tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24617391668539258812024-03-14T02:21:40.123-07:00Hill House HandmadeDiane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-69048546856914366112014-06-12T19:34:00.002-07:002014-06-12T19:34:41.040-07:00The Garden<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Our garden isn't very large or productive. We don't have much yard to dig in so we make do and plant in pots on the back deck. I have big dreams of raised beds, fruit trees, garlic patches and blueberry bushes but for now this is what we have to work with. This year our adventures into gardening taught us some lovely lessons.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Lesson 1: Morning Glory seeds are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morning_glory" target="_blank">poisonous</a> and produce an LSD like effect when eaten. Lenora ate some (we really think she only ate 1) but poison control sent us straight to the emergency room for a preventative drink of liquid charcoal. Poor kid did a bang up job of drinking it down, then promptly throwing it all back up over me. Thankfully she didn't start seeing things and we were on our way home a few hours later.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Lesson 2: It's almost impossible to purchase or make potting soil for container gardening with no plastic trash. After reading <a href="http://zerowastehome.blogspot.com/p/book.html" target="_blank">this book</a> I have been trying to reduce the amount of waste we generate. I thought I hit the jackpot when I found a garden center that would let me purchase dirt and leaf grow compost in my own buckets. I ended up paying more because they couldn't figure out an easy way to charge me since they normally sell by the yard. Also, when I got home to mix up my own potting soil I found it was still too heavy and ended up having to purchase peat moss and vermiculite that I could only find in plastic bags. Can't say I didn't try. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our plants have already started to take off and look so much different from these beginning shots. I cannot wait to share with you how they grow this summer.</span></span></h3>
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Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-61081966884836854122014-04-14T08:02:00.000-07:002014-04-14T08:02:06.104-07:00Dalton Ray Hill 3/4/2014<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I almost didn't share this story.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I know now that every pregnancy, birth, and child are different. Completely different.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I shared so much of baby Robert I wanted to hide this child away from the world until I was certain no harm would come to him. But we still have a lifetime to go and I can only protect him from so much so here goes, the story of his journey earth side.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Dalton was born a week and 6 days late by the standard 40 week birth clock, but he came on his own time when he was good and ready.<br /> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I delivered him at <a href="http://www.specialbeginnings.com/" target="_blank">Special Beginnings Birth Center</a>. We barely made it because at 42 weeks you are no longer a candidate for the birth center, you have to deliver in a hospital. The last time I was in a hospital with a a baby I had to hand him over to a funeral director. There was no way I was going back there. No flipping way. So we staged an eviction to get him out before that dreaded cut off. I had 3 rounds of acupuncture, walked every day, took labor tincture, pumped and did some other extra curriculars. It finally came down to my lovely midwife, who met me in a snow storm the day prior, stripping my membranes that gave him just enough of a push to get things going. I met her at 4:30 on the 3rd and by 11:30pm that night we were back at the birth center ready to go. I had an amazing team by my side, including my midwife Myra, <a href="http://leighchildbirthservices.webs.com/aboutus.htm" target="_blank">doula Lorrie Leigh</a>, a nurse who just happened to be the infamous Ann Sober (owner/director of Special Beginnings, Robert, and all the friends and family who held our hands along the way. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">In their capable hands Dalton was born in the water at 5:30am on the 4th. It got a little hairy there at the end. My babies don't like those last few pushes to get them out. His heart rate dropped a little too low and everyone was urging me (rather loudly) to push him out already. I obliged and they placed him into my arms.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">It has been one hell of a journey...physically and emotionally. While I will always feel a part of my family is missing his birth brought a much welcomed dose of healing to our home. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3>
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Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-32143176680167121962014-02-15T06:22:00.001-08:002014-02-15T06:22:35.104-08:00How Ella Got Her Groove Back<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">This used to be my doll when I was a little girl. Lenora has adopted her and named her Ella. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">The other day she had a neck blow out of epic proportions and Lenora came to me and asked if I could fix her. Since my nesting is in high gear these days I obliged and was then hellbent on fixing this doll as fast as humanly possible. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">It was a simple process really. I took her apart, ironed her flat and cut out a new body from a fresh piece of muslin I had in my stash. I embroidered a new face and alakazam, Ella was back in business in less than 12 hours. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I love projects like these, that involve simple sewing skills but are able to save a little piece of history and put a smile on my daughters face. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Get your groove on Ella, get it girl. </span></h3>
Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-52971941910109619302014-01-03T17:15:00.000-08:002014-01-03T17:15:59.715-08:002013 Year End<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Awww snap. I had perfectly good intentions of writing about the amazing herbal medicine class I took at <a href="http://www.centroashe.org/" target="_blank">Centro Ashe</a>, </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">the bleh mustard I made and canned, the delish Thanksgiving dinner that was shared, a very special Tiny Baby birthday celebration </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">and blessing,</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQgPqwY_jV5wYZ8IPk88ZmDeXwuySpvof7HiDR0r84KRTGWKUDLtBvdLZAVn59g2Cnt-fT39ixY2F-Uli0LTzK9ftLGugCYNJWaZNfKf83qzcs5LWu7JxyY098QQX3atxTvWD03faJQ6Z/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQgPqwY_jV5wYZ8IPk88ZmDeXwuySpvof7HiDR0r84KRTGWKUDLtBvdLZAVn59g2Cnt-fT39ixY2F-Uli0LTzK9ftLGugCYNJWaZNfKf83qzcs5LWu7JxyY098QQX3atxTvWD03faJQ6Z/s640/IMG_0526.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">and the few goodies I managed to stitch up for gifts. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I just didn't get around to it. Perhaps I will go back and rehash, for it was all pretty good stuff to share here. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In reality I spent much of 2013 just trying not to go bat shit crazy. We are still mourning the loss of our 1st son and are now planning for the arrival of our 2nd son due in February</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">,</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">all the while raising our super high energy, soon to be 3 year old. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Some days my head could just fly off from the enormity of it all. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">So for 2014 I am not making any resolutions, goals or setting grand ambitions. I am just going to live it, fully, deeply and gently, whatever may come. Sounds like a plan or lack thereof, to me. </span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Happy 2014 folks. </span> </span></h3>
Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-28307220263035390512013-11-15T16:56:00.001-08:002013-11-15T16:56:43.008-08:00Getting Saucy<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Every year I try to get better at putting food by for the
winter. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdmac7UlV-VtDuVeOuyU0L05L3RsQBVGKSpVBbm2v7ydsVgHzuP1KTVWPBp8UISZRYhnKlWBVGwkBfeuRotEvoJo4-b64kJpGC6lHE_d1AMffuPhDQCMxNGjfOpciHK-3wmSkCMR8XXFR/s1600/IMG_0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdmac7UlV-VtDuVeOuyU0L05L3RsQBVGKSpVBbm2v7ydsVgHzuP1KTVWPBp8UISZRYhnKlWBVGwkBfeuRotEvoJo4-b64kJpGC6lHE_d1AMffuPhDQCMxNGjfOpciHK-3wmSkCMR8XXFR/s640/IMG_0246.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">We preserve what is in season for when it’s not, and let me tell you,
pulling a jar of peaches out in the middle of winter is heavenly. This process
is trail an error and each year I learn more. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">We are not big tomato sauce
eaters, so that I buy sparingly by the jar from the store. Applesauce on the
other hand is a hot ticket item. We all love it and Robert can punish a quart
in one sitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year I canned 11 pints and froze 4 quarts. Not nearly enough, but it will do and now I know
next year that I should put up more. </span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIt3mBDjYbhHoeZ-20MgqIvxqyTC-nZpPAPzdG6JRt-ppL6OZ9qaXCLjPEjRDEYhUdcnosO9AkNyPHQpIG-Qp3ah0uf-uNJpu73RKkOGaBPIhYs2VmB5aqMbXU6Z8Fmo5pau_4CXKMTth/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIt3mBDjYbhHoeZ-20MgqIvxqyTC-nZpPAPzdG6JRt-ppL6OZ9qaXCLjPEjRDEYhUdcnosO9AkNyPHQpIG-Qp3ah0uf-uNJpu73RKkOGaBPIhYs2VmB5aqMbXU6Z8Fmo5pau_4CXKMTth/s640/IMG_0199.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I have a love, hate relationship with
canning. I love those gleaming jars on the shelf but hate my glass top stove. So
this year the canning was done on the side burner of the propane grill we
parked in the front yard for the day. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I am sure that got my neighbors to
speculating. And now that I have the heat source worked out for future
endeavors I need to invest in a taller pot, hence the canned pints and frozen
quarts. Give me a shout out if you come across one in your thrifting
adventures. I know here in Maryland, home of the crab and accompanying giant
crap pot there must be one out there for a steal. </span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">See, every year really is a
learning experience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you
are all getting saucy this fall too. </span></h3>
<!--EndFragment-->Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-47214063572599090112013-11-01T09:41:00.000-07:002013-11-01T09:41:32.712-07:00Full Fall<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This fall has been filled to the brim with wonderful family fun time. </span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Robert came home from an extended work trip and we have packed together time into every minute since he has been home. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">First he had to shave off that nasty beard. </span></h3>
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<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Then we spent and entire free day at Kings Dominion courtesy of my moms work. Thanks mom and Mary Pat for riding the rides 389762 times with Lenora. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></h3>
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Then we went to the Maryland Renaissance festival on my birthday. This is a yearly tradition that we love. I bought the <a href="http://jezzardjewelry.com/Jezzard_Jewelry_Combs_Metal_Selection.php" target="_blank">best hair combs ever</a> from these lovely folks as a birthday present to myself. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Then it was off to the pumpkin patch. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And brunch with the family on the water, then Nebraska game watching with matching outfits. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am tired just thinking about all that fun. Now we are in slowdown mode, spending more time indoors, cleaning corners and getting ready for winter. I hope your fall was as fun filled as ours was. </span></span></h3>
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<br />Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-79783145224224343982013-10-18T12:23:00.001-07:002013-10-18T12:23:41.048-07:00Because I Can<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I saw <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/thatdarnkat?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">this pattern</a> on the <a href="http://www.pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2013/08/15/what-were-making-childrens-undies-by-that-darn-kat/" target="_blank">Pink Chalk blog</a> and knew I had to make it. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Its not like I have copious amounts of time on my hands for projects like this. </span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v5aOkFoulDy27NT6K_SwDbuCqaQ9CUepEjqmI5nzbq_EWwuVihmKgV4eSQLW5buh8x8ksIAdof0E8z9lox78yZb9MBNPmrzQ85kedoq4SR2fjjtR8omb2UrSzVfLiytVkHgox0noDXDp/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v5aOkFoulDy27NT6K_SwDbuCqaQ9CUepEjqmI5nzbq_EWwuVihmKgV4eSQLW5buh8x8ksIAdof0E8z9lox78yZb9MBNPmrzQ85kedoq4SR2fjjtR8omb2UrSzVfLiytVkHgox0noDXDp/s640/IMG_0123.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Its just that they were so darn cute, and small, and I figured I could knock them out in no time.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">So I did. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Now I want some for myself. </span></h3>
Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-4466807235194326592013-09-24T11:38:00.000-07:002013-09-24T11:38:53.464-07:00Plastic Free Toilet Paper<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I always thought I was uber crunchy. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Compared to most folks I know I take it to another level. I only wash my hair once a week and make my own soap for goodness sakes. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Then my mom got me <a href="http://zerowastehome.blogspot.com/p/book.html" target="_blank">this book</a>, which lead me to <a href="http://myplasticfreelife.com/" target="_blank">this blog</a>, and I was floored. I had nothing on these ladies. Both the blog and the book really had an impact on me and opened my eyes to how much waste there really is out there, and both offered some great solutions for doing your own little part to reduce it. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Hint...recycling isn't the answer. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I now bring my own jars to the grocery store for olives and bulk items and am always on the lookout for minimal and plastic free packaging. </span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE8J3Ms_23FF4MGGCnmxKifL0DVWIKgGYWCLw4o2lwGa2mNrhr4TMHoyh-d2dKxk95dcQ_xz3OI1n-Sm2O-u67Pfd9f9RrccAagGA0r9WhNzKw2SEOzDR4yTs9n8krNAOAs9sajOoB_pA/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcE8J3Ms_23FF4MGGCnmxKifL0DVWIKgGYWCLw4o2lwGa2mNrhr4TMHoyh-d2dKxk95dcQ_xz3OI1n-Sm2O-u67Pfd9f9RrccAagGA0r9WhNzKw2SEOzDR4yTs9n8krNAOAs9sajOoB_pA/s640/IMG_0001.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wide mouth quart mason jar with plastic cap weighs exactly a pound, <br />
making it super easy for sales clerks to take off the tare weight. </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">The other day we headed to Sams for toilet paper (sometimes frugality wins) and imagine my surprise when I found this. </span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojOip54qlXzx9yEh2dbrQU7xwbZwOQ8yghrn2SIY1yu9Ln8luRnsECPywCKzONyDvP9hQNHsbvPVfFuD_N6FU-rPzmJP6w07EaAyVJqjfiviWHvlnstthCCoe9P5XD9l6GyCNP5n6ynap/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojOip54qlXzx9yEh2dbrQU7xwbZwOQ8yghrn2SIY1yu9Ln8luRnsECPywCKzONyDvP9hQNHsbvPVfFuD_N6FU-rPzmJP6w07EaAyVJqjfiviWHvlnstthCCoe9P5XD9l6GyCNP5n6ynap/s640/IMG_0141.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Plastic free toilet paper made from 80% recycled material. GOOOOOO Sams. I was impressed, so impressed I felt the need to blog about it. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">What can you do to reduce your impact on the earth? I challenge you to read the book, peruse the blog and take away a few good tips. </span></h3>
Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-63887099550761759112013-09-09T13:31:00.000-07:002013-09-09T13:31:52.031-07:00Dumpster Diving<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I am a shameless dumpster diver. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">They just call my name to take a peek inside and see what kinds of treasures lurk within. </span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhZFrOSN1EK2eRavyshTZyVw7C8ZkUI5gl9pEnyieY-JRTe2EGJinaA0DneXSeW01EafFZj5Wu3OUivw4vwTK05hg2IjizyXIPdfEiU7zTsB-TScbVYecxa3p1wa58yac6wB9VP8p_ROX/s1600/IMG_0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhZFrOSN1EK2eRavyshTZyVw7C8ZkUI5gl9pEnyieY-JRTe2EGJinaA0DneXSeW01EafFZj5Wu3OUivw4vwTK05hg2IjizyXIPdfEiU7zTsB-TScbVYecxa3p1wa58yac6wB9VP8p_ROX/s640/IMG_0083.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future Dumpster Diver</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Because you know, it really chaps my ass when people throw things away they could easily recycle back into their community. Especially when there are so many great resources like Freecycle, Craigslist, and online Facebook community yard sale pages. Or you could just leave the goods on your porch with a free sign. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">So when my community HOA put out the yearly dumpster for bulk pickup I did a couple of hooray fist pumps. This year I pulled out 3 perfect terra cotta pots and a set of plain pine Ikea bed slats.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Robert and Lenora got to work building me a new planter for my back porch container garden with the bed slats. Just look at that team work. Arent they lovely. I can't wait to fill that planter with some good eats next summer. </span></h3>
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Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-80217309268941541202013-09-08T18:42:00.000-07:002013-09-08T18:42:24.512-07:00The Green Johanna<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I would like to introduce the newest member of our family....The Green Johanna. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmI4HxHuclEUIzyc4AEX6e8SkGrszEQPGPo3KLXByOOIYa9qZCtHWwqYUL080JoZfKeqOmb4TkMt4stIvWt007_rQAZ5b-O2h2om8xjgRdz6rOx3Fb4xotlGRRluGjJPL8cNLLgB5-gPf/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWmI4HxHuclEUIzyc4AEX6e8SkGrszEQPGPo3KLXByOOIYa9qZCtHWwqYUL080JoZfKeqOmb4TkMt4stIvWt007_rQAZ5b-O2h2om8xjgRdz6rOx3Fb4xotlGRRluGjJPL8cNLLgB5-gPf/s640/IMG_0102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
Isn't she swell. I had been on the hunt for the perfect urban composter and I think I finally found it. Since our entire back yard is deck, she is currently living 4 doors down at my moms, but still close enough that I just walk over once or twice a week to drop off my scraps. She is a hot composter, rodent proof and can eat anything, meat and dairy included.</span></h3>
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So far I love her, but since this is my first attempt at composting, I am still working on striking the right balance of greens and browns. I think we are low on browns so I have been stalking my neighbors tree, waiting for those leaves to fall. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I will admit, it is a little nastier than I anticipated but its working and I was even excited to see some black soldier flies living in it. Apparently they are food garbage eating machines. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Now if only I had some chickens to eat those fly grubs.......Wonder if my mom would let me keep a few of those in her yard also? </span></h3>
Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-66158992557575103712013-07-23T18:36:00.000-07:002013-07-23T18:36:02.367-07:00Blueberry Love
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I’m baaaack. We have been battling the mother of all stomach
virus’s in this house the past week or so. It was bad, very, very bad. First
Lenora, then me and then Grandma JoJo. It just knocks you down, but I am happy
to say I can now leave the house without fear, and that is a good thing, a
very, very good thing.<br /> </span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></o:p></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Summer is in full force here on the sweltering hot muggy
east coast. And when summer rolls around I get food on the brain. I start
plotting what farmers markets and farms I want to visit and what delicious
