tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-584981432137410682024-03-14T00:38:57.940-05:00Mustard Seedssharing mmustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-17839715599366761712012-05-10T19:12:00.000-05:002012-05-10T19:12:10.899-05:00Gnome Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4whZN9Uffw/T6xX9ks9IcI/AAAAAAAAB94/PDlrvyVfJBQ/s1600/DSC_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="212px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4whZN9Uffw/T6xX9ks9IcI/AAAAAAAAB94/PDlrvyVfJBQ/s320/DSC_0322.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>
I wanted to share a little picture of my recent project. Instead of a fairy garden I made a gnome garden. I have a Gnomeo and Juliet figurine, pink flamingoes, frogs, another gnome, a fish in a little pond, and some miniature plants. An old greenhouse and a few miniature accessories completed the garden. I used aquarium gravel for the walkpaths. The base for my garden is an old broken birdbath basin. My husband drilled holes in the bottom for drainage. The grandsons enjoyed looking at the gnome community, and even put a few real baby frogs they found into the garden. Happy gardening, <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" style="background: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-28487675512895129992012-03-29T09:42:00.006-05:002012-03-30T11:04:21.587-05:00Peanut Butter Protein Balls--so yummy!!!<div align="center">Do I have a good recipe to share with you?!! </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Sometimes you just need a bite or two of something sweet and creamy. I found a couple recipes for protein balls , and modified them to my liking. I tallied up all the nutrition info, and I will share them with you. I used the Pure Protein powder purchased from Wal-Mart (I have given my shake recipe in a previous post using this same protein), oats, honey(make sure the only ingredient is honey...no corn syrup), natural peanut butter (you could use any kind of nut butter...they are delicious using the almond butter I wrote about in my last post), just make sure you use a peanut butter only containing nuts and a little salt. I love the Natural Creamy Kroger brand peanut butter. I added a little whole flax seeds and chocolate chips. Here are all my ingredients lined up in the making of these little balls of deliciousness.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725330179957204194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSIK0OovCpc/T3R1du4sJOI/AAAAAAAAB9E/3zYt1wXyPIQ/s400/DSC_0230.JPG" /><br />Here's the recipe:</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Peanut Butter Protein Balls</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">1 cup peanut butter</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">1 cup oats</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">2 scoops protein powder</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">1/3 cup honey<br />2 tablespoons of miniature dark chocolate chips</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">1 tablespoon flax seeds</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Mix all ingredients well and form into balls. You can make them any size you want, but I made 40 balls and here is the nutritional breakdown per ball. If you make them bigger, of course, they will have more calories. Each ball has 75 calories, 4 grams of protein, 4 grams of fat, and 3.5 grams of sugars. You can't just eat a bowlful of them, but 2-3 of them for a mini-meal or a postworkout snack is fine. They do have a little more sugar than I like to eat for a snack, but it comes mostly from the honey, and it is all natural honey...just the way God gave honey to us.<br />The fat, of course, comes mostly from the nuts in whatever nut butter you choose to use...again a healthy fat your body needs. You could reduce the amount of honey, and you could omit the chocolate chips entirely, but you really wouldn't want to...trust me.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725330162240060002" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCXrJpBFods/T3R1cs4l-mI/AAAAAAAAB84/ubrNuqpbj_s/s400/DSC_0231.JPG" /><br />Kinda reminds me of eating cookie dough.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725330152729702354" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9phcc5MnEs/T3R1cJdJb9I/AAAAAAAAB8s/UGjbXHo075M/s400/DSC_0232.JPG" /><br /><br />Store them in the fridge. They keep for about a week or so, but you probably won't have them around that long. My grandsons just love them, and I would much rather them eat these than candy bars.<br />They travel well, unless you leave them in the car on a very hot day. I put 3 of them in my purse in a zip-loc bag when I leave the house or in a little cooler/lunchbox so I won't be tempted to stop at a convenience store or a fast food drive through if I get hungry</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a> </div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-27593237748156940912012-02-28T15:59:00.006-06:002012-02-28T16:28:46.938-06:00Homemade Almond Butter<div align="justify">I have mentioned that healthy fats are...well...healthy for you, just in moderation. Healthy fats are nuts and nut butters, avocadoes, olive oil, coconut oil, seeds, and flax. I learned from <a href="http://cleaneatingchelsey.com/">http://cleaneatingchelsey.com/</a> how to make homemade almond butter. I must say is is delicious. Of course, if you prefer, you could use cashews or peanuts instead of almonds. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br />I buy these huge bags of almonds at Sam's for about $9.00. I would say there is enough to make at least 6 batches of nut butter.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714311590732807490" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RCg-OAwEJho/T01QHbWGvUI/AAAAAAAAB8U/Nav1gtH6e6w/s400/DSC_0206.JPG" /></div>Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Measure out 2 cups of almonds onto an ungreased cookie sheet..<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714311579431320626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lYyrZaeKAVE/T01QGxPnvDI/AAAAAAAAB8I/dEwrtJBtlKE/s400/DSC_0208.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />Add 1/4 cup of whole flax seeds. I buy these at the grocery. This bag was $3.29 as you can see. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714311574427435266" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WgbEqao57HI/T01QGemmgQI/AAAAAAAAB78/wip_j0I8pUc/s400/DSC_0210.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Roast them for 20 minutes turning them after 10 minutes. My house smells so good. It brings back memories of going to a little shop where they roasted fresh nuts when I was a child. Throw the nuts and flax seeds into the bowl of a food processor and add 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714311559510717250" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-QC7-lhC4g/T01QFnCLc0I/AAAAAAAAB7k/v1Fp1jYobwk/s400/DSC_0212.JPG" /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br />Process on high. You will need to scrape down the sides of the bowl along the way.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714315449249453458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RIwX3HbsNgw/T01ToBcKVZI/AAAAAAAAB8g/8pdJxGZxmjs/s400/DSC_0215.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BpqU0fZA0q8/T01Pi97_BBI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/DBKGVQZ43Yk/s1600/DSC_0214.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714310964363330578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BpqU0fZA0q8/T01Pi97_BBI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/DBKGVQZ43Yk/s400/DSC_0214.JPG" /></a><br />It takes about 10 minutes to go from this...<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>wait for it...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MXDw7FvBvY4/T01PikmwDQI/AAAAAAAAB7M/twn2OTGQ7Dc/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714310957563383042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MXDw7FvBvY4/T01PikmwDQI/AAAAAAAAB7M/twn2OTGQ7Dc/s400/DSC_0213.JPG" /></a><br />not yet...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qeT6FUscUEw/T01PiLMQX2I/AAAAAAAAB7A/02b1m9KRfag/s1600/DSC_0220.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714310950741368674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qeT6FUscUEw/T01PiLMQX2I/AAAAAAAAB7A/02b1m9KRfag/s400/DSC_0220.JPG" /></a><br />Now we're talking...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8sjBPGsl5bU/T01Phh3WJnI/AAAAAAAAB6w/B1rEmYVJ29o/s1600/DSC_0222.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714310939647813234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8sjBPGsl5bU/T01Phh3WJnI/AAAAAAAAB6w/B1rEmYVJ29o/s400/DSC_0222.JPG" /></a><br />Spoon into a jar...voila...creamy almond butter.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NeeZ35nUwo4/T01PhB6xAPI/AAAAAAAAB6o/_COBYyCwlIY/s1600/DSC_0228.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714310931072221426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NeeZ35nUwo4/T01PhB6xAPI/AAAAAAAAB6o/_COBYyCwlIY/s400/DSC_0228.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I hope you will give this one a try.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Healthy dishes,<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-58307393434255267242012-02-17T15:33:00.005-06:002012-02-17T16:43:18.935-06:00I Have Some Good News...and Some Bad NewsWhich do you want first? the good news...or the bad news?<br /><br />Let's start with the bad news. There is NO magic pill, supplement, or diet plan to loose weight easily. Fat will NOT magically melt off our bodies. There is no ONE BEST exercise. I am sorry to break this news to you.<br /><br />The good news is that we can all be at a healthy weight, get our blood pressure and cholesterol levels to a healthy number, and make our muscles and hearts stronger. A little bad news again...it takes some effort, thought, and planning. I have had many friends ask what plan I follow, and how I have lost weight on my journey. When I tell them I have been eating clean and exercising (including cardio, strength training, and flexibility), some of them really don't want to put forth that effort. Well, if you don't put any effort into it, you really can't expect to see any results. Trust me on this one. I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers, lifetime member of Fitness World...a now long defunct fitness gym in Memphis, calorie counter, yada yada yada. Yes, I have tried it all. But it takes a lifestyle change to last.<br /><br /><br /><br />Today's topic is Sugar...I mean poison. It is as addicting as cocaine. Hello, my name is Sheila, and I was addicted to sugar. Though it does taste so good, sugar is very inflammatory to our bodies. Anything that causes inflammation causes disease. Heart disease, cancer, kidney failure, diabetes, arthritis are all related to and worsened by inflammation. Inflammation at the cellular level also causes our bodies to put on fat. Let me explain this. When we ingest sugar, our bodies break it down and it gets into the bloodstream. Sugar molecules are large molecules, and are like small shards of glass floating around in the blood vessels. These large molecules cannot get through the small vessels of the kidneys, retinas, and heart and brain...causing kidney failure, blindness, and blocked arteries that can lead to heart attacks or strokes. Our bodies respond to the sugar by pumping out insulin. Insulin helps the glucose to get into the cells where it can be utilized by the body, and out of the bloodstream. This brings our glucose levels back closer to normal, but these insulin surges cause the release of cortisol by the adrenal glands. In the presence of cortisol, our bodies effort to lose fat is on lock-down. It can't happen. Not to mention, the excess cortisol causes insomnia,increased heart rate or palpitations, irritability, fatigue, increase in blood pressure, muscle tension, among other uncomfortable synptoms.<br /><br /><br /><p>This is why it is recommended to eat every 4 hours to keep blood sugar levels at a more even keel, and to increase metabolism. Each meal or mini-meal should include a small amount of healthy fat, protein, and carbohydrate...just not in the form of sugar. Whole, natural foods are the way God intended for us to get our sugars. Think fruits and veggies, and whole grains. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.<br />Warning: watch any food that claims to be low fat---they usually have to add lots of sugar to make it palatable. Read labels!!!!!</p><br /><br /><p>"What do you eat?", you ask.<br />A typical day's diet for me might be:</p><br /><br /><p>breakfast : a protein shake as I have shown on a previous post</p><br /><br /><p>snack: a few dates and small handful of almonds</p><br /><br /><p>lunch: large salad full of veggies, with a boiled egg, diced chicken,a few walnuts, and olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing</p><br /><br /><p>snack: yogurt with some granola , or an apple and some natural peanut butter, or some cottage cheese and sliced peaches or pears</p><br /><br /><p>dinner: lean meat like chicken, baked sweet potato, and some cooked spinach<br /></p><br /><br /><p>I go to bed pretty early, so I don't usually need another snack late-night, but if you are up late, your body needs fuel. </p><br /><br /><p>This may sound boring, but it is really easy. There are ways to "clean up" just about any recipe you have. Read some clean-eating magazines and cook-books for new recipes. Search the internet for clean eating blogs. Some of them have some great recipes. Here are a few of my favorites sites:</p><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.littlebshealthyhabits.com/2012/01/clean-eating-kitchen.html">http://www.littlebshealthyhabits.com/2012/01/clean-eating-kitchen.html</a></p><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.eatcleandiet.com/">http://www.eatcleandiet.com/</a></p><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.jamieeason.com/blog/">http://www.jamieeason.com/blog/</a></p><br /><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/NatalieHodsonOfficial">https://www.facebook.com/#!/NatalieHodsonOfficial</a></p><br /><br /><p>Start slowly, start simply...just start somewhere. Make a few better choices. I promise once the sugar is out of your system, you will no longer crave it. And you will feel SOOOO much better and have more energy.</p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-69862400035152043492012-02-05T14:21:00.005-06:002012-02-05T15:05:05.040-06:00Sweet Potato chips<div align="center">I just adore sweet potatoes...sweet potato casserole, sweet potato pie, baked sweet potatoes. You name it, I like 'em any way you can fix 'em. Here is a healthy and delicious treat if you like them as much as I do. </div><br /><div align="center">Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel your potatoes and slice them about 1/4 inch thick. I use my handy dandy mandoline, but a knife works just fine. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705749747976483298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kG9AvQrqRpI/Ty7lKllpseI/AAAAAAAAB5o/3OBl070ElPo/s400/DSC_0183.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705749750772677362" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zbRHsEVMA5s/Ty7lKwAUOvI/AAAAAAAAB54/xfCTRm9d7Gs/s400/DSC_0184.JPG" />Toss them in a little olive oil and place on a lined or sprayed cookie sheet. You could line it with parchment paper, but I use Silpat sheets. They don't look too pretty after being used for a few years, but they work great.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705749766396393682" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6bXd3s4hKKU/Ty7lLqNTONI/AAAAAAAAB6A/mfV4ObzCX5I/s400/DSC_0185.JPG" />Sprinkle with a little sea salt.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705749772944248450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SD7ZXMOtEBQ/Ty7lMCmbjoI/AAAAAAAAB6M/dZPX9KV1cb4/s400/DSC_0187.JPG" />Bake for about 25 minutes, turning once.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5705749786561136690" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RShtLuWFCs/Ty7lM1U8yDI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/PM533rlPsc8/s400/DSC_0191.JPG" /><br />We enjoy them with a little ketchup. Our dinner was pan sauteed fish with Greek seasoning, roasted asparagus, and roasted sweet potatoes...pretty healthy , and very delicious.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div><br /></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-8630518405620114262012-02-03T13:26:00.007-06:002012-02-03T13:56:27.994-06:00Flax It<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704994178483292898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4E7NcEMZQdk/Tyw1-p4rCuI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/afLdESO9By8/s400/DSC_0177.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ums--4yIC2o/Tyw1-1KKlJI/AAAAAAAAB5c/F4msdZHTPRs/s1600/DSC_0178.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704994181509452946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ums--4yIC2o/Tyw1-1KKlJI/AAAAAAAAB5c/F4msdZHTPRs/s400/DSC_0178.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>An important component of my diet is flax. You can buy flax seed oil, but I prefer to use milled flax. I add a tablespoonful to my protein shake, my cereal, on top of yogurt or into my oatmeal every morning. It really has no taste or noticeable texture. A whole box of it at Wal-Mart is less than $3.00. You will find it in the baking aisle near the flours and cornmeals.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>One tablespoon contains over 1000 mg of Omega-3 oils. Heart healthy and a good source of fiber, Tosca Reno, the aforementioned "queen of clean eating", refers to flax as "nature's scrub brush". Try it for a week, and I think you will agree. </div><br /><div>Omega-3 oils have anti-inflammatory properties, and therefore help with prevention of strokes, arthritis, cancer, and diabetes.</div><br /><br /><div>Some studies have found it helps conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, and lupus. Others swear that it helps for hot flashes with menopause. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>All fats are not going to make you fat. Your body requires fat for its processing of energy at the cellular level. Flax is one instance of a healthy fat like salmon, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and avocadoes. Remove the saturated fats from your diet , and use these healthy fats and oils instead for better health.<br /><br />Are you drinking your water and moving?Eating your breakfast every day? Now add some flax.<br /></div><br /><div>Healthy eating, </div><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-26157531925701229092012-01-23T07:53:00.011-06:002012-01-26T07:58:58.511-06:00Eat CleanThere seems to be a lot of confusion on the concept of "eating clean". What can you eat? Is this allowed? How do you count calories? Do you write everything you eat down? And so on. I will try my best to clear it up for you. I do not write anything down. I do not count points. I don't count calories. I am a huge fan of The Eat Clean books by Tosca Reno, and Oxygen Magazine. Here is a link to her website. You will find tons of helpful information and videos.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.eatcleandiet.com/tosca_reno.aspx">http://www.eatcleandiet.com/tosca_reno.aspx</a><br />I highly recommend her latest book, Just The Rules<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 110px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 132px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700834875530956930" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MM4fr9UvXLU/Tx1vHW8uUII/AAAAAAAAB5E/AnDLK9hsBx8/s400/untitled.bmp" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Another source of inspiration is a book by Dr. Oz...You On a Diet.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700834357116175090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wz-4TfIcBXs/Tx1upLtAgvI/AAAAAAAAB44/eoC7X-Qao_g/s400/518%25252BJu41t2L__BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br />I have been reading and researching these books for the past year, and I have learned a lot about nutrition. (I wish I could go back to college to become a registered dietician, but I digress. )Here's the gist of the diet.<br /><br /><br />You try to eat food as close to the way it is provided for us in nature. Eat an apple or an orange instead of drinking the juice. Fruits and veggies are the healthy carbs our diets should include so we can get our full range of vitamins and minerals. I try to limit breads, but when I have a sandwich, it is on whole grain bread. I use whole grain pasta and brown or wild rice instead of white pasta and rice. Oatmeal, as I have mentioned in my post on breakfast foods, gives energy and protein and warms your tummy(sprinkle cinnamon on top, its delicious). No sugar...it really is poison to your body. Sugar causes insulin surges making it more difficult to lose fat. In fact, belly fat is directly related to sugar intake. I will post soon about sugar. I eat lots of salads, beans, chicken, salmon (I really like those little foil pouches of pink salmon by Chicken of the Sea). I have a steak once a week ,but I no longer put butter and sour cream on baked or sweet potatoes. Instead of craving sugar, I now crave sauteed spinach...must be just what my body is needing. I love Chobani Greek yogurt (one serving has 14 grams of protein). I use olive oil for sauteeing spinach, chicken, and dipping bread occasionally. Avocadoes are a good, healthy fat. Healthy fats are good for your heart and skin, and actually don't make you fat if eaten in moderation...just a drizzle, not a cup full. Almonds and walnuts are a great snack containing healthy fat and protein.<br />I have learned to read labels. Make sure food is real food. If you can't pronounce the ingredients, don't eat it. Try to choose foods with lower sugars and higher protein, and make sure to eat plenty of fiber rich foods...they keep you feeling full longer. In fact your body needs to be refueled about every 4 hours to function at it's best, so be prepared with healthy snacks when you leave the house, so you won't be tempted to run through fast food or buy a candy bar. The energy you get from the candy bar will fizzle out quickly, leaving you hungrier than ever.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Just remember, God designed our bodies to eat for our fuel. He created all the right foods necessary to our bodies. When men and women of the Bible ate, their foods were natural, whole foods, like nuts, grains, seeds, fish, fruit, vegetables, with an occasional find of some sweet honey from a honeycomb. They did not go through the fast food lane or into a convenience store. I believe our bodies are still meant to eat this way, and will funtion best when we are given the right foods in proper amounts.<br /><br /><br /><br />All this said, I do have a treat every now and then, but it is more an exception than the rule. This keeps me sane, and I find that I really enjoy that treat more that I don't eat them everyday.<br /><br /><br />Think about these concepts, and <strong>keep it as clean as you can .</strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-50221853061983257372012-01-20T14:36:00.005-06:002012-01-20T15:10:08.840-06:00You've Got to Move It...Move ItLast Christmas, my parents gave us an elliptical machine for Christmas. We found one we really like at Costco. I try to use it at least 3 times weekly. I promise myself I only have to do it for 15 minutes, but I usually get going and go longer than that. Sometimes I just go outside and walk for 30 minutes. Did you know that for every mile you log in, you burn about 100 calories. You will also boost your resting metabolism, burning more calories even when you are asleep at night. Any type of cardio exercise will also help keep your heart strong, aid circulation, and help with high blood pressure. So just do it, as the Nike ad says, and GET MOVING. Just start slowly or you will be sore.<br /><br /><br />I downloaded a neat app on my iphone called SportsTracker. It was free, and when you go for an outdoors walk, it will tell you how far you went, and how many calories you have burned. Along the way, it updates your speed, and your distance. Check it out. I just love it. It also allows you to play music on your phone's Ipod at the same time.