tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22122871225710678272024-03-13T20:44:33.864-07:00You live only onceDiane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-64289115116831293972011-06-27T12:30:00.000-07:002011-06-27T12:30:42.656-07:00Squeaking in a June post<div style="text-align: center;">Yes, another month has gone by without a blog post. I justify this because I literally have hardly been home since summer vacation began 4 weeks ago! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first weekend of summer I ran my second-ever half marathon. Ginger & I ran this race last year so training this year went much smoother. Here's my all ready to go at the start of the race:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEEK6KyqIik/TgjQDfA908I/AAAAAAAACEg/6pJpllmlU-w/s1600/start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEEK6KyqIik/TgjQDfA908I/AAAAAAAACEg/6pJpllmlU-w/s320/start.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4TvlHZHMEc/TgjQDFJzP4I/AAAAAAAACEc/OkwQk09mlZI/s1600/road+runners+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4TvlHZHMEc/TgjQDFJzP4I/AAAAAAAACEc/OkwQk09mlZI/s320/road+runners+2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ginger & me mid-race</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PLMWu1xDUzE/TgjQENXiwyI/AAAAAAAACEo/3gCazf7fNhU/s1600/jump3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PLMWu1xDUzE/TgjQENXiwyI/AAAAAAAACEo/3gCazf7fNhU/s320/jump3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UfKCWq8KUjE/TgjQC8x71bI/AAAAAAAACEY/pQmsSwbtX78/s1600/jump%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UfKCWq8KUjE/TgjQC8x71bI/AAAAAAAACEY/pQmsSwbtX78/s320/jump%2521.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me somewhere between mile 11-12. Not sure where I got that burst of energy for the photographer. Obviously, Ginger & I weren't running were time. We were running to finish!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws4NIS2RlHo/TgjQD1A2_LI/AAAAAAAACEk/FO6QmU-pAzE/s1600/summer+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws4NIS2RlHo/TgjQD1A2_LI/AAAAAAAACEk/FO6QmU-pAzE/s320/summer+024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the finish line!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Two days later we left for a camping trip. This was our third trip to <a href="http://gualalapark.com/">Gualala River Redwood Park</a>. I love this place! The weather cooperated so the kids spent most of the time in the water, riding bikes or climbing trees.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ke8oyIDofU/TgjR6IAdxlI/AAAAAAAACEs/cGyr_Do6fFo/s1600/Gualala+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ke8oyIDofU/TgjR6IAdxlI/AAAAAAAACEs/cGyr_Do6fFo/s320/Gualala+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--S-gbb6C6G0/TgjSFbv2iKI/AAAAAAAACFE/z3VSx58Upks/s1600/Gualala+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--S-gbb6C6G0/TgjSFbv2iKI/AAAAAAAACFE/z3VSx58Upks/s320/Gualala+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Srrb6u20kE/TgjSBzWK5nI/AAAAAAAACE0/JOxHENg4-FM/s1600/Gualala+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Srrb6u20kE/TgjSBzWK5nI/AAAAAAAACE0/JOxHENg4-FM/s320/Gualala+056.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86i7w3YRZsw/TgjSDT7_xeI/AAAAAAAACFA/zRSWHImteKs/s1600/summer+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-86i7w3YRZsw/TgjSDT7_xeI/AAAAAAAACFA/zRSWHImteKs/s320/summer+038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr4xrwWFli4/TgjSkA-eBlI/AAAAAAAACFI/_oWsTnRjpvY/s1600/Gualala+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr4xrwWFli4/TgjSkA-eBlI/AAAAAAAACFI/_oWsTnRjpvY/s400/Gualala+037.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Group photo!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some pretty things around us:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LKXNWvH0h9U/TgjSCcQKpoI/AAAAAAAACE4/5UG84y9uwVI/s1600/summer+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LKXNWvH0h9U/TgjSCcQKpoI/AAAAAAAACE4/5UG84y9uwVI/s320/summer+032.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPlGz8z-3DM/TgjSC5x9StI/AAAAAAAACE8/zEQXoX84hpk/s1600/summer+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mPlGz8z-3DM/TgjSC5x9StI/AAAAAAAACE8/zEQXoX84hpk/s320/summer+033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After we got back from this trip I was headed back out again a week later to Lake Tahoe with my parents, my brother and his family. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hcc9WdRCtQs/TgjTxJg60CI/AAAAAAAACFM/SDw5XD8ZZTg/s1600/summer+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hcc9WdRCtQs/TgjTxJg60CI/AAAAAAAACFM/SDw5XD8ZZTg/s320/summer+050.