together!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I seem to be spinning my wheels lately and obviously blogging has been put at the bottom of my "to do" list. I have been busy doing some fun and happy things and also found myself running a fever for 6 days, visiting the doctor and finally getting over whatever it was with the help of a strong antibiotic. I think I started with a bit of flu (a week after the shot) and it turned into a sinus infection. I just was so busy that I kept popping Advil and pretending I wasn't sick. That doesn't work very well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> In the past couple weeks I have been blessed to have celebrated my birthday 3 different times having lunch with friends. I had my oldest friend come spend the night and do some shopping, and we had friends we haven't spent time with in more than 10 years come through town and stop for a good visit. We squeezed in a day in St. Louis, a birthday lunch with my sister (celebrating our birthdays on my Mom's birthday), a couple of doctor's appointments and of course all of the normal, daily things that need to be done. During the "sick days", I did what was on the calendar and fell into bed the minute I walked in the door. So...my blog friends and my readers paid the price for my crazy life. I guess we all have times when we just can't do everything!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> So, I am a little torn on this early push for Christmas. I am seeing more and more stores that are now going to be open on Thanksgiving and it seems so wrong in some ways to completely ignore a holiday that so many people love. I really feel sorry for those that are being forced to work on a day that they should get to spend with family. On the other hand, usually by Thanksgiving evening, getting out and going shopping might be fun (for me it beats football)! We no longer do much on Thanksgiving, so it doesn't matter much to us, but it does to others. I'm thankful every day for my blessings, but I do remember how important it was when the whole family could be together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Because of the way my family now does Christmas, I have to be done, wrapped and ready early in December, so I feel the holiday push much sooner than most these days. I am actually almost done with my shopping! The house is still decorated for fall, but the gifts, boxes and wrapping paper are ready when I find the time to put them all together. As for decorating the house...I'm not in the mood to do the work and every year I wonder why we do it when we don't have Christmas at my house, but I always find the inspiration. I'm counting on it happening again this year! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> I have good intentions of getting around to visit blogs the next few days. I can't wait to catch up and hopefully find that holiday decorating inspiration that I always find when I see what others are doing! </span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-41227348626839517972013-10-31T16:21:00.002-05:002013-10-31T16:21:38.816-05:00Molasses Cookies (Soft)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I wish I could take credit for this recipe, but I can't. These are actually called Sugared Molasses Crinkles and I found the recipe in <em>Where Women</em> <em>Cook, Celebrate! </em>The recipe was submitted by Ashley English, who is an author and a weekly blogger for Design*Sponge. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I was looking for a non-chocolate, fall cookie for dinner guests and I loved the rich, brown color of these cookies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Ingredients: (I doubled her recipe)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">5 cups all-purpose flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 T. baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 tsp. salt (I used a little less)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 T. cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 T. ground ginger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 tsp. ground nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 tsp. ground cloves</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 tsp. ground black pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 cups dark brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 1/2 cup granulated sugar (divided)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 sticks butter at room temperature</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">4 eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2/3 cups molasses</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I don't always sift my dry ingredients, but because of all the spices...I did so for this recipe. Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and black pepper in a bowl and set aside.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With a mixer, beat the brown sugar and 1/2 cup </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">of the white sugar and the butter until combined.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Add the eggs one at a time, stopping to scrape </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the bowl after each egg. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Add the molasses </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and completely incorporate.</span> </div>
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On low speed, gradually add the flour </div>