<br /><br /><br />Just this week, I joined a local gym. I had a session with a personal trainer yesterday, and he taught me some new exercises, mostly to strengthen my core. I am not really trying to lose pounds now, but I do want to add muscle and strengthen. Weight lifting exercises are important for increasing strength, muscle tone, and improving bone density. Building muscle increases your metabolism dramatically. For each pound of muscle you add, you can burn up to 50 calories more per day . If you add 10 pounds of muscle that adds up to 500 calories daily which means a 1 pound loss of weight per week. So, you can see, that by getting rid of fat and increasing your muscle mass, you could really see a difference in the course of a year.<br /><br /><br />Once again, I have nothing magical, but if you drink lots of water, eat a good breakfast, and exercise, you will start to see results.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-38358126396403845172012-01-15T14:03:00.007-06:002012-01-15T19:36:02.653-06:00Breakfast of Champions...Stoke Your FireTip #2: <strong>Eat a good breakfast<br /></strong><br /><div><strong><br /></strong>Your Mother probably told you breakfast is the most important meal of the day. She was right. After fasting for about 12 hours your body needs fuel. You need something with protein to sustain your hunger, and some carbs to start the burning process. I like to think of the carbs as small twigs and kindling, and protein as the big logs in a campfire. It takes both to get a roaring fire going, and that's just what I want for my metabolism. I want to become a burning machine. If you limit your calories too low, the "flame" goes out , and your metabolism slows. </div><br /><br /><div>I alternate between 4 breakfast meals so I don't get bored. Here are my favorite breakfasts:<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697959417027734066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSkVFwiJ2Cg/TxM35pSHqjI/AAAAAAAAB4g/UXyBTDL0K3g/s400/DSC_0166.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>#1:Protein Shake. Everyone asks me how I make my shakes, so here are my directions. I know there are more expensive protein powders on the market, and they might be worth their higher price, but I have found the protein powder off the shelf at my local Wal-Mart has worked just fine for me. I like the taste of the Pure Protein whey powder...this one is vanilla cream, and the frosty chocolate flavor is good, too.I use 8 ounces of skim milk, one scoop of protein powder, and frozen fruit. ( I put a banana in a zip bag when they start to get too ripe to eat, and break it up a bit and store in the freezer.) Sometimes I add a handful of frozen strawberries, blueberries, or mixed fruit I get in the freezer case at the grocery store. There is not really a specific recipe...just experiment and make it to your taste. Throw all in the blender and voila...breakfast. I often add a few drops of almond or vanilla extract...you know for variety.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697959423637196642" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr1nBhWiGu0/TxM36B58D2I/AAAAAAAAB4s/tbpXtWFrDuw/s400/DSC_0172.JPG" /> While I am on the subject of blenders, let me plug my Ninja blender. This thing has some power! It has 3 sets of blades, and it gets the job done. It has been used and abused this past year, and it still works great. Bed, Bath, and Beyond has them for about $100.00, but they always accept expired coupons, so you can usually get additional $20.00 off. Not cheap...but so worth it if you need a good blender. Also note the neat milkshake straws I found there. They have a larger diameter , and make it much easier to drink a shake from.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697959407858873170" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXgftaeC7_M/TxM35HIF81I/AAAAAAAAB4U/SivcAR89B5c/s400/DSC_0164.JPG" /> Breakfast #2: Oatmeal is so good for you...Dr. Oz says so...It will also keep you from getting hungry later in the morning. I like the steel cut oats because they are less processed than the kind that is steamed , rolled, and then cut. No time you say? It only take about 5 minutes to cook on the stove top. I add 1/2 cup of blueberries (frozen berries are fine...they will thaw right away when they get stirred into the oatmeal),some cinnamon, a splash of skim milk, and sometimes I add a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey. Slivered almonds on top are good, too.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697959402498801986" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GLArqBpLgIQ/TxM34zKJwUI/AAAAAAAAB4I/LcnkU_Y-KCA/s400/DSC_0163.JPG" /><br /><br />#3: This quick...go to breakfast is a bowl of cereal in skim milk. I have a large Rubbermaid cereal dispenser, also from Wal-Mart, that I keep a mixture of cereals in. These are the 2 most recent cereals I have purchased. Kashi cereals are delicious, and the Fiber One cereals have tons of fiber in them. I like the Kashi Island Vanilla wheat squares, and Go Lean Crunch or Go Lean Crisp. Just try to pick cereals with lower sugar and higher on the fiber and protein. I always cut up 1/2 banana and throw in a handful of frozen blueberries to my cereal. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>#4: If we have a leisurely morning, we will whip up a veggie omelet. We mix up three egg whites and a couple whole eggs (this is for 2 people) and some fresh spinach leaves, chopped onion, bell pepper, and diced tomatoes. I cook in a nonstick skillet sprayed with Pam cooking spray. You could add whatever veggies or lean meat like chicken or turkey that you have on hand . This is good with a little salsa spooned on top. Sometimes I add just a touch of shredded cheese, too.</div><br /><br /><div><br />I have found that eating every 3-4 hours keeps my hunger cravings at bay, and gives me the energy I need to get through the day. </div><br /><br /><div>I eat 5-6 times a day, and I try to eat as clean and unprocessed as possible. I try to incorporate protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats into each meal. Think of food as fuel for your body. You wouldn't put Kool-Aid in the gas tank of an expensive sports car, so you can't expect to put junk in your body's fuel tank and expect to "run on all cylinders". </div><br /><br /><div>I try to think of eating the way God intended for us to eat. He gave us fruits, nuts, seeds, fish, grains, lean and healthy meats, and veggies. Staying with His plan works so much better for me...funny it works that way, huh? After all , our body is His temple. Confession time...every now and then I have something that's not really on my food list, but I savor it fully, and get right back on track at the next meal.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Sorry this is such a long post, and that there is nothing magical about my plan, but it does work, and even after a year of eating this way, I am not bored.<br /><br />Healthy eating this week...and <strong>eat your breakfast!<br /></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-27651134567207385242012-01-10T17:55:00.011-06:002012-01-12T08:41:52.851-06:00My Weight Loss Journey...some tips<div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>You all know that I started my weight loss journey last January. It wasn't really a New Year's resolution, but a decision that it was time to get healthy. Over the past year, I have lost 67 pounds,lost 5 dress sizes, have come off blood pressure and cholesterol meds, and cut my bad cholesterol from 134 to 60. Now that some have been asking for my tips and diet info, I will try to make regular blog posts on habits that have helped me along the way. I am no professional nutritionist or physical fitness trainer, but I can share what has worked for me. I have been there , and I know how it can be so hard and frustrating to get the weight off. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>As I have mentioned before, I come from a gene pool with high rates of heart attacks, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. I was so tired of feeling tired and sluggish...not to mention that I hated looking at pictures of myself. It was definitely time to do something about it.So.....</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I did. In fact, I was featured in a local health and fitness magazine. Here is the link with a before and after photo. This link takes you to the magazine, and then look at page 16. Much improved, don't you think?</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://issuu.com/pickleit/docs/hf_jan_2012?mode=window&viewMode=doublePage">http://issuu.com/pickleit/docs/hf_jan_2012?mode=window&viewMode=doublePage</a></div><br /><br />If you can't link to the magazine photo, here is my version of before and after pics.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696746778411835346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_EBDwae-1F4/Tw7pAyaWn9I/AAAAAAAAB3g/qgFXNDmT4yY/s400/IMG_0023.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 364px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696746786656251618" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H_AjOWiBwIQ/Tw7pBRH-buI/AAAAAAAAB3s/sXUN7Ps9jD4/s400/DSC_0128.JPG" /><br />Tip #1: <strong>Drink Your Water <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696754824394446546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BNFh5nv0tuk/Tw7wVICGFtI/AAAAAAAAB38/nehmVGlbb-o/s400/photocup.jpg" /><br /><br /></strong>Drinking water is so important to our bodies. In fact our bodies are made up mostly of water. Water is calorie free, it promotes weight loss, helps flush toxins from the body, aids digestion and elimination, helps to increase energy, prevents dehydration,boosts metabolism, and aids in clearer skin. Carry a water bottle with you at all times, and drink a glass as soon as you wake up, with your meals, and in between meals. My Tervis Tumbler glass pictured above goes everywhere with me, and I mean <strong>everywhere</strong>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>In the upcoming weeks, I will try to post a few more of those helpful tricks I have found along my journey. In the meantime, get moving a little more, and <strong>start drinking more water</strong>.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-24869508778328569582011-09-11T17:44:00.010-05:002011-09-11T18:57:30.330-05:00Our Best 30 Years<div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center">This August, Joey and I celebrated our 30th anniversary and went to our favorite place in this world...Panama City, Florida. We honeymooned there, and took many vacations there throughout the years. A special perk of going at the end of August is you get the beach to yourself. School is back in session, and the "snowbirds" have not arrived. Rates are discounted and the weather is usually great...even though it is hurricane season. I shouldn't be telling anyone this best kept secret. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651242520852988274" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QpqumZsphYs/Tm0_IZMGgXI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/o7PNeBpR5mw/s400/IMG_0039.JPG" />Look how clear the Gulf was.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651242513363681602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-03Cxtka8wWo/Tm0_H9SgwUI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/x6_cFWpIywM/s400/DSC_0486.JPG" />see...the beach was deserted<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651242510699026146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HVtZ5ETNNDE/Tm0_HzXNVuI/AAAAAAAAB3I/oFLbf22s4SA/s400/DSC_0492.JPG" />beautiful sugar sand beaches<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Sx5MrqlR1c/Tm0_HshVWdI/AAAAAAAAB3A/fqfa3vpGspQ/s1600/DSC_0488.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651242508862446034" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Sx5MrqlR1c/Tm0_HshVWdI/AAAAAAAAB3A/fqfa3vpGspQ/s400/DSC_0488.JPG" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651237754177150578" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jnJ-ZW-23n4/Tm06y78BXnI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/ntEuEgPhGDY/s400/DSC_0493.JPG" /> The view from the balcony is breathtaking.