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmSOBniblV4/TgjTxQO6uAI/AAAAAAAACFQ/pw8KnCk_4u0/s1600/summer+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qmSOBniblV4/TgjTxQO6uAI/AAAAAAAACFQ/pw8KnCk_4u0/s320/summer+051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38ew2f-7hv8/TgjTx14AobI/AAAAAAAACFU/clxI-iUMLqc/s1600/summer+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-38ew2f-7hv8/TgjTx14AobI/AAAAAAAACFU/clxI-iUMLqc/s320/summer+052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eBzeIj6gcD4/TgjTyDgh-MI/AAAAAAAACFY/Hh3Z-copMaE/s1600/summer+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eBzeIj6gcD4/TgjTyDgh-MI/AAAAAAAACFY/Hh3Z-copMaE/s320/summer+054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfIY5Q5kGVA/TgjTyv6AE6I/AAAAAAAACFc/m9BjN_etGeE/s1600/summer+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfIY5Q5kGVA/TgjTyv6AE6I/AAAAAAAACFc/m9BjN_etGeE/s320/summer+042.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8PiVndAObe8/TgjTy0yxFHI/AAAAAAAACFg/upqt5p5FVS0/s1600/summer+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8PiVndAObe8/TgjTy0yxFHI/AAAAAAAACFg/upqt5p5FVS0/s320/summer+044.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nNc96pPBW4I/TgjTzerjR3I/AAAAAAAACFk/sSd3ACJKY4Q/s1600/summer+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nNc96pPBW4I/TgjTzerjR3I/AAAAAAAACFk/sSd3ACJKY4Q/s320/summer+049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm finishing up a short session of summer school with one of my students and after the 4th of July holiday we'll be off again on our next big camping trip. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On the crafting front, I've been working hard on finishing my 7gypsies mini drawer project from Paula & Debbie at <a href="http://www.2gypsygirls.com/">2gypsygirls</a>. I managed to do the cute make & take at <a href="http://artinspiredstudios.com/">Art Inspired Studios</a> when they were there to teach a few classes but I couldn't make it since I was headed out to the Prince concert {um, best SHOW ever!}so I simply bought the class kit and am just finishing up adding photos. Love it already.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I found these 2 cute projects on my blog roll this afternoon. Yet more projects that to add to my never-ending list of things I want to work on this summer!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This thread rack looks so easy to make. Just buy a few wooden rulers, a bit of fabric I have on hand and some nails and viola! Total cuteness. Thanks to Minitoko's blog for the tutorial! <a href="http://www.minitoko.com/wpblog/2011/02/thread-rack-diy/">Check it out</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6g5n7_dDDaU/TgjYuTuTvoI/AAAAAAAACFo/WFHdVr5_AyM/s1600/spool+rack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6g5n7_dDDaU/TgjYuTuTvoI/AAAAAAAACFo/WFHdVr5_AyM/s400/spool+rack.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And how about this totally awesome 3D calendar I found on the <a href="http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2011/06/diy-papercraft-camping-scene.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HowAboutOrange+%28How+About+Orange%29">How About Orange</a> blog. You simply print out the paper and follow the tutorial over at <a href="http://curiositygroup.com/calendarofthemonth/">Curiosity Group</a>. Yeah, I know, I have a serious fascination with camping! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MDFpyGSYYwo/TgjZyGtTIMI/AAAAAAAACFs/6NLKIvXCHRY/s1600/camping+scene.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MDFpyGSYYwo/TgjZyGtTIMI/AAAAAAAACFs/6NLKIvXCHRY/s400/camping+scene.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Monday everyone! What are your plans this week?</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-16695544655961876592011-05-27T20:50:00.000-07:002011-05-27T20:50:37.517-07:00It's a Miracle!<div style="text-align: center;">I know I have been away from the blog world for close to three months now. I think I needed a break from blogging, keeping up on my blog roll and trolling the goings on in the craft world. I didn't know it at the time, but the time away felt good and now I'm ready to blog it up again!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lots has transpired since my last blog post. Most notably, my sister had her twin boys! They are now 2 months old and the most precious things ever!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oahkOiInbEM/TeBiidOQw5I/AAAAAAAACD4/HAxHsjPeQKA/s1600/Mar+26+twins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oahkOiInbEM/TeBiidOQw5I/AAAAAAAACD4/HAxHsjPeQKA/s320/Mar+26+twins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Darren couldn't wait to meet his new cousins. He wasn't able to visit them in the hospital since they were in the ICU for 6 weeks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMa-nbCZvIo/TeBrdNf_F0I/AAAAAAAACEA/WyzrjX7GKhM/s1600/Darren+%2526+Devin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BMa-nbCZvIo/TeBrdNf_F0I/AAAAAAAACEA/WyzrjX7GKhM/s320/Darren+%2526+Devin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Darren and cousin Devin</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">I called Darren the <i>Baby Whisperer</i> because the moment each of them were put in his arms to hold they were immediately content with each other. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXoY55T93bQ/TeBrcweC50I/AAAAAAAACD8/PG9Ufr37qWg/s1600/May+15+Grandma+%2526+Griffin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXoY55T93bQ/TeBrcweC50I/AAAAAAAACD8/PG9Ufr37qWg/s320/May+15+Grandma+%2526+Griffin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Grandma and baby Griffin</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So let's see...on the home front, we are T minus 3 days left of school! <i> </i>We have back-to-back camping trips planned and I cannot wait! This has been the busiest year for me work-wise so I am definitely looking forward to some R&R.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been doing a bit of crafting here and there. I finally finished my <a href="http://www.jbsmercantile.com/eco/store.asp?SID=1&Item=1055">Jenni Bowlin Studio/Kenner Road deLovely project kit</a>. I love all things JBS and Kenner Road so when this exclusive kit was released it had to be mine. It's happily hanging in my craft room so I can adore it on a daily basis. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3NI8roB7gVE/TeBvHScY6uI/AAAAAAAACEI/DO3GG9yB49g/s1600/jbskr+banner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3NI8roB7gVE/TeBvHScY6uI/AAAAAAAACEI/DO3GG9yB49g/s400/jbskr+banner.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this banner because I created it as a homage to my maternal grandparents.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YBWKKvUZZQQ/TeBvH5gVrGI/AAAAAAAACEM/RJOgD_2iUN4/s1600/banner1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YBWKKvUZZQQ/TeBvH5gVrGI/AAAAAAAACEM/RJOgD_2iUN4/s400/banner1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Aren't they sweet?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2Rbj5Z6mAw/TeBvInK-ilI/AAAAAAAACEQ/kEUsWFPeSRQ/s1600/banner2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B2Rbj5Z6mAw/TeBvInK-ilI/AAAAAAAACEQ/kEUsWFPeSRQ/s400/banner2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My most cherished photo ever of my grandmother when she was a little girl. {love!}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ahMKuY3e0M/TeBvJDDp1FI/AAAAAAAACEU/PI5uMILkaAw/s1600/banner3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ahMKuY3e0M/TeBvJDDp1FI/AAAAAAAACEU/PI5uMILkaAw/s400/banner3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although I wish my grandfather was in this photo, I get a kick out of having proof that my grandparents were campers! Yeah, tents have come a <i>long</i> way since then!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll leave you with a sight from my quaint little town of Brentwood:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SUjXztXWRp4/TeBt5VqwiHI/AAAAAAAACEE/WUD5SVI8lPI/s1600/cherry+season.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SUjXztXWRp4/TeBt5VqwiHI/AAAAAAAACEE/WUD5SVI8lPI/s1600/cherry+season.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yup. Went cherry picking today after picking up Darren from school. That kid managed to pick 3 pounds of cherries in 5 minutes flat!</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-7797839821819670962011-03-02T19:18:00.000-08:002011-03-02T19:18:16.628-08:00babies on the brain<div style="text-align: center;">My sister's baby shower finally happened last weekend. It's a lot of work to give one but it certainly was satisfying to see the look on my sister's face as she gathered with family and friends and celebrated this momentous occasion. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ubI-g56wbS8/TW8Dr6wOeCI/AAAAAAAACDw/ssnoF-CZWLg/s1600/boot+camp+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ubI-g56wbS8/TW8Dr6wOeCI/AAAAAAAACDw/ssnoF-CZWLg/s320/boot+camp+046.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She is expecting twin boys and has another 8 weeks to go! I relished in the ability to take a photo of her because I knew that other than this pregnancy and her wedding last year that these were going to be the only times she would gladly pose and smile for my camera. :-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My sister's mother-in-law is also quite the crafty gal and made these super cute diaper cakes that were used as the table centers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sQgQsbfScxs/TW8G-jVBRyI/AAAAAAAACD0/eTS1vNrjNdk/s1600/boot+camp+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sQgQsbfScxs/TW8G-jVBRyI/AAAAAAAACD0/eTS1vNrjNdk/s320/boot+camp+029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She also framed these cute baby pictures of my sister and her husband when they were babies. I'm