tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80008970708929045332023-11-15T22:19:13.884-08:00Our Blessed LifeOur life can be crazy, but at the end of the day we always stop and count our blessings!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-47278056189627006682011-07-24T00:38:00.000-07:002011-07-24T00:38:37.122-07:00To the end of the earth...I have fallen off the face of blog land... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shelsilverstein.com/indexSite.html"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRIo61neAZMQYfqN3cuHuSb_4IsNQo1Xc0LVl1h1KBxx4yBx1NxweMel_6M4RMQbetmGEhQu52Zcq0INmXuhr8aIrkYlZMwGt51jx9kPCDcTH-dv8tV16UJybuU0uBnFDAkNfFOhPCCoa/s320/wherethesidewalkends.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am happy to report that I am back. I think I needed a bit of a break, but I have missed it. I've been ready for about a week to get back to pouring out what's been going on, but there is so much that has happened since I last wrote that I wanted to do a recap, but have simply been too lazy! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There will be lots of posts and pictures to follow, but here is a little taste of our life in the last few months... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I started school. Yes you read that right... Me... school... same sentence. Crazy right?!?!? I am doing court reporting school online. So far I love it. It is very challenging and I'm still working on my time management, but I have every faith that I will finish strong! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaOLXyjg57_UEe95HZwhQirrrfPPhZWoKCzjmxGu1r4iXWgPvWb76TYlwh3mbIC1bEuRB_wDzcPingNQWmGFStWP80kA_sMxettRZAnA_GyPgz4qqr-GMmnVllDoLxZ4AlHQKqx2_w_6Y/s1600/Court+Reporting+Comic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaOLXyjg57_UEe95HZwhQirrrfPPhZWoKCzjmxGu1r4iXWgPvWb76TYlwh3mbIC1bEuRB_wDzcPingNQWmGFStWP80kA_sMxettRZAnA_GyPgz4qqr-GMmnVllDoLxZ4AlHQKqx2_w_6Y/s320/Court+Reporting+Comic" width="303" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have also been working on the house. Adding a little bit more of my style in ;) We made a frame wall in our entry way, changed out the old chandelier in the dining room with a huge white one with crystals, put the recliner in the living room (Ok this isn't about style, but comfort!), and completely gutted and decorated the office/sewing room. Oh trust me there will be multiple posts with lots of pictures!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another bit of news is I started doing freezer meals. We bought a deep freeze at Costco and are filling it up with lots of healthy, yummy dinners. I like to cook and Steve and I both enjoy a nice home cooked meal, but truth be told I often find it hard to shop, cook and clean up everyday! More often than not 4:30 rolls around and I'm not sure what I will be making for dinner. Spending a day or two in the kitchen will produce about a months worth of entrees for our family. Yes you read that right... A MONTH!!! Plus talk about budget friendly! I spent around $150 which produced about 40 meals for both of us. Two servings per meal = 80 servings which leaves us with a grand total of <strong>$1.88 per serving.</strong> Now this is only the entree, so we will also be spending additional money on fresh veggies, but my goal is to spend under $5.00 for the total meal. This won't be feasible every night, but for the most part it puts us on track for healthy eating and being budget conscious!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Steve and I started training for a 5k. Again, yes you read that correctly! We are in week 5 of the 9 week <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml">couch to 5k</a> program. If you are looking for a way to start exercising I would highly recommend doing this. I am not a runner by nature, but I now love it! I won't get too into it now and will save all the details for a later post. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090319142411.htm"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29qLqELDxqMRCezl-72WlfmG0VLniTrYTG1NuewiekBZUUUh2UkEO-J4HzQ7DojTB_suXRjcRD3VXrKyjId-PNUbkedNiS1_h6Cv-AJpbSNyUpcnU_4ImW0ZESN7b8kT9nSVFnukvCGF2/s320/Running.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's see... what else... I'm thinking for now that is it. So you are caught up on the last few months. I can't wait to share pictures of our home projects and lots of recipes that are freezer friendly! (As you can tell I have been doing a total overhaul of my life!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am also couponing! Eeek... I'm addicted ;) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-18318792755036725352011-03-14T09:19:00.000-07:002011-03-14T09:19:42.488-07:00Estate Sale Shopping<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">***I interrupt the regular scheduled baby shower series to show you some fun finds. I have been fighting off a flu bug and enjoying the sunshine with Olivia. The series will continue as scheduled this week. I promise it will be worth it! There will be yummy recipes and my first ever giveaway!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71A9bAtrgB6LCxqL8f7F9IsrcBUPeZJu366gHujyMc3lLbSiaBkqgNSNZzt_InNabWzL0klIbHbHXy_3PxQhIHiJQd5VggvCkqSHiUOrSphlvd2vXNDQ08t9YwlpTCYs0LDRW-U1uzGWw/s1600/IMG_3673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71A9bAtrgB6LCxqL8f7F9IsrcBUPeZJu366gHujyMc3lLbSiaBkqgNSNZzt_InNabWzL0klIbHbHXy_3PxQhIHiJQd5VggvCkqSHiUOrSphlvd2vXNDQ08t9YwlpTCYs0LDRW-U1uzGWw/s400/IMG_3673.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who doesn't love a good deal?!? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am officially addicted to Estate Sales. Maybe it's because I found some great vintage sewing notions. I'm sure all estate sales aren't as good as the one we hit last weekend, but I am in love! {Ok maybe I'm being a little over dramatic!} But I am very excited about the fun stuff I found! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhtOpvlcNK1_2mwWfer2f4h90hvF5WQRPhUuDQVl-hNJwV29BppkzDsXAD_oqYcMSxBBfzUPQ5DBahXcnKT2nJ4sJsjegS8zsfa6YT0qxzjGRWA5fCUxOEh4X3fbKh4o9RxyktQTA3rlu/s1600/IMG_3676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhtOpvlcNK1_2mwWfer2f4h90hvF5WQRPhUuDQVl-hNJwV29BppkzDsXAD_oqYcMSxBBfzUPQ5DBahXcnKT2nJ4sJsjegS8zsfa6YT0qxzjGRWA5fCUxOEh4X3fbKh4o9RxyktQTA3rlu/s320/IMG_3676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do you go to estate sales or yard sales? What about thrift stores? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used to buy most of my clothes from a little thrift store in town while I was in high school, but I haven't been much lately. Maybe I will have to start venturing out and get up early on Saturday mornings and hit some more yard/estate sales.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-44012273504204303312011-03-07T16:03:00.000-08:002011-03-07T16:03:45.367-08:00Swap Following Linky PartyI love finding new blogs. Here are a few that I'm following so far... <br />
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<a href="http://fabulesslycrafty.blogspot.com/">FabuLESSly Crafty</a><br />
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<a href="http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/">Type A Decorating</a><br />
<div class="settings-header-name"><a href="http://rolypolyfarm.blogspot.com/">Roly Poly Farm</a></div><br />
Link up and join in on the fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2011/03/swap-followings-linky-pary-030711.html"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE5mUiXDQEUrt0qqwmJHL8RcrfmzhJMrlmtIFfuvmA7N8ExrbaHc5H-Je4MLOdOZd550SAA3t33YSY-1K9AnQsz3sGVm_PmdsGeFBW9QiMXVHHPdX7JXXmnas_bB7hWiA18NZiv90SbJC/s1600/button-2.jpg" /></a></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-35565785719280860612011-03-07T09:11:00.000-08:002011-03-07T09:12:25.664-08:00Baby Shower - Diaper CakesMaking diaper cakes a fun way to customize a shower while also including more diapers to give to the mom-to-be.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcorOrI7clkP4A7w-xNnxWFomvsGh8oZT2f_RRHClj9bojSlUwFHbbaNHztrmBE5BvLFsOl-jssgPbXy8uAtGMFQaxLWIqNVUX1MmVOwlbhoGU19lTy9WVxk3ZbtmF_YzdAHuGv9hfGVy/s1600/IMG_3656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcorOrI7clkP4A7w-xNnxWFomvsGh8oZT2f_RRHClj9bojSlUwFHbbaNHztrmBE5BvLFsOl-jssgPbXy8uAtGMFQaxLWIqNVUX1MmVOwlbhoGU19lTy9WVxk3ZbtmF_YzdAHuGv9hfGVy/s320/IMG_3656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I recommend buying Pampers swaddlers in size 1. Other brands have writing or pictures on them. Pampers are mostly white so they give a more clean look. If you want color to show then another brand would work best.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfoBodjRnNeGwsByqVCGo1RF0NNDo4ggz_lklXeIfy9C_g9wkGG1TIBWam1c4iOCuOssI75J8JVMssOlPDu6heIMuaBmNxyI5NEjH0N0YKQ6iB5b1ou7Q5NjRi_odTPXbwYSVfF3S5GNY/s1600/IMG_3664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfoBodjRnNeGwsByqVCGo1RF0NNDo4ggz_lklXeIfy9C_g9wkGG1TIBWam1c4iOCuOssI75J8JVMssOlPDu6heIMuaBmNxyI5NEjH0N0YKQ6iB5b1ou7Q5NjRi_odTPXbwYSVfF3S5GNY/s320/IMG_3664.