tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4605780826083119832024-03-05T08:10:11.415-08:00My big fat complicated lifeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-14149062006468787152015-03-26T10:58:00.004-07:002015-03-26T10:58:54.031-07:00Every Southern Lady Should Know How to Make a Hummingbird Cake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I'm just going to move past the fact that I haven't written a blog post in... *gulp* years! I have no excuse, other than I completely lost interest. But I'm back and super interested again. Or I'm not... but it's my blog and I can do what I want.<br />
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Some backstory, my husband's work is holding a silent dessert auction... who would be more qualified to make a tasty dessert than me? So our first choice was <a href="http://www.oceanspray.com/Recipes/Corporate/Desserts-Snacks/Chocolate-Espresso-Cheesecake-with-Cranberry-Toppi.aspx" target="_blank">this tasty gem</a>, which I have competed in <a href="http://www.harvesthomecoming.com/" target="_blank">Harvest Homecoming</a> with, and I have done quite well with. Then B came home and told me that so many people had signed up to bring cheesecakes, that it felt unoriginal to make one as well. So I got to thinking, what would hopefully make a decent amount at a bake sale? What would be fairly unlikely that someone else would make? What do I want to eat? I've been thinking about maybe a carrot cake, or some other sort of spice cake. Then my mind settled on the tasty, delectable, moist HUMMINGBIRD CAKE!!! The centerpiece of any southern summer get together!<br />
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So here it is, my recipe for a perfect Hummingbird Cake!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Lacy's Super Amazing Hummingbird Cake</b></span></div>
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<b>Serves 12</b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Dry</span></b>:<br />
<b>3 Cups Flour</b><br />
<b>2 Cups Sugar</b><br />
<b>1 tsp Baking Soda</b><br />
<b>1 tsp Cinnamon</b><br />
<b>-- 1 Cup chopped pecans for cake, and 1/3 Cup for garnish on top-- </b><br />
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<b>I know it's a drag, but you should really mix them all together and sift them together. It goes a really long way to making your cake super velvety. </b><br />
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<b>Toss 1 cup of your chopped pecans through your sifted ingredients. (This will help keep them suspended in your cake batter) Then, set them aside.</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Wet:</span></b><br />
<b>3 eggs</b><br />
<b>1 cup of oil</b><br />
<b>2 cups mashed bananas (about 3 small/medium bananas)</b><br />
<b>8 oz (by volume) of crushed pineapple</b><br />
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<b>The easiest way to measure out the bananas, is to peel them and break them up into your measuring cup, then mash them in the cup with a fork. </b><br />
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<b>Put all the wet ingredients into a separate bowl from the dry ones. Mix well. This is your best opportunity to make sure that it's all incorporated. </b><br />
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<b>Now add the wet to the dry and mix with a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula. Try not to over mix. Just make sure everything is mixed well. If you mix more than necessary, it will make your cake tougher, and it won't rise as well.</b><br />
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<b>Now portion the batter into 3 (yes, 3) well greased 8 or 9 inch cake pans, and throw those puppies into a 350 degree oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. Honestly, I hate giving bake times. You really are just supposed to bake it until it's done, but most home cooks don't like to hear that. I urge you to start trying to cook like that, though, because it improves your overall competency in the kitchen. </b><br />
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<b>Your first sign that the cakes are done, will be once you smell it. It's best to keep your oven closed for as long as possible, so that your cake cooks as evenly and as fast as possible. Check it after about 20 minutes, by lightly pressing on the top of the cake. if it springs right back, it is most likely done. if the middle looks wetter than the rest of the cake, throw them back in for another 5 minutes</b><br />
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<b>Once the cakes are done, pull them from the oven, and let them cool for about ten minutes in the pan. Then pull the cakes out of the pans and let cool on a wire cooling rack.</b><br />
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<b>Once MOSTLY cooled (not completely), wrap in plastic wrap, separating layers with a piece of parchment paper or wax paper, and freeze. It's not a bad idea to bake a cake or so and keep in the freezer. They will keep in your normal freezer for up to a month, as long as they are well wrapped. Alternatively, they will keep in a deep freezer for 6 months.</b><br />
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<b>While you are waiting for your cake to freeze up (at least 30 minutes), why not start on your icing?</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Cream Cheese Icing</span></b><br />
<b>1 8oz package of cream cheese at room temperature</b><br />
<b>1 pound of confectioners sugar (by volume)</b><br />
<b>1 tsp vanilla (the clear kind, if you have it)</b><br />
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<b>Put your cream cheese in your standing mixer and let it go with the paddle for about 5 minutes, until it's really whipped and fluffy.</b><br />
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<b>Add the vanilla and a little of your powdered sugar (about a quarter cup at a time) and mix on low until well mixed. Continue to add a little powdered sugar and mix on low until all the powdered sugar is mixed in. If it's too thick, add a half tsp of milk, and if it's too thin, add a quarter cup of powdered sugar. </b><br />
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<b>When you go to ice your cake, pull your cake out of the freezer and use the icing at room temperature. The cold cake should really help the icing stay in place and go on smoothly. </b><br />
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<b>Once done with the icing, cover the top of the cake with pecans, and serve!</b><br />
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<b>Another tip about this cake, it has a lot of sweetness to it, so i don't ice the sides. I just put a fairly thick layer of icing between the layers and on top, then garnish with the nuts, it really looks nice either way. Also, since it's 3 layers, the slices should be relatively thin. </b><br />
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So try it out. Let me know in the comments what you think, and I'll let you know how much it sells for!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-73573435381740146442012-12-03T19:34:00.003-08:002012-12-03T19:34:49.464-08:00College VoxBox 2012... it has arrived!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I got this wonderful box full of stuff the other day, and I am just so excited to tell you guys about it. I <a href="http://mybigfatcomplicatedlife.blogspot.com/2012/10/i-tasted-something-wonderful-also.html" target="_blank">previously</a> talked about <a href="http://www.influenster.com/" target="_blank">Influenster</a>. It is a neat site that occasionally, depending on participation, sends out VoxBoxes (themed boxes of free stuff). The one I just received was college themed. It contained an awesome Pentech pen, tropical NECCO wafers, cute imPress press on nails, Sheets energy strips, and NYC eyeliner. Since "full-price" is pretty much the f word in our house, getting a box of free stuff rocks. I feel like a dork, but I think my favorite thing I got was my pen. It writes purple, which is right up my alley, because it is <i>almost </i>traditional, but just a little off. Anyway, here is a picture and a video of me opening it!