sure my sister is mortified as she's reading this. Ha Ha! Rock that big white collar, sis! Bless mom for making many of our dresses when we were young. I have to give a shout out to her mother-in-law for finding those vintage baby blocks spelling out their last name. Love it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b196AFZX9BA/TW8De_mmLLI/AAAAAAAACDk/6aEWRAEiiuE/s1600/shower+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b196AFZX9BA/TW8De_mmLLI/AAAAAAAACDk/6aEWRAEiiuE/s320/shower+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was inspired by the lovely <a href="http://www.amytangerine.blogspot.com/">Amy Tangerine</a> to make an on-the-spot baby shower mini-book for my sister. I simply pre-made the book cover, pre-punched holes in the bingo game cards and use those as the pages of the album. While guests arrived I quickly took their photo and asked them to write their well-wishes to my sister and her husband on the back on their bingo card. When everyone's photos were taken I printed out all of the photos on my trusty <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Epson-PictureMate-PM290-Printer-Silver/dp/B0018NTYUU">Epson PictureMate</a> . Once the bingo game was over I collected the cards, glued their photos on the front of the appropriate card and bound everything together with binding rings, a few embellies on the first page and added a few pieces of pretty ribbon to complete the look. It was a mad dash to get it all done while my sister was opening her gifts but I managed to finish it. Here's the finished book:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QyTrRtR8sq4/TW8DbwhBBBI/AAAAAAAACDc/7tk3_urQcp8/s1600/albumcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QyTrRtR8sq4/TW8DbwhBBBI/AAAAAAAACDc/7tk3_urQcp8/s320/albumcover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2TQROyjQbk0/TW8Dfz1v4QI/AAAAAAAACDo/dzzveMG1vf4/s1600/album1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2TQROyjQbk0/TW8Dfz1v4QI/AAAAAAAACDo/dzzveMG1vf4/s320/album1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K6y3Qmvcl5c/TW8DgsTI8KI/AAAAAAAACDs/x0FAR-f68NM/s1600/album2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K6y3Qmvcl5c/TW8DgsTI8KI/AAAAAAAACDs/x0FAR-f68NM/s320/album2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My sister loved the album as did the guests. They were amazed at how quickly the book came together. Just call me <i>fast fingers</i>. {wink}</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-47913063296475128212011-02-14T20:06:00.000-08:002011-02-14T20:54:57.360-08:00{Happy Heart Day}<div style="text-align: center;">I'm not really a big Valentine's Day person. I told hubby in our first year of marriage that he didn't need to go out and spend perfectly good money on overpriced roses on Valentine's Day. For one, I can't seem to keep flowers alive for more than 2 days without killing them. And two, if he were to buy flower bunches I can't arrange them for the life of me...so, just don't bother. I'd rather just get a new pair of shoes. LOL</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been on a crocheting rampage of late and I decided to finally make myself a cozy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Egq0wvHfJDE/TVn29qdt5EI/AAAAAAAACDI/C52oF_zrsvA/s1600/cozy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Egq0wvHfJDE/TVn29qdt5EI/AAAAAAAACDI/C52oF_zrsvA/s320/cozy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love it. I stitched it while I was watching the Grammy Awards last night. Jennifer Lopez looked great. How does one get that "glow"? She always looks so together.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GGTNkEdPYJw/TVn3_iXx5lI/AAAAAAAACDU/yLEKmof3iFQ/s1600/jlo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GGTNkEdPYJw/TVn3_iXx5lI/AAAAAAAACDU/yLEKmof3iFQ/s320/jlo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This chick definitely wins for outrageous outfit of the night {which I'm sure it was what she was going for}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FeYADZYx34s/TVn3_LAb7bI/AAAAAAAACDQ/y0snydwhNGY/s1600/nicki+minaj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FeYADZYx34s/TVn3_LAb7bI/AAAAAAAACDQ/y0snydwhNGY/s320/nicki+minaj.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nicki Minaj</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have to say that I never paid much attention to <a href="http://www.arcadefire.com/">Arcade Fire</a> but they had an exciting performance last night after winning Album of the Year and now I'm contemplating buying the album.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7nVvB-pMC4/TVn5P69aGII/AAAAAAAACDY/aqVri2ABQlo/s1600/arcade+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7nVvB-pMC4/TVn5P69aGII/AAAAAAAACDY/aqVri2ABQlo/s400/arcade+fire.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