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Roll each diaper and secure with a rubber band. Either one band in the middle or one towards the top and one towards the bottom. It simply depends on how you want to decorate the 'cake'. We used a total of 34 diapers for each cake. 24 diapers for the bottom layer and 10 diapers for the top layer. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XcRfe4J43xkeqEMpZ4Oz9AgMkw49SRhFFuOqkV5-6NWq3d9KrSs5vTwWhaCVQLkAWutBub-MnuAQhQ5dy6FXFjq9kRWbm0Cb3whInoxSMu7pPlNM_2E0ntEfutdJWlJSe3KN6zK3Fu1o/s1600/IMG_3663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XcRfe4J43xkeqEMpZ4Oz9AgMkw49SRhFFuOqkV5-6NWq3d9KrSs5vTwWhaCVQLkAWutBub-MnuAQhQ5dy6FXFjq9kRWbm0Cb3whInoxSMu7pPlNM_2E0ntEfutdJWlJSe3KN6zK3Fu1o/s320/IMG_3663.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We used a 6" round cardboard for a template to align the bottom layer of cake. After all the diapers are in a circle, secure with a larger rubber band. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSPaifGO4yiTRXl3Y8WSkwbd4yvns6A_nyaReD7z_K0zc75EtF0geAQUjQgl5K5vCYSajswBn0Lq3jHAkD7JmjE4mCmCmlq4wxH5dQYPN3ClLJNu-CUa5YXvSX9EUIhevRByoU2NYU8rX/s1600/IMG_3662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSPaifGO4yiTRXl3Y8WSkwbd4yvns6A_nyaReD7z_K0zc75EtF0geAQUjQgl5K5vCYSajswBn0Lq3jHAkD7JmjE4mCmCmlq4wxH5dQYPN3ClLJNu-CUa5YXvSX9EUIhevRByoU2NYU8rX/s320/IMG_3662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Do the same for the top layer with the 10 diapers. <br />
Using my Silhouette I cut out a border to go around each layer. We used a glue pen and put a dot on each end to keep them together. We also embellished the paper with rhinestones we found at Hobby Lobby. <br />
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For my baby shower we used ribbon and it turned out very cute as well! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEFv_3RmNw0GCQeowRnjvK36wradsnwNG32jl32YW2EikdoBjaTsGEDLEz8gc8d6i6dL-bMgC6ekE3hWOhbDbqM3JbEJp4ugzknu3h311_4tRbu7cE2-X1D5eC5utWhtIOjvRFlLgvwgg/s1600/IMG_3666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEFv_3RmNw0GCQeowRnjvK36wradsnwNG32jl32YW2EikdoBjaTsGEDLEz8gc8d6i6dL-bMgC6ekE3hWOhbDbqM3JbEJp4ugzknu3h311_4tRbu7cE2-X1D5eC5utWhtIOjvRFlLgvwgg/s320/IMG_3666.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYyszKD_kKuAWmG_xzhG4Rkr0_rRps5J14yUeZBFKOA29j8dZvIgpjHiZ1rzo2iM1Ytb17sk1edyFpscfszMQ7XwSxh-wmKDsgef3qE4QMzvEswFSjCzMAxyNEF0PNhMqLot1VMjAj8UT/s1600/IMG_3660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYyszKD_kKuAWmG_xzhG4Rkr0_rRps5J14yUeZBFKOA29j8dZvIgpjHiZ1rzo2iM1Ytb17sk1edyFpscfszMQ7XwSxh-wmKDsgef3qE4QMzvEswFSjCzMAxyNEF0PNhMqLot1VMjAj8UT/s320/IMG_3660.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stack the smaller layer on top. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL58bWkCWXjMF3Qx0kteA9to-klcmnHhX-Yy0W_gGav2JI8z1j6JCHnQUi8ZLaC_NJfKo4sP4s2hmw6sFqNbs5n63zmdttFfChhMUfmwsxHGkQrt5YTIGqFKJSyIHAzb9hcxgMOFeNvkUB/s1600/IMG_3659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL58bWkCWXjMF3Qx0kteA9to-klcmnHhX-Yy0W_gGav2JI8z1j6JCHnQUi8ZLaC_NJfKo4sP4s2hmw6sFqNbs5n63zmdttFfChhMUfmwsxHGkQrt5YTIGqFKJSyIHAzb9hcxgMOFeNvkUB/s320/IMG_3659.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Add a few rhinestones to a cluster of hydrangeas and stick them on top of each cake. I've also used fake peonys. Any large flower or cluster of flowers would be cute. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_fGYtUnPcHNEAG9UxAbWwerDWMOt3VE0Xy6LMxnOLVd4HSZxxxXcIxz-YLl4JMy1L4QdMusxuCfu6pgEdjqKR_DfX5zbqmQA2Ke5xEYXAZA6uc2chKOkm7qgGASNnLgW_Hu1OvJGpYgv/s1600/IMG_3657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_fGYtUnPcHNEAG9UxAbWwerDWMOt3VE0Xy6LMxnOLVd4HSZxxxXcIxz-YLl4JMy1L4QdMusxuCfu6pgEdjqKR_DfX5zbqmQA2Ke5xEYXAZA6uc2chKOkm7qgGASNnLgW_Hu1OvJGpYgv/s320/IMG_3657.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And there you have it. Very cute centerpieces that the mom-to-be will be get plenty of use out of in the months to come. </div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-68264645658772528432011-03-04T10:09:00.000-08:002011-03-04T10:09:40.076-08:00Baby Shower - How-to SeriesWe recently threw a baby shower for Steve's cousin Brittney. Brittney holds a very special place in our hearts. Leading up to having her baby she came to our home and took care of Olivia. We are so very grateful for all the love she gave our daughter and we know that she will be an amazing mom. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP_QV-LXV8sKsl-GxyKRMorrDUy6WqItJbsAnzwyPhirq3frX3xhHDtQHHHcmXYYWHyWNDUwe-1TRCw9pxiA-XBO3q7sYLi-ioaWVow1p7IwQsDFqumKlt-TckLcZhDrwmdrqYeQqhcUc/s1600/IMG_3573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIP_QV-LXV8sKsl-GxyKRMorrDUy6WqItJbsAnzwyPhirq3frX3xhHDtQHHHcmXYYWHyWNDUwe-1TRCw9pxiA-XBO3q7sYLi-ioaWVow1p7IwQsDFqumKlt-TckLcZhDrwmdrqYeQqhcUc/s320/IMG_3573.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
In the next few days I will be posting tutorials of some of the fun things we did to help make the shower extra special. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_fGYtUnPcHNEAG9UxAbWwerDWMOt3VE0Xy6LMxnOLVd4HSZxxxXcIxz-YLl4JMy1L4QdMusxuCfu6pgEdjqKR_DfX5zbqmQA2Ke5xEYXAZA6uc2chKOkm7qgGASNnLgW_Hu1OvJGpYgv/s1600/IMG_3657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_fGYtUnPcHNEAG9UxAbWwerDWMOt3VE0Xy6LMxnOLVd4HSZxxxXcIxz-YLl4JMy1L4QdMusxuCfu6pgEdjqKR_DfX5zbqmQA2Ke5xEYXAZA6uc2chKOkm7qgGASNnLgW_Hu1OvJGpYgv/s320/IMG_3657.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>A lot of diapers were rolled to make diaper cakes. I also got plenty of use out of my silhouette! <br />
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Olivia is very excited to meet her new cousin! If you ask her where the baby is she will touch Brittney's belly. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ9CW8O-dlST0RFpqiFJnhRHpi51hzaixTyqgjKVQeTotmQQ0VCBvmb2gZxwwiB85TKUOZeho7uNVKJTg9ut-dAiCb1rnPwAFBmpv1ZMNPPoRMi1iuaM7uGgsH1MRAGCkOOtfTKN1f89Q/s1600/IMG_3576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ9CW8O-dlST0RFpqiFJnhRHpi51hzaixTyqgjKVQeTotmQQ0VCBvmb2gZxwwiB85TKUOZeho7uNVKJTg9ut-dAiCb1rnPwAFBmpv1ZMNPPoRMi1iuaM7uGgsH1MRAGCkOOtfTKN1f89Q/s320/IMG_3576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We made lots of yummy cupcakes, including Snickerdoodle, Red Velvet and Cookie Dough. Oh my, I think we all gained a few pounds from all the cupcakes we ate! :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZDzs6YXxTIXAnXtLnTYORkbUz_2Jxviz5RhAU_RuzWQ-JYiU_cYeWh9Cw78pEXGOB0TM3ZCAvUjhyphenhyphenbWHEQENdXDyI6P8e6TOFIRDSyg2tGQOcD8DzkczLWIUpXUMyTBzCkITECE908Ok/s1600/IMG_3416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZDzs6YXxTIXAnXtLnTYORkbUz_2Jxviz5RhAU_RuzWQ-JYiU_cYeWh9Cw78pEXGOB0TM3ZCAvUjhyphenhyphenbWHEQENdXDyI6P8e6TOFIRDSyg2tGQOcD8DzkczLWIUpXUMyTBzCkITECE908Ok/s320/IMG_3416.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJR-sghV1xlJbAuwPPHPw4a8MEEYtw2vohhUYXXZoTSUwyWF2wkUYmuquqrkfjQ2krHyAFTmb5djqtkkKUk0oPGchEpyY7WT2VxQZMlfeawAj-YNa0UkEbEUY5w3zgHetr6DcriLrQOLK/s1600/IMG_3580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJR-sghV1xlJbAuwPPHPw4a8MEEYtw2vohhUYXXZoTSUwyWF2wkUYmuquqrkfjQ2krHyAFTmb5djqtkkKUk0oPGchEpyY7WT2VxQZMlfeawAj-YNa0UkEbEUY5w3zgHetr6DcriLrQOLK/s320/IMG_3580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The cookie dough cupcakes with a butter cream frosting were divine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIOC_GpHy3ycXNIoLWGItusy9qAEhfjOh7Wts1USxu_LroK-Bn5jJq0N4qe2KpzyyaOJf6mGemVlGymoSLt8UDLHeYLh_J9F28NOWa0gyb_dFcm7WF2weVq5s5lKvU_3xT6f937gMM2GM/s1600/IMG_3641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIOC_GpHy3ycXNIoLWGItusy9qAEhfjOh7Wts1USxu_LroK-Bn5jJq0N4qe2KpzyyaOJf6mGemVlGymoSLt8UDLHeYLh_J9F28NOWa0gyb_dFcm7WF2weVq5s5lKvU_3xT6f937gMM2GM/s320/IMG_3641.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Since having the shower we were so happy to welcome Arianna Hope into our family. She is a healthy, beautiful little girl. We are all so smitten! <br />