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-36866335273613177552012-12-01T08:45:00.000-08:002012-12-01T08:45:05.475-08:00I'm not drunk... just sad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I made this vlog.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-73872519366775314902012-11-29T16:30:00.002-08:002012-11-29T16:30:51.889-08:00Interview with the Gypsy, herself!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok so here is the long awaited interview with the owner of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheOpalGypsys?fref=ts" target="_blank">The Opal Gypsy</a>, Shanda Sillings-Roderick! Sorry it took me so long to post this. My computer was being worked on by Awesome Guy's best friend. And I am sooooooo glad to have it back! So here we go...<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Me</span>: Tell me about yourself<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Shanda</span>: Well, Let's see, I'm 42. I'm a mother of 4. My youngest one died 8 years ago, in a house fire (and I'll explain more about that later, but part of my business is going to help people who have been devastated and displaced from house fires.) I've got two daughters, almost 26 and 23, and my son is 13, and my youngest would have been 11. I was born in Louisville, raised in New Albany and I just got back here 2 years ago.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Me</span>: Oh wow. Where did you go?<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Shanda</span>: Quite a few different places, Kansas, Illinois, and back to here. My background is in interior design and art.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Me</span>: That is apparent. Well that's very interesting. Ok, now tell me about your business.<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Shanda</span>: It's called The Opal Gypsy. Opal was my grandmother, and I was her little gypsy, and from the time I could walk, she was always taking me to garage sales, flea markets, antiques stores, barns... and we would always find treasures. You know, "one man's junk is another man's treasure...?" and she would turn them into these remarkable, beautiful pieces. And that's how the name came about. And in her era, they reused everything, they didn't waste anything. They repurposed and recycled everything, because they had to to survive. Now it's in style to do it, it's the green movement, but our ancestors have been doing it since the beginning of time, because they had to, and so that was a huge influence. So I love to redo and repurpose furniture. It's always been my dream to own my own store.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Me</span>: So what got you interested in actually owning a store, and not just having a presence on Etsy or places like that?<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Shanda</span>: I don't know. It's just sort of something I've always wanted to do, and my house was never big enough for me to store everything I found. And I just like the idea of having a store and being able to offer this to the people. And, also, to help local artists, and giving them a platform to sell.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Me</span>: How did you get your start?<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Shanda</span>: I saw Dave Thrasher at the farmer's market and saw that the bookstore was going out of business, and I had been kind of looking, not actively, but putting it together in my head, and I saw they were moving out, of course, I wasn't ready yet, but I just couldn't pass up the great deal and the location.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Me</span>: What a big risk. In your industry, the market is always changing...<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Shanda</span>: Yes, and I've always kind of had a good eye for what people want and what is going to sell, that's why I always try to keep new stuff coming in everyday. You just never know what the Gypsy is going to bring in... My vintage items have been selling like crazy.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Me</span>: What did you start with?<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Shanda</span>: A storage shed full of stuff and vintage finds that I've been collecting over the years. I mean, I had to spend a little money getting clothes and some accessories in, but I've spent minimally. I bought a 5 gallon thing of mud and a couple gallons of paint and the rest is all repurposed. Like, that wall, it's recycled grocery bags. It's peg board, and it's ugly, so I wallpapered grocery bags to it. All this wood came from an old farm house. And I got spools from one of the local antique malls to use to hang clothes on. The only thing I really had to buy was this hanging system. We had to get brackets to make sure it was something really secure for clothes. Pretty much everything in here, I've either gotten really cheap at flea markets, or I made it myself. That's the whole purpose of my store is reusing. I wanted to make sure all of my fixtures and displays were reused. I didn't want to go out and buy brand new because it goes against the whole purpose of my store, and in honor of my grandmother and how she lived.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Me</span>: Where do you see your business in the next year?<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Shanda</span>: I see it being very successful. People are still getting to know us. We are only 2 months old, and hopefully by next year I will be able to carry full lines of clothes. And Tom's shoes. I'm trying to find new companies that give back. I try to carry things that are moderately priced, and a lot of those places are more high-end. I have to consider my price point, and my market. I don't want to out price my customers.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Me</span>: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Shanda</span>: 5 years... I'd like to have a bigger building, but I've noticed sometimes when smaller businesses get too big too fast, they don't do as well. So, I'd like to keep it small, and maybe find what people like, and maybe offer some services. I'd like to have a closer storage unit, so I can have a surplus of furniture.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Me</span>: What do you want for New Albany?<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Shanda</span>: It's going in the right direction. I'd like to see Main Street built up better, and I'd like to see State Street cleaned up. It's just so trashy. I'd like to see it built up in ownership. I'd like to see more people that care about what it looks like.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Me</span>: What did you want to be when you were a little girl?<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Shanda</span>: Fashion designer or interior design.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Me</span>: What, as a mom, is your favorite go to meal?<br />
<span style="color: purple;">Shanda</span>: Vegetable soup or grilled cheese. I use shredded cheese, not processed cheese.<br />