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mixture until completely blended.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cover dough with plastic wrap and chill one hour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Roll cookies into balls and roll in remaining 1 cup of sugar to cover. Place on cookie sheets (you can use parchment paper if you want to) and bake until centers are firm, 12-15 minutes. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheets and transfer to wire racks.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These made the house smell so </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">good and are a perfect fall or Christmas cookie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> I have no idea what happened to this week. My birthday was Tuesday and between girlfriend visits and appointments, it has been days since I picked up more than my iPad to check my emails. I hope you all have a safe, dry Halloween. We have been raining all day, but it has finally stopped. I hope it holds off for the little ones.</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-61438561748398383662013-10-23T20:18:00.000-05:002013-10-23T20:56:51.464-05:00Put Away The "Store Bought" BBQ Sauce, Pulled Pork<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We love a good pulled pork sandwich. I doubt that I ever make mine the same way twice. It is really hard to "mess up" pulled pork as long as you start with a good quality pork roast and let it cook until it is falling apart tender. I always try to make extra because this is something that freezes well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> The last time I made pulled pork, I changed it up a little bit. I couldn't find a large boneless pork roast, so I bought three small ones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>Rub Ingredients:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">4 T. paprika</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3 T. sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 tsp. onion powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">salt and pepper (about 1 tsp. of each)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Mix together and reserve 1 T. of the mixture. Pat the remaining rub onto the meat. You can do this step several hours ahead of time, but I never think that far in advance. I rubbed it into about 6 pounds of lean pork roast. I got out my grandmother's roaster and put a little oil in the bottom and slightly browned both sides of the meat on top of the stove to add flavor and get the rub to "stick". Add enough water to the pan to have it about 1-2 inches deep and put the roaster covered into the oven at 300 degrees for several hours. You want to slow cook this until it is falling apart tender.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8yUBgU6ddhPfeWGVSNS8hAwwnDPQIl44wzmPBzTR78DtIsPLmZeEiXpLteffpOiOZ-cNhZ9OEFyL7Ym5pUV_whpndPz0K3XoQm3j1XvsjRYod1P9FX46lxIe62oTDOud-U1rLeJ7kns/s1600/IMG_4713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8yUBgU6ddhPfeWGVSNS8hAwwnDPQIl44wzmPBzTR78DtIsPLmZeEiXpLteffpOiOZ-cNhZ9OEFyL7Ym5pUV_whpndPz0K3XoQm3j1XvsjRYod1P9FX46lxIe62oTDOud-U1rLeJ7kns/s400/IMG_4713.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In a saucepan, mix together the ingredients for the BBQ sauce. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>BBQ Sauce Ingredients:</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 cups ketchup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1/4 cup brown sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1/4 cup white sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 1/2 tsp. onion powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 tsp. fresh ground pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 T. fresh lemon juice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 T. Worcestershire sauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1/2 cup apple cider vinegar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">reserved 1 T. of rub mixture</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2 T. maple syrup (I used real maple syrup)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1 cup of water</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mix all the ingredients for the sauce together and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours while the pork is cooking in the oven. Set aside.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hfZ0rCHaltCWBO01fdwqooXR87XSxyctqgqQLOBQNj6zIkZ3z-pbmlOyNSVHbB1dSjUAei2LrC53C36DMATSKMZvhOciC_Xt0bfuikbt17MIPdKVo2etR9dTtEywH0l41GmxdOfZJN0/s1600/IMG_4714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hfZ0rCHaltCWBO01fdwqooXR87XSxyctqgqQLOBQNj6zIkZ3z-pbmlOyNSVHbB1dSjUAei2LrC53C36DMATSKMZvhOciC_Xt0bfuikbt17MIPdKVo2etR9dTtEywH0l41GmxdOfZJN0/s400/IMG_4714.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When your pork is done, remove it from</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the oven and using 2 forks, shred it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-dSpw28GNWy0DcE4weJZGzCNoi0bzagVIPf89KZyDa37MNL1HyU1LZZCMHr9YP4Y-RgB0K-Gqw_xOWBFBEPjyypZUwwq3ah-GjTGF4RWuDC_Vt92mzskPUbpxqRAglexMzrBfmKy4Ag/s1600/IMG_4715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-dSpw28GNWy0DcE4weJZGzCNoi0bzagVIPf89KZyDa37MNL1HyU1LZZCMHr9YP4Y-RgB0K-Gqw_xOWBFBEPjyypZUwwq3ah-GjTGF4RWuDC_Vt92mzskPUbpxqRAglexMzrBfmKy4Ag/s400/IMG_4715.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pour the BBQ sauce over the shredded pork and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">put it back in the oven for another </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">30 minutes </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">(not necessary but makes it soak in better).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi7ct5afVMD6gdwFSzhZAddz9idq6Pm503frAjEH0RIh26YXXgwdDmZQFWZKPgHWStsFrIp483ngX4yItnneAonVJ5FbEZM4H47p0gnFx5Aur4bKzpcWrcpdPN8_DfmN0-1oBRvpOdxk/s1600/IMG_4716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi7ct5afVMD6gdwFSzhZAddz9idq6Pm503frAjEH0RIh26YXXgwdDmZQFWZKPgHWStsFrIp483ngX4yItnneAonVJ5FbEZM4H47p0gnFx5Aur4bKzpcWrcpdPN8_DfmN0-1oBRvpOdxk/s400/IMG_4716.