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651241628493901042" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c9acIzCnQ8g/Tm0-Uc5HbPI/AAAAAAAAB2g/Xy8fE6Q289E/s400/IMG_0081.JPG" />the view at the pool is nice too<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651240815557498738" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FTbmnRHdjz8/Tm09lId-V3I/AAAAAAAAB14/o9m04mMoWig/s400/DSC_0540.JPG" />I could easily move here and be a beach bum.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-znHIasGp-ek/Tm0_HQV50dI/AAAAAAAAB24/F3ndVsEtK8M/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651242501298311634" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-znHIasGp-ek/Tm0_HQV50dI/AAAAAAAAB24/F3ndVsEtK8M/s400/IMG_0145.JPG" /></a> This was as dressed up as we got for dinner each evening.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We found a nice city park that had some nice paved walking trails...<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651241630826694498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jvaliu-BgXM/Tm0-UllTB2I/AAAAAAAAB2o/6dmFE8r6kDo/s400/IMG_0090.JPG" />We walked 4 miles there.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_KtKWfil0Q/Tm0-U1gvNkI/AAAAAAAAB2w/6GOgbCU9Rc0/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651241635102537282" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P_KtKWfil0Q/Tm0-U1gvNkI/AAAAAAAAB2w/6GOgbCU9Rc0/s400/IMG_0088.JPG" /></a><br />We explored a state park with a 1 1/2 mile hike to the beach. Walking in sand will give you a workout, I'm here to tell you.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5kBEATAfqw/Tm0-UJ4K2DI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/RPCSz8q_Ne8/s1600/IMG_0066.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651241623389657138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5kBEATAfqw/Tm0-UJ4K2DI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/RPCSz8q_Ne8/s400/IMG_0066.JPG" /></a><br />A nice bridge going to the beaches<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LC7ZrzBJ7sc/Tm0-T_rMXGI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/xhCFsMbykLs/s1600/DSC_0522.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651241620650876002" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LC7ZrzBJ7sc/Tm0-T_rMXGI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/xhCFsMbykLs/s400/DSC_0522.JPG" /></a><br />We rested in a pavilion overlooking the bay<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651238855788456082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qKgKZ3wBD9k/Tm07zDwn6JI/AAAAAAAAB0w/h8jPM4AGhRc/s400/DSC_0508.JPG" />The property was built as a couple's home, and he died during the building process. The wife built some cabins on the property and rented them to vacationers in the late 50's.<br /><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651237770561340018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sSWxVDwyuZo/Tm06z4-UQnI/AAAAAAAAB0o/g_y9sJxlGj4/s400/DSC_0514.JPG" />It was a lovely place.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651237756687771746" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3T4TWKf7IQ/Tm06zFSmaGI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/o9bek9dSSjM/s400/DSC_0499.JPG" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It's a good thing we did all that walking, so we could work off the calories in our meals.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651240805300122978" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pjB6o1dQI8/Tm09kiQbNWI/AAAAAAAAB1w/OYNsa6r8GgM/s400/IMG_0100.JPG" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We enjoyed The Captain's Table, which was new to us this year. My meal was scamp imperial, cheese grits, and Greek salad. Can you say "delicious"?<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651239896989691218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JiK7YYPi8qE/Tm08vqiV7VI/AAAAAAAAB1g/hc10lcEu9j0/s400/IMG_0101.JPG" />We went to our all time favorite place to eat...Captain Anderson's on the night of our anniversary. I had delicious grilled red snapper.<br /></div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651239882997922178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-81NT8zU9TxU/Tm08u2aceYI/AAAAAAAAB1I/Xeb_kijiNQw/s400/IMG_0053.JPG" />We strolled along the harbor and looked at the boats.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651240826142627154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J6E32b7jzCw/Tm09lv5qlVI/AAAAAAAAB2I/KG13yN4JWUo/s400/IMG_0058.JPG" /><br />Toward the end of the week the current and waves were so strong that the flags were double red...meaning all waters closed to the public. It was still beautiful, and we enjoyed the pool.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UgpZaJnbZg8/Tm09lYdK3dI/AAAAAAAAB2A/9YsTpY-Kccc/s1600/DSC_0551.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651240819849092562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UgpZaJnbZg8/Tm09lYdK3dI/AAAAAAAAB2A/9YsTpY-Kccc/s400/DSC_0551.JPG" /></a><br />You notice there is still no one in the backgrounds. </div><br /><div>We are kind of selfish that way hogging the pool and beach to ourselves.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651239882849815874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8yYCl92eToM/Tm08u13IjUI/AAAAAAAAB1A/_W7q7CR4c_0/s400/IMG_0123.JPG" /><br />The best feeling in the world...toes in the sand. AAAAAHHHHH!!!<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhy5VyMJOe4/Tm09kpKYcJI/AAAAAAAAB1o/2c0v4Q50ni4/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651240807153823890" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhy5VyMJOe4/Tm09kpKYcJI/AAAAAAAAB1o/2c0v4Q50ni4/s400/IMG_0074.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>By the end of the week, we were a little tanner and much more relaxed.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_CE_SPYmoEg/Tm08vY6lewI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/ZxXhYfS6jjI/s1600/DSC_0561.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651239892259535618" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_CE_SPYmoEg/Tm08vY6lewI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/ZxXhYfS6jjI/s400/DSC_0561.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pifZiAUdCJE/Tm08vKGUPVI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/0iMpWcacLXo/s1600/DSC_0562.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 330px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651239888282205522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pifZiAUdCJE/Tm08vKGUPVI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/0iMpWcacLXo/s400/DSC_0562.JPG" /></a><br />Sheila + Joey =30 great years.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651239184317067490" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PcNqA25tV44/Tm08GLn8sOI/AAAAAAAAB04/NS2NGU_d9A8/s400/IMG_0111.JPG" /><br /><br />Wish you were here...wish I was!<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXyIMiALg7I/Tm06ym0PysI/AAAAAAAAB0I/vNTs_oVc8s8/s1600/DSC_0490.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651237748507396802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXyIMiALg7I/Tm06ym0PysI/AAAAAAAAB0I/vNTs_oVc8s8/s400/DSC_0490.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-56820029044389134912011-08-04T14:37:00.007-05:002011-08-04T14:50:33.771-05:00It is so hot, you could fry an egg on the sidewalk...really!<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7LPpBcWfVyU/Tjr2l8-jIyI/AAAAAAAABzg/ojxXyKHBbcI/s1600/DSC_0403.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637089015491666722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7LPpBcWfVyU/Tjr2l8-jIyI/AAAAAAAABzg/ojxXyKHBbcI/s400/DSC_0403.JPG" /></a> We are having quite a heatwave here in the South. Temps over 100 degrees. I have heard the saying all my life that it is so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk. Before the boys went down for their nap we decided to put this to a test.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQvRIcg4sYU/Tjr2eOoizKI/AAAAAAAABzY/F99Y6YW_2XA/s1600/DSC_0404.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637088882792254626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQvRIcg4sYU/Tjr2eOoizKI/AAAAAAAABzY/F99Y6YW_2XA/s400/DSC_0404.JPG" /></a><br />We sat out a skillet with an egg on the driveway.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQNVe1G8Qs4/Tjr2VZ2ZavI/AAAAAAAABzQ/dW8zqRAUmkw/s1600/DSC_0407.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637088731184327410" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQNVe1G8Qs4/Tjr2VZ2ZavI/AAAAAAAABzQ/dW8zqRAUmkw/s400/DSC_0407.JPG" /></a><br />When they woke up, we went out to check it. Sure enough...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LfmnG3CDaMY/Tjr2MUwUpYI/AAAAAAAABzI/ac7ywjZcDSo/s1600/DSC_0408.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637088575197848962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LfmnG3CDaMY/Tjr2MUwUpYI/AAAAAAAABzI/ac7ywjZcDSo/s400/DSC_0408.JPG" /></a><br /><br />It cooked...hard cooked, that is. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div><br /></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-57456953528655699862011-06-30T17:32:00.003-05:002011-06-30T17:48:44.187-05:00I've Lost It ...at 50...<div align="center">I am so excited. I have oficially lost 50 pounds today (yes, I weigh every day). It is amazing how much your weight can fluctuate in a few days, or at different times of the day, for that matter. But as of this morning I reached 50 pounds. </div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624145611699813362" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4re8kLyJro0/Tgz6osZwe_I/AAAAAAAABzA/qPNojVIWi0I/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" />This is the most recent picture taken last week before our Friday night date . I have continued my exercise regime, and healthy eating. I do feel so much better. I was able to cut my lousy cholesterol from 134 to 60. I was a heart attack or stroke waiting to happen. I have more energy, and respond to stress a little better. The very besty part is that I can go into any store and buy "regular" sized clothes. </div><br /><div align="center">Now I just have to continue the exercise and tighten up and add muscle tone. ..easier said than done when you are 50. </div><br /><div align="center">But I will press on.<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-36318872864166577112011-04-26T12:07:00.005-05:002011-04-26T12:57:06.921-05:00Easter Family Fun<div align="center">We had such an enjoyable Easter Day! </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">We started the morning sitting out on the screened porch to have our protein shakes. Then we got ready for church service.Mother took our picture as we were out the door.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599943292983940914" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKwwWftrjXM/Tbb-wVSjlzI/AAAAAAAAByQ/x5Mlu59AbuQ/s400/DSC_0248.JPG" />Then we came home and threw on some tennis shoes and hid about 200 or so eggs in the back yard. We wanted to stay dressed for photos, and the kids were on their way. The kids all arrived...I gave them a bucket of goodies...<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BYYWN_wGXsM/Tbb-vzn0W_I/AAAAAAAAByI/68rguLIr-lU/s1600/DSC_0259.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599943283946314738" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BYYWN_wGXsM/Tbb-vzn0W_I/AAAAAAAAByI/68rguLIr-lU/s400/DSC_0259.JPG" /></a>We took the obligatory photos. Here are Shannon and Jason with their boys...</div><br /><div align="center">don't they look nice all spiffed up? <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599943270148701330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgPFnCFawDM/Tbb-vAONfJI/AAAAAAAABxw/BNE8_GAGQCk/s400/DSC_0270.JPG" />Shawn and Darris looked nice, too. Easter sunday was their one year anniversary. Where has the year gone?