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I didn't have time to take my own pictures because I've been kind of busy, and wanted to hurry up and post this because I felt so bad for taking so long. But I DID steal some from their Facebook page.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kaj1AivxcxY/ULf8T9-TQjI/AAAAAAAAAkc/QNffVeXOZlE/s1600/Opal+Gypsy+Blog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kaj1AivxcxY/ULf8T9-TQjI/AAAAAAAAAkc/QNffVeXOZlE/s200/Opal+Gypsy+Blog+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is some lovely turquoise jewelry. I love the way the earrings are displayed!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3ftbzORc0I/ULf8UtIFfoI/AAAAAAAAAkk/bCp2yis9NAs/s1600/Opal+Gypsy+Blog+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3ftbzORc0I/ULf8UtIFfoI/AAAAAAAAAkk/bCp2yis9NAs/s200/Opal+Gypsy+Blog+3.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These clocks are made by a local artist here in New Albany. The one on the bottom is called a "flitter bug". Both clocks are made from reused vintage or antique items.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4d1r97P4LLA/ULf8VMafOoI/AAAAAAAAAks/1tYV5BvZ9L4/s1600/Opal+Gypsy+Blog+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4d1r97P4LLA/ULf8VMafOoI/AAAAAAAAAks/1tYV5BvZ9L4/s200/Opal+Gypsy+Blog+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I am a huge fan of locally made soaps! </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2L85bXf8I2o/ULf8V9E6rCI/AAAAAAAAAk0/FyuKP2Ym16Y/s1600/Opal+Gypsy+Blog+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2L85bXf8I2o/ULf8V9E6rCI/AAAAAAAAAk0/FyuKP2Ym16Y/s200/Opal+Gypsy+Blog+5.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These owl necklaces are just too cute</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNdHR3AU9AM/ULf8Wcc-WLI/AAAAAAAAAk8/nzuSoFCmPsA/s1600/Opal+Gypsy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FNdHR3AU9AM/ULf8Wcc-WLI/AAAAAAAAAk8/nzuSoFCmPsA/s320/Opal+Gypsy+blog.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pashmina scarves in a variety of colors.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-84359552581422529472012-11-03T08:36:00.000-07:002012-11-03T08:36:01.301-07:00Live and Love Local!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok, so I don't know if you have noticed, but I am crazy about this fair city that I live in. It is really starting to grow into a very neat place. I am going to start a series once a week where I interview a local independent business owner. Partially because I want to share some local lovin', and because I want to draw people here to shop and eat, and because I intend to show that these people are just normal people that had a dream, or noticed that their neighborhood didn't have a shop that sold this or that, or saw a need for this or that type of restaurant, and finally, I want to encourage and inspire you to discover the little gems in your own community.<br />
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Next Tuesday I will be interviewing the always lovely, Shanda Sillings-Roderick. She owns a nifty little shop that just opened up across the street from my work,called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheOpalGypsys?fref=ts" target="_blank">The Opal Gypsy</a>. If you click on the name of her business, it will take you directly to her facebook page. In her shop you will find an eclectic mix of handcrafted furniture, local honey, handmade soaps, fun clothes and shoes, and plenty of funky jewelry. I can't wait to share with you guys!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-80966854112294950192012-11-03T06:27:00.002-07:002012-11-03T06:27:17.658-07:00Product Review: Salon Grafix Conditioning Cleanser<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have oily hair. It drives me nuts. I also have dry ends, I assume because I use a straightener. I saw all those commercials for WEN, but I don't shop from home shopping networks or infomercials. Plus, it seems very expensive. But I noticed in my local Walgreen's a few brands that are fairly mainstream putting out similar products. The deal is, you use one product that is supposed to replace your shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, and detaingler. You supposedly never have to shampoo your hair again.<br />
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The one I decided on was called <a href="http://salongrafix.com/shop/healthy-hair-nutrition-conditioning-cleanser/#" target="_blank">Salon Grafix Healthy Hair Nourishment: Conditioning Cleanser</a>. I was skeptical at first, because putting anything that resembled a conditioner anywhere near my roots seemed like a perfect storm for dirty looking hair later on. I recently colored my hair red, also, and red has a tendency to fade quickly. Most of us have noticed an influx of products sans parabens and sulfates, so I guess I was jumping on that bandwagon as well.<br />
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Here is the description from the product's website:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: OpenSansRegular; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><i><b><span style="color: red;">Our lather-free Conditioning Cleanser is a true hair care miracle that cleanses your hair without stripping the natural oils it needs to stay healthy, shiny and full of body. It is a single step hair care regimen that will replace your shampoo, daily conditioner, deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner and detangler, all in one product.</span></b></i></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: OpenSansRegular; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">I would say that it pretty much lived up to it's claim. I do shampoo once every 2 weeks, just to be sure that any residual dirt,oil, and product are definitely gone. But, that's mostly for my own peace of mind. After a good cut and a day or so of using this stuff, most of the dryness is gone, and my hair doesn't appear oily at the end of the day. I am definitely not going back to shampooing every day.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-38209429537177804962012-11-01T17:33:00.001-07:002012-11-01T17:33:02.582-07:00A neat way to get educated quickly for the upcoming election<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So this year in particular has flown by (for me, at least). Halloween snuck up on me. I found myself waking up in the middle of the night Tuesday to run and find my costume box and rummage through it to find something to wear for Wednesday. So the next thing to worry about is Thanksgiving, of course!<br />
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Nope. It's elections. I think it is paramount to vote. I am a young woman, and I know women fought too hard and for too long for me to just blow off my right to vote. There was just one problem, I had no clue who or what to vote for. I won't vote if I'm not educated, and I won't not vote. So, since this year has been moving so quickly for me, I have neglected to get educated. The election is next week, and last week I couldn't tell Mitt Romney from my local barber. I needed to study up on local and national politics, and fast! So, like any self respecting 20-something that wants to know something, I turned to my buddy, Google (he knows everything). I typed "who should I vote for?" into my search field. And up came the most awesome thing. It's called <a href="http://votesmart.org/voteeasy/" target="_blank">Project Vote Smart</a>. I love it. Basically, it asks you what you think about abortion, marriage equality, budget, economy, and more. You answer the questions and it tells you how much each candidate agrees with your personal views and priorities. At any time you can click on a candidate and see how they have voted, and a summary of their public record. I love it. It helps me make an informed decision. But it is not just for the Presidential Election, it also does the same thing for the Congressional candidates.<br />
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Just wanted to let everyone that, like me, haven't been able to keep up with all the banter and smear campaigns. This seems like a great way to make an unbiased decision, and not get confused by the hype and propaganda. You can check it out by clicking on the link above. Let me know in the comments what you think!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-46118494805416448662012-10-30T18:37:00.002-07:002012-10-30T18:37:30.448-07:00I tasted something WONDERFUL!!!!! Also excuse my mess while I remodel...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ok so I wanted to tell you guys about something epically awesome that I tried the other day. It is called "Better than Sex Cake." No, seriously. It's super easy and really yummy. Basically you make a German Chocolate cake and poke holes in the top. Then, pour condensed milk all over the top. Next, pour caramel over all of that deliciousness. Now, top it with whipped cream and sprinkle chopped Heath pieces all over it. MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmm! It is great and seems awfully simple.<br />