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To serve: We love Pretzel Buns, but any crusty bun </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">will work. I topped ours with a scoop of coleslaw</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> for added crunch. <a href="http://ineedmom.blogspot.com/2009/11/need-salad-in-5-minutes-or-less.html">Coleslaw recipe</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jdrgQJZ40FIfdHHtCIuGZKye4uaSCAG3nbZRg8oqrgklHncrM1jitgpXIK1UU05aa8cY1pzpPZ1yUsIoYpOKOsiC62YERk_j48I3BfJ5AYuXcRg0wU38gLSKf_zsVYgSpeRU-QqJt7g/s1600/IMG_4718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jdrgQJZ40FIfdHHtCIuGZKye4uaSCAG3nbZRg8oqrgklHncrM1jitgpXIK1UU05aa8cY1pzpPZ1yUsIoYpOKOsiC62YERk_j48I3BfJ5AYuXcRg0wU38gLSKf_zsVYgSpeRU-QqJt7g/s400/IMG_4718.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> You could easily prepare the BBQ sauce ahead of time and cook your meat in the crockpot all day. Shred the meat and add the sauce for the last 30 minutes. Some people prefer their pork plain and the sauce served on the side, that works too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am joining Michael @ </span><a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rattlebridge Farm</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">for Foodie Friday</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-6047644500178470502013-10-21T10:32:00.000-05:002013-10-23T20:19:12.855-05:00A Blast from the Past-Alabama<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFd_3vbzK0mWRajHnJJ79_wHdYz0Lj57Cf-Ze4Li9DRjKlKuudkfhHJl3REq-wcT_fmEliSw_55YsRilF5aLKxUKv2GOcMTI2mfj2dYGW7zacdQkPH_8fI3TJZ0mUbcjIvnkerjfCJQE/s1600/IMG_4711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFd_3vbzK0mWRajHnJJ79_wHdYz0Lj57Cf-Ze4Li9DRjKlKuudkfhHJl3REq-wcT_fmEliSw_55YsRilF5aLKxUKv2GOcMTI2mfj2dYGW7zacdQkPH_8fI3TJZ0mUbcjIvnkerjfCJQE/s400/IMG_4711.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Many, many years ago...a much younger "Mom" was strictly interested in Rock and Roll music. Country music, at the time meant Johnny Cash, George Jones and Loretta Lynn...all of which were way too country for "Mom's" 20-something ears to stand. </div>
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Along came Randy Owen (above), Teddy Gentry, Mark Herndon and Jeff Cook with the band Alabama to change my mind. Songs <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sbhgPfzbH8">Tennessee River</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8ou8iHmZTI">Feels So Right</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W873YwAChwQ">Mountain Music</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otlkDIJGyrs">The Closer You Get</a> and so many more country pop songs, made me for the first time take notice of the genre. I bought all of their albums, saw their concerts and even had a kiss on the cheek from Randy right before the picture above was taken (yes, that is a leather headband around my forehead, it was the 80's!). I was a fan...not of all country music, but certainly of Alabama. I wasn't the only one. Their list of awards is long and varied. For several years, they were the face of country music. </div>
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In 2003-2004, the group went on their Farewell Tour and while they have reunited for special events since, the band that was a part of my music life for many years, had pretty much disappeared off of the radar. </div>
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I was excited to see the release of their new album, <em>Alabama & Friends</em>, in August. It includes some of their old songs, sung by their friends as well as two new songs by the group themselves. As I played the music, I remembered why it was that they were my first, favorite country group. The new Alabama songs are fresh and timely, the older songs are wonderfully sung by current artists. I couldn't help but sing and smile my way through the entire thing. I am still a rock and roll girl, but Alabama opened my eyes to contemporary country music back in the 80's and I am still a fan today. </div>
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I wasn't given this album to review, </div>
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nor was I compensated in any way. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qwTj0DxnWdDlPdXBse-VE65qBU4JtcfUagNWjURy_dOSKn0qxsSBH0vpWaT9f-Ogv01NQbJfQef8rKcBvxGtJC5VlHDQcFeY4L8TFzoco9QoTof2_oqdyVEx7fvz8VizV87-m9o1g7c/s1600/61di6Ubp11L__SL500_AA280_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qwTj0DxnWdDlPdXBse-VE65qBU4JtcfUagNWjURy_dOSKn0qxsSBH0vpWaT9f-Ogv01NQbJfQef8rKcBvxGtJC5VlHDQcFeY4L8TFzoco9QoTof2_oqdyVEx7fvz8VizV87-m9o1g7c/s400/61di6Ubp11L__SL500_AA280_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-81740030992218452042013-10-18T10:20:00.000-05:002013-10-18T10:20:09.550-05:00Trick or Treat Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NXSqHii314NwjQLnpu-zHO3vdFjtF3DuTEfjk-cuGYJKEFwdQ3CCPWUwpYstRtMDIhiV-QlTTIBgV0Rb_wlaiQH7QS0uUqUOIrFipGLjiMmS2LeGqrJkjbiXjLSWJh9lXV8Kl2hSOjY/s1600/IMG_4884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NXSqHii314NwjQLnpu-zHO3vdFjtF3DuTEfjk-cuGYJKEFwdQ3CCPWUwpYstRtMDIhiV-QlTTIBgV0Rb_wlaiQH7QS0uUqUOIrFipGLjiMmS2LeGqrJkjbiXjLSWJh9lXV8Kl2hSOjY/s400/IMG_4884.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I mentioned in my last post that I try to put things I eat through the "worth it" test. Is it worth the fat, calories and extra exercise necessary if I indulge. Well, these cookies are absolutely WORTH IT! They are a little scary looking (after all-they are for Halloween) but they taste so good!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR-IwckCe_AnqhAvxhLIO_HV_gWllJqyKxQ1A2DENUvmyxplBhBXq8gNpMjBMz6qOK-n0U0oM2ZaZ17oHldOG46xeotmzWql95B0CqbLCb5VrbmtAo6XPfSUGiQbaTwRsdgUY_27nxTc/s1600/IMG_4874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR-IwckCe_AnqhAvxhLIO_HV_gWllJqyKxQ1A2DENUvmyxplBhBXq8gNpMjBMz6qOK-n0U0oM2ZaZ17oHldOG46xeotmzWql95B0CqbLCb5VrbmtAo6XPfSUGiQbaTwRsdgUY_27nxTc/s400/IMG_4874.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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3 sticks of unsalted butter</div>