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Keep a look out. At the end of my baby shower how-to series I will have a little giveaway!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-34544726615483963102011-03-01T14:16:00.000-08:002011-03-01T14:33:10.542-08:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;">Well it is Tuesday for me... I thought I would get a jump on Wednesday :) <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4quOSS40x04AnaktQ0yQUHDi18fT6IQKb_hs8CRHhsgz_vCLOAm0qjU7T-q14uFgGmJ9SdllhE7tnm1zSreQysSWE-DNM4owZab3FpvXrT7xXebr-gXk-VFSOlMAT31HfW3RIg2Jao-Gw/s1600/photo-744222.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579238303033174482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4quOSS40x04AnaktQ0yQUHDi18fT6IQKb_hs8CRHhsgz_vCLOAm0qjU7T-q14uFgGmJ9SdllhE7tnm1zSreQysSWE-DNM4owZab3FpvXrT7xXebr-gXk-VFSOlMAT31HfW3RIg2Jao-Gw/s320/photo-744222.JPG" /></a></div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;">I linked my Wordless Wednesday post at <a href="http://faithhopeandawholelottalove.blogspot.com/2011/03/wordless-wednesday.html">Faith, Hope & a whole lot of Love</a></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-69636456196113371082011-02-22T14:44:00.000-08:002011-02-22T14:44:55.544-08:00The Recipe Box Swap<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/%22%20_mce_href=%22http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/ihavetosay/recipeswap.jpg%22%20_mce_src=%22http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/ihavetosay/recipeswap.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22swap%20blogpost%22%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/center%3E"><img alt="swap sidebar" border="0" src="http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/ihavetosay/recipeswap-1.jpg" /></a><br />
I added the <a href="http://livibird.blogspot.com/2011/02/stuffed-mushrooms.html">stuffed mushroom</a> recipe over at <a href="http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/">I have to say...</a>. <br />
She is hosting <a href="http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/2011/02/th-recipe-box-swap-your-favorite-recipe.html">The Recipe Box Swap</a>. <br />
Head over and check out all the other great recipes! I can't wait to try a few of them!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-57508375342896768282011-02-22T10:01:00.000-08:002011-02-22T10:32:19.553-08:00Machine Quilting<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here is a quick video of me machine quilting taken by my mother-in-law. Sometimes I think she is my number one fan! She grabbed her phone and said she needed to video me so I could post it on my blog. I think that is so sweet. I don't think she even reads my blog... but she knows that it's important to me and points out opportunities she thinks will be a good post. <br />
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<strong>Edit: </strong>Katy does read my blog. See she is my #1 fan!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='326' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx7RwAHN8UIdClGh7FJZsIqhmrC3amv9Y9LXkPrc3PQOMEahRGAKMarbjhzyCUHHb3dai6PYPgpKGuIz1-XJg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I am quilting my Swing Patch quilt using her Bernina. This is the first time her machine was used on the frame and she thought it would be a good idea for me to do the first test run on a quilt I made rather than one of her quilts. Isn't that just so thoughtful of her ;) She can be very sneaky like that. <br />
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The frame is very low which is why I'm so hunched over. She is quite a bit shorter than I am. <br />
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I am quilting an all over flower pattern. Towards the end you can kind of see me make the circle of the center and a few pedals before the video ends. <br />
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I had some 'hiccups' with her machine. Come to find out it needed to be serviced. Shortly after the video was taken I brought my Juki over and finished the quilt with it. Her Bernina is a very nice machine, but it might be a little too much technology for my taste. I like my simple Juki. I suppose you love what you have and are used to. </div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-81811489815291845552011-02-14T14:22:00.000-08:002011-02-14T14:22:20.851-08:00Valentine's DayI couldn't resist a Valentine post. I'm a sucker for the holiday. I, like most, agree that love should be shared and shown everyday but I love all the pink and hearts! <br />
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Steve and I pretty much have an agreement that there is to be no stress due to this holiday. There shouldn't be lots of money spent, especially on flowers and it should be fun. <br />
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Steve will normally stop by the wholesale flower shop and pick up some flowers on his way home. If you are looking for beautiful flowers at a very reasonable price I would highly recommend going to a wholesale flower shop that is open to the public... if there is one available near you. Many times I have stopped in and just picked something I liked out of the cold storage just to spruce up the house. I will call Steve and tell him he is such a good husband to buy me flowers. It's a silly little joke between us. <br />
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Anyways... He always says Valentine's Day is for the woman and I shouldn't get him anything. And sometimes I don't because it is so hard to shop for a man!<br />
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This year I didn't listen to him and have a few plans up my sleeve. <br />
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I surprised him at work with a Frappuchino from Starbucks because Starbucks = Love. (at least for us it does)<br />
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<a href="http://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/frappuccino-blended-beverages/mocha-frappuccino-blended-coffee"><img alt="Mocha Frappuccino® Blended Coffee" jquery1297721602016="45" src="http://assets.starbucks.com/assets/799de2ef9efd4acf91a3eeb06eda66a9.jpg" /></a><br />
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(I also treated myself to one!) <br />
Courtesy of Groupon I also got us two 90-min massages for 50% off! Let me tell you this was not planned at all, but I am so excited about it! <br />
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I will also be making heartshapped ravolies with homemade marinara sauce for dinner. <br />
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For desert I got Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Yum!<br />
<img height="375" id="il_fi" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/373418814_151234174d.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="500" /><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fornal/373418814/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></div><br />
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I treated myself to a spicy chicken salad from the Thai restaurant around the corner and also 'splurged' on a copy of Martha Stewart Living magazine. Happy Valentine's Day to me!!! After all, we need to show some love to ourselves :) <br />
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<img height="523" id="il_fi" src="http://designamour.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Martha-Stewart-Living_Feb-2011_Stencils1.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="430" /><br />
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Do you celebrate Valentine's day? Do you go all out or keep it simple? <br />
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Am I the only one who buys myself Valentine's gifts?Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-8592198251283945992011-02-11T10:32:00.000-08:002011-02-11T10:32:42.578-08:00Stuffed Mushrooms<div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">This recipe comes from my dear sweet Aunt Justine. She is one of the most amazing woman I have ever met! I think I get a lot of my craftiness and cooking skills from her. Sometimes I think I should have been her child, but I suppose my mom makes me much more well rounded ;) </div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">My husband has been in love with her stuffed mushrooms for some time now and I have never gotten the recipe from her... until now! </div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">We were getting ready for Super Bowl and all he could talk about were her mushrooms. So I made the call. They are surprisingly easy. And like most recipes that come from her there are few exact measurements and quite a bit of 'eye balling'. </div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">If you want more specifics let me know and I will make them again with accurate measurements. </div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Here we go...</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">-Mushrooms - I got mine at Costco. If you get the smaller package from a grocery store you will have extra filling</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">-1 block cream cheese</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">- Parmesan cheese - I used fresh and quite a bit of it. She uses the stuff that comes in a container and said about 1/3 of a medium size container.