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Next on my agenda, I made a veil for my best friend's wedding. I think it turned out pretty well, but I didn't know if I should post pictures and a tutorial. I just thought I'd ask if you guys were even interested.<br />
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I have decided to do a big remodeling project on here and try to blog on a semi normal schedule. Also to have some weekly or monthly thematic posts. I would ask what you think, but I don't usually get a whole lot of feedback so I will just assume that it was a unanimous and resounding agreement.<br />
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One last thing, if you know me in my personal life, you know that I have a real problem with paying for anything without a coupon or some sort of deal. I am definitely not an extreme couponer, but I would definitely say that I am a FAN of couponing. I mostly think that it is socially irresponsible not to try to get the most out of our money. Anyway, my fiancee and I regularly complete surveys online to get things like gift cards and Microsoft Points. It kind of pays for the things that don't fit in our budget that we still really want. One of the sites I like to hang around on is called <a href="http://www.influenster.com/" target="_blank">Influenster</a>. It is a neat place where you can find product reviews, or write your own. But they give you badges for different things. Like, being a mom, or a bride-to-be, or a gamer. Things like that. They just did a massive overhaul of their site and they are a lot easier to navigate. One really cool thing they do is send out these boxes, called VoxBoxes. They are filled with new products to test. I was an idiot recently and got a new phone and neglected my email, my blog, and basically my laptop in general. Since I did this, I missed out on getting one of the precious VoxBoxes. I felt like a lame. Well, that is really how I generally feel, but this amplified it. Basically what I'm saying is.... get over there if you are interested, and check them out. They give you achievements, and who doesn't love earning achievements??</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-30242089154432801292012-08-08T13:44:00.000-07:002015-03-26T11:09:44.277-07:00Lacy tries to be perfect... trouble ensues... raise your hand if you're surprised.... anybody?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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So things with FH and I are bad, not catastrophic, just... bad. No fun. No doubt we love each other, and we sure do want to get married still. We just aren't giving 100% right now. Which stinks. He won't accept that he has done anything wrong, and I can't stop telling him everything I think he is doing wrong.<br />
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One example is housework. (If he reads this, I am sure he will roll his eyes right here) He does next to no housework. Usually I break down every week or so and tell him how much I need him to help me around the house. Which results in me crying, and him telling me that he doesn't think I am doing enough around the house, either. At least I do SOMETHING. And I don't walk around acting like I am entitled or something.<br />
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I am certainly not the best housekeeper on he whole world. I don't do the dishes every day, and I don't vacuum every week. But I do regularly wipe down, and the dishes stay mostly done, and the floors DO get swept, mopped, and vacuumed. Laundry gets sorted, washed, and folded, and the bathroom gets wiped down, and dinner gets made. I know I stay home, and am expected to do the majority of the housework... but <u>all</u> of it? That doesn't seem fair. I read once that there what we need out of romantic relationships is able to be broken down into <a href="http://www.5lovelanguages.com/learn-the-languages/the-five-love-languages/" target="_blank">5 categories</a>. The one that really speaks to me is Acts of Service. Here is the definition of Acts of Service:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: blue;">Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Honestly, that's exactly how I feel. Like no matter how much I tell that it means a lot to me that he do the dishes <u>voluntarily</u>, or clean up the living room, or sweep and mop the kitchen and/or bathroom... he doesn't care. I mean, he has promised that he would work harder, do better next time, once he even hopped up and worked and did a great job... but it stopped as soon as he didn't think I was working hard enough. But geeeeeeeez! Working hard enough?! I may not work at 110% every single day, but I definitely put over 40 hours a week in on a regular basis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> When I talk to other women, they say that it's just the way it is. Why should I accept that? That men just don't do housework. That seems wild, and primitive... My response (in my head) to him when he tells me he doesn't feel like I do enough is : "Well HELL!! I wish I was doing NOTHING all day but watching Netflix and drinking hot tea! That would be wonderful." But no, I just say ok, and I do as well as I can from then on until I feel like I'm the only one taking care of the house... approx. 1 1/2 weeks later when the whole cycle starts over.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> It is exhausting. So my new plan started last week. I noticed that while I was out one day, he put his own clothes away, right out of the laundry basket. Without me getting them out and setting them on his side of the bed. He showed real initiative. So 2 days ago I told him it was time for the ole "household talk." He immediately started to shut down. All I said was that I had noticed that he had taken it upon himself to put his laundry away, and that I really appreciated it. The next day he made breakfast (which happens often enough, not completely out of the blue) but what <b>really</b> blew my mind was that <u>he washed the pan he made the eggs in!!!!!!!</u> (<i>he didn't wash the rest of the dishes we ate off of or with, but hey... a win is a win!)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i> </i>Fast forward to today, and we are back to not getting along. Ugh, I really thought this positive reinforcement thing would work. Gaaaaah! What do I do?? I am trying to navigate this whole thing, but it sucks. Seriously, sucks. I keep thinking, it isn't a deal breaker, but I really don't think I can live my life with him without any domestic help whatsoever. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> So all of you marital veterans, help me out! Even if you aren't married to some wonderful person, and you have some experience with living with your significant other, or a past significant other. Please help a sista out.</span></span></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-28511620893540573502012-08-07T12:47:00.000-07:002012-08-07T12:47:08.222-07:004 things I love about napkins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ever used an idea generator? I just did, so here is my comprehensive list of the <strike> 9 </strike> 4 best thing about napkins. Ok, seriously, this could turn out to be one of the funniest or most boring posts I have ever done.<br />
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Number 1- Napkins make me feel cleaner. No, really... anytime I have dinner, I <u>need</u> a napkin in my lap. Anytime I don't have one, it always seems like I have yucky fingers or drop something right where my napkin WOULD have been.<br />
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Number 2- You always know whether or not you are in a fancy restaurant by whether or not they have cloth napkins, and if the napkins are folded into pretty designs... like swans... I looooove swan napkins... I also love Sheldon.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uqQ9Co5q6k/UCFr3l1ibdI/AAAAAAAAAi4/esbuDAjdUXs/s1600/daddy+bib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_uqQ9Co5q6k/UCFr3l1ibdI/AAAAAAAAAi4/esbuDAjdUXs/s200/daddy+bib.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Number 3- Napkins can also be used as bibs for messy babies, and toddlers, and most teenagers, also fiances. ;-) (everyone knows a mommy would never need to use a bib)<br />