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1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed</div>
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1 cup white sugar</div>
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2 eggs</div>
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2 tsp. vanilla (I only use real vanilla)</div>
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scant tsp. of salt</div>
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1 tsp. baking soda</div>
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4 cups all-purpose flour</div>
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1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Hershey's)</div>
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4 cups of chopped Snickers , Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and M & M's (I used peanut)</div>
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1 cup broken pretzels</div>
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orange food coloring</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaz2V_V7P2JUuVruECLUmeI-P-EgD5OK8CJqy7eU34IITdJ0wOF2TvKc4BpVXBJnPVExOYYQfDJaqFIzqc2mt4j2eMkFcIXzlP1YS2xi61dlOh7AwHGSOWIEJtL_AagKTUIOUUnvXRDM/s1600/IMG_4875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaz2V_V7P2JUuVruECLUmeI-P-EgD5OK8CJqy7eU34IITdJ0wOF2TvKc4BpVXBJnPVExOYYQfDJaqFIzqc2mt4j2eMkFcIXzlP1YS2xi61dlOh7AwHGSOWIEJtL_AagKTUIOUUnvXRDM/s400/IMG_4875.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees</div>
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Cream together butter, brown sugar and white sugar. </div>
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Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until fluffy. </div>
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Mix salt and baking soda with flour and slowly </div>
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mix into butter mixture. Beat until dough forms.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIIkDBGUfrLTAoFsxz0bYXuxTaSrtdFPd34uGv564QQvrGXf8JykZB3agyMOXbch7_GcnrGfsre2zow4if9Q1dNFGEClCAO9lH3uCek8T-owZyTVr7BJCQ5sxuwdq4wwtd5SNDDM32rc/s1600/IMG_4876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIIkDBGUfrLTAoFsxz0bYXuxTaSrtdFPd34uGv564QQvrGXf8JykZB3agyMOXbch7_GcnrGfsre2zow4if9Q1dNFGEClCAO9lH3uCek8T-owZyTVr7BJCQ5sxuwdq4wwtd5SNDDM32rc/s400/IMG_4876.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Split the dough in half and place in separate bowls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3EkP5jOP6o4srPHwfLrzpXOqmA6wP6UH0d4cJU5O770St3h1-zTpow8jdk3w0Jl5U9dsJx458L8X7po4m6FZtcrhzAQtIazi8dfkbMzwwP7K1GzOF8cV-7eQOvmormAhS62Ylb20v7M/s1600/IMG_4877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3EkP5jOP6o4srPHwfLrzpXOqmA6wP6UH0d4cJU5O770St3h1-zTpow8jdk3w0Jl5U9dsJx458L8X7po4m6FZtcrhzAQtIazi8dfkbMzwwP7K1GzOF8cV-7eQOvmormAhS62Ylb20v7M/s400/IMG_4877.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Stir cocoa powder into one half of the dough.</div>
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You can see a few "white spots" in mine, it</div>
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doesn't hurt anything.</div>
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Add orange food coloring to the other half of </div>
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the dough. This step is not necessary if you </div>
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want a black/white cookie. If that is the case, use</div>
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the "white" dough as is without adding any food coloring.</div>
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Into each bowl of colored dough, fold </div>
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in 1 1/2 cups of the mixed candy (not the pretzels).</div>
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Roll the chocolate dough and the orange </div>
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dough into balls. Cut the balls in half and press </div>
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a half of each color together to </div>
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form a cookie. Place on cookie </div>
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sheet and slightly flatten.</div>
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Press remaining 1 cup of mixed candy and the broken pretzels into the flattened cookie tops. Bake approx. 12 minutes, until slightly brown around the edges. Allow to cool on cookie sheet a few minutes and remove to wire racks to finish cooling. These cookies break easily when warm. Allow them to cool enough before removing. I left my pretzel pieces fairly large because I wanted "scary looking" cookies for Halloween. You could certainly have a prettier cookie if the pretzel pieces were smaller. The melted snicker bars (yum) may ooze out a bit while baking. With the edge of a knife or spatula, push the melted snicker back to the edge of the cookie while very warm. </div>