So going back to my coffee cozy I also happened to pick this up at <a href="http://www.michaels.com/">Michael's</a> on Sunday:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7WHRe4lQZMk/TVn29_ROr4I/AAAAAAAACDM/0ObP0-Qn2pI/s1600/Green+Craft+mag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7WHRe4lQZMk/TVn29_ROr4I/AAAAAAAACDM/0ObP0-Qn2pI/s400/Green+Craft+mag.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This <a href="http://www.stampington.com/greencraft/">upcycle magazine</a> comes from the same publisher as Somerset Studio. It's filled with tons of great upcycling ideas and it gave me loads of craft inspiration. Check it out if you can. It even inspired me to wrap my Valentine's Day gifts with the funnies pages from my morning newspaper. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I guess I was pretty busy on the crafting front this weekend because I also finally had a chance to download and create this calendar. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohPoZFyWYqQ/TVn28Ya3qnI/AAAAAAAACDE/iIQkI6nx8M4/s1600/HO3+calendar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ohPoZFyWYqQ/TVn28Ya3qnI/AAAAAAAACDE/iIQkI6nx8M4/s400/HO3+calendar.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can buy the kit at the <a href="http://www.houseof3.com/">House of 3</a>. I scored 30% off since I subscribe to their newsletter. If you hurry, you can still get anything in the store at <b>30% off</b> by using code love30 during checkout. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What did you create for Valentine's Day?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-83484394801579951302011-02-09T19:53:00.000-08:002011-02-09T19:53:08.288-08:00New Love: Crocheting & Paper Meets High Fashion<div style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I know. Another Tuesday has come and gone without a Travel Tuesday post. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry, I've been too busy getting my crochet on. :-P</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I tried to crochet my first flower at last Sunday's crop I went to but it wasn't pretty and I'm not showing you the end result. Yeah, it was that bad!</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, after switching to an easier flower pattern and 3 attempts here is my cute little creation:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHQoKpj489k/TVNYrEKYi1I/AAAAAAAACCk/QvJvEW6-3pY/s1600/crochet-flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHQoKpj489k/TVNYrEKYi1I/AAAAAAAACCk/QvJvEW6-3pY/s320/crochet-flower.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't it just perfect?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've also forgotten how relaxing crocheting can be. You should give it a whirl if you haven't. The vast amounts of video tutorials on You Tube are great ways to learn the craft.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I finally finished my JBS-inspired hearts as well at last weekend's crop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u24_42MZHpg/TVNYrQiQS0I/AAAAAAAACCo/9AFkO7gbldY/s1600/hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u24_42MZHpg/TVNYrQiQS0I/AAAAAAAACCo/9AFkO7gbldY/s320/hearts.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also happened upon a really cool exhibit going on at the Legion of Honor right now. It's called <a href="http://legionofhonor.famsf.org/legion/exhibitions/pulp-fashion-art-isabelle-de-borchgrave">Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ti-dZBEo0k/TVNYso_eFzI/AAAAAAAACC0/-A_bWOeLhIU/s1600/pulp+fashion+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ti-dZBEo0k/TVNYso_eFzI/AAAAAAAACC0/-A_bWOeLhIU/s400/pulp+fashion+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She was a Belgian artist but her muses were textile and costumes. Everything you see in her clothing is made of paper which she then manipulated or painted. I sort of think of this exhibit as paper crafting meets iconic fashion as her works were inspired by fashion legends such as <a href="http://www.biography.com/articles/Coco-Chanel-9244165">Coco Chanel</a> and <a href="http://www.dior.com/file/prehome_new/index.html">Christian Dior</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TVNYr07lCRI/AAAAAAAACCs/c7Ooi8bvj3s/s1600/pulp+fashioin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TVNYr07lCRI/AAAAAAAACCs/c7Ooi8bvj3s/s400/pulp+fashioin.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqU9W69EJPc/TVNYsap-x1I/AAAAAAAACCw/LnhTrdJGtbE/s1600/pulp+fashion+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqU9W69EJPc/TVNYsap-x1I/AAAAAAAACCw/LnhTrdJGtbE/s400/pulp+fashion+2.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of these works have come to SF straight from the <a href="http://www.firenzemusei.it/00_english/uffizi/index.html">Uffizi Gallery</a> in Florence, which was one of my favorite art galleries when I toured Europe. The exhibit runs through June 5th so I hope to get there before then!