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Number 4- They are great for using as paper to jot down important things, like tic tac toe while you're waiting for your food.<br />
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Ok, I tried.... there are plenty of great things about napkins, I just don't know if I can think of 9... I really think my brain was almost going to explode. So really, I was trying to make an interesting post for you guys that was out of the ordinary and impulsive... Do you guys know anything else that can be done with a napkin, or some great reason to love them? Let me know, leave a comment below!<br />
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-14893937706720751532012-08-06T17:32:00.001-07:002012-08-06T17:36:09.164-07:00Is my kid going to end up in Anger Management??<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have noticed more and more people talking about how people my generation and the one before it don't discipline our children firmly enough. Mainly, we don't spank them enough. However, I have read many articles and studies claiming that spanking our children, results in a more violent generation of adults in the future. Basically, violence begets violence.<br />
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So what actually works? I look at it two ways. The first way is that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. My family, on my mother's side in particular, uses a lot of extremely old fashioned remedies and methods. One example is how we wean our kiddos (from a bottle, pacifier, or potty training). We use the farmer's almanac to decide the best days to start weaning. (If you're interested, here is the link: <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CHcQjBAwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.farmersalmanac.com%2Fcalendar%2Fbest-days%2F&ei=FoEMUL37IIWc9gTc5fSyDw&usg=AFQjCNFMWUewHtjLWTNcIkPcHHxT0575yw&sig2=s8yPFLr7mm8DQ05m6MA89w">best days to potty train/wean</a>) So from that standpoint, my parents parent's spanked them when they acted up, and my parents spanked me when I got out of line... so logically I would spank my children. I mean, I'm ok, right?</div>
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Right?</div>
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I am definitely NOT ok. I am agressive, and have a really bad temper. It doesn't take much to get my blood boiling.Some might attribute it to my Irish heritage. (Before someone that has met me chimes in, you would say that I look nothing like someone with Irish decent, but that's because of the Native American on my mother's side. So suck it... ;)...) But I prefer to blame my parents. Not because I don't think they did everything in their power to be great parents, but because they spanked me, so now I really believe the hype that I am predisposed to hit. But I don't just want to spank my daughter to discipline, I want to hit anyone that I think needs to be reprimanded. I don't. I am capable of knowing what is socially acceptable and what isn't, I'm just saying what I <u>want</u> to do... I will admit, however that I have a big problem making normal connections in my brain with how to act, with regard to emotion... but I doubt that has much to do with my parents.<br />
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Either way, I wonder if maybe I should be doing more time outs, and taking toys away, but I don't know if my kiddo will actually <i>get</i> it.... Let me know what you think. What is YOUR standpoint on all this? Comment below!!!</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-49399388128665864642012-08-01T11:02:00.003-07:002012-08-01T11:02:31.499-07:00Bad Girl... always gets what she wants<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I did it again, and I apologize. Sorry for neglecting you. I was down about not completing the challenge, and then life just hit me full force. I have a few things planned, so that should keep me pretty active on here. I guess I should start off by announcing my engagement to Awesome Guy... he asked me on April 24, and it was beautiful, low key, and perfect. Aaaaaaand here we go with the avalanche of vlogs and blog posts.... yaaaaay!!!!! And by the way, Awesome Guy will now be referred to as... Future Husband, or FH.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-28499118950774614642012-04-12T17:13:00.000-07:002012-04-12T17:13:37.894-07:00K is for... Kites!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7WTBLKjUUw/T4c65da--KI/AAAAAAAAAac/OB2XQuAfE4M/s1600/kite+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7WTBLKjUUw/T4c65da--KI/AAAAAAAAAac/OB2XQuAfE4M/s200/kite+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what my kite looks like</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BKNRohHUwLk/T4c8O4uGgLI/AAAAAAAAAa8/GBe3mtQ2Tn8/s1600/k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BKNRohHUwLk/T4c8O4uGgLI/AAAAAAAAAa8/GBe3mtQ2Tn8/s200/k.jpg" width="138" /></a>I love flying kites. It isn't something I do more than once a year, but it's always such a treat when I remember to get out my spider man kite on a windy day and just let it float up to the sky. I'd love to take A to fly a kite, I think he would really enjoy it... it just needs to warm up and get a little LESS windy. I don't want my kite torn up, I've had it for a few years, and would like to have it a couple more years. I thought I'd post a few pictures of some cool kites, hopefully it will inspire you to go do something fun, and free, on a nice day where you live!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8hXTLQdWRU/T4c656zjlII/AAAAAAAAAak/lEs6XGocOLg/s1600/kite+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8hXTLQdWRU/T4c656zjlII/AAAAAAAAAak/lEs6XGocOLg/s200/kite+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what I WISH my kite looked like</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v000BlPwbV4/T4c66dh--CI/AAAAAAAAAa0/aqnmC7fc6To/s1600/kite+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v000BlPwbV4/T4c66dh--CI/AAAAAAAAAa0/aqnmC7fc6To/s200/kite+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How serene!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-NQlb5kAsI/T4c66KoNX5I/AAAAAAAAAas/VWZd35kXzJc/s1600/kite+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-NQlb5kAsI/T4c66KoNX5I/AAAAAAAAAas/VWZd35kXzJc/s200/kite+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, how freaked out would you be if you saw this behind you??</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-63799503653183716132012-04-11T18:27:00.001-07:002012-04-11T18:27:02.419-07:00J is for... Just what I've always wanted!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr_VcTxes6A/T4YvVbiT2YI/AAAAAAAAAaI/WRgrq8NH0l4/s1600/J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lr_VcTxes6A/T4YvVbiT2YI/AAAAAAAAAaI/WRgrq8NH0l4/s200/J.jpg" width="200" /></a>To be brutally honest, my life has been a shitstorm for the last 27 hours. But in the big picture, I have everything I want, well <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=460578082608311983#editor/target=post;postID=7391268588325831882">ALMOST</a>... I have, and intend to marry, the man of my dreams, my daughter is not only beautiful, but exceedingly smart, and I have a decently priced apartment in a great little corner of the world. I couldn't be more blessed! That's actually all I have to say for today, short n sweet... just like me!<br />
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Peace,<br />