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I am joining Michael @ <a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/">Rattlebridge Farm</a> for Foodie Friday.</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-8494391160655967702013-10-15T13:45:00.001-05:002013-10-15T13:45:54.612-05:00Bits and Pieces-Halloween Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0W4oGN-ThQR1jpoOB6sMs23AB8kp8q6CVX4I0Kfq7u4PknFNRRyHizIgoOybPbO8UmFFznVx0968oPc57lg-hkjKwNZArdRbw9ThF_Pbsp66el-eVC0sONZ3uVacm2ukuQb4u3DhkkY/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0W4oGN-ThQR1jpoOB6sMs23AB8kp8q6CVX4I0Kfq7u4PknFNRRyHizIgoOybPbO8UmFFznVx0968oPc57lg-hkjKwNZArdRbw9ThF_Pbsp66el-eVC0sONZ3uVacm2ukuQb4u3DhkkY/s400/photo+(6).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Halloween is my favorite time of the year to host parties. Having a birthday very close to Halloween, I grew up having parties this time of year and old habits are hard to break. I have gotten so lazy about committing to company, but I was so glad that I decided to have a few friends over Saturday night for a casual evening. I didn't do a tablescape, I simply covered the table with black fabric, put my current centerpiece back on it and lit a couple candles. The dishes were stacked, the food was self-serve and simple, it was a no-stress evening for everyone. You don't always have to prepare a sit down feast for your guests. I made a pot of <a href="http://ineedmom.blogspot.com/2009/09/are-crushed-tomatoes-and-diced-tomatoes.html">chili</a>, the <a href="http://ineedmom.blogspot.com/2013/10/grilled-cheese-and-tomato-soupcasserole.html">grilled cheese/tomato soup casserole</a> I recently posted and two kinds of cookies (recipes soon). One friend brought a pie and another brought apple slices and dip. I had s'mores to make over the fire pit, but we were all too full to eat them! I had a great time and it reminded me just how much I really do love to entertain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">While I'm showing you the little touches of Halloween that I added to my fall decorations, I want to show you my dining room table. We bought the table at a furniture store tent sale and have used it the past two years with a few scratches on it. It seemed to be getting more and more scratches and chips and my husband just refinished it. I think he did a beautiful job. We put a glossy, waterproof coating on it so I can just wipe it off.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This year I didn't really take down my fall things, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I just added a few Halloween items here and there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We are actually having a chilly week. I even turned on the fireplace this morning after taking Zoe out in the rain. We were cold. I haven't turned on the heat, or needed to...but the air finally went off yesterday, although I am certain I will have it back on again. This is the kind of day that I'd like to bake (and then eat it all).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I've been asked to keep updating the progress in our family healthy eating/living plan. My daughter recently ran her first 5k since high school (10 years). She is wearing a size 6 and feels great. She would like to lose another 10 pounds or so, but her attitude is that it will happen when it happens. Keeping her calories around 1200 a day and exercising most days is still the norm for her. She said that she started crying about half way through the race because it dawned on her how far she had come in 10 months. I'm very proud of her. She also just started another new project at Disney, which meant that her trip home that was cancelled because of work in August and moved to November, has also been cancelled. I will go 8 months without seeing her, the longest we have ever gone. Her job is so exciting, but very hard on her mother!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I have dropped my exercising from 6 days a week to 4 or 5, I am still eating healthy 90% of the time and we both still live by the "is it worth it" rule for eating fattening foods. Some things are worth it! Some simply aren't. I am right where I want to be and maintaining it so far, but I know that I can never get lazy about it or I will gain it all back very quickly. We just live it now, we don't really think about it much like we did in the beginning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Speaking of foods that are "worth it"...coming soon, Trick or Treat Cookies.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRb1CvIodVuHQko7iuwYxzCJ58tBk36T-lXb6B7uhagyVKXaaerwGxXzJGrv9DSaoMeQsQfZvnnUl3slxIfNMU9MInr9KaVOSM8NIvsCyv5LgyoLW_QBWqE-q1ayzrDKYn7-UF6eaS9ds/s1600/IMG_4874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRb1CvIodVuHQko7iuwYxzCJ58tBk36T-lXb6B7uhagyVKXaaerwGxXzJGrv9DSaoMeQsQfZvnnUl3slxIfNMU9MInr9KaVOSM8NIvsCyv5LgyoLW_QBWqE-q1ayzrDKYn7-UF6eaS9ds/s400/IMG_4874.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am joining Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life</div>
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for <a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/10/186th-inspire-me-tuesday.html">Inspire Me Tuesdays</a></div>
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and </div>
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Kim @ <a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/">Savvy Southern Style</a></div>