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have to throw this in here:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Jgb_Ydp7xY/TVNgbisGVOI/AAAAAAAACDA/Gs9Urm40Scs/s1600/d+crochet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Jgb_Ydp7xY/TVNgbisGVOI/AAAAAAAACDA/Gs9Urm40Scs/s320/d+crochet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Darren asked me to teach him how to crochet. How cute is that? I couldn't resist taking this picture of him. I taught him the basic stitch and now he is working on crocheting a key chain. A key chain for what key? Don't ask me! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-43034438191124231692011-02-05T15:11:00.000-08:002011-02-05T15:11:28.306-08:00No Football Here!<div style="text-align: center;">I know I've been a bad blogger of late. I missed my last 2 Travel Tuesdays but between work and my dear MIL who has temporarily moved in with us due to health issues I honestly haven't had time to blog or craft.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Things are gonna change tomorrow because Darren's last basketball game of the season was this morning {let's hear it for no more twice/week practices and games every weekend! ~ Although I will miss watching him play!}and I'm going to the <a href="http://artinspiredstudios.com/Home_Page.html">Art Inspired Studios</a> Superbowl Crop {I think it really should have been called the anti-Superbowl Crop}tomorrow with Ginger and Marie. I have no idea what I will work on but crops usually are social outlets for me rather than getting some serious crafting accomplished. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I really should get my December Daily done but I have been wanting to pick up crocheting again to change things up a bit. I did crochet a very basic stitch that my grandmother taught me when I was a young girl and I remember making bedspreads, area rugs and the like for my Barbies. Yeah, it's been a <u>long</u> time! I've seen so many cute embellishments and crafts being made these days and I saw this video on You Tube late one night this week and my goal is to try to make one {or three!}</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WNAgq6eVE6I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I would also love to take <a href="http://www.jennibowlin.blogspot.com/">Jenni Bowlin</a>'s Big Picture Class: <a href="http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/rrr.php">Re-Purpose, Re-think, Re-invent</a> that begins on March 31st and runs 6 weeks. I've never used an inspiration board but I love the idea of it. Check out Jenni's inspiration board:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TU3YIyy2b4I/AAAAAAAACCg/T22oq-KPy8U/s1600/RRR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TU3YIyy2b4I/AAAAAAAACCg/T22oq-KPy8U/s400/RRR.JPG" width="316" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you've taken this class before, please let me know what you thought about the class. I'm sure it's going to be fabulous. Lord knows I have vintage buttons and doo-dads galore so putting them all to good use beyond a scrapbook page, mini-book or banner is something I want to work towards.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What are your plans this weekend that don't involve football? :-P</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-73928346020357907942011-01-30T20:52:00.000-08:002011-01-30T20:52:31.519-08:00antiquing escapades and inspire lovely...<div style="text-align: center;">Ginger and I went antiquing in Lodi on Saturday and left uninspired and without a single vintage treasure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Luckily, our friend <a href="http://absosweetmarie.blogspot.com/">Marie</a> was home in Stockton and invited us down for a bit of antiquing at some of her favorite haunts. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wow. What can I say but she has some lovely shops in her neighborhood. We all left with a little something! Thanks, Marie, for having us and sharing your shops with us!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Speaking of treasures, you know I've been eyeing lots of fun things on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> of late. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One very talented gal by the name of <a href="http://debeecampos.blogspot.com/2011/01/sweet-giveaway.html">Debee Campos</a> has a boatload of goodies in her Etsy <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/InspireLovely?page=5">shop</a> right now. These are just a few of the goodies I am enamored with:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TUY-pDUTamI/AAAAAAAACCM/Ezp_Z3oE9ro/s1600/inspirelovely3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TUY-pDUTamI/AAAAAAAACCM/Ezp_Z3oE9ro/s320/inspirelovely3.