</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">-Sausage - The kind you get in the meat section. New York Style, Hot. (I didn't take a picture of the package, so if you aren't sure what to get let me know and I will get a picture in the store)</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">- Garlic - A few cloves. I used 4-5</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Brown sausage in a pan.</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1J5Ib1AKTxMBkZOy00yIa8QJa_8d85RGEBMQNL44wfi_LqrOqy-LXxzmLGEkXXaFdAS12-e9rwOCCuJpZbrEeLs_aL3nHi0qXmuHdjesuOk85HagHyKE_5COyI64LhCzORpYNffA7Yon/s1600/DSC02632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1J5Ib1AKTxMBkZOy00yIa8QJa_8d85RGEBMQNL44wfi_LqrOqy-LXxzmLGEkXXaFdAS12-e9rwOCCuJpZbrEeLs_aL3nHi0qXmuHdjesuOk85HagHyKE_5COyI64LhCzORpYNffA7Yon/s320/DSC02632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Wash and de-stem the mushrooms. I didn't scoop out anymore of the mushroom than what came out with the stem. You can if you want, but according to Aunt Justine once they are cooked you can't really tell a difference. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm10DDxvKGtaNhjcF69ZDNPQOkPdMd3kfPcyNSbfuThx16XmhNR4kSOPWCcbquFsRKmb_F1nLUEuuPwBM-WEFFAoJDa_RgZAx89b3GzcLq8ZvXmV1nRWqQfn_XepfWK1CRvrGvkpakOfQL/s1600/DSC02633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm10DDxvKGtaNhjcF69ZDNPQOkPdMd3kfPcyNSbfuThx16XmhNR4kSOPWCcbquFsRKmb_F1nLUEuuPwBM-WEFFAoJDa_RgZAx89b3GzcLq8ZvXmV1nRWqQfn_XepfWK1CRvrGvkpakOfQL/s320/DSC02633.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Chop stems and garlic. </div><div align="left" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuATZonqac24ZraDBFdzJJvhxyHzm2k03XlAuCfWFfKGnELSzqTbNMeQABkBDOqEcxcW6IjVIrihz0lHXBX85uuHLmNxcZl6YnFWYe4D1su3gjKce1d3x8G9mYTPbEAf0JBNYtHMj-YSHy/s1600/DSC02634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuATZonqac24ZraDBFdzJJvhxyHzm2k03XlAuCfWFfKGnELSzqTbNMeQABkBDOqEcxcW6IjVIrihz0lHXBX85uuHLmNxcZl6YnFWYe4D1su3gjKce1d3x8G9mYTPbEAf0JBNYtHMj-YSHy/s320/DSC02634.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;">Once sausage is about half way done add garlic and chopped stems. Make sure sausage bits are pretty small especially if you have smaller mushrooms. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpL73vbygYGHmMq2qMb1FjHJDZR7uX_hAiNfDH591kiEdJUaHbmvIW1J5IrnmQgBd5OAqRtnZOXwR4RCXlr37JebzGMxe6jVA9pAChgLFaB1ythPT_QCPKH-leFwZRYyAA7JZSaIwCNA81/s1600/DSC02635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpL73vbygYGHmMq2qMb1FjHJDZR7uX_hAiNfDH591kiEdJUaHbmvIW1J5IrnmQgBd5OAqRtnZOXwR4RCXlr37JebzGMxe6jVA9pAChgLFaB1ythPT_QCPKH-leFwZRYyAA7JZSaIwCNA81/s320/DSC02635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;">Mix room temp cream cheese and Parmesan. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyotQgmQBoLs2Bjp1-bPDMo71l3b1Oqlrp92A9HEa4mwAkdy8S-bs-Qi80sbSYhT_8k6_VmtZPlvzHaYMqKbERiDrndrbs2ibiKJNHcEGKLgK5_k3OYsaTlwHKZc_-eFbP_NntU_d0kfqa/s1600/DSC02636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyotQgmQBoLs2Bjp1-bPDMo71l3b1Oqlrp92A9HEa4mwAkdy8S-bs-Qi80sbSYhT_8k6_VmtZPlvzHaYMqKbERiDrndrbs2ibiKJNHcEGKLgK5_k3OYsaTlwHKZc_-eFbP_NntU_d0kfqa/s320/DSC02636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;">Add sausage mixture to cream cheese mixture. The warm sausage helps the cream cheese melt into a yummy mix of goodness! Spoon mixture into mushrooms.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7ti3V6Q5xoAN0N4r1mJQdgHQ8ne3At5wnSqx8ffy5l1zYAdnQLbWx3SNUNaswV7anoWqeHV01-REmzpx4weUFWpCT5K8QwSv-2mwozSA2nUI4EchfHZkCfHLv7M5PP76BF51m8-wTLxU/s1600/DSC02637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7ti3V6Q5xoAN0N4r1mJQdgHQ8ne3At5wnSqx8ffy5l1zYAdnQLbWx3SNUNaswV7anoWqeHV01-REmzpx4weUFWpCT5K8QwSv-2mwozSA2nUI4EchfHZkCfHLv7M5PP76BF51m8-wTLxU/s320/DSC02637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Top with more Parmesan cheese. I like fresh parm so I used quite a bit in my recipe. You can use as much or as little as you like. The cheese on top helps give it a little bit of crispiness. </div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWs9P60tSnURIpVHT7uyPRrLEW2nWPKFgSHTXrOxSrN9USBx6m1e_ED7866_57ybO8YVDnM_9OXtP-ie8KXbAGfOefUzyLpefV2pwQgSv9_q529zfoISzYK2klPu3Ctr6_KEjdStUG1HgZ/s1600/DSC02638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWs9P60tSnURIpVHT7uyPRrLEW2nWPKFgSHTXrOxSrN9USBx6m1e_ED7866_57ybO8YVDnM_9OXtP-ie8KXbAGfOefUzyLpefV2pwQgSv9_q529zfoISzYK2klPu3Ctr6_KEjdStUG1HgZ/s320/DSC02638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;">Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or golden brown. </div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaidTgMWtKW7EdSltCEzzJZYNWKh9dquXlsoxa_n3uae0PLYTL26TSHAdcLnuRA44l6_7g_Vmvefq9MIiZNaIMloLLvJHWy65iBcodxUlIUhHVQHxnrro1OlkmcGiUYfQTVABNvN-XvYbx/s1600/1000000055.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaidTgMWtKW7EdSltCEzzJZYNWKh9dquXlsoxa_n3uae0PLYTL26TSHAdcLnuRA44l6_7g_Vmvefq9MIiZNaIMloLLvJHWy65iBcodxUlIUhHVQHxnrro1OlkmcGiUYfQTVABNvN-XvYbx/s320/1000000055.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: left;">Remove from pan and plate. </div><br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYIn3HzK5Exz2QKQ0hyyd_z5asS7zMlWYD7SI18zMKTA-OFrV7QiSIUHDZBCAXtFIMg2J-sFn52dN8l-PRSKTZvOSOnzavdK8CNfbvQDgdkg4KBgkmvFGb-ob93nAzcJP3rxtTD0Ombai/s1600/1000000056.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYIn3HzK5Exz2QKQ0hyyd_z5asS7zMlWYD7SI18zMKTA-OFrV7QiSIUHDZBCAXtFIMg2J-sFn52dN8l-PRSKTZvOSOnzavdK8CNfbvQDgdkg4KBgkmvFGb-ob93nAzcJP3rxtTD0Ombai/s320/1000000056.jpg" /></a><br />
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Now enjoy! These are very easy to make and reheat very well! They do have a little bit of spice from the sausage, but I think that is part of what makes them so good. <br />
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According to Steve they are little bits of heaven. <br />
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Let me know if you make them and how they turn out, or if you have any questions about the recipe. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: 0% 50%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-5770140458366582112011-02-02T08:58:00.000-08:002011-02-02T08:58:54.518-08:00Morning RoutineOur morning routine usually goes pretty seamlessly. Neither Steve or I are morning people so there is minimal talking and interaction. Since having Olivia it has made our routine still a little different, but close to the same it was before. I get up first, shower and get ready. If the baby wakes up while I'm getting ready Steve will get her. About the time I finish getting ready Steve heads to the bathroom to start his routine. This is at 7:20 every morning. After 7:20 baby is my responsibility. <br />
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This usually works out well for us. But Steve sometimes will play it to his advantage. Case in point:<br />
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Olivia fussed in her crib so he brought her back to our bed and snuggled with her until she fell back asleep. All the while I'm getting ready. She starts stirring about the time for Steve to get up and me to take over. I walk over to change her diaper, because he 'just didn't think about it'. Upon unzipping her sleeper there is poop EVERYWHERE. Half is dried, and half is still seeping out everywhere. How did he lay next to her and not smell this??? I think he did and was just buying time until he knew it was my turn. Olivia ended up needing a bath and LOTS of diaper rash cream. I will keep pictures out of this post for your benefit and my own. <br />
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He also forgot to take our only car seat out of his car so I can take Olivia to daycare this morning.<br />
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Really, you didn't see the gigantic car seat in the back seat when you turned around to back out of the driveway???? I simply find that hard to believe!<br />
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I'm am thanking God for Mother-in-laws and Starbucks this morning! They are my saving grace :)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-60038994624806541842011-02-01T11:06:00.000-08:002011-02-01T11:06:07.437-08:00Be My Healthy Valentine - Another SwapI love Valentine's Day and I love getting fun packages. Janna has a great swap for Valentine's Day which is one of my personal favorite holidays!<br />
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You should <a href="http://happinessisajourneyforjanna.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentines-swaphealthy-style.html">sign up</a> for the "Be my healthy VALENTINE SWAP" <br />
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<a href="http://happinessisajourneyforjanna.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentines-swaphealthy-style.html"><img alt="hearts1" border="0" height="258" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bQQe3yzS_30/TUDkECvvK0I/AAAAAAAAEhk/3tEMzqnwAZE/hearts1_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="hearts1" width="378" /></a><br />