Flower</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-36492787591858648682012-04-10T18:39:00.002-07:002012-04-10T18:52:06.966-07:00I is for... Imagination<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XKelJ_2ZMo/T4TjtH3STPI/AAAAAAAAAZw/OoIU1MI-8wM/s1600/i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_XKelJ_2ZMo/T4TjtH3STPI/AAAAAAAAAZw/OoIU1MI-8wM/s200/i.jpg" width="200" /></a>... as in, I don't have an imagination. I really don't. when I was a little girl, I couldn't play with Barbies very long because I felt silly making them talk to each other, because in reality, I was just talking to myself, and I knew it. That lack of imagination has now bled into my adulthood. When I play with the kids around me, I always sound like such a jerk. For instance, my kid was stomping around a few months ago saying "When I grow up, I'm gonna be a giant, mommy!" I informed her that it isn't possible to be a mythological creature when you grow up. Awesome Guy was appalled. He told me not to crush her dreams like that. I wasn't trying to be mean, just realistic. Anyway, I don't think there is anything wrong with not having an imagination, but I always kind of wished I had one.<br />
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Peace!<br />
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Flower</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-14730492417205579112012-04-10T10:13:00.002-07:002012-04-10T10:13:48.170-07:00H is for... Hang in there<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1EhQbAEdcSs/T4RqIxzYqYI/AAAAAAAAAZo/nfzR0aLu_o4/s1600/h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1EhQbAEdcSs/T4RqIxzYqYI/AAAAAAAAAZo/nfzR0aLu_o4/s200/h.jpg" width="127" /></a>I know this kind of negates the last post, but I think I can link them. While there are times I definitely think you should let go, I also think sometimes, even when it's against all odds, you should hang in there. Maybe you didn't get the promotion you wanted, or maybe you keep trying to have a baby, and it feels like it's never gonna happen. Just hang in there. God has a plan, and maybe the timing is a little off. Maybe there's a better job headed your way, or maybe someone else needed that job more, don't assume that you know what's best, because I can assure you that you don't know what you need more than He does. Short post, but I think it's kind of profound, plus I need to catch up!<br />
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Peace,<br />
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Flower</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-81201017974999560552012-04-10T10:04:00.002-07:002012-04-10T10:04:35.557-07:00G is for... Giving Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I know the title is a little shocking, but hear me out. Sometimes, I think it is just as important to learn when to give up as it is to know when to keep fighting. In my own life, this is when I let go of trying to stick to my ever present agenda, and just let life happen. Awesome Guy asked me the other day if I would be ok with waiting maybe another 3 years before we get married. What could I say? It seemed I didn't have a choice. I could easily go find someone else who would marry me within my own imposed timeline, but it wouldn't be HIM... which is the most important part. This is the part of my life where I just have to give in and let this stuff happen when it does. A friend told me that it seemed unfair to me to have to wait that long when it is CLEARLY not what I want, but then I decided to turn it around and say that it wouldn't be fair for me to push him when it is CLEARLY not what he wants.<br />
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I am a control freak by nature. I just have a hard time relinquishing control when I want to be in charge of every little detail. It kills me to know that this isn't a time where I can just put everything into motion the way I want. But maybe, giving up at just the right time is another avenue of success. It's times like these that I just need to remind myself that God is in control, and I just need to relax. Maybe there's something in your life that you need to give up on in order to move forward? Let me know whatcha think!<br />
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Peace!<br />
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Flower</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-28171562360209106642012-04-09T04:21:00.004-07:002012-04-09T04:21:36.185-07:00F is for... Flowers, Followers, Fail- meals, and almost- Famous mommas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-2MBishwyA/T4LAxScQd4I/AAAAAAAAAYo/TPidBRLciXg/s1600/F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-2MBishwyA/T4LAxScQd4I/AAAAAAAAAYo/TPidBRLciXg/s200/F.jpg" width="200" /></a>So I have a jam packed F post for you guys. First, let's talk about <span style="color: red;">f</span>lowers. I love them, I love seeing them when I go walking, I love when Awesome Guy brings them home to me, I love when I see pictures of them... you get the point. I just think it's great that they just grow to be aesthetically pleasing. Just something God does for us, to maybe bring a little smile to our faces. So I've been waiting for this post so I could talk about this beautiful simple arrangement I put together last week.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BR-nibC2Vg/T4K8gXpAPuI/AAAAAAAAAXI/MmfMw21xGrA/s1600/102_0463%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BR-nibC2Vg/T4K8gXpAPuI/AAAAAAAAAXI/MmfMw21xGrA/s200/102_0463%5B1%5D.JPG" width="200" /></a>I was taking the trash out the other day and noticed these pretty tulips growing on the fence line of this abandoned apartment. I took 4 and left the remaining 4 for others to enjoy. I figured since they're perennials, and they only bloom once a year, they will bloom next year and nobody would care so much. Awesome Guy thinks I stole them, I figured someone that used to live in that apartment planted them, so now they belonged to no one. As I was walking back to the house, I saw these blue flowers, I think they are weeds, but who cares? They were pretty, and I knew they would look great with the red tulips.<br />
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On to <span style="color: red;">F</span>ollowers. I am so thankful to all of you that follow my blog! This challenge has opened up my facebook page, and expanded my number of followers on here. It makes me so happy to feel like I'm writing something that other people actually want to read about!<br />
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As for <span style="color: red;">F</span>ail- meals... ugh... I made something that tasted delicious, but when I pulled it out of the oven, it looked like someone literally defecated in 2 of my pans. Only one was covered in cheese. Here's a picture:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SzQQHCl9TVY/T4K9NEIjvlI/AAAAAAAAAXo/WIVCN4fKJsA/s1600/102_0467%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SzQQHCl9TVY/T4K9NEIjvlI/AAAAAAAAAXo/WIVCN4fKJsA/s320/102_0467%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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What is this nastiness? It is supposed to be hash brown casserole. It actually tasted wonderful, but looked like nothing anyone wanted to put in their mouth. Let me know if you want the recipe, yours probably won't look like this, because you should use frozen hash brown potatoes.I, on the other hand, didn't have the frozen kind, I had regular potatoes, and a grater... so I grated them myself. But what happens when potatoes are oxygenated? They turn brown, and make your casserole look like poop.</div>
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My other <span style="color: red;">F</span>ail- meal actually turned out beautiful, but Awesome Guy reeeeeally didn't like it. He ate enough to be polite, but I know him better than anyone, and I KNOW he was just being nice. It was stuffed pork chops, but they were stuffed with peach stuffing. Again, if you want the recipe, let me know and I'll do a post on it. Since this is such a long one, though, I don't want to make it that much longer by putting the whole recipe, but here is how it turned out: </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-grvWob-V12Y/T4K9xMAQQUI/AAAAAAAAAYg/6XMmAhEYA_w/s1600/102_0474%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-grvWob-V12Y/T4K9xMAQQUI/AAAAAAAAAYg/6XMmAhEYA_w/s320/102_0474%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now about my almost- <span style="color: red;">F</span>amous momma. My mother is a glass artist and some of her art made it into a very well known gallery around here. There were actually two well known galleries, but now they are merging. The gallery is called <a href="http://www.flamerun.com/">Flame Run</a>. She was one of the featured artists in their grand reopening. Here she is with her art.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gtz-1Uxqh-o/T4LFToUuwHI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/mNGk51r7ZT4/s1600/Photo04061954_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gtz-1Uxqh-o/T4LFToUuwHI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/mNGk51r7ZT4/s320/Photo04061954_2.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SgIj5R3C_3o/T4LFSQq8_yI/AAAAAAAAAZI/uNdtwMo0gVA/s1600/Photo04061954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SgIj5R3C_3o/T4LFSQq8_yI/AAAAAAAAAZI/uNdtwMo0gVA/s1600/Photo04061954.jpg" /></a></div>