meals I want to cook.</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmGXuimtb5EDT90q8iIjR6V20J79kFQUSonov9DRSk-5-pEUa3EpcfACiWGv7AaM4Z3QYwSCyi4J3oQdq0TKJ3jHtOAbpqh5LcgHTLGiAZ6ivP8Wu74VtD0NeVhGVEo0Z-bY1-jCmzCx5/s1600/IMG_20130615_093947_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmGXuimtb5EDT90q8iIjR6V20J79kFQUSonov9DRSk-5-pEUa3EpcfACiWGv7AaM4Z3QYwSCyi4J3oQdq0TKJ3jHtOAbpqh5LcgHTLGiAZ6ivP8Wu74VtD0NeVhGVEo0Z-bY1-jCmzCx5/s640/IMG_20130615_093947_600.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Delmarva watermelons and tomatoes, it makes me giddy.</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3zbSUvk8sHK6lZkEc6QT6tpiQyUIxB6u5Q_t433Hi537o2dIJ7c0zk98yDa9uPvu1ia0CpKiAQAP1chthc3D3xNBIyXA4Sif7q7zp6qpPMw0PKlcobLzwA8Ci1ftVunvH0U9wA553a_7/s1600/IMG_20130625_183458_350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3zbSUvk8sHK6lZkEc6QT6tpiQyUIxB6u5Q_t433Hi537o2dIJ7c0zk98yDa9uPvu1ia0CpKiAQAP1chthc3D3xNBIyXA4Sif7q7zp6qpPMw0PKlcobLzwA8Ci1ftVunvH0U9wA553a_7/s640/IMG_20130625_183458_350.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">So, when the local you pick family owned organic blueberry
patch announced open picking we were on it. You have to strike while the fruit
is ripe so to say, for you never know when a dry spell or too many fruit
stalkers like myself will wipe out the crop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I think we hauled in 20lbs this year. Lenora had a blast
emptying my berries into her bucket and then into Roberts bucket. There have
been lots of blueberry pancakes for breakfast and lots of bags going into the
freezer. There may be a crumble in my future, perhaps a paleo version, since I
have a stash of almond flour I need to dig into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Happy summer picking everyone. </span></span></h3>
<!--EndFragment-->Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-43211828207735991152013-06-28T11:33:00.000-07:002013-06-28T11:33:01.397-07:00Flannel Pants and Summer Heat<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I am way behind on projects and even further behind on blogging about them. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I do have good reason though. My goal lately is to spend all free time with Lenora and Robert mindfully doing things as a family and being outside. I guess its working because my sewing machine is silent save for a few pairs of pants I hemmed last week for my dear grams and this blog has been rather quiet. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I did make these sweet jammie pants for Lenora few weeks ago. It was horribly timed as they are flannel and its hot and humid as out there as Maryland summers always are. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">But I bought the fabric for a <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2010/08/big-butt-baby-pants-sewing-pattern/" target="_blank">specific pattern </a>and the pattern only went to a certain size so I just had to make them, no matter how little use she really got out of them. We cant always be practical can we? </span></h3>
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Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-20085795066053943052013-06-17T19:28:00.000-07:002013-06-17T19:28:05.591-07:00Boys Like Fairies Too<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">My neighbor has a huge tree with a couple of nice knotholes perfect for a secret garden. We decided this summer to plant a little fairy garden in the holes for kids. It started out as a girls project but was quickly hijacked by a couple of grown men with tools and shovels, intent on making the best damn fairy garden this side of the mason dixon. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">You best not mess with boys and their fairy gardens. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">It turned out great and the plants have really taken off. All the neighborhood kids love checking in on the fairies and Lenora likes to pay them a visit on her way to school in the morning. </span></h3>
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Im in love with them too and one day we will finally have those 40 acres I have been dreaming of, complete with a couple of little fairy villages...and a pond...and a house...and a fire pit. Man those fairy gardens are addicting. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Have you seen any fairies in your neck of the woods lately? </span></h3>
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<br />Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-55397769609792351242013-06-01T20:06:00.001-07:002013-06-01T20:06:50.161-07:00Strawberry Season
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I almost missed the strawberry picking season this year. A
short two weeks and its gone. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">As luck would have it we came home from vacation
and I was able to squeeze in a few hours of hard core picking on Memorial Day
Monday with my neighbor. Robert was the lucky sitter of 4 kids while we did
some serious squatting between the rows. My glutes still hurt.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Mount Airy You Pick is 5 minutes from my house and a
wonderful family run operation. I was disappointed to hear that next year would probably
be the last as they are ready to retire and have no one to take over. It just
makes me sad and further fuels my dream of a little plot of land with a garden,
some chicks and a safe place for Lenora to run wild in the wild.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtZa4G5ojNp8588vUmXCe2kcTnmaltaFr_jLxdu0tdV_XmrbjLvu0Rq5pOW42eAJ2QFtLLHGWD0P5KKxFZ27vhIQxbJWbjgSbDhm21uSW-MVpx4z3vUVk_WfE3kpy8ZCt7yP4NGkRGFhG/s1600/IMG_0579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtZa4G5ojNp8588vUmXCe2kcTnmaltaFr_jLxdu0tdV_XmrbjLvu0Rq5pOW42eAJ2QFtLLHGWD0P5KKxFZ27vhIQxbJWbjgSbDhm21uSW-MVpx4z3vUVk_WfE3kpy8ZCt7yP4NGkRGFhG/s640/IMG_0579.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Between the 2 of us we picked 36 lbs. Nothing tastes as good
as a fresh vine ripe sun warmed strawberry. You just can’t beat it.</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYgH3DfsZF7tLzuUX8J9w41GupYGf-u_GLMyinPUxBvdyiUbU4_o3up4EgiN3IxllLczUlieOoT6m50q6ObIysuE_DTeEWdxU0ayDZXArG0-rxbZz4F8btfyoz-RyvleDcP-fSc5TwIii/s1600/IMG_0582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYgH3DfsZF7tLzuUX8J9w41GupYGf-u_GLMyinPUxBvdyiUbU4_o3up4EgiN3IxllLczUlieOoT6m50q6ObIysuE_DTeEWdxU0ayDZXArG0-rxbZz4F8btfyoz-RyvleDcP-fSc5TwIii/s640/IMG_0582.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I froze most to use through the year and made a bowl of
homemade whipped cream for topping the rest.</span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">What a perfect
day, great company and strawberries. </span></span></h3>
<!--EndFragment-->Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-61699188335336384392013-05-08T14:58:00.000-07:002013-05-08T14:58:41.750-07:00Grief
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This past Sunday was International Bereaved Mothers Day. It got me thinking about the timeline of grief and how long it lasts.</span></span></h3>
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am a list checker. I write things down, then cross them
off. It helps me to remember what I need to focus on and gives me a sense of
accomplishment when I complete the task.<br /> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">The tricky thing with grieving is that it isn’t something