<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 293px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599941912188213986" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zrSei4FHux0/Tbb9f9bM2uI/AAAAAAAABxo/NOfjqnC-SA0/s400/DSC_0282.JPG" /><br />These two were so cute in their new duds. Hudson doesn't usually wear smocked outfits, but if it has tractors on it, then it's OK. I think Hudson fell into the dirt right after I snapped this picture.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599943275669143554" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FN_yxjp4gc4/Tbb-vUyYwAI/AAAAAAAABx4/h8KLlU4G1R8/s400/DSC_0276%2B-%2BCopy%2B%25282%2529.JPG" /> We came inside, and tried to take some pictures with Mother and Daddy, but Hudson was not too cooperative by that time.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599941904240060898" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tTunI8Bu_k0/Tbb9ff0NqeI/AAAAAAAABxg/1PY6VLYPwB8/s400/DSC_0279.JPG" />We were ready to eat. Jackson helped me make our placemats. I forgot to take pictures of the food until it was half eaten, but we had ham, maccaroni and cheese, fruit salad, deviled eggs, roasted asparagus, lima beans, rolls, and strawberry shortcake.<br /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599943279000637826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s1SHaqzBE4s/Tbb-vhMrUYI/AAAAAAAAByA/wkjCWFGaUpo/s400/DSC_0266.JPG" />Then everyone was ready to hunt for eggs. It is amazing what you can get them to do when you put some money in a bunch of eggs.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hZnNyoDncI8/Tbb9fLCn0iI/AAAAAAAABxY/mgSdqPzoXNM/s1600/DSC_0290.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599941898663350818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hZnNyoDncI8/Tbb9fLCn0iI/AAAAAAAABxY/mgSdqPzoXNM/s400/DSC_0290.JPG" /></a> You can see the action here. Joey had pulled the tractor out into the yard for hiding eggs.<br />They take their egg hunting very seriously.<br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WYnp18P23D8/Tbb9e47vKoI/AAAAAAAABxQ/XsddHl01L2c/s1600/DSC_0303.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599941893802633858" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WYnp18P23D8/Tbb9e47vKoI/AAAAAAAABxQ/XsddHl01L2c/s400/DSC_0303.JPG" /></a> In fact, Joey had to help Hudson find some eggs,</div><br /><div>because the adults were all out for themselves.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aN5KD2_zhyU/Tbb9ejaqujI/AAAAAAAABxI/q9XOB65RFDw/s1600/DSC_0308.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599941888026786354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aN5KD2_zhyU/Tbb9ejaqujI/AAAAAAAABxI/q9XOB65RFDw/s400/DSC_0308.JPG" /></a> Jackson held his own this year.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZS9B6e8vH4/Tbb8zzVoYeI/AAAAAAAABxA/INIGlH3fLoI/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599941153566253538" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZS9B6e8vH4/Tbb8zzVoYeI/AAAAAAAABxA/INIGlH3fLoI/s400/DSC_0309.JPG" /></a><br />The boys decided to take a little ride around the yard to hunt for remaining eggs. Once again, I think Hudson fell out right after I snapped this picture. He is a bit clumsy, but he is only 17 months old.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qR5aufnQXVg/Tbb8zdaSz-I/AAAAAAAABw4/rzB8s_qez0s/s1600/DSC_0314.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599941147680231394" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qR5aufnQXVg/Tbb8zdaSz-I/AAAAAAAABw4/rzB8s_qez0s/s400/DSC_0314.JPG" /></a> Although he thinks he is big enough to drive by himself...not yet.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wyTg7QpBhKk/Tbb8zCN2WfI/AAAAAAAABww/WOhJMg9CghU/s1600/DSC_0318%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599941140380277234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wyTg7QpBhKk/Tbb8zCN2WfI/AAAAAAAABww/WOhJMg9CghU/s400/DSC_0318%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a> They all came into the porch to check out their "loot".<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5l4K-P_qaro/Tbb8y1_W26I/AAAAAAAABwo/zDTg80TdOWI/s1600/DSC_0322.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599941137098267554" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5l4K-P_qaro/Tbb8y1_W26I/AAAAAAAABwo/zDTg80TdOWI/s400/DSC_0322.JPG" /></a> The boys played in the water in Hudson's pool Nanny and Gaga gave him.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2U9HfAkYCFs/Tbb8ytpBBMI/AAAAAAAABwg/13-1StRGCOg/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599941134857077954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2U9HfAkYCFs/Tbb8ytpBBMI/AAAAAAAABwg/13-1StRGCOg/s400/DSC_0324.JPG" /></a> The rest of the day was spent visiting and relaxing with the family. I am tired, but so blessed to have all my family so close.<br />Shawn and Darris took a little nap in the hammock.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xh0l6xnniQ/TbcFMImlSnI/AAAAAAAAByw/SlpmvgwLbxc/s1600/DSC_0328.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599950367684381298" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xh0l6xnniQ/TbcFMImlSnI/AAAAAAAAByw/SlpmvgwLbxc/s400/DSC_0328.JPG" /></a> Joey was kicked back on the chaise lounge.<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Py1-984I8YY/TbcFLuND4hI/AAAAAAAAByo/t5yM8MonE6U/s1600/DSC_0326.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599950360598012434" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Py1-984I8YY/TbcFLuND4hI/AAAAAAAAByo/t5yM8MonE6U/s400/DSC_0326.JPG" /></a> I thought Jason was sleeping when I took this one...almost.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ozkuus3c48/TbcFLVomYHI/AAAAAAAAByg/ksLGuVBFb_8/s1600/DSC_0331.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599950354002632818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ozkuus3c48/TbcFLVomYHI/AAAAAAAAByg/ksLGuVBFb_8/s400/DSC_0331.JPG" /></a><br />Pop, (Joey's Dad ), and Miss Anne came to eat and spend the day with us, too.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8q9i_g3lyaM/TbcFLOHmUQI/AAAAAAAAByY/3B81c8VmEJ4/s1600/DSC_0327.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599950351985168642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8q9i_g3lyaM/TbcFLOHmUQI/AAAAAAAAByY/3B81c8VmEJ4/s400/DSC_0327.JPG" /></a> The weather was beautiful, the food good, and the company enjoyable. </div><br /><div>Thank you God for so many blessings!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-70874260084079317882011-04-17T17:04:00.005-05:002011-04-23T15:04:27.297-05:00My Easter Home<div align="center">Still during...down 37 pounds...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZyMb7jY-k0/TbMuVTrLEeI/AAAAAAAABwY/iUDTypRd3Uw/s1600/DSC_0240.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598869705345143266" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZyMb7jY-k0/TbMuVTrLEeI/AAAAAAAABwY/iUDTypRd3Uw/s400/DSC_0240.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Welcome to my Easter home.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVOcw77O3T4/TatkhMCI8TI/AAAAAAAABwQ/beZL07vZry4/s1600/DSC_0239.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596677483266634034" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lVOcw77O3T4/TatkhMCI8TI/AAAAAAAABwQ/beZL07vZry4/s400/DSC_0239.JPG" /></a><br />a little mini typewriter with a favorite Scripture verse...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TvNN00fwXAI/Tatkg1TvgZI/AAAAAAAABwI/IglL7UL3RRc/s1600/DSC_0238.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596677477166449042" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TvNN00fwXAI/Tatkg1TvgZI/AAAAAAAABwI/IglL7UL3RRc/s400/DSC_0238.JPG" /></a> carrots and bunnies...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6aYldhH19Q/TatkgaHYvdI/AAAAAAAABwA/51IS7uUPstI/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596677469866868178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6aYldhH19Q/TatkgaHYvdI/AAAAAAAABwA/51IS7uUPstI/s400/DSC_0237.JPG" /></a> .<br /><br />and an antique typewriter with a typed welcome message ...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubhmVppdoW8/TatkgEHE6yI/AAAAAAAABv4/FIurbu5XwdM/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596677463959989026" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubhmVppdoW8/TatkgEHE6yI/AAAAAAAABv4/FIurbu5XwdM/s400/DSC_0236.JPG" /></a><br />my Easter tree...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bK61Jy7s1rQ/Tatkf7EOIRI/AAAAAAAABvw/gRDiFy4dV4M/s1600/DSC_0235.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596677461532090642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bK61Jy7s1rQ/Tatkf7EOIRI/AAAAAAAABvw/gRDiFy4dV4M/s400/DSC_0235.JPG" /></a><br /><br />entry display...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrTsHkoOAzc/TatkOenpsWI/AAAAAAAABvo/Bf3W2yKw-sA/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596677161838293346" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrTsHkoOAzc/TatkOenpsWI/AAAAAAAABvo/Bf3W2yKw-sA/s400/DSC_0232.JPG" /></a><br />dining room buffet...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tGVvlRawipo/TatkN7oHT_I/AAAAAAAABvg/c8hNRrNb3HM/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596677152444993522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tGVvlRawipo/TatkN7oHT_I/AAAAAAAABvg/c8hNRrNb3HM/s400/DSC_0231.JPG" /></a><br />a little thrift store lamb...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7hj5PCx55I/TatkNI-3WVI/AAAAAAAABvY/oeZQJ4SUWSs/s1600/DSC_0230.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596677138850208082" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7hj5PCx55I/TatkNI-3WVI/AAAAAAAABvY/oeZQJ4SUWSs/s400/DSC_0230.JPG" /></a> my rooster egg dish...another thrift store find...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y3NzgFeDUA/TatkNAcQnAI/AAAAAAAABvQ/g6fL0cavzBc/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596677136557579266" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Y3NzgFeDUA/TatkNAcQnAI/AAAAAAAABvQ/g6fL0cavzBc/s400/DSC_0229.JPG" /></a> Easter chalkboard...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPztSkr-5a4/TatkMvg2vTI/AAAAAAAABvI/pN_mlta0Zsw/s1600/DSC_0227.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596677132013452594" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPztSkr-5a4/TatkMvg2vTI/AAAAAAAABvI/pN_mlta0Zsw/s400/DSC_0227.JPG" /></a> We are having our Easter lunch and egg hunt tomorrow with our parents and kids and grandkids. We are enjoying visiting a church that we have found just a few miles down the road. Our lunch will be ham, mac and cheese, roasted asparagus, deviled aggs, fruit salad, rolls, and angel food cake with strawberries.<br />I pray that you will get to celebrate our Savior's ressurrection tomorrow with your family.<br />I better get to cleaning, cooking, and setting my table.</div><br /><br /><div>In Him,<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-65903101455142037892011-04-17T16:27:00.003-05:002011-04-17T17:03:48.371-05:00My Journey and Resolutions<div align="center">I promised you I would share something in my next post. Well, here goes. I have decided to lose weight and get healthier. This is definitely easier said than done. I weighed more than I ever have, and found out my cholesterol was too high, as is my blood pressure. With a high family history of heart disease, I decided it was time to make the change. Mother and Daddy got us an elliptical machine for our Christmas present, and I have been faithful to use it at least 4-5 times weekly. We have been trying to walk outdoors when the weather is nice. We have protein shakes or high fiber cereal for breakfast, eat a lot of turkey, salads and chicken. We limit our red meat consumption, and eat tons of vegetables and beans. </div><br /><div align="center">Here are a few "before" pictures.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596669215785810610" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0czBBKNLCY/Tatc_9RG-rI/AAAAAAAABuo/jT1UvbL5AyU/s400/72019_476271728771_526443771_5796276_2105128_n.jpg" /> double chins and belly fat<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596669216425689218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CY1o1g0RdU/Tatc__pqwII/AAAAAAAABuw/wbFUjxRXts4/s400/PA030559.JPG" /> </div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596669220277598962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rJoAey_giQU/TatdAOACOvI/AAAAAAAABu4/YbHs8yLTXgg/s400/DSCN2236.