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for Wow Us Wednesdays</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-92192486952572874272013-10-07T14:28:00.000-05:002013-10-07T14:28:18.987-05:00Fall Porch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVhcOHicUthEAXMLtEpF2iFtG6kOebP7I1wBbw-Ir7jYbDTG4rTOU2BHAMkXJNwnY7cNjuFzedMgmUiII6Etu7TB69QL6LBCTCZyWultsgu_RiLGSNY9PhJzm3OALZ6Ho8LpaRIIPWuQ/s1600/IMG_4836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVhcOHicUthEAXMLtEpF2iFtG6kOebP7I1wBbw-Ir7jYbDTG4rTOU2BHAMkXJNwnY7cNjuFzedMgmUiII6Etu7TB69QL6LBCTCZyWultsgu_RiLGSNY9PhJzm3OALZ6Ho8LpaRIIPWuQ/s400/IMG_4836.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Fall roared in to Central Illinois over the weekend dropping more than 2 inches of rain in about an hour and taking the temperature from almost 90, down to the 50's! We were out running errands on Saturday and we got drenched. We really needed the rain, and the blue jean weather feels so good. It isn't here to stay, but I am enjoying a few days without air-conditioning or heat! </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The front porch has been decked out for fall for a little while now. I actually added Halloween touches after taking these pictures. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoqc2_QSayOP1RLa0aJPrR97sm56LmnMuKjPqMHUezyqqEgyvWGZdJ3erW38yAwf5u5elT-9K-oPv9K7gHjLN_MNh7NAPZTLKyMyI03MMM6oBH0Vf1QbsAexqYy3TT_WoEcnameMu6nQ/s1600/IMG_4834+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoqc2_QSayOP1RLa0aJPrR97sm56LmnMuKjPqMHUezyqqEgyvWGZdJ3erW38yAwf5u5elT-9K-oPv9K7gHjLN_MNh7NAPZTLKyMyI03MMM6oBH0Vf1QbsAexqYy3TT_WoEcnameMu6nQ/s400/IMG_4834+(2).JPG" width="251" /></a></div>
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My porch is so small that I am very limited in </div>
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what I can do. I envy those of you with big front </div>
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porches. Maybe in the next house!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQQQ0iv1puYKMuipJ991di-Gl2Korbz8O1qcG-lUPyUz7HxSot7SYu5qIzR2D6q5mkdsnsBDs9KsklUlVRdQw6CrdM7fXk2jeZiDZiJyX6ABueB8czLV9MUBdUGtGYddrCLOMDwAkv5U/s1600/IMG_4835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQQQ0iv1puYKMuipJ991di-Gl2Korbz8O1qcG-lUPyUz7HxSot7SYu5qIzR2D6q5mkdsnsBDs9KsklUlVRdQw6CrdM7fXk2jeZiDZiJyX6ABueB8czLV9MUBdUGtGYddrCLOMDwAkv5U/s400/IMG_4835.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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We found our pumpkins and mums at a farm on the way home from French Lick. The prices were great and the variety of pumpkin choices was so much fun. We had to have white ones, and heirloom pumpkins to stack and bumpy ones...I literally had to stop myself. Our most expensive pumpkin was the bottom of the pumpkin stack, $5! </div>
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I spotted this little toad on a hibiscus leaf several days ago. I have never seen a frog/toad in my yard before! I just let him sit and enjoy the sunshine. The leaves in my neighborhood are still green. I love it when the leaves are glowing red, yellow and orange...soon! </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-41025322059533231972013-10-02T11:53:00.001-05:002013-10-02T11:53:11.938-05:00Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup...Casserole??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmdyPgrpjIXA2VoTccDa9-ISVv9qp0SH1Dt69bteXZmH-s0CsK8i5faL5cINgEq674ND-jGBO-FikwbL6X95lQVSgq-JATgZYwRzqQB-Bg-R5bQGiWAPRxW97qadQfxQJGZ0l3TGAe-c/s1600/IMG_4857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmdyPgrpjIXA2VoTccDa9-ISVv9qp0SH1Dt69bteXZmH-s0CsK8i5faL5cINgEq674ND-jGBO-FikwbL6X95lQVSgq-JATgZYwRzqQB-Bg-R5bQGiWAPRxW97qadQfxQJGZ0l3TGAe-c/s400/IMG_4857.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Often when my husband is home for lunch, we see Mr. Food segments at the end of our news program. A few days ago we happened to catch a segment called <em>Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Bake</em>. Because we were kids in the 60's, tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich was a staple in both of our homes. We watched the preparation of this dish with a mixture of interest and horror. It sounded awful, but when all was said and done...it looked pretty good. So, I decided to give it a try. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> The only change I made to the Mr. Food recipe was using 1 T. of butter instead of 3 to lighten the dish. I also used a mixture of shredded cheeses because that is what I had at home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Ingredients:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>3 T. softened butter</u> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (I used 1 T. and melted it)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>1 pound French bread sliced into 22 slices</u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided</u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I used cheddar and 4 cheese blend)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="font-size: small;">1 can Campbell's Cream of Tomato soup</span></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><u>1/2 cup milk</u> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(I used skim)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Preheat oven to 425 degrees</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"> Spread or brush butter on one side of the 22 bread slices and place on baking sheet. Bake 5 to 7 minutes, turn over and bake another 5 minutes. You want both sides to be slightly toasted and crispy to the touch. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VihGhY9lM5sVUXLbqzZLaG3iY6O7TtPYTD6imDSGtmHoUWqp5h_O11GFzYGcIV5znuqGh4cVfSqiimBLG_sbYWl1QCtrt5SS3XP6laDrRy0Hm3z7GEfDbYImOzFAm_IiICyMwH7lOkY/s1600/IMG_4843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2VihGhY9lM5sVUXLbqzZLaG3iY6O7TtPYTD6imDSGtmHoUWqp5h_O11GFzYGcIV5znuqGh4cVfSqiimBLG_sbYWl1QCtrt5SS3XP6laDrRy0Hm3z7GEfDbYImOzFAm_IiICyMwH7lOkY/s320/IMG_4843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Split your cheese into 1 1/2 cups and 1 cup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mix the soup with the milk until blended.