you can just “do” then cross off the list. There is this unspoken (and often
times spoken) idea that you will be better after a few months or a year. That
could not be further from the truth.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTlvWCMWFHlP6MJHmaQ45RTfFvBeGzwTX2rzQAGud0mubLnUly1Avnng0lMU_GBWEUF5f0LsyyyHslts-9okOMjJNKFAzXSaPaPc4TMSAcq3FDtXUliUR3PaKYq4Z3V4Wv-4vexltWXTN/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTlvWCMWFHlP6MJHmaQ45RTfFvBeGzwTX2rzQAGud0mubLnUly1Avnng0lMU_GBWEUF5f0LsyyyHslts-9okOMjJNKFAzXSaPaPc4TMSAcq3FDtXUliUR3PaKYq4Z3V4Wv-4vexltWXTN/s640/IMG_0069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">There is no timeline, no date when it ends and no gold star
on the calendar. It’s a forever process. I will never fully move on from the
death of my sweet boy, or ever get over it, or ever forget. I will always be a bereaved mother. </span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">There are good
days, ok days and then days where that nasty grief reaches up and bitch slaps
me right in the face. It is tough work, this grief business, but I keep on
working through it. One day at a time, one minute at a time and sometimes one
second at a time. </span></span></h3>
<!--EndFragment-->Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-89626560872511098492013-05-02T18:59:00.001-07:002013-05-02T18:59:12.535-07:00Retail Therapy<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">While I was off convalescing I indulged in quite a bit of retail therapy. Thankfully for our family budget my version of retail therapy usually involves the local thrift store and no more than 5 or 10$. I picked up a few treasures I thought I would share. </span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I love wooden toys, especially old wooden toys. This little highchair is so sweet and lovely. </span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_w-Cyuj6DxIZu7vy6L7GHjerazOknGyCNHf-iQmBd5X_Pd6tcmf2rswZ7i2OfOLV27TRd2QnPU9i29unvvXXx_lS5UNCas3QXaVwhZvM1ns5Qm9pzTbrhbpCGzBisPufqctg0J8U3U6_/s1600/IMG_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_w-Cyuj6DxIZu7vy6L7GHjerazOknGyCNHf-iQmBd5X_Pd6tcmf2rswZ7i2OfOLV27TRd2QnPU9i29unvvXXx_lS5UNCas3QXaVwhZvM1ns5Qm9pzTbrhbpCGzBisPufqctg0J8U3U6_/s640/IMG_0038.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Happy little Noah's Arc. Is it just me or does that giraffe look like a dog with a really long neck? </span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAQewqX_3BIDgwxeOsVQYgmxIUU3IXG330GfUOa07GMKkXjzWNz8J-JR0KPPbRw5JmhtLmpIsnhHbOW2abB4xStNPTCukBIGpGdhcoEeH0vTXrB8SVwO_qMsuQV4GtodjakW2LLSDFV4M/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAQewqX_3BIDgwxeOsVQYgmxIUU3IXG330GfUOa07GMKkXjzWNz8J-JR0KPPbRw5JmhtLmpIsnhHbOW2abB4xStNPTCukBIGpGdhcoEeH0vTXrB8SVwO_qMsuQV4GtodjakW2LLSDFV4M/s640/IMG_0039.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I also love dish towels. Paper towels are a sin in our house (except for bacon and barf, we do have one emergency roll). Can you believe this was only a dollar? I just imagine the little lady that sat and made this for her family.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Even though I have a bazillion pyrex bowls I could not pass up this complete mixing set. A gift maybe? </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I hope you find a few gems on your thrifting adventures. </span></h3>
Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-66678654639991299212013-04-23T18:45:00.000-07:002013-04-23T18:45:23.758-07:00Can Caddy<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I am still sewing/crafting. That and reading are the only things that stop the insane wasp nest of anxiety inside my brian. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">But in no way can I take credit for this project. The idea is a shameless rip off from <a href="http://portabellopixie.typepad.com/portabellopixie/2012/01/new-year-new-projects.html" target="_blank">Sandi Henderson</a>, Robert did most of the work and a friend even provided the freshly washed cans. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">We had everything but the knob feet which set us back a whopping two dollars at the local home improvement store. The only thing I did was decoupage the old maps onto the cans. I will say I did a right nice job of picking local maps. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Decoupaging is relaxing and therapeutic. I need to do more of that. Glue stuff onto other stuff. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I love this caddy. Its perfect to store all the markers and pens that Lenora loves to color with and easy to carry around. So get on out there and get yourself a handy husband, some cans and have at it. </span></h3>
Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-43480034194177205592013-04-08T20:03:00.000-07:002013-04-08T20:03:19.084-07:00Cracked Egg<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We had an impromptu easter egg dying get together courtesy of Grandma JoJo. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">These traditional holiday things slip my mind these days. Im sure it will get better but we just kinda go with it, whatever happens. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">It was nice, really nice. I need to be better at remembering to do this, making more happy memories and messes, lots of happy messes. </span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7AIW6ZhqQjqaRImOnuAoqLwFGuIQofX07jvbintsjAmXT42sUUsF-x26Eku6qZbeNPPbXbGPRV0cUcl7SVJ0w7fjgN2_jXg9uVbpcMaDXpslJ68tHVxd4Ae5it-LSxuWFGEw4JCMKN-o/s1600/IMG_0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7AIW6ZhqQjqaRImOnuAoqLwFGuIQofX07jvbintsjAmXT42sUUsF-x26Eku6qZbeNPPbXbGPRV0cUcl7SVJ0w7fjgN2_jXg9uVbpcMaDXpslJ68tHVxd4Ae5it-LSxuWFGEw4JCMKN-o/s640/IMG_0029.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Maybe we are like this egg. Cracked but beautiful. And man is that one beautiful egg. Tasty with salt too. </span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Hope you all had a nice Easter, Spring Equinox or whatever celebration it is that brings you joy. </span></span></h3>
<br />Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-63976011893973746882013-03-19T18:34:00.000-07:002013-03-19T18:34:43.591-07:00Great Expectations
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">A family we know experiencing their own devastating loss
gave Robert and I one of the best pieces of advice to navigate the sea of grief
we live in these days. They told us to give up the expectations we have of
those around us.</span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I had to mull this one over for a bit because I generally
have high expectations; of those around me and of myself. I am a do more, do
better, love fiercely, be your best, be there for your friends and family, put
it all on the table kind of gal.</span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">But I have found in the face of major life altering event
two things will happen:</span></span></h3>
<h3>
<ol>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">You
will be disappointed and heartbroken by those you had high expectations of.