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This is such a neat idea, and a great way for us ladies to get to know each other better! <br />
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Head on over to sign up, who knows, we might end up being partners! <br />
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sign up no later than Wednesday, February 3, 2011.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-24763102468517251932011-02-01T10:56:00.000-08:002011-02-01T10:56:32.363-08:00"Swap Followings" Link PartyI am very excited about this linky party! It is a way to gain new followers, but to also find new blogs to follow. I like that the hope is to gain lasting friendships with fellow bloggers! <br />
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If you are new to my blog, welcome! My name is Jenn and I love to craft, sew and play with my daughter. I am married to a wonderful man named Steve. We have a beautiful one year old daughter Olivia. We live in the Central Valley of California. It tends to be sunny and warm so we spend a lot of our time outside. My blog has so far been just a mismatch of random ramblings. My hope is for it to show more of my crafting and quilting along with ramblings from my daily life. My goal is to open an etsy shop in the next month or so. There are so many feelings and fears that go along with it, but that is a post in and of itself :) I hope you look around and become a follower. Please let me know in a comment that you are following. I would love to head over to your blog and follow as well. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_RnHiYrHlH-Qb_WQ0XiH2kFSuFyNpIyjQqQrXbp5GMFrnmqXAsoPY1GhIKiY3YZDck1fQNn0Ew_P1J3h7HBIiQ1BttA5LN0h5FJ72jdIeZt8fhbrLekbR_Y2Qy33xHwp5tHiWvpFf_kj/s1600/button-2.jpg" /></div>Head over to <a href="http://www.homemakeronadime.com/2011/01/swap-followings-linky-party-013111.html">Homemaker on a Dime</a> and join the Link Party!<br />
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I will be doing a post on some of the blogs I find with a little feature about them. Hopefully you will also take a look at their page and find some new friends along the way. <br />
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Happy blog hunting :)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-32121684863354482732011-01-17T14:03:00.000-08:002011-01-17T14:03:37.747-08:00Finding My Happiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I crave happiness. I search for that warm and fuzzy feeling. Sometimes I spend so much effort searching that I don't realize joy is staring me in the face! I shop and eat to feel content instead of looking around and being grateful for what I have. I have to constantly remind myself that I don't need a thing. Everything I need I already have is within my arms reach. This is my happiness!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't know what I would do without my husband. Steve has been such a support for me and I can always count on him being my rock. He has been with me through so many trials. He stays strong through the good and the bad. This isn't to say that we have our moments or that he doesn't drive me crazy! Let me tell you, he drives me crazy!!! I have grown so much in the last 7 years with him and I look forward to many more years of raising our family and growing together. There is no one I would rather be with!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHHyMAmvl-P9gpeDmGMUbJlm2Incf1GxDvabCYcF_qHtk_-yR4fC7z_w7athMkHml97SEqrk2Y_ehTDm-jea_189Ugox8X8K9Ex3WyQzWercLOhaL3MVE3SgYLJTmpqYQvCbpxPEaGr3d/s1600/IMG_1185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHHyMAmvl-P9gpeDmGMUbJlm2Incf1GxDvabCYcF_qHtk_-yR4fC7z_w7athMkHml97SEqrk2Y_ehTDm-jea_189Ugox8X8K9Ex3WyQzWercLOhaL3MVE3SgYLJTmpqYQvCbpxPEaGr3d/s320/IMG_1185.JPG" width="211" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the man I get to go to bed with every night and wake up next to every morning! I'm a lucky girl!!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_N8LvgXpV0kVUruYRIyNjsK26NzezEVgoBA_J6aoG5WU-sRIzs999qcchyphenhyphenA6UClgkC6K3On-PVqegJXN8HskxSvu81v2U7ZmYM4y1GU1F8Xir4L-1tnFv7rhO6MyVInwV57qWiKI6NPw/s1600/DSC02054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_N8LvgXpV0kVUruYRIyNjsK26NzezEVgoBA_J6aoG5WU-sRIzs999qcchyphenhyphenA6UClgkC6K3On-PVqegJXN8HskxSvu81v2U7ZmYM4y1GU1F8Xir4L-1tnFv7rhO6MyVInwV57qWiKI6NPw/s320/DSC02054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This picture melts my heart. He is so in love with our little girl. He is the father I always dreamt about. I am so glad Olivia will have such a strong dad to always count on. My step dad is amazing so I don't want to take any due credit away from him! But there is nothing like the bond between a daughter and her father!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy33mHy76NAybxGLysBC1Kovg34UPfy_4v3j1ASgpzkyWAiqvJie5WdFswlixPUYnZUSiuqlxoyMqpAba1leZoAvHnmwgvTqFHfiqDSqXLhDhHcILyXVGwCTCKbtoMJJdVds25GMOA7Ur2/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy33mHy76NAybxGLysBC1Kovg34UPfy_4v3j1ASgpzkyWAiqvJie5WdFswlixPUYnZUSiuqlxoyMqpAba1leZoAvHnmwgvTqFHfiqDSqXLhDhHcILyXVGwCTCKbtoMJJdVds25GMOA7Ur2/s320/IMG_2247.JPG" width="247" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How can I not smile when I see this picture?!? I can hear her laughter and shrieks! She makes everything right with the world!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13i5oO5vFOnFjjcljUw8QaQNkiQ-rIfLoqAJlRqeDHLfxWYpS-CMs4iowQnycLQAbW9Ve2OTbQ8NIFlpQiBHS4ACyd1Qm2eSyjtbbLad1GVXwHHEjZHOwyxLRrA9UAZbvLX8JUPdrkUeb/s1600/photo-769451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13i5oO5vFOnFjjcljUw8QaQNkiQ-rIfLoqAJlRqeDHLfxWYpS-CMs4iowQnycLQAbW9Ve2OTbQ8NIFlpQiBHS4ACyd1Qm2eSyjtbbLad1GVXwHHEjZHOwyxLRrA9UAZbvLX8JUPdrkUeb/s320/photo-769451.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I received this picture from Katey this morning. She started watching Olivia today!!! She was ready and available. What perfect timing!!! I am not going to worry about her going to school and leaving me with a day without daycare. I will take care of it when it gets closer and trust that God will provide all that we need. Even when I doubt He continues to provide! Olivia is very happy to reunited with her good friend Parker Dog!<br />
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My last post was about finding daycare and I was so frustrated. Katey came over on Thursday and we had a wonderful visit. It was so nice to catch up with her.<br />
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So here is to continued prayer and much happiness! Thank you for all your thoughts and well wishes!!! They mean so much to me!<br />
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</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-69848549614787255352011-01-11T14:17:00.000-08:002011-01-11T14:17:40.795-08:00Oh how I HATE finding daycareI am on the hunt to find daycare for Olivia. <br />
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This sentence makes me cringe. It makes me want to cry. It makes me want to quit my job.<br />
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I know that I have very little to complain about. I was able to stay home full time with Olivia for almost her entire first year. She then went to a close friend who only had one other little boy about the same age. Due to pregnancy complications and a new baby we had to find someone else to watch Olivia. Steven's aunt stepped up and offered to keep Olivia, which turned into his cousin coming to our house and watching her. Mind you this has always been 3 days a week because I am fortunate enough to only work part time. <br />
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Now that Steven's cousin is close to having her baby she will no longer be able to watch Olivia and his aunt will be helping her so she doesn't feel comfortable keeping Olivia for the three days a week. Are you still with me? It's been a little crazy and confusing... I know!<br />
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So I'm in the situation I dread. Finding someone who will love my baby. Finding someone who will give her the attention and the structure she needs. I know daycare isn't a bad thing. But it's finding a daycare that I trust. <br />
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I wish with all my penny's, on all the stars that I could stay home full time. There is just no way. It just isn't feasible right now. <br />
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I talked to my friend who originally watched Olivia and she is going to start school but will try to rearrange her schedule to be able to keep her on Mondays and Tuesdays! SCORE!!! When she texted me that she could possibly work it out I had tears run down my face. Yes I was at work! I couldn't stop them. Just the thought of having my little girl be with someone that I COMPLETELY 100% trust is beyond words. There is no price I wouldn't pay! (OK hopefully she doesn't read this... just kidding! I would be forever indebted to you!) <br />