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I am so proud of how much she has accomplished in over just over ten years. If you happen to be interested in any of her art, let me know and I'll hook you guys up, sorry, my brother and I are her biggest promoters. anyway,</div>
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Peace and procrastination!</div>
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Flower</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-80638030625760827562012-04-08T18:16:00.002-07:002012-04-08T18:16:50.718-07:00I am soooooo behind, my bad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Oy! I am so behind... 2 days to be exact. I am actually supposed to have today off, but I guess since I didn't have time to do my last 2 posts, I'll do it now. I'm still going to post them separately from each other, and separately from this one. I just wanted to take a second and let you know that I have been working my behind off in preparation of Easter for Awesome Guy's Easter basket. I'll put the pics up later just so you can see how hard I worked. Either way, please don't hate me for not getting these out on time, I promise it was all a matter of priority, and I'd rather make sure my family has as much of me as they want than put my blog challenge deadlines ahead of them.<br />
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Peace! oh, and happy Easter!!<br />
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Flower</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-24493178593238339212012-04-05T15:56:00.000-07:002012-04-05T15:56:25.545-07:00My. Kid. POOPED. In. The. Park.!!!!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Oh my goodness!!! Where to begin?! Basically A pooped in the middle of the playground yesterday while we were playing at the park. Although no one was around, I was <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">MORTIFIED.</u> I mean, honestly. I didn't have anything to clean it up with, not even wipeys, and plus it was really soft, like, almost diarrhea. Luckily I was doing my nails while we were at the park, so I had toilet paper with me (I was using it to get the old nail polish off), so I just wiped her, and I always have an extra pair of pants with us, since we are still working on this whole potty training thing. I threw her other stuff in her little princess backpack and went home, as fast as we could. I don't know if this has happened to any of you, but you might as well share it if it has. Please, if only just to make me feel like I'm not the only mom (or dad) that this has happened to? Did I handle this horribly? Also,h I can't wait to show her when she is a teen that I shared this with the whole world, she will be equally as mortified.... I'm evil, and I know it.<br />
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Peace,<br />
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Flower</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-59058974541430998742012-04-05T13:23:00.003-07:002012-04-05T13:23:26.332-07:00E is for... EASTER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-As2GRC1GzlE/T33-KeVRGwI/AAAAAAAAAVw/3slpTdqzMiM/s1600/E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-As2GRC1GzlE/T33-KeVRGwI/AAAAAAAAAVw/3slpTdqzMiM/s200/E.jpg" width="153" /></a>So this Easter is going to be a little bit different than all of my past Easters. Mostly because I won't be spending it with my mom's family. Also, I won't have my daughter until the afternoon. I think we are still doing an eg hunt with Awesome Guy's sister's kids, but other than that I think we are just staying home.<br />
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I have been trying to teach A the true meaning of Easter, but I think it is a little hard for her toddler brain to grasp. But either way, I read the story out of her children's Bible and tried to have a conversation with her about it... I walked away STILL feeling like it just wasn't clicking. Oh well, better luck next year, I guess.<br />
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One thing I never understood is what bunnies that lay eggs, jelly beans, and baby chickens has to do with Jesus walking out of that tomb. I know it all has something to do with Pagan holidays and stuff, and fertility.... but those things don't even seem like they go together... at all! I dunno...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmIAhwM_gME/T33-kGTmP-I/AAAAAAAAAWA/fzf568VWuUQ/s1600/resurrection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YmIAhwM_gME/T33-kGTmP-I/AAAAAAAAAWA/fzf568VWuUQ/s200/resurrection.jpg" width="139" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jXhzZdAnUy8/T33-VmJVsAI/AAAAAAAAAV4/crFi3I-s_XI/s1600/Zombie+Jesus+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jXhzZdAnUy8/T33-VmJVsAI/AAAAAAAAAV4/crFi3I-s_XI/s200/Zombie+Jesus+Day.jpg" width="200" /></a>Awesome Guy celebrates a little differently than I do. While I am celebrating the resurrection of Jesus ... he will be celebrating Zombie Jesus Day, he's such a nerd.... buuuuut I love all of him, even the nerdy parts! Hoppy Easter, Yall!<br />
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Peace, and Jesus!<br />
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Flower</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-66567040678340726962012-04-04T05:19:00.001-07:002012-04-04T07:56:46.786-07:00D is for... Delicious dinners made with the man of your dreams<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIrQv9yF1uI/T3xg9VjX65I/AAAAAAAAAVU/CKDospaeGvc/s1600/d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LIrQv9yF1uI/T3xg9VjX65I/AAAAAAAAAVU/CKDospaeGvc/s1600/d.jpg" /></a> My daughter won't eat bread, I'm not sure why, but it is making lunch tough for me because we are broke, and when you're broke... sandwiches are the way to go for lunch. She basically just eats the meat and cheese out of it, as she doesn't like condiments on her sandwiches or burgers, either.<br />
So when I asked for some help on my Facebook, the response was overwhelming. One of my aunts suggested using other types of whole grains like brown rice, and barley. And a friend said I should just try whole wheat tortillas for quesadillas and roll ups. All of the suggestions have been a complete success!<br />
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Well, last night I decided that I was going to make something with brown rice and chicken. I was worried the chicken in my fridge would go bad if I didn't use it soon, so I decided to make stir fry with brown fried rice. This is how it turned out:<br />
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It was <span style="color: red;">D</span>elicious! Awesome Guy helped me, and it was just... nice. Nice to be spending time doing something that easily turns into a chore night after night, with someone I love. And nice to have conversation that isn't so pointed. </div>
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I also made something else awesome! Breakfast Pizza, which I will tell you how to make, since it was so easy, and you most likely have most of the ingredients in your fridge, anyway. Since I learned that Bisquick biscuits are generally kind of flat, I decided to make the crust with it, since it is pretty quick to throw together. I just mixed it using the biscuit recipe on the box (2 1/2 cups Bisquick and 2/3 cup of milk) Then I rolled it out and put it on a well oiled pizza pan. I pulled it out to the edges to make sure it fit. It was more than enough dough to cover a normal sized pizza pan. Next, I threw it into a 425 degree oven until it was golden brown on top. </div>