People we have known for years, who I thought would be there to hold our hands,
send a text or a card, or words of support, weren’t. Regardless of the reason
it stings. My hospice counselor said it best when she told me not only was I
mourning for the loss of my son I was also mourning the loss of
relationships I really valued. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">You
will be incredibly amazed by the support you receive from places you didn’t expect
it. My coworker who didn’t have the words slipped a Hershey bar on my desk
every few days, friends of friends sent emails and asked how we were doing,
Amish women worked endlessly to finish a quilt in record time. It came from
people and places we could not have imagined. It lifted us up when we couldn’t
lift ourselves.</span></li>
</ol>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">And I haven’t even touched on the support
from our parents, close family or other special people because there isn’t
enough bandwidth on the internet to say thank you for all they did. One day I will try but it will probably never measure up. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">My goal for 2013 is to let my expectations go, of others and
myself. I am giving them up and moving on. </span></span></h3>
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">It’s hard as hell. I am not going to
lie; sometimes I want to cling to them fiercely. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have found that when I do incredible things begin to
happen. Relationships come easier, I am gentler on myself and others, and I feel
lighter. Those damn expectations weigh a ton. It’s like my instructor says in
yoga class: “Leave what does not serve you outside your mat”. They were not
serving me so I am checking them at the door. </span></h3>
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<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Here is to a brighter and lighter
2013. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Just because she is the reason I get up every morning. </span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-6237180194856564482013-02-18T10:45:00.000-08:002013-02-18T10:45:41.021-08:00Winslow Tote<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">This is the last of the Christmas projects I have to share. Man am I behind. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">I made this tote <a href="http://hillhousehandmade.blogspot.com/2011/11/totes-for-teachers.html" target="_blank">before</a> for Lenora's daycare teachers but my sister in law requested one ages ago. I surprised her with one for Christmas. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">She loves the color green so I based my fabric choices on that. I love the combination of polka dolts and geometric prints. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">This pattern is easy to follow, its free and its a great way to use lots of amazing fabrics in one project. What more can you ask for? Plus its all square pieces and straight seams, which makes it great for beginners. Try it out, you won't be disappointed. </span></h3>
Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-89199293553484254842013-02-04T10:54:00.000-08:002013-02-04T10:54:05.092-08:00Two Generations of Dish Towels<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Every time we visited my father in law Bob I jokingly said I was going to steal his dish towels. Only I wasn't joking. I really wanted to snatch those babies up and run for the hills. </span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDK1KRlOov6qgGwiKdM2UBJYSyHggMQ21p9KO35Qol9VvIWnHifaKxLB506UrrjjITKctHEFs_jihxDPpGf9FzG7JZCi93VIDkgfRxlSRuJk46e8WoOL9TR_wmekg6ABlkjWMrHy2LiD6/s1600/IMG_0224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDK1KRlOov6qgGwiKdM2UBJYSyHggMQ21p9KO35Qol9VvIWnHifaKxLB506UrrjjITKctHEFs_jihxDPpGf9FzG7JZCi93VIDkgfRxlSRuJk46e8WoOL9TR_wmekg6ABlkjWMrHy2LiD6/s640/IMG_0224.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">His mother made them and they were hand embroidered with fruits, veggies and days of the week birds. The best thing is they used them, every day. A lot of work went into those towels but they were not just set aside, they were loved, and well worn. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">One day Bob showed up at our house and gifted me with the coveted dish towels. I think I squealed with delight. We too use them every day and they are just about falling apart. So this Christmas I decided to make Bob a new set of towels. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I found the same exact <a href="http://www.colonialpatterns.com/" target="_blank">Aunt Martha's Hot Iron Transfer</a> patterns his mother used got to work. I had every intention of making him a full set of 7 but they took a lot longer than I had anticipated. I told him he might get the rest for his birthday, or next Christmas or the Christmas after that. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Who knows, but I did finish 2 and here they are, my second generation dish towels. I hope grandma approves.</span> </span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoZagENuhJEiahZGaG11-tDiGVQxsJgrJIpRvf3A63kfrG6PvTWHJWs9MJwEXB7vfNl0nkbWEjIQsKrJj71CWBwWnyr5TQFhTJA4I0J3sf-W7o8Pgu98P4m3pRI_rUNY_t2CYD368Wjc_/s1600/IMG_0524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoZagENuhJEiahZGaG11-tDiGVQxsJgrJIpRvf3A63kfrG6PvTWHJWs9MJwEXB7vfNl0nkbWEjIQsKrJj71CWBwWnyr5TQFhTJA4I0J3sf-W7o8Pgu98P4m3pRI_rUNY_t2CYD368Wjc_/s640/IMG_0524.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-56523412472677090422013-01-18T06:49:00.000-08:002013-01-18T06:49:25.001-08:00Holiday Handmades<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Sewing makes me happy, so in spite of everything that was going on I was still able to stitch up some handmade holiday gifts for my friends and family. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Batik for my mom to match her purple room. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Red holiday for my mother in law since she loves red. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Vintage cars for Robert's uncle Danny. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Batik trees to match my <a href="http://hillhousehandmade.blogspot.com/2011/10/christmas-quilt-and-mindless-chatter.html" target="_blank">Christmas quilt</a>, if I ever get around to finishing it. </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">Blue and green snowflakes just because they are pretty. </span></h3>