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Please pray that we find what is right for us and what is best for Olivia. Until then I will be an utter mess!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qvEqjz63TVWBbs_MQKk3pHBzOxrGjGP2_Y44dQ4HbMXVVn2SDJFLebxcA_3I16LlrgDn1M7G2NimYlaCPOX_9N0WC5g68RE3dTDkGk6kIVXb1nP-Knw7EVPwROg1-vv4XgGnzECX0NKZ/s1600/DSC02096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qvEqjz63TVWBbs_MQKk3pHBzOxrGjGP2_Y44dQ4HbMXVVn2SDJFLebxcA_3I16LlrgDn1M7G2NimYlaCPOX_9N0WC5g68RE3dTDkGk6kIVXb1nP-Knw7EVPwROg1-vv4XgGnzECX0NKZ/s320/DSC02096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I needed a smile and this picture always makes me smile!</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-41373568664153998542011-01-03T20:58:00.000-08:002011-01-03T20:58:40.184-08:00<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIkKD7HL8A05QC9Tbucsnl92quNq6Ztxb_AmELpDGEkO0oHcOOD4b_PNNMJBPnjjLwQpqdOR4xYLHQcd0DLN7gah0dgfgklDHW8ex1w4eBKqAYmIbuoDy_nn5CAvImhZYUKRLJ4RkBe4G/s1600/IMG_2150.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIkKD7HL8A05QC9Tbucsnl92quNq6Ztxb_AmELpDGEkO0oHcOOD4b_PNNMJBPnjjLwQpqdOR4xYLHQcd0DLN7gah0dgfgklDHW8ex1w4eBKqAYmIbuoDy_nn5CAvImhZYUKRLJ4RkBe4G/s320/IMG_2150.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4IsfCRpTWlite1AvQg0szeNEzmr19Rf4HXd3erhIaGH7hzRY0qsRZKPQtaTRH1TGyjkzMN5bzwTFKAFJwRTwYxwx_HGmMYjkEyprslw-PNAsuOKjLxN3mnnIZB2rPOe9iHncIXI3i0kZ/s1600/IMG_2170.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4IsfCRpTWlite1AvQg0szeNEzmr19Rf4HXd3erhIaGH7hzRY0qsRZKPQtaTRH1TGyjkzMN5bzwTFKAFJwRTwYxwx_HGmMYjkEyprslw-PNAsuOKjLxN3mnnIZB2rPOe9iHncIXI3i0kZ/s320/IMG_2170.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPw-esMBSCrwCdRMFhkhi22cRYcrcEcYuEVOr-fDZcv-5Q1fvU1-VTiQTAvzf6zX62xhtWyKkiuxnB3fCtjDKOZjOUgvFAujBYNci36EqKox_CFq3lat6xK3Up8kLIBsPGVO4t2bn3agSL/s1600/IMG_2079.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPw-esMBSCrwCdRMFhkhi22cRYcrcEcYuEVOr-fDZcv-5Q1fvU1-VTiQTAvzf6zX62xhtWyKkiuxnB3fCtjDKOZjOUgvFAujBYNci36EqKox_CFq3lat6xK3Up8kLIBsPGVO4t2bn3agSL/s320/IMG_2079.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzOe9gf-zbCOfDugIZ_QeYT5ogXqSibA0770X8Ov4i1cAPngF3GR-o08j3HUSFpKNHKtMLxC4M7uInOTTQx0_10thFohf9tvZIlpyhnPy5EgwghKkEDcGyne50ORoAay8kEj7mOOMjYMF/s1600/IMG_2072.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzOe9gf-zbCOfDugIZ_QeYT5ogXqSibA0770X8Ov4i1cAPngF3GR-o08j3HUSFpKNHKtMLxC4M7uInOTTQx0_10thFohf9tvZIlpyhnPy5EgwghKkEDcGyne50ORoAay8kEj7mOOMjYMF/s320/IMG_2072.JPG" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-51082495631436937792010-12-29T14:44:00.001-08:002010-12-29T14:44:40.895-08:00Christmas 2009<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdquiltshop/5304151917/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5304151917_e70d95a051_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdquiltshop/5304151917/">Christmas 2009</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/bluebirdquiltshop/">BlueBirdQuilts</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>So much has changed in the last year. I can't believe how big Olivia has gotten and how much she has changed! I will have Christmas 2010 pictures up soon. <br /><br />Please hang in there with me. I'm playing around with sending flickr pictures to blogger.... sorry if you get 100+ posts in your reader. Ok, hopefully it won't take me 100 trys!</p>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-30750570168920031892010-12-29T10:08:00.000-08:002010-12-29T10:08:56.825-08:00Am I becoming a 'real' blogger?!?!***Warning: This post is a lot of rambling! <br />
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<img height="426" id="il_fi" src="http://ourcoffeestops.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/crossroads.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="632" /><br />
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Last night I laid in bed thinking about whether or not I should continue to try to blog. As my mind was wondering aimlessly I kept going to back to how lucky I was. I was lying in my warm bed, under a handmade quilt with the dog curled at my feet and I was safely tucked into the arm of my best friend. I named my blog ‘Our Blessed Life’ because that’s what I have, a very blessed life. These are moments I want to remember. These are the moments I want to share. This is an outlet for me. My blog is ultimately for me! There was my answer. Staring me in the face. <u>YES</u> I should continue to blog. Because I enjoy it. Because it’s not about how many followers I have or how many times my site is viewed. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">knowing that people read what I say and leave comments does make my day! What can I say I'm not perfect :)</span> It’s about my ups and downs and being able to look back and see where I’ve come from and a glimpse of where I’m going. <br />
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My postings so far have been pretty random and sporadic. Words have never ‘flowed’ easily for me. I tend to have a hard time finding the right words. I have been blog <strike>stalking</strike> following for a while now. This has been both good and bad for me. I find a ton of inspiration for crafting, organizing, decorating, parenting and life in general but at the same time I have the little voice in my head telling me that I will never be as crafty, organized or interesting as the woman I’m reading about. I am going to stop listening to that voice and let my true self show through my blog. I didn’t start this blog to impress or even inspire for that matter. So here it goes, one of my resolutions is to stop being blog envious and intimidated. I may never be as ‘good’ as other bloggers, but I want to be the true me. <br />
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I recently read in a post that her life isn’t perfect. Her house is messy, her kids are wild and she isn’t always the best mom, but her blog is a place where she can be clean, organized and pretty. Her blog is her sanctuary. I wish I would have saved the post but I didn’t so of course I am paraphrasing and this is just what I took from what she said. So if you are the one who wrote this blog post, I would love to quote you correctly so leave a comment! I think these are words to live blog by! <br />
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<img height="304" id="il_fi" src="http://www.organizingla.com/organizingla_blog/images/2007/09/30/get_organized.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="370" /><br />
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So for now I’m here to stay. I will blog what I want, when want. I won’t not blog because I feel it won’t be as inspiring or interesting as another blog. If you finished this long drawn out blog, I thank you for sticking in there with me. If you didn’t and skipped to the end I don’t blame you, I probably would have done the same thing! :)Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-91759781877991689432010-12-22T16:42:00.000-08:002010-12-22T16:50:55.694-08:00Things you should know if we are going to be BFF'sSo I feel like I have to post this because I've been a total blog stalker and feel ridiculous if I have spent <strike>hours </strike>too much time reading and commenting on other people's blogs but not doing my own. Talk about peer pressure! <br />
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<a href="http://littlemissmomma.blogspot.com/">Little Miss Momma</a> is having a <a href="http://littlemissmomma.blogspot.com/2010/12/things-you-should-know-if-were-gonna-be.html">link party</a>. So many fun bloggers have linked up and shared fun little details about themselves. <br />
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So lets just jump in and get this over with... if you pass on reading I completely understand. I don't find myself very interesting either!<br />
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I love reading about other people, how they parent, and craft. I often become blog envious and don't blog as much as I would like. I have to keep reminding myself I didn't start this to impress!<br />
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I hate doing laundry. It drives my husband crazy!<br />
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<img height="405" id="il_fi" src="http://blog.tinyprints.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/dirty-laundry.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="296" /><br />
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I am a <strike>hoarder</strike> collector. It comes from being a very unorganized person. What can I say, I didn't inherit organization skills. <br />