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596669208308481314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EvNSZLqOlQ4/Tatc_haX_SI/AAAAAAAABug/jxilY1xoaFU/s400/DSCN1985.jpg" />I am a nurse, and I know better. Weight is something I have battled all my adult life. In fact before I had children, I remember saying I would not end up like this. NEVER say "never". <br /><div>I don't usually make New Year's resolutions, and I don't usually announce them so no one will know if I fail. I like to stay in my comfort zone, you know. I have lost 33.6 pounds, and I am continuing this way of eating and exercising, hopefully, for the rest of my life. I am not calling it a "diet", but just a healthy lifestyle. I go back to have my cholesterol checked in a couple weeks. It better be lower!!! I do feel much better, and I have more energy. There is just one BAD thing about it...all my clothes are too big. This can get expensive. I will continue sharing about this journey I am on. Here is my "during" photo. Much better, I think. <br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596669228974558690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DmQhUUqf_2Q/TatdAuZjTeI/AAAAAAAABvA/C3Dipmuh2DM/s400/during%252C%2B2.JPG" /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-63094117115602596392011-03-29T17:31:00.004-05:002011-03-29T17:51:29.216-05:00Everything John Deere<div align="center">What a fun day we had Saturday! Our local John Deere dealership invited us to John Deere Day. Well, my hubby and the grandsons are all about anything John Deere. They had a balloon man, and Jackson was proud of his sword.</div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589634198451039026" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSWq2RnvNIY/TZJesDcMqzI/AAAAAAAABuY/DCfF05bzIbY/s400/DSC_0152.JPG" />Hudson sure loved "riding" that lawnmower. One day when he is a teenager, I hope he likes riding lawnmowers as much. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yHwMpkgH60M/TZJesO-H33I/AAAAAAAABuQ/RvMvAT1SRKA/s1600/DSC_0124.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589634201546121074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yHwMpkgH60M/TZJesO-H33I/AAAAAAAABuQ/RvMvAT1SRKA/s400/DSC_0124.JPG" /></a> Me and my boy...notice we were wearing the green... <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQAxi65WWR4/TZJerr6KJmI/AAAAAAAABuI/dexPEee-Z4w/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589634192134252130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQAxi65WWR4/TZJerr6KJmI/AAAAAAAABuI/dexPEee-Z4w/s400/DSC_0161.JPG" /></a> Love Jackson's hat that the dealership gave him when he and Buddy went down to "just look" at lawnmowers about a year ago. They came home with a riding lawnmower for Joey and a Gator ride on for Jackson that day. Notice those ears folded down. Yes, he wore it like that all day. <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-622YP7VFuZo/TZJeZPYg2_I/AAAAAAAABuA/JHDtW0uuPUA/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589633875239295986" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-622YP7VFuZo/TZJeZPYg2_I/AAAAAAAABuA/JHDtW0uuPUA/s400/DSC_0144.JPG" /></a> I loved that they iced down the drinks in the trailer. <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lgz94O8jgvI/TZJeYqxwxfI/AAAAAAAABt4/tYupIPvx-vQ/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589633865413084658" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lgz94O8jgvI/TZJeYqxwxfI/AAAAAAAABt4/tYupIPvx-vQ/s400/DSC_0112.JPG" /></a> Here is Buddy with Hudson. </div><br /><div>( Jackson wouldn't sit still long enough for a photo other than action shots.) <br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hXgiOtm1N0g/TZJeX-7SxmI/AAAAAAAABtw/A0XKURMvwms/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589633853641901666" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hXgiOtm1N0g/TZJeX-7SxmI/AAAAAAAABtw/A0XKURMvwms/s400/DSC_0101.JPG" /></a> Speaking of action... <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzNcty_n74g/TZJeXllw5BI/AAAAAAAABto/KBcCGdXCcIs/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589633846840714258" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzNcty_n74g/TZJeXllw5BI/AAAAAAAABto/KBcCGdXCcIs/s400/DSC_0100.JPG" /></a> A favorite was a trough filled with feed corn. Hudson did taste a few bites, but he loved it. <br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4u0osjkzULo/TZJeXd-EUcI/AAAAAAAABtg/bh2PKw3HXr4/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589633844795167170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4u0osjkzULo/TZJeXd-EUcI/AAAAAAAABtg/bh2PKw3HXr4/s400/DSC_0094.JPG" /></a> <br /><div></div>It rained all day, so the dealership cleaned out their garage, and it was a perfect place for a party! They had a band, hot dogs, hamburgers, and BBQ, giant slides, bouncey house, a balloon man, a ride on train, and all the lawnmowers and tractors on display. <br /><div></div>It was a wonderland for those two little boys <br /><div></div>and 2 big boys, too (husband and son in law). </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I haven't posted in a while, and I have something exciting (for me) I will share with my next post. "Til then,</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-52772387466048168232011-02-07T16:01:00.002-06:002011-02-07T16:23:01.485-06:00Superbowl Party<div align="center"> Of course Superbowl is just an excuse to get together for our family. We do like watching the commercials, but I was disappointed in them last night. I really didn't have a favorite team, but everyone else was cheering for the Packers, so I did too. We are trying to eat healthier, but game day foods just aren't too healthy. We love hot wings, and I decided we would make our own. I placed them on a nonstick sprayed cookie sheet and baked them for 30 minutes on each side at 375 degrees, and then we crisped them up for just a minute under the broiler. Then we tossed them in a honey BBQ<br /> sauce and a traditional hot wing sauce made with Franks hot sause. The were really good...and a little healthier than those fried ones.</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071959724956098" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsbjmLmcI/AAAAAAAABtQ/QBTJd_S8Zcs/s400/DSC_0049.JPG" /> I made a pot of chili, too...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071953555573490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsbMnSSvI/AAAAAAAABtI/dmttzSva99k/s400/DSC_0050.JPG" />The boys got to drink from special football cups. I had them from Christmas (from Dollar Tree). They had a Santa design inside, so I put our football napkins in the copier, and cut a template to cover up the Santa design.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsamhWJDI/AAAAAAAABtA/dqg-8f5-D8Y/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071943330112562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsamhWJDI/AAAAAAAABtA/dqg-8f5-D8Y/s400/DSC_0052.JPG" /></a><br />Some football decorations...<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsaFFqC3I/AAAAAAAABs4/wpkrVFXPKls/s1600/DSC_0053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071934355606386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsaFFqC3I/AAAAAAAABs4/wpkrVFXPKls/s400/DSC_0053.JPG" /></a><br />Shawn brought chips and dip, which we scarfed down before dinner<br />was ready.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsZR-dtpI/AAAAAAAABsw/vYv43WV_kIs/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071920635229842" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsZR-dtpI/AAAAAAAABsw/vYv43WV_kIs/s400/DSC_0057.JPG" /></a><br />I think Jackson was licking the bowl clean ,here.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071589443245378" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsGAMJFUI/AAAAAAAABso/YL_1bXhKykM/s400/DSC_0058.JPG" />Hot wings ready...and somebody's plate...<br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsFsBobpI/AAAAAAAABsg/VjEhMIqbOxo/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071584030453394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsFsBobpI/AAAAAAAABsg/VjEhMIqbOxo/s400/DSC_0059.JPG" /></a><br />Shannon made some delicious chocolate peanut butter cupcakes.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsFaaDMWI/AAAAAAAABsY/AiyZBPFNECQ/s1600/DSC_0055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071579301032290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsFaaDMWI/AAAAAAAABsY/AiyZBPFNECQ/s400/DSC_0055.JPG" /></a><br />Hudson will attest to the deliciousness...<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsEi2Z_XI/AAAAAAAABsQ/aMiGzUPsj80/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071564387581298" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsEi2Z_XI/AAAAAAAABsQ/aMiGzUPsj80/s400/DSC_0060.JPG" /></a><br />Score!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsEal-sPI/AAAAAAAABsI/gf4JMO9dyB0/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571071562171199730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TVBsEal-sPI/AAAAAAAABsI/gf4JMO9dyB0/s400/DSC_0062.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Fun times.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-6516844640286544842011-02-04T10:52:00.005-06:002011-02-04T11:27:46.589-06:00Very Vintage Valentine VignetteI did a little Valentine's decorating this morning. First I'll share my mantel. I placed the deer and pinecones there a couple weeks ago when we had snow. I had a had a hard time deciding what to do after Christmas decorations were taken down. I hung my Valentine's garland below the mantel. I guess this is as good as it gets until Easter/Spring. Speaking of Spring...I can't wait.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569879516916976274" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwv6P-PipI/AAAAAAAABsA/0kPxEWYGreA/s400/DSC_0045.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">You have seen my entryway table decorated for every season, and now it is "gussied" up for Valentine's. <br />I will share the items I chose to display, and a little story about some of them. This little vintage pink beaded purse is so sweet. It has a little lace hanky in it. On the plate are an antique perfume bottle, a little eye wash bottle, a dried rose from a wedding boquet, and a silver powder compact. A strand of pearls dresses them up a bit. You will notice the enlongated bottle on the back of the plate...it is an antique bottle my Mother shared with me. Story goes, when one was in mourning for their loved one, they would catch their tears in this little bottle. Wonder how many tears it took to fill it up?</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwv5pbfwdI/AAAAAAAABr4/hy_EXOeRwAY/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569879506570691026" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwv5pbfwdI/AAAAAAAABr4/hy_EXOeRwAY/s400/DSC_0048.JPG" /></a> a few vintage inspired Valentines...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwv5ZSW0YI/AAAAAAAABrw/fq9h71pUuBA/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569879502237389186" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwv5ZSW0YI/AAAAAAAABrw/fq9h71pUuBA/s400/DSC_0043.JPG" /></a><br />clipped to a tree branch...<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwv5HybE_I/AAAAAAAABro/vOEDEwKYBMk/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 277px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569879497540047858" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwv5HybE_I/AAAAAAAABro/vOEDEwKYBMk/s400/DSC_0041.JPG" /></a><br />with vintage type clothespins.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwv4-oN6iI/AAAAAAAABrg/KygPu2jr4U0/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569879495081323042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwv4-oN6iI/AAAAAAAABrg/KygPu2jr4U0/s400/DSC_0040.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The blocks have an old timey feel. I placed a heart paperweight on an old red and white handkerchief. Some rose petals are scattered around.