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While it was baking, I fried some bacon (4 slices), reserved the grease, and scrambled some eggs in the pan that still had residual bacon grease in it (I used 2 eggs, but next time, I'll use more since I wished there was more on the pizza!) Then, I put the 2 T of the reserved bacon grease back in the pan, along with 2 T of flour to make the roux for the gravy, which will become your pizza sauce. Now ad about 1 1/2 c of milk and stir it in really well so there aren't any lumps, nobody likes lumpy grave, but if there are a few, it won't matter that much because it's going on your pizza... no need to be a perfectionist!</div>
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By now, your crust should be done, if not already cooling. Pour your gravy over the crust and spread it out until it is about 1/2" away from the edge. Now top with scrambled eggs, and crumble your bacon on top. cover with shredded cheese (I used cheddar, but that's what I had on hand, you can use whatever you have) and slide the pizza back into the oven. Bake until all your cheese is melted, since all of your other ingredients are cooked already. This is what mine looked like:</div>
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The beauty of this recipe, is that you can use whatever you already have around the house. Sausage would work great, as well as ham! If you make it, be sure to come back and let me know how it turned out!</div>
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Peace, Love, and <span style="color: red;">D</span>elicious food!!!</div>
Flower</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-38867877715322591192012-04-03T05:59:00.000-07:002012-04-04T07:54:34.005-07:00C is for... Lacy is going back to college... eventually...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So I guess the title gives it away, but it's true! I'm going back to college!<br />
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I'm about halfway through my degree, so Awesome Guy decided it would make more sense for me to finish my degree than for him to go back first. I'm pretty excited, just waiting for him to say the word, and less than 3 months later, I'll be back in school. And about a year later, I'll have my very own DEGREE! I think my parents will be proud, I can' think of a better way to make them both happy at the same time! Yay for me!<br />
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Peace and Collegiate fun for all!<br />
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Flower</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-5125026843798676562012-04-02T14:50:00.000-07:002012-04-02T14:50:49.721-07:00... A little help... please?! ANYONE?!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I went down to my grandma's shop after I made those AMAZING muffins. I took her one and she majorly hooked me up! Since she knew I had squeezed the juice by hand, she gave me a juicer. Also, she knew I like to make biscuits, so I got a biscuit cutter, too. I know these things sound not-so-cool... but I assure you, when you don't have them, they seem important. Anyhow, now I will be experimenting with biscuits. I still have blueberries left, so maybe some blueberry biscuits are in order.<br />
Also, I'm having a hard time thinking of things to make for dinner around here that are interesting and fast. This whole living together thing is still new to me and Awesome Guy, so I want to make sure I keep impressing him. Tonight the plan is ham and cheese sliders, but I still have no clue what I'm making for the sides. I need more summer inspired recipes, because my normal pot roast, ham & beans, and potato soup seems awfully heavy for such a light and happy season. <br />
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Now it's your turn, what do you think I should make to change it up a bit? What do you make that's interesting? Let me know in the comments below!<br />
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Peace,<br />
Flower</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-460578082608311983.post-35990163156677598572012-04-02T14:44:00.000-07:002012-04-04T07:52:47.526-07:00B is for... Biscuits, Bloggers, and Bettie!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This post is brought to you by the letter "B".<br />
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Also, the number "0". As in, I have made 0 <span style="color: red;">B</span>iscuits that have looked anything like biscuits since college. It seemed that when I had an instructor over my shoulder, and a grade on the line, I made great biscuits. Now that I'm trying to make them for my family, they always turn into fail biscuits. They are flat every time, even when I cautiously fold in the wet ingredients (since I learned with my fancy half of a culinary degree that flat biscuits are caused by over-production of gluten, which generally means you over worked your dough.) They generally taste fine, but they're ugly as homemade sin. Ugh, it is very frustrating. Do any of you have a fool proof recipe that turns out fluffy biscuits EVERY time? Please, for the love of all that is beautiful, polka dotted, and sparkly in the world.... please leave the recipe in the comments below. Seriously, I'll try about anything. My friends are starting to make fun of the fact that I'm trying so often, but I am determined to turn out some awesome biscuits.<br />
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On to <span style="color: red;">B</span>loggers! Now, I what I am about to show you may shock you, you may fall out of your chair with utter disgust, but this is what a blogger REALLY looks like, or at least what I look like on a semi normal basis...</div>
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I hope none of you got puke on your computer... I'm seriously harmless... usually. But this is how I usually start, and sometimes still look like at dinner time. I still wear my aprons, just over my t shirt and jommie pants.<br />
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But this next picture is what I hope you guys think I look like. Because, ideally, this is about how I look in my mind. Cute makeup, pretty dress, nice hair, and pearls. And for the record, the apron didn't come with the dress, they just coordinate soooo well, I had to take this pic!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWpixEDvtyk3VTvNnTioQSIQjtFmowStcKPeYKhsJugTUtAHKhIjgt9F_-IxLs2I9mTt7Ik-g__Nd2kKPopW025nFrWm07IaNwvzjwhiyrrVjx5o8bya9Bnf9aIkAaNgiAcJnsLDlgus/s1600/102_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWpixEDvtyk3VTvNnTioQSIQjtFmowStcKPeYKhsJugTUtAHKhIjgt9F_-IxLs2I9mTt7Ik-g__Nd2kKPopW025nFrWm07IaNwvzjwhiyrrVjx5o8bya9Bnf9aIkAaNgiAcJnsLDlgus/s320/102_0451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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But seriously, cute dress, huh?</div>
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My last "B" subject of the day is <span style="color: red;">B</span>ettie Page!I am pretty crazy about her. I named my daughter after her, (her middle name is Page) and I have TONS of stuff with her on it. Magnets, T shirts, and posters... galore! I don't have her all over my house like I do Audrey Hepburn. I worry that people will get the wrong idea of me, also, it's not always so kid friendly. The shirts are ok, but I don't think my daughter needs to see pin up models every day. Here are my posters and a shot of my fridge with the magnets.</div>
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I know this one is blurry, but just so you get the idea</div>
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And this one is kind of dark, but again, you get it.</div>
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Anyway, this concludes my B post for my A to Z challenge, come back tomorrow and we will check out what pops outta my brain for the letter C!</div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05585603038442066926noreply@blogger.com9