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I only iron when I sew.<br />
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<img height="481" id="il_fi" src="http://www.sillyjokes.co.uk/images/wacky/gag/men-ironing-big.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="550" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Maybe I need an ironing board that looks like this...</span> </div><br />
I love taking hot showers. I know it was hot enough when I come out looking like a lobster.<br />
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I tend to share way too much information. Once I get on a roll I just can't stop... (you have been warned!)<br />
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I try to keep my life as drama-free as possible. Part of me being non-confrontational.<br />
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<img height="291" id="il_fi" src="http://hechicerosden.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/no-drama.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="292" /><br />
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I tend to run late and often am dishevelled. I am definitely not someone who has it all together or at least appears to.<br />
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I can go weeks without shaving my legs. I know gross right! Thank goodness hubby doesn't seem to mind it most of the time.<br />
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I never shave the top half of my legs because my skin is very sensitive and gets crazy bad razor burn. Even if I shave down. If I'm wearing shorts I will trim it with an electric razor. If not, I don't worry about it. (See I told you I would share way too much information!)<br />
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I love Mandarin oranges. I think I've eaten at least 5 every day this week. <br />
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<img height="300" id="il_fi" src="http://ayeshahaq.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/mandarin.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="300" /><br />
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I am a procrastinator! Major procrastinator.<br />
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I can't watch scary movies. I can't even watch really suspenseful TV shows. I have really bad dreams.<br />
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Dave Matthews Band is by far my favorite! <br />
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<img height="481" id="il_fi" src="http://weblogs.dailypress.com/entertainment/music/pop/blog/DaveMatthews184%5B1%5D.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="313" /><br />
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I could nap and sleep in everyday. <br />
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<img height="427" id="il_fi" src="http://livvit.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/nap.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="427" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Does this not look absolutly divine?!?!</span></div><br />
I love when O stays at grandmas. I know she is well taken care of and loved and I love being able to sleep in and not feel guilty about not being there first thing in the morning to get her. <br />
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I have the best mother-in-law. I haven't always felt this way, but she has been a so good to me this last year. I don't think I would have survived without her! I don't think I thank her enough.<br />
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So there you have it... a few little tid bits about me. Head on over to the <a href="http://littlemissmomma.blogspot.com/2010/12/things-you-should-know-if-were-gonna-be.html">link party</a> and join in. It's addicting!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-56669071057149523482010-12-15T11:45:00.000-08:002010-12-15T11:45:28.065-08:00Joy over sadnessI hate the moments when I feel like I am spiraling out. When I can seem to grab focus. I am overwhelmed with emotion and need. Need for control, need to feel loved, need to feel wanted. I simply need. I want to shop and I want to eat. Mostly I want to curl up in bed and cry. Cry it all out. Cry until I have no more energy and every fiber of my being exhausted. <br />
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Today is one of those days. It is gloomy and cold outside. I don't feel ready for Christmas. I feel guilty for not being home with Olivia to take care of her while she is sick. <br />
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One of those days when I need to pull myself up from my bootstraps. Count my blessing instead of my dwelling on the negative. Be joyful in this Christmas season instead of being overwhelmed. <br />
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So, I am going to smile and push back the tears. I choose to be joyful. I choose to be inspired. I choose to see the good. I choose to be forgiving. I choose to be appreciative. <br />
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I thank God for today. For I am truly blessed!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-20178390341715204222010-11-30T14:38:00.000-08:002010-11-30T14:38:41.686-08:00Day 7, 8, 9 & 10 ~ 30 Days of MeDay 7 ~ A picture of someone that has the biggest impact on you<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5UypEFKZ81L-jV9VO-SErMVynvjjyJTdJrmw-UFhvrqgrXpt3OGUFfeZYL4QV1xoSvsCqa_KT1hA-E0Ql8C2pCC8qHMsXfy-foHzXB6slWxzvwND7bviQPxyY1tVC7jEkejxjSdEZ9N-/s1600/o111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5UypEFKZ81L-jV9VO-SErMVynvjjyJTdJrmw-UFhvrqgrXpt3OGUFfeZYL4QV1xoSvsCqa_KT1hA-E0Ql8C2pCC8qHMsXfy-foHzXB6slWxzvwND7bviQPxyY1tVC7jEkejxjSdEZ9N-/s320/o111.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>This one is not hard at all. Olivia has become my end all ~ be all. Becoming a mother is nothing like I expected it to be. It is hard, exhausting, messy and down-right frustrating. But there is also joy, pride, adventures, creativity and love. Love beyond words, joy beyond words. When she smiles or laughs it makes all the mess and all the craziness melt away. Nothing matters in the world except her. <br />
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Olivia makes me want to be a better person. For her sake and for mine. I want her to have every advantage possible. I want her to be confident and strong, yet compassionate and gentle. I hope she can learn those things from me. I hope I can show her how to be a good friend, mother and wife. <br />
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Day 8 ~ Short term goals for this month<br />
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My goals this month are to finish some projects. I can't believe November is finished! Where in the world has time gone?!? I am behind on my bee and my swap. I feel so lame!!! I want to finish up some quilting projects that have been put on the back burner way too long! I want to work on fun ideas that are floating in my head. <br />
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Day 9 ~ Something you are proud of in the past few days<br />
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I started an Etsy store. There isn't anything for sale... but the store has been set up. I made my own banner (very proud of that!) and avatar thingy. I have spent a lot of time thinking about a opening a store, a lot of encouragement from friends, but I never had the faith in myself. I am stepping out onto that ledge and putting myself and my work out there. Worst thing that could happen... no one would buy anything. It really isn't that bad. Maybe a little burst in my already fragile crafting ego, but hey, that just means I will give it all to family who will say they love it even if they don't :) Now to finish the projects and get them in the store!<br />
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Day 10 ~ Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad<br />
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I have to say that I love music, but have never been good with artist names or song titles. I like a wide variety of music all the time. I like listening to songs that I know the words to. I love to sing out loud... very loud! <br />
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So I've caught up on a few days... with Thanksgiving and being sick I have not had the time or energy to even think about blogging. We have Christmas decorations up and getting back into our routine!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-74958228150174630162010-11-17T09:57:00.000-08:002010-11-17T09:57:44.412-08:00Day 6 ~ 30 Days of MeDay 06- <strike>Favorite super hero and why</strike> Memorable Childhood Memory<br />