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65898537/lovely-dearie-paper-kit">lovely dearie paper kit</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TUY-73XQAhI/AAAAAAAACCY/XTgSeepoaE4/s1600/inspire+felt+flower+embellie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TUY-73XQAhI/AAAAAAAACCY/XTgSeepoaE4/s320/inspire+felt+flower+embellie.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66900233/handmade-felt-flower-embellishments">felt flower embellishments</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TUY-p0VmwAI/AAAAAAAACCU/cwqkWDABH58/s1600/inspirelovely2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TUY-p0VmwAI/AAAAAAAACCU/cwqkWDABH58/s320/inspirelovely2.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66899402/daisy-dear-embellishment-love-yellow-and">Daisy Dear Embellishment Love</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TUY-pkBbwqI/AAAAAAAACCQ/QpL1rPz0k-c/s1600/inspirelovely1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TUY-pkBbwqI/AAAAAAAACCQ/QpL1rPz0k-c/s320/inspirelovely1.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/65894230/handmade-crochet-flower-tin">crochet flowers</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Go check out her store, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/InspireLovely?ref=top_trail">Inspire Lovely</a>, because it is, indeed, lovely!</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-49265568704380826622011-01-24T16:00:00.000-08:002011-01-24T16:00:22.980-08:00slowly coming together<div style="text-align: center;">Here are a few peeks of my new craft space. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I found this old hutch on clearance - oh happy day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TT4PqqvC6oI/AAAAAAAACB0/eEkTCddV-2s/s1600/hutch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TT4PqqvC6oI/AAAAAAAACB0/eEkTCddV-2s/s400/hutch.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the old libarary drawers tucked away in here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TT4PrAiDMgI/AAAAAAAACB4/Qt_mDSItyLM/s1600/library+drawers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TT4PrAiDMgI/AAAAAAAACB4/Qt_mDSItyLM/s400/library+drawers.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I found this lovely wall piece at the <a href="http://www.parisfleamarket.com/">Paris Flea Market</a> in Livermore. I can't wait to fill it up with little bits and bobbles I find along the way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TT4QeoVZd6I/AAAAAAAACB8/Jvw3fqOr_-s/s1600/wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TT4QeoVZd6I/AAAAAAAACB8/Jvw3fqOr_-s/s400/wall.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I filled up this cute vintage heart-shaped tin with all of my vintage buttons.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TT4Q8lBhqPI/AAAAAAAACCA/tPM2BWoIYA0/s1600/buttons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TT4Q8lBhqPI/AAAAAAAACCA/tPM2BWoIYA0/s320/buttons.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As soon as my other work table is brought over {Thank you Mr. Ginger!} I can start crafting like a mad woman. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First thing on the list: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">to make this found on the JBS <a href="http://jennibowlin.blogspot.com/">blog</a>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TT4RgxNSCEI/AAAAAAAACCE/RwUdfzmOts8/s1600/jbs+valentine%2527s+project.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TT4RgxNSCEI/AAAAAAAACCE/RwUdfzmOts8/s400/jbs+valentine%2527s+project.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Monday! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to join in on <a href="http://blardonylaughter.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-love.html">this</a>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TT4SWoQNAEI/AAAAAAAACCI/mMpt7ytqN4Y/s1600/bluebird1badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TT4SWoQNAEI/AAAAAAAACCI/mMpt7ytqN4Y/s1600/bluebird1badge.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you!</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-24760608101160995192011-01-21T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-21T07:00:10.648-08:00{all things red}<div style="text-align: center;">I've been browsing <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> again of late and in light of Valentine's Day I've found tons of inspiration:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkPbFehurI/AAAAAAAACBc/AVDcJXZvZSA/s1600/etsy+garland+bookity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkPbFehurI/AAAAAAAACBc/AVDcJXZvZSA/s320/etsy+garland+bookity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bookity?ga_search_query=bookity&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">bookity</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkPZ427ahI/AAAAAAAACBU/jgbyuX93xsA/s1600/crochet+hearts+violasboutique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkPZ427ahI/AAAAAAAACBU/jgbyuX93xsA/s320/crochet+hearts+violasboutique.