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5IfGoVZ6VugABGuJXjnSZm2DEZPrIc3mBfXNoC-VXX3HtecOvs84qTfPAUG_ETzOeVXGGf13l8390q76OqRBIrD19hFAa0Fz6Q5J4RJioyULkaWXkJCrhuXdIOPJ3dTgg4cw9GI9K50/s1600/IMG_4847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5IfGoVZ6VugABGuJXjnSZm2DEZPrIc3mBfXNoC-VXX3HtecOvs84qTfPAUG_ETzOeVXGGf13l8390q76OqRBIrD19hFAa0Fz6Q5J4RJioyULkaWXkJCrhuXdIOPJ3dTgg4cw9GI9K50/s320/IMG_4847.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Remove the toasted bread from the oven </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and place 11 slices into a 9x13 casserole dish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It didn't say to grease the dish, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I wish I had sprayed it with PAM</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sprinkle the 1 1/2 cups of </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">cheese on top of the bread</span>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Top with remaining 11 slices of bread.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Pour soup mixture over the top</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Bake 20 minutes at 425 degrees</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Remove from oven and top with remaining </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 cup of cheese</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Return to oven for 10 minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The verdict...it was really good. My husband loved it, he even had a second helping which is very rare for him. My son came the next day and ate the leftovers warmed in the microwave and loved it too. He asked for the recipe! He liked that it was not only easy, but cheap to prepare. I thought it was really good. I think it would be a great companion to serve with chili or soup. It warmed up well the second day but the piece leftover the 3rd day was drying out according to my husband. I do think this is best served right from the oven. The bottom remained crisp and the top wasn't too soggy and only had a slight tomato taste.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If I wasn't trying to be a "healthy" eater, I would use the full amount of butter and even more cheese between the slices of bread.</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is hardly a gourmet meal, but quick, easy, inexpensive and tastes a bit like our childhoods. Sometimes that is all you need!</span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-7245914879749276162013-09-29T19:17:00.000-05:002013-10-02T11:15:00.415-05:00Autumn in the Air<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Why is it that I always love changing things for the season, but I am so ready to put it away just a few weeks later? Right now, I love all things fall...but it won't be long before all the colors and pumpkins will be driving me crazy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> It really takes very little to change the look and feel of your home. I found this pillow (I only use one on my sofa) and throw at TJMaxx last weekend for about $35 total. I loved some of the season's pillows at Pottery Barn, but this one has color and texture and was only $19.99.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can see that someone thinks that all things soft and cozy belong to her. It wouldn't make much sense for me to invest much in anything that is within her reach.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Little bits of fall are tucked all over the house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Soon, I will add touches of Halloween.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you missed the wreath tutorial,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">you can find it </span><a href="http://ineedmom.blogspot.com/2013/09/getting-ready-for-fall-wreath-tutorial.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The bittersweet came in my last bouquet delivered from the area organic farmer. It was very green and the berries were closed. I let it sit for about 2 weeks and they popped open and dried into this beautiful sign of fall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am joining Marty @ </span><a href="http://www.astrollthrulife.net/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A Stroll Thru Life</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> for </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Kim @ </span><a href="http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Savvy Southern Style</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> for </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7791192553677271779.post-73185766076344161512013-09-23T16:04:00.000-05:002013-09-23T17:59:27.181-05:00Hidden in the Midwest-Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> This post is part 2 of our visit to French Lick/West Baden, Indiana. You can read about the French Lick Hotel <a href="http://ineedmom.blogspot.com/2013/09/hidden-in-midwest-part-1.html">here</a>, in part 1. Today I will show you around the other hotel, West Baden Springs Hotel. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Built as the Mile Lick Hotel in 1855, it was also (like the French Lick Resort) built because people traveled to the area for the mineral springs. The name was changed later and reflected <em>Baden</em>, a famous mineral spa in Europe. Before a fire in 1901 that destroyed West Baden Springs, it housed a casino, an opera house, a 2 level pony and bicycle track and a baseball field. Owned by Lee W. Sinclair (you still see the name Sinclair many places in the area), the hotel was rebuilt after the fire to be his dream hotel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">When you enter the hotel, this is what you see. I couldn't begin to get a picture that truly shows how large this atrium is. Sinclair wanted it to be the largest dome in the world and to look like a grand European spa. It reopened in 1902 with a 200 foot atrium. After Sinclair died, his daughter and her husband took over the hotel until they drained their finances and sold the hotel in 1923 to Ed Ballard for a million dollars. The hotel lost all business after the stock market crash of 1929 and Ballard eventually sold it for 1 dollar to the Jesuits in 1934. They removed many of the elegant touches and buildings. The seminary known as West Baden College operated until 1964 and sold in 1966 after the seminary closed. It was then purchased by a couple who donated it to Northwood Institute, a private college, which operated in West Baden until 1983. It was after that time, the hotel sold once again and sat empty, falling into ruin.</span> </div>
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The fireplace could burn 14 foot logs</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> There were attempts to keep up the empty building over the years, but it wasn't until May of 1994, when the hotel was sold to Minnesota Investment Partners for $500,00 that things started to look up. Grand Casinos, Inc., an investor in the purchase, optioned the hotel from MIP. The Cook Group, Inc., a global medical device manufacturing company, headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, stepped in to preserve both French Lick Springs Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel. Both hotels and their grounds received a multi-million dollar renovation returning them to the grandeur of the days of Sinclair and uniting them as one resort. In 2006, French Lick Springs Hotel reopened after an extensive renovation and in 2007 the West Baden Springs Hotel opened it's doors once again. </span><br />
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This photo show how the inside looked during the renovation.</div>
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The hallway to the spa.</div>
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Indoor pool-taken from the spa.</div>
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One of the many ornate fixtures in the atrium.</div>
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The library.</div>
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The details in the flooring.</div>
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Stained glass doors, everywhere.</div>
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Some of the original china.</div>
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The building in the background is empty now.</div>
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It once held a bowling alley, </div>
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billiard room and a rumored illegal casino.</div>
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The small cemetery where some of the Jesuits who died</div>
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while in residence are buried. </div>
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This is the original Mineral Spring at West Baden.</div>
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Like French Lick, the sulfur smell is very strong.</div>
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Packaging of the original Pluto Water from French Lick.</div>
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The sunken garden.</div>
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The baseball field had an old-fashioned baseball game.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I think it is obvious why the West Baden Springs Resort is considered a bit more upscale than the French Lick Resort. The prices are a little higher, the atmosphere is very quiet and almost isolated. I was afraid that I would be sorry that we chose French Lick, but I wasn't. This hotel is certainly a "must see" as it is breathtaking and the history is so interesting. It also has truly beautiful grounds. The two hotels are so close to each other and with a shuttle that goes back and forth, you really have the advantage of both hotels, no matter where you decide to stay.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We loved almost everything about our 3 days in French Lick. We will certainly go back, but we will be a little more prepared. We struggled with the food choices. The towns of French Lick/West Baden are small with very little to offer. The resorts and the winery are wonderful, but other than that...unless you drive to another town, you won't find many places to eat. The hotels have several restaurants, which many people would be perfectly happy with. They both have upscale restaurants, with dinner prices around $150 and up for two people without beverages. The reviews for these are not that great and the menu choices weren't very interesting to us. So, even though we took "dressy" clothes, we decided we simply weren't interested in them enough to spend that kind of money. The other restaurants in the hotels are much less expensive, but served what I called a cross between T.G.I. Fridays and Buffalo Wild Wings. It was bar food in various locations. If you like pizza, burgers, meatloaf and wings...you will be perfectly happy. If you like food that is more interesting and made with fresh, local products...you will feel like we did. The winery food was great, but it isn't open for dinner or on Mondays. There is a little place that has sandwiches and bakery items that is rated number one for the area and it was also good, but not open for dinner. I found the restaurants to be the only thing that was a disappointment at these gorgeous resorts. </span></div>
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