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I was never much of a super hero fan. So I'm going to digress a little. One of my favorite childhood memories was ridding in the car and singing to Raffi. I think that is where my love for singing out loud started! My mom had an old blue Buick that always seemed to have the Raffi tape in. I can remember very vividly the day the tape jammed in the player and my mom pronounced that our tape couldn't be played anymore. I don't think I've ever worn out a tape like that. I must have only been 5 or 6. I've often mentioned it to Steve while we are in the car and I sing to Olivia. I bought her a kids CD and Steve thinks it is so annoying. It's little kids singing and talking and for some reason he just can't stand it. <br />
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Today I was reading <a href="http://www.martawrites.com/">Marta Writes</a> (if you don't follow her blog you need to! She is a fabulous lady!) and she mentioned that they are listening to Raffi's Christmas CD. Of course I immediately jump on google to see if I can find what tape my mom had. (Why did I not do this sooner?!?!) I find <a href="http://www.raffinews.com/raffi/works">his website</a> and start looking through his CD list to find 'the one'. I start with the the 1989 album. I was born in '85 so I figured it would be a good place to start. As I go down the list looking through them all I'm starting to get discouraged... none of them are the one from my childhood! I get to the very last album 'Singable Songs For The Very Young - 1976' As soon as the list came up I'm looking at it remembering songs I forgot I even knew! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWFTcoA7854Z_7By6t7y0vOm5psWURVtJ9h_vIu2mJt_SusX8f49BSPqNWd_dL5YQoybqmBZmPWVuhj0FIeKJYUpfgXRjPXX2b2KWy3d8jxswJaiAi1_TwwvVgakVVDvGyJnXbkodwPxc/s1600/singable_songs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWFTcoA7854Z_7By6t7y0vOm5psWURVtJ9h_vIu2mJt_SusX8f49BSPqNWd_dL5YQoybqmBZmPWVuhj0FIeKJYUpfgXRjPXX2b2KWy3d8jxswJaiAi1_TwwvVgakVVDvGyJnXbkodwPxc/s1600/singable_songs.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1.The More We Get Together</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">2.Down By The Bay</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">3.Brush Your Teeth</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">4.Robin In The Rain</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">5.Five Little Frogs</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">6.I Wonder If I’m Growing </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">7.Aikendrum</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">8.Bumping Up And Down</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">9.Must Be Santa Listen</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">10.Wiloughby Wallaby Woo</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">11.Spider On The Floor</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">12.Baa Baa Black Sheep</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">13.Going To The Zoo</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">14.My Dreydel</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">15.Peanut Butter Sandwich</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">16.Five Little Pumpkins</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">17.The Sharing Song</div>18.Mr. Sun<br />
19.Old MacDonald Had A Band <br />
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I can not wait to get this CD in and start singing with Olivia! I'm sure we will create very happy memories!!!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-69360158373688669232010-11-16T14:50:00.000-08:002010-11-16T14:50:18.451-08:00HELP!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qkdVXtKHWCS2CRTwXDCyD39j_880mtjA6PTkUt-Ajzr6Q238NbGzX4Sg900NYZwQxJ0J3NwcF_bFM_BD6Wvyp901Ua_5os7U0k40yJcjZD-BysL8dAY0SUhzCEDsICrgERH7XJ9pXMLo/s1600/%257Emax0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qkdVXtKHWCS2CRTwXDCyD39j_880mtjA6PTkUt-Ajzr6Q238NbGzX4Sg900NYZwQxJ0J3NwcF_bFM_BD6Wvyp901Ua_5os7U0k40yJcjZD-BysL8dAY0SUhzCEDsICrgERH7XJ9pXMLo/s320/%257Emax0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I need help finding this fabric! Does anyone know who makes it? Where I can get it? Do you have any to spare?!?<br />
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I have searched high and low with no success!!!Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-78153435092790130342010-11-16T11:07:00.000-08:002010-11-16T11:07:59.323-08:00Sherbet Blossom Giveaway ~ WOWThis is an awesome giveaway! <a href="http://sherbetblossom.blogspot.com/">Sherbet Blossom</a> is celebrating her birthday all week with giveaways. What a great way to start! <br />
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<a href="http://sherbetblossom.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSxKXjUf_i_5s3shwQZvAiQ5F3Terk_3773zwd8wSk4xDzhFu15GRzhH-6wFtosMSzqs2EH-qgzycZzhUNMV2IjLNRdy1Qgi0X9cNxkvxKddMJeoZJVL8fXpbv4g5Gmm7ABt6ChUw13rp/s640/Sigma+Makeup+Giveaway.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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Sigma is generously giving away one <a href="http://www.sigmabeauty.com/product_p/ck003.htm">Complete Kit with Brush Roll in Black</a> to a lucky Sherbet Blossom reader. <br />
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Head over to her blog to not only enter the giveaway, but check out her <a href="http://sherbetblossom.blogspot.com/">blog</a>! She has a ton of great inspiration on food and crafting.Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8000897070892904533.post-91891880703346214962010-11-16T10:50:00.000-08:002010-11-16T10:53:23.060-08:00Day 5 ~ 30 Days of MeDay 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to recently<br />
We haven't done much traveling since having Olivia. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQ599qIzrU4L4AtbY6__WdT1-X4MxNz1aunYwFvSLNIFA4PTIVs1Pzgrnf0_C1k2SaPWUPAPfwLSX85BU8M_Jns-nZzgXXoo_BWgDp3A010_ppZn1-ukhtAXlz_1IxLXOt4kH8Ht68HuN/s1600/13768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQ599qIzrU4L4AtbY6__WdT1-X4MxNz1aunYwFvSLNIFA4PTIVs1Pzgrnf0_C1k2SaPWUPAPfwLSX85BU8M_Jns-nZzgXXoo_BWgDp3A010_ppZn1-ukhtAXlz_1IxLXOt4kH8Ht68HuN/s320/13768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We've made a few trips to the beach. Since it's only about 2 1/2 hours away we try to go a few times a year. She does better each time we go with the long drive. The last time we switched her seat to forward facing and I think it made a big difference. She was much happier being able to see where we were going. </div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6g2vIjlqsYnq7iTIthXPxPnCjvRDMKoFCxJDXyjntcj4eHXO01jupR5Mfujp6Szs_tJ77QrLFicTkrGallF-G4VB8X2l2KVuAO0hyphenhyphenOW-rTB4tsWWQ_ANQrQWkbrkTHZIa4KFqPFYWUy88/s1600/39725_1552471974476_1315447296_1501132_2883206_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6g2vIjlqsYnq7iTIthXPxPnCjvRDMKoFCxJDXyjntcj4eHXO01jupR5Mfujp6Szs_tJ77QrLFicTkrGallF-G4VB8X2l2KVuAO0hyphenhyphenOW-rTB4tsWWQ_ANQrQWkbrkTHZIa4KFqPFYWUy88/s320/39725_1552471974476_1315447296_1501132_2883206_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR13BEU0IUeJHlkfmNQpgHZUFJZiHDlTDQ_6IVXdU6Mjo_8Mh-7eyzXYOyj5h5-P9_BDD4Il4-94bZzkMg5GZ7wDRlUmoYkXMjyyQfhQhr9v4ArAT4IRXe5d6KePKMakyBuNxhi3UorBZM/s1600/38962_1552486374836_1315447296_1501169_5149211_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR13BEU0IUeJHlkfmNQpgHZUFJZiHDlTDQ_6IVXdU6Mjo_8Mh-7eyzXYOyj5h5-P9_BDD4Il4-94bZzkMg5GZ7wDRlUmoYkXMjyyQfhQhr9v4ArAT4IRXe5d6KePKMakyBuNxhi3UorBZM/s320/38962_1552486374836_1315447296_1501169_5149211_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHFuWj9KuJ6i0JnS8Kgg71u85ZhyphenhyphengVN7zDvd78ZTPTMQdDdJDDGns8VUl4vtPf4OeaOOzM7xuQfp7NULbsJDxXj7v-iiNyq4m7hhw9KK6Qt_MXhyphenhyphenFkQoG369RtaLqQN2RvbA7MuzvDk1R/s1600/13769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHFuWj9KuJ6i0JnS8Kgg71u85ZhyphenhyphengVN7zDvd78ZTPTMQdDdJDDGns8VUl4vtPf4OeaOOzM7xuQfp7NULbsJDxXj7v-iiNyq4m7hhw9KK6Qt_MXhyphenhyphenFkQoG369RtaLqQN2RvbA7MuzvDk1R/s320/13769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My favorite part is letting her play in the sand! It is much better now that she can walk. Crawling in the sand wasn't very much fun for anyone! </div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6J_cmdH3a3WCE7aTFsmGtTY50Ec4gWoCXL4eXmGap1M5LV_h3J7wdF0xhgjTvy-CBReNYOOFABQwqYoLbHQeMRAk5giVfmSeS0hfaxeCB4B1QKPz2cFEhn77aV4sa1dczbGUAwISw6fX/s1600/13851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6J_cmdH3a3WCE7aTFsmGtTY50Ec4gWoCXL4eXmGap1M5LV_h3J7wdF0xhgjTvy-CBReNYOOFABQwqYoLbHQeMRAk5giVfmSeS0hfaxeCB4B1QKPz2cFEhn77aV4sa1dczbGUAwISw6fX/s320/13851.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We will soon venture down to LA to visit Auntie. Maybe it will be our first road trip of 2011...Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846702166096619756noreply@blogger.com0