<br />Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-18546847421568195042013-01-09T06:44:00.001-08:002013-01-09T06:44:24.431-08:00Robert Weldon Hill III<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I love a good birth story. When you hang out at <a href="http://www.llli.org/" target="_blank">LLL</a> and Birth Circle meetings you get to hear lots of great birth stories. It just makes you feel good, listening to mothers gush about bringing their babies into this world. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">While the finale of baby Roberts story is heartbreaking, how he came into this world was completely amazing and is a story I will treasure always.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Robert Weldon Hill III was born on December 13th at 8:55 am, accidentally at home, on the toilet (no he didn't fall in), surrounded by his loving family. We got to share one amazing hour with him before he left this world. </span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMYhSu2kqr6mwQSKy8-hUDscQAjZr6Fn3Uy21TJpcnmL4GryjeIRAWAXRBTVsIdAoApQLEvdXr_Tl-q-70-IKJxZMjEIPamQzm71qDK0oyVXmTHw2yakvN1of46aCO6dtn1RBmpPSQdD_/s1600/IMG_0606_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMYhSu2kqr6mwQSKy8-hUDscQAjZr6Fn3Uy21TJpcnmL4GryjeIRAWAXRBTVsIdAoApQLEvdXr_Tl-q-70-IKJxZMjEIPamQzm71qDK0oyVXmTHw2yakvN1of46aCO6dtn1RBmpPSQdD_/s640/IMG_0606_3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I woke up at 3 am having contractions and could not get back to sleep so I went downstairs to the living room, watched some trash TV and just tried to hang out. Labor with Lenora was 24 hours so I figured we had plenty of time. Plus I had an epidural so I wasn't exactly sure what natural childbirth would feel like. I was getting pretty restless so I went back upstairs woke Robert up and took a shower. Since I still figured we still had lots of time I made him swear not to wake anyone up or tell anyone. I just wanted some time to let it all sink in. I laid back in bed and rested until Lenora woke up at 7. Robert made us eggs for breakfast and drove Lenora to daycare. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It was around 8 am and by this point it was getting pretty intense but still bearable. I was on all fours in the living room and was making crazy mooing birth noises, which I found out later my neighbor heard every last one of. The doula was on the way and I figured when she got there she would tell me to head to the hospital. My MIL was up and milling around and Robert was eating a bowl of cheerios, which stunk to high heaven. Your sense of smell in labor is 10000 times stronger. I don't think I will ever look at cheerios the same again. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Then I had to poop. I should have known he was almost here but I had been pooping all morning. Again, I had never done this before the good old fashioned way and wasn't planning on it happening at home so I just went with it. My mom had made her way over and I was sitting on the john yelling for Robert to wipe my rear. I made him swear a few days before no matter what happened he would be the designated rear wiper. No one else was allowed in that zone. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This is when all hell broke loose. My mom is standing there with a bottle of Purell and "how to give birth at home" instructions she printed off google, Robert is calling to find out where the doula is and I am making crazy noises in the bathroom. I remember yelling at someone to take my pants of, yelling at my mom to stop reading the birth instructions and yelling at Robert to get in the bathroom. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">When they tell you your body knows what its doing during natural childbirth they are right. There was no stopping this birth train, I was on auto pilot. All the sudden there I was pushing him out. 3 pushes later and he made his grand entrance, my accidental home birth baby. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It was AMAZING. Its hard to put into words just how (please forgive my language) completely BAD ASS it was. I was woman. I roared. I delivered a baby at home with no drugs. And you bet your sweet bippy I plan on doing it again. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Due to his condition we didn't know what to expect but he was perfect in every way. Even his tiny little crooked foot was perfect. He made one small squeak and that was it. He never opened his eyes, but he did take a few breaths. He was so peaceful and the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. </span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrRUMU-uOIvLyfcM9aLH1kv_MfpgBd_9NMU51rulzSJC2yQrjTFL-2SRH_KsoPv7DnzCUUMAoRMjpE3Ig0IaeJiY2kLc343Z4UKOnq9msR70T6WP3UgxiOheUsFHaKBiir11KR-OWsMn_/s1600/robert21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrRUMU-uOIvLyfcM9aLH1kv_MfpgBd_9NMU51rulzSJC2yQrjTFL-2SRH_KsoPv7DnzCUUMAoRMjpE3Ig0IaeJiY2kLc343Z4UKOnq9msR70T6WP3UgxiOheUsFHaKBiir11KR-OWsMn_/s640/robert21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">His one hour with us was filled with family and love and kisses and promises that we would never forget him. I could feel my heart split wide open with the love I have for this child. He knew exactly what he was doing and his birth and life were a gift to us all. </span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfY0C_E5Bw0V4hdcOK_Zu1vaSU_A1uVs1A1_nZnTU_S3dBJV6FX5k9zuRKyPFpduKWdZGprALIpjDXfmCjZohQ7m6UhzBh7tHRYeTWEZi29UsFpvJrtiUaDziSn5pIylgrNf4Yfp_Dgw4/s1600/robert57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfY0C_E5Bw0V4hdcOK_Zu1vaSU_A1uVs1A1_nZnTU_S3dBJV6FX5k9zuRKyPFpduKWdZGprALIpjDXfmCjZohQ7m6UhzBh7tHRYeTWEZi29UsFpvJrtiUaDziSn5pIylgrNf4Yfp_Dgw4/s640/robert57.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Not a day goes by that I don't wish he was still here with us, and when I get all sad and weepy I just think about how he came into this world and it brings a smile to my face.</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI62bJAOyOGfBKzP8-fHMMzVNQRQHdyxol3MRlYqwullKF43eGMS2zf1tQ_JXtgHIc6Nqb0MdS5OtQunrmqTNZytANmOHeJ3TMIGl1PqL0vGBS6FUl53lQBCf_tLJxb2J8izRM7azibyuR/s1600/robert48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI62bJAOyOGfBKzP8-fHMMzVNQRQHdyxol3MRlYqwullKF43eGMS2zf1tQ_JXtgHIc6Nqb0MdS5OtQunrmqTNZytANmOHeJ3TMIGl1PqL0vGBS6FUl53lQBCf_tLJxb2J8izRM7azibyuR/s640/robert48.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">ps. If you want the un-edited, play by play, laugh your pants off version of this story, call my mother. I think she remembers it even better than I do. And she still has her copy of how to give birth at home if you need some pointers. </span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">pps. Professional photos were done by Jillian Mills (through NILMDTS), a special soul, at <a href="http://heartlovephotography.com/" target="_blank">Heart Love Photography</a>.</span></h3>
Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-83809257239933316682012-12-12T07:05:00.000-08:002012-12-12T07:05:16.804-08:00Ready As I'll Never Be<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have hit the 38 week mark today.</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvLQi5wXpRnh0oPpTnq_XQAJI2DzO9NwnAyc3_idOktg-ML-gbtSYIT2M_Wy05v7y03mKbpIgezqkn-YHmkOEyanObMM2Oqtqrz_nvVKbDJEHzZX80IyxMQrLHXya3ZYOgf_NISFq3lPc/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvLQi5wXpRnh0oPpTnq_XQAJI2DzO9NwnAyc3_idOktg-ML-gbtSYIT2M_Wy05v7y03mKbpIgezqkn-YHmkOEyanObMM2Oqtqrz_nvVKbDJEHzZX80IyxMQrLHXya3ZYOgf_NISFq3lPc/s640/IMG_0489.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Recently I woke up thinking I was in labor 2 days in a row. Turned out to be just gas pains and I had to go to the bathroom. Lovely, but it got me thinking just how close we are to meeting this little baby and it scares the living daylights out of me.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I am torn. In a way I am ready for the next chapter, to finally get to meet him, and to not be pregnant anymore. I am puffy, my hip hurts and getting out of bed 300 times a night to pee involves grunting and rolling.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But I know what giving birth means this time around. He will pass on. I will have no snuggly newborn to bring home, no cute pictures to take or funny I have been crapped on 3 times today stories to share. What I will have is a giant ass grief hole I get to try not to sink into every day.</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbB2_sXsh7-XrGAqJI3e5y1y5ppEpKzS2DdpBLFrkFDZsEkRpL07YT0HmiGrglvApxYAwh7U5ohZ_qMX6AGnWCb9t-PuBQtyieo3QqL57DqVPPLiHbAU_ozmU8xuVVpVUJT3VWKT3hvPin/s1600/IMG_0552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbB2_sXsh7-XrGAqJI3e5y1y5ppEpKzS2DdpBLFrkFDZsEkRpL07YT0HmiGrglvApxYAwh7U5ohZ_qMX6AGnWCb9t-PuBQtyieo3QqL57DqVPPLiHbAU_ozmU8xuVVpVUJT3VWKT3hvPin/s640/IMG_0552.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My bag is packed, not with diapers and baby stuff, but with things to make memories in minutes with. And I have spent a small fortune on all sorts of holistic stress and grief remedies since I am not a huge fan of prescription drugs.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So we wait, and I try to fill my days with good things and good memories; finding the joy, decorating for Christmas, playing with Lenora, sewing and eating way to many bowls of ice cream.</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYUVFQOtoPoDtVVBpAlsYu-FN0PJvjF_U2006i1J419eQku9-lCTb1JTkZyqmU9JUVSkgF5XmlBm7cwJC16OkrcZC0yomwBOz8NsVhFkkkmCH_zKv-4eBuceCbBnRJcp7nL8ewTpPxZCo/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYUVFQOtoPoDtVVBpAlsYu-FN0PJvjF_U2006i1J419eQku9-lCTb1JTkZyqmU9JUVSkgF5XmlBm7cwJC16OkrcZC0yomwBOz8NsVhFkkkmCH_zKv-4eBuceCbBnRJcp7nL8ewTpPxZCo/s640/IMG_0597.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It’s hard to believe we have made it this far, but I know in my heart I have given this little babe a chance at life, however long that may be. </span></span></h3>
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Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2461739166853925881.post-89431221503156503092012-12-03T09:25:00.000-08:002012-12-03T09:25:07.314-08:00Soap Love<h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I am still sewing. I promise. It's just everything I make recently is a Christmas gift and I can't share my projects until I share the gift.</span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So I will share this with you instead.</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy6OpgeGEgqt6Q3zMMLSrEHFyyTY1JrQaFuHT74pek-Vtuf7yZjjZgcLKKBfEIw6zqisSp8wffSsiXW51eR7G2fIg7JPVTC9CsLLGBhgta2mkZT8eKH6pAyZ5TYskuPJjlJ6SJGv_spVe/s1600/IMG_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy6OpgeGEgqt6Q3zMMLSrEHFyyTY1JrQaFuHT74pek-Vtuf7yZjjZgcLKKBfEIw6zqisSp8wffSsiXW51eR7G2fIg7JPVTC9CsLLGBhgta2mkZT8eKH6pAyZ5TYskuPJjlJ6SJGv_spVe/s640/IMG_0403.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">(Lavender soap with dried lavender buds) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">A couple of years ago I took a class with Tracy Adams at the <a href="https://www.folkschool.org/" target="_blank">John Campbell Folk School</a> on soap making. If you ever get a chance to go to the Folk School take it. It is a truly wonderful place to learn all sorts of traditional skills.</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszfH60v_mWEyyOWH6ENCepe6oeeABRL4s_L2xXNO3NIKolnumB8QRYv2olCbh5ZMVqrx3_Kj-FG3astLvyE4eTPPFDGyMD6ZE5N54rUJaaALBY4RGFGd-f1VyrrEa8Ad1wjacCNyg9sv3/s1600/IMG_0404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszfH60v_mWEyyOWH6ENCepe6oeeABRL4s_L2xXNO3NIKolnumB8QRYv2olCbh5ZMVqrx3_Kj-FG3astLvyE4eTPPFDGyMD6ZE5N54rUJaaALBY4RGFGd-f1VyrrEa8Ad1wjacCNyg9sv3/s640/IMG_0404.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">(Citrus soap with bergamot, sweet orange oil and calendula flowers) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Since then, a couple of times a year I get to work making soap. It is pretty much the only soap my family uses and I give a bunch of it out at the holidays. I skip all the dyes, colorants and fragrance oils which can irritate your skin and use only essential oils and natural ingredients. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This year a couple of my gal friends and I got to work mixing up some amazing bars of soap.</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bJddPwrUCn6QiV72Ionp1kDrsQBf0lHH1Eu2OsyauiRYTRcH-KrLP2jKxXe7YuYMoIWlaPEni9hNhhGLgUV3Ij4n_tnpU4IArhPzaQSYwWTFcucfFQ9haPe1QppR9SEZtQqHH4Z1u7Ws/s1600/IMG_0405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bJddPwrUCn6QiV72Ionp1kDrsQBf0lHH1Eu2OsyauiRYTRcH-KrLP2jKxXe7YuYMoIWlaPEni9hNhhGLgUV3Ij4n_tnpU4IArhPzaQSYwWTFcucfFQ9haPe1QppR9SEZtQqHH4Z1u7Ws/s640/IMG_0405.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">(Creamy mousse soap with patchouli and balsam peru essential oils) </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">It really isn't that hard once you learn the basic process and it's tons of fun dreaming up new flavors.</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: normal;">There are great resources online, just google, and wonderful books like the one below to get you started. </span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrOX4YmlvuMv1J7BxJIFzzhAZlnF1jj-WzBV_I_4zDN0xGq6-ZiBIfpPcj4gC1lhLUkkXLj1yfyENu5cVx7GoZ4gArVuTMtXwyKjaeQXIo95MoCU5zugB6ZEPyV7u7DHFxPCNQ0c5wOVA/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrOX4YmlvuMv1J7BxJIFzzhAZlnF1jj-WzBV_I_4zDN0xGq6-ZiBIfpPcj4gC1lhLUkkXLj1yfyENu5cVx7GoZ4gArVuTMtXwyKjaeQXIo95MoCU5zugB6ZEPyV7u7DHFxPCNQ0c5wOVA/s640/IMG_0406.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">(<a href="http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/pretty-in-pink-salty-cold-process/" target="_blank">Pink salt soap</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Soapmakers-Companion-Comprehensive-Techniques/dp/0882669656/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354555119&sr=8-1&keywords=the+soapmakers+companion" target="_blank">The Soapmaker's Companion</a>) </span></div>
Diane Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16461951553150544055noreply@blogger.com2