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwvlS5flsI/AAAAAAAABrY/Sumk2ODkfoQ/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569879156925109954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwvlS5flsI/AAAAAAAABrY/Sumk2ODkfoQ/s400/DSC_0038.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> Here you can see the entire tabletop at once.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569879148242035490" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwvkyjSYyI/AAAAAAAABrI/7qMu5lSA9Zc/s400/DSC_0029.JPG" /><br /><br />Don't forget to look underneath at a cute little cherub sitting on my stack of old Bibles.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569879139864999650" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwvkTWC9uI/AAAAAAAABrA/6YPjLGeKk4U/s400/DSC_0032.JPG" /><br /><div><br />a vintage Valentiney fan...<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569878666006626690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwvIuFaAYI/AAAAAAAABqo/mLoyVjBYpo0/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" />The quilted heart pillows were made by Mother from heirloom family quilts.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569879136523720914" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwvkG5bGNI/AAAAAAAABq4/YqV8gDJZ0Dw/s400/DSC_0025.JPG" /><br />My late grandmother, better known as Bam, wore a favorite red corduroy jacket. After she passed away, my late mother in law took that jacket apart and made this adorable bear for me. It is a very special bear I have cherished for over 24 years now.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569878674097308946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwvJMOYBRI/AAAAAAAABqw/MVVb5cfwOTM/s400/DSC_0024.JPG" /><br /><div><div>I added some candles and a little overstuffed miniature chair and a bowl of cherries. Reminds me of that mary Engelbright saying..."Life is just a chair of bowlies".<br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwvIdKdH0I/AAAAAAAABqg/tcHsmkpCLKQ/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569878661464399682" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwvIdKdH0I/AAAAAAAABqg/tcHsmkpCLKQ/s400/DSC_0018.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Thank you for sharing my Valentine vignette with me.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569878656220485666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwvIJoNWCI/AAAAAAAABqY/TVq4NBdGt8E/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" /><br />Have a nice Valentine's Day, and spend it with someone you love.<br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569878652785557906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TUwvH81QgZI/AAAAAAAABqQ/tMdrOypkA48/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" />love is all you need,<br /><br />Sheila<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-71519969817501801032011-01-19T10:46:00.002-06:002011-01-19T11:30:47.194-06:00<div align="center"> I feel like I have fallen into the blogging black hole. I have been keeping up with blog reading, but posting has fallen by the wayside. </div><div align="center">I have had a cold/cough for the past month, and just went to the doctor yesterday. She did a chest x-ray, and I have bronchitis. I got a sinus shot in the hip, blood drawn, and prescriptions for antibiotics, and codeine cough syrup. I am not coughing like I was, so I do feel much better. </div><div align="center">You can see a little of what I have been doing lately. Last week when I babysat the grandsons, we made a tent under the dining room table. I couldn't get both boys picture in it at one time, but they loved it. Jackson had his toolbox and several cars under there. I had to get in, too-which didn't leave much room for playing.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563942289633691426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TTcYCIxjxyI/AAAAAAAABqE/4Rg3bMcFTpM/s400/001.jpg" /><br /><div align="center">We had snow here in the Memphis area...my sweet little tigers in the snow. They liked playing in it.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TTcYBwLfcgI/AAAAAAAABp8/5uikItdjo-A/s1600/164025_10150089771166801_583966800_6070796_1701397_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563942283031572994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TTcYBwLfcgI/AAAAAAAABp8/5uikItdjo-A/s400/164025_10150089771166801_583966800_6070796_1701397_n.jpg" /></a> Their daycare had a winter gala program. This cute backdrop was made for photos. Jackson was a snowman. They made their shirts.<br />He loves his friends there, especially that cute little blonde girl next to him.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TTcYBgEb8ZI/AAAAAAAABp0/fZVxN83C3gg/s1600/DSC_0912.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563942278707016082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TTcYBgEb8ZI/AAAAAAAABp0/fZVxN83C3gg/s400/DSC_0912.JPG" /></a> They were so cute lined up singing a snowman song.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TTcYBdsa50I/AAAAAAAABpk/1ZKwZ2XhnqU/s1600/DSC_0911.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563942278069413698" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TTcYBdsa50I/AAAAAAAABpk/1ZKwZ2XhnqU/s400/DSC_0911.JPG" /></a> Here I am with my favorite little fellows.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563940261400488146" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TTcWMFBFKNI/AAAAAAAABpc/SOeQQd44tDg/s400/DSC_0900.JPG" /><br /><div>I went with my daughters, and Shawn's sister in law with the kids to Pump it Up...a blow up slide and bouncy place. <br />Hudson is sporting a new cute haircut.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563940249489608066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TTcWLYpTjYI/AAAAAAAABpM/rL7Emjg6PEM/s400/DSC_0943%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /><br />Jackson loved going down the giant slide.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 269px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563940242628851314" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TTcWK_FktnI/AAAAAAAABpE/DeUBWaQ2Ehg/s400/DSC_0944%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" />They all enjoyed the bouncy house.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563940233741753698" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TTcWKd-uXWI/AAAAAAAABo8/hxa4ksvH1do/s400/DSC_0951.JPG" /></div><div> Getting three kids to look at the camera is impossible.<br /><div><br /><br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 273px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563940256325136146" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TTcWLyHBbxI/AAAAAAAABpU/9qWfCYCVDJQ/s400/DSC_0990.JPG" /><br />But, you get the idea. We had a blast.</div><div> </div><div>So, I finally got the Christmas decorations put away, and the house looks kind of sad. We have been going through old Christmas decorations in the attic, and trying to purge and consolidate storage. I do have about 8 boxes of items to take to the Goodwill. Not to mention the MANY boxes that were taken to the dumpster. It is nice to get rid of clutter in our lives.</div><div>We are trying to make room in the upstairs bonus room for either an exercise bike or elliptical machine. We have a Bow-Flex up there, and I decided it is time to use it. I need to get rid of a bit of weight that is cluttering my body. </div><div>I have vegetable soup cooking away in the Crock-Pot as I type. It smells so good . </div><div>That's all for my ramblings today. Stay warm and cozy.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-36085263310881795562011-01-11T11:28:00.003-06:002011-01-11T11:43:33.354-06:00I'm a Winner!<div align="center">No, I'm not tooting my own horn here , but I won somethin!! . I won this sweet LOVE necklace from Sommer at <a title="http://designergarden.blogspot.com/" href="http://designergarden.blogspot.com/">Designer Garden</a> . I like to enter giveaways, but haven't won too many things. I get so excited to get packages in the mail.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TSyT2OeuI-I/AAAAAAAABo0/dw36D0ute2A/s1600/DSC_0884.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560982199704888290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TSyT2OeuI-I/AAAAAAAABo0/dw36D0ute2A/s400/DSC_0884.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>The necklace was made by her friend, Tammy, at <a title="http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/" href="http://typeadecorating.blogspot.com/">Type A</a>. <br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TSyT16zkZXI/AAAAAAAABos/KYvCk0bwTVg/s1600/DSC_0890.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560982194423620978" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TSyT16zkZXI/AAAAAAAABos/KYvCk0bwTVg/s400/DSC_0890.JPG" /></a> She makes them from silver and fires them in a kiln. She stamps them with wax seal designs.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TSyT1YnylwI/AAAAAAAABok/oUO4hCdMogU/s1600/DSC_0895.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560982185247414018" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TSyT1YnylwI/AAAAAAAABok/oUO4hCdMogU/s400/DSC_0895.JPG" /></a><br />I think it is fabulous. She sent me a little enclosure card thanking me for "stalking" her blog.<br />Don't you love to "stalk" other people's homes via their blogs?<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TSyT1Kfe_wI/AAAAAAAABoc/TWSL7sKEVYQ/s1600/DSC_0894.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560982181454479106" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TSyT1Kfe_wI/AAAAAAAABoc/TWSL7sKEVYQ/s400/DSC_0894.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />I know I will enjoy wearing it for Valentine's especially.<br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560982170535497890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TSyT0h0MkKI/AAAAAAAABoU/veSYcHnUYyw/s400/DSC_0892.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />I hope the new year finds you well. We have snow here, and it is cold. I haven't really had much blogworthy going on. <br />Hopefully, I will get back in the swing soon. In the meantime, I will just enjoy stalking all my favorite blogs. Hee. Hee.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div><br /></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-55052241065311111022010-12-22T15:28:00.003-06:002010-12-22T15:53:10.226-06:00A Little More Christmas<div align="center">It is starting to feel a little more like Christmas to me. I got a call today from my boss, and I have tomorrow off. Yea! I don't go back to work until Monday...I needed a little break. I am enjoying catching up on some blog reading and relaxing this afternoon. This is my little computer nook. </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553624635296548194" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJwLnK1hWI/AAAAAAAABoE/JMUMyXRbuIA/s400/DSC_0800.JPG" />and a few other little Christmasfied areas in the house.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJwLH8AnmI/AAAAAAAABn8/gy-56zuaMvo/s1600/DSC_0802.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553624626912861794" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJwLH8AnmI/AAAAAAAABn8/gy-56zuaMvo/s400/DSC_0802.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJwKw97kdI/AAAAAAAABn0/PLkUB1AD7bk/s1600/DSC_0794.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553624620746904018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJwKw97kdI/AAAAAAAABn0/PLkUB1AD7bk/s400/DSC_0794.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJwKnG0nXI/AAAAAAAABns/cUiIRnnYn-k/s1600/DSC_0793.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553624618099842418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJwKnG0nXI/AAAAAAAABns/cUiIRnnYn-k/s400/DSC_0793.JPG" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553622387794924114" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJuIyksUlI/AAAAAAAABnM/O04C2Nv_ABQ/s400/DSC_0797.JPG" /><br /><br />a hot cocoa and spiced tea station...<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJwKXFQpJI/AAAAAAAABnk/Sbvvdqxd8M4/s1600/DSC_0784.