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/violasboutique?ga_search_query=viola%27s+boutique&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">Viola's Boutique</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkPa6OHoeI/AAAAAAAACBY/9YyhRRSkx9c/s1600/etsy+fingerless+gloves+newmooncrochet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkPa6OHoeI/AAAAAAAACBY/9YyhRRSkx9c/s320/etsy+fingerless+gloves+newmooncrochet.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/NewMoonCrochet?ga_search_query=new+moon+crochet&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">New Moon Crochet</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkPZdFwS2I/AAAAAAAACBQ/EqBE455SbmU/s1600/etsy+washi+tape+by+leboxboutique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkPZdFwS2I/AAAAAAAACBQ/EqBE455SbmU/s320/etsy+washi+tape+by+leboxboutique.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/leboxboutique?ga_search_query=le+box+boutique&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">lesboxboutique</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkPbnvub2I/AAAAAAAACBg/v_yAlw_AU3w/s1600/etsy+heart+cart+by+janesays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkPbnvub2I/AAAAAAAACBg/v_yAlw_AU3w/s320/etsy+heart+cart+by+janesays.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/janesays?ga_search_query=jane+says&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">jane says</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkPcH8T9JI/AAAAAAAACBk/HzXGidkRjME/s1600/etsy+love+by+william+dohman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkPcH8T9JI/AAAAAAAACBk/HzXGidkRjME/s320/etsy+love+by+william+dohman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/WilliamDohman?ga_search_query=william+dohman&ga_search_type=seller_usernames">william dohman</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkWuQ8noII/AAAAAAAACBo/OUoIDcEx150/s1600/tremble+by+noblegnome%2527s+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkWuQ8noII/AAAAAAAACBo/OUoIDcEx150/s320/tremble+by+noblegnome%2527s+shop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/noblegnome?ref=top_trail">noblegnome's shop</a>}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What are you handing out to your children's classmates for Valentine's Day? I was thinking about printing out these cute tags from <a href="http://www.shopellesstudio.com/store/index.php?cPath=48&osCsid=b63b64c8262cbad92c556297e3d65d77">Elle's Studio</a> to put on lollipops:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkYguJMvRI/AAAAAAAACBs/TKposjth_30/s1600/elle%2527s+studio+lolli+tags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkYguJMvRI/AAAAAAAACBs/TKposjth_30/s320/elle%2527s+studio+lolli+tags.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But then I saw these adorable {downloadable} color-yourself Valentine's Day cards from <a href="http://www.shabbychiccrafts.com/boy-printable-valentines-coloring-cards-set-of-6-printable-etag6.html">Shabby Chic Crafts</a>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkY9T9Hz8I/AAAAAAAACBw/5g2efpETvvg/s1600/coloring+cards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTkY9T9Hz8I/AAAAAAAACBw/5g2efpETvvg/s320/coloring+cards.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the idea of including a few crayons as the "treat" in lieu of sweets. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What do you think?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-6179162729114484952011-01-18T20:57:00.000-08:002011-01-18T20:57:52.762-08:00Travel Tuesday: Siena, Italy<div style="text-align: center;">Yesterday's holiday totally threw me off and I just now realized that today is Tuesday!</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is going to be a short but sweet travel post. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Siena, Italy is a city located in Tuscany. We took a day trip here while we were in Florence. The 4 of us traveling together agreed that this quaint town was hands down the most beautiful and friendly place we had visited in Italy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Again, I must remind you that these photos were taken 20 years ago with a cheap camera and a 20-something gal lacking any sort of photography skills at the time. ;-P</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This duomo {church} is stunning on both the outside and inside. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZtKeP3saI/AAAAAAAACAw/iYm9mi0c8rk/s1600/img088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZtKeP3saI/AAAAAAAACAw/iYm9mi0c8rk/s400/img088.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZtJ7xqnUI/AAAAAAAACAs/lVqQ5LyawSE/s1600/img