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553624613798323346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJwKXFQpJI/AAAAAAAABnk/Sbvvdqxd8M4/s400/DSC_0784.JPG" /></a> And today, our dear friend, Betsy and her husband Jimmy, came for lunch.<br />I used small stockings to hold flatwear and napkins.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553622398268640402" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJuJZl0jJI/AAAAAAAABnc/zk1soNinREY/s400/DSC_0787.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553622392099189938" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJuJCm6NLI/AAAAAAAABnU/xq1nwiOjahM/s400/DSC_0785.JPG" />Betsy brought a delicious Butterfinger cake and a plateful of cookies.</div><div>I made a chicken and rice stew<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553622385944705314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJuIrrkOSI/AAAAAAAABnE/SNnL92nLR_o/s400/DSC_0783.JPG" /><br /><div><br />and a chili dip.<br />The dip was a recipe from my boss who brought it to work last week. You spread a brick of cream cheese in a baking dish. Pour a can of Chili Magic over that, and top with 1 cup of grated cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly, and serve with Fritos. It was really good.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553622382282236610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TRJuIeCXYsI/AAAAAAAABm8/e5KvB6o-CDI/s400/DSC_0782.JPG" /><br /><div><br />The best part was the company, but we did not take a single picture. I am so disappointed, but I think we were too busy chatting to think about it.</div><div>It was good to catch up and share with friends...it did me good.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-6252404922774846662010-12-18T18:39:00.002-06:002010-12-18T18:47:54.922-06:00Rudolph Cake Balls<div align="center"> I made cake balls today. Rudolph cake balls, in fact.</div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552186914678932914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQ1UlQgChbI/AAAAAAAABm0/gAUsaPknjw4/s400/DSC_0771%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" />You bake a chocolate cake and break it up and mix in a container of chocolate (or any flavor you desire)icing into it. Dip out spoonfuls and with damp hands, roll them into balls. Refrigerate for about an hour.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQ1UlC_Zm2I/AAAAAAAABms/QhmpO1rRVqg/s1600/DSC_0770.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552186911052372834" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQ1UlC_Zm2I/AAAAAAAABms/QhmpO1rRVqg/s400/DSC_0770.JPG" /></a> Then dip them in melted chocolate wafers and place a red M&M for the nose.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQ1Uk1Vi8OI/AAAAAAAABmk/PcUlhgHnDS8/s1600/DSC_0769.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552186907387162850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQ1Uk1Vi8OI/AAAAAAAABmk/PcUlhgHnDS8/s400/DSC_0769.JPG" /></a><br />Some white icing and a black dot of gel icing for eyes. <br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQ1UkubghEI/AAAAAAAABmc/sILbGvK4r88/s1600/DSC_0763.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552186905533121602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQ1UkubghEI/AAAAAAAABmc/sILbGvK4r88/s400/DSC_0763.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Break up some pretzels for the antlers. They do take on their own personalities. One looked like a bunny rabbit, and one reminds me of Mrs. Potatohead with her "angry eyes" on. But, in all, I think they turned out kinda cute.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQ1UkQZYgvI/AAAAAAAABmU/UIDMPozJSmM/s1600/DSC_0760%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552186897471144690" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQ1UkQZYgvI/AAAAAAAABmU/UIDMPozJSmM/s400/DSC_0760%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div></div><br /></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-42764070975447439722010-12-15T07:34:00.008-06:002010-12-15T20:01:39.398-06:00My Christmas Table<div align="center">I am sharing my Christmas tablescape today. This was the table set last week for my extended family dinner. Sadly due to our wreck, we did not get together that day. We will try again after Christmas. Anyway, I really liked the way the table turned out, so I will use if for our Christmas Eve dinner.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">My idea was to use what I already had this year, so I scavenged the attic, the buffet, the pantry, and, yes, the backyard.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">I used a basic green tablecloth as the base.<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550904319422969826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjGEY1jN-I/AAAAAAAABmM/r9SFIpWCSz8/s400/DSC_0545.JPG" />I made the centepiece from those branches you have seen many times. These are like the ones we used at Shawn's wedding.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550903605935644146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjFa246nfI/AAAAAAAABk0/r9hVSLW8Gd0/s400/DSC_0556.JPG" /> I hung some old chandelier crystals with some vintage gold ornaments that I had purchased from an estate sale.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550904310591789714" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjGD38CGpI/AAAAAAAABmE/cE3Xvqa8aig/s400/DSC_0747.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550904287196807922" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjGCgyPAvI/AAAAAAAABl0/J837wpmn_LQ/s400/DSC_0742.JPG" />I retrieved the silver vase from my attic.<br /><br /><br />I nestled a pine cone, some greenery, a little white ceramic bird, and some more crystals atop some moss in the vase.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550903620388741138" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjFbsuzYBI/AAAAAAAABlE/HN9EEWSIghQ/s400/DSC_0546.JPG" />The soup tureen is from the Goodwill. The hurricanes were also used at the wedding. I filled them with rock salt and placed a candle inside. I snipped some greens from the yard to tuck into the "snow", er I mean salt. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550904296653870226" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjGDEA-VJI/AAAAAAAABl8/XzKFOni70wM/s400/DSC_0743.JPG" />The white plates are just plain buffet plates dressed up with pretty soup bowls from Goodwill.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550903612000843346" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjFbNe-NlI/AAAAAAAABk8/Mco4nu8IRIE/s400/DSC_0549.JPG" /><br /><br />The wicker chargers came from Wal Mart a few years ago.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550903993968944258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjFxcbQ5II/AAAAAAAABls/frYZCUpbUwo/s400/DSC_0740.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550903989979259954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjFxNkDJDI/AAAAAAAABlk/9TGkVv8X50g/s400/DSC_0737.JPG" />Doesn't the caramel cake look good on the milkglass cake stand?<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550903978796749058" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjFwj57kQI/AAAAAAAABlc/8eZyq1YXSqc/s400/DSC_0736.JPG" />The little ceramic birds clipped to each charger were also a Goodwill find...I was lucky to find a whole box full of them.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjFwObOhaI/AAAAAAAABlM/AmvnEybyioE/s1600/DSC_0733.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550903973030823330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjFwObOhaI/AAAAAAAABlM/AmvnEybyioE/s400/DSC_0733.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div>I had to take some pictures, so I can recreate this for Christmas Eve.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjFaats4QI/AAAAAAAABks/wNeFfsheyFQ/s1600/DSC_0641.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550903598372413698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjFaats4QI/AAAAAAAABks/wNeFfsheyFQ/s400/DSC_0641.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjFaDe0ewI/AAAAAAAABkk/C-VhM2JN4-I/s1600/DSC_0646.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550903592135981826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQjFaDe0ewI/AAAAAAAABkk/C-VhM2JN4-I/s400/DSC_0646.JPG" /></a><br />I don't follow the "rules" when it comes to table setting. Who makes those rules anyway? I just use what I have, and what I like.<br />I am joining in this week's Tablescape Thursday. Hop on over there and feast your eyes on some beautiful tables.</div><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-tablescape-twelve-days-of.html">http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-tablescape-twelve-days-of.html</a><br /><div>Thanks for looking at mine.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58498143213741068.post-45094848998769006082010-12-12T18:24:00.002-06:002010-12-12T18:52:21.030-06:00Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me<div align="center"> You may remember the song from Hee Haw that says , "If I had no bad luck, I'd have no luck at all...". I believe that must apply to me. We were supposed to host my family get together today, but plans can change very quickly. We had rain here in Memphis yesterday, and we had just left the Honeybaked Ham store with a 10 pound ham to come home and prepare for our company, when this happened. A young lady hydroplaned on the wet street, unable to make the curve, and she was heading straight for us in our lane. Thank goodness Joey was driving, and he tried to veer right to avoid hitting her head on, but we were on a 2 lane street with no shoulder. We ended up being hit down his side of the car and landing down a little embankment. Thankfully no one was seriously injured, but we were very shook up. Our air bags deployed, so we were not allowed to drive the car the 1/2 mile to our automotive shop. We had to pay $125 for that wrecker call. My brother in law came to rescue us and deliver us home. (Word to the wise...always go to the bathroom before you get in the car for a long drive, because the wait for a wrecker might be over 1 hour. I'm just saying. Rick drove me down to the shop for bathroom privileges and brought me back to wait with Joey until the wrecker came. At one point I thought I might have to knock on someone's door and beg to use their facilities. ) After being out in the very cold, windy rain we got home about 2 hours later. The adjuster won't be able to assess the damage until Wednesday. Some of you remember that the reason I had this car in the first place is that we were hit last February, and our last car was totaled. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549956515852227586" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQVoC9Y8lAI/AAAAAAAABkU/fcahGCyFcy4/s400/1211001548.jpg" /></div><div align="center">I wonder if this one will meet the same fate...<br /></div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549956519046031826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_iFrd6k5-HZs/TQVoDJSaKdI/AAAAAAAABkc/5dDI_VXPJ9U/s400/wrecked%2Bcar.jpg" /> <p align="center">Joey and I are both very sore today. My side and right chest area are tender from the seat belt. I think Joey is going to the doctor tomorrow morning to get checked out. His hand is swollen, and he has some bruising on his back. He can't raise his arm to get his shirt on, and he is an auto mechanic. It hurts to laugh--maybe a broken rib. I dont know. </p><p align="center">Our family might have to stop celebrating holidays: last Halloween Jackson had swine flu...Memorial Day he had pneumonia...right after Father's Day daddy had a heart attack...4th of July Hudson had a stomach virus...Thanksgiving Hudson had his seizure...and now this. ENOUGH, thank you.</p><p align="center">We are truly thankful that in all these hardships, we have all come out safe and sound, just a bit frazzled. God is good!!! As Psalm 121:7-8 says, "The Lord will keep you from all harm-He will watch over your life: the Lord will watch your coming and going both now and forevermore."<br />Be safe everyone,</p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/251/4D3F0862D22E6410D5B3C11136AF9B88.png" /></a>mustard seedshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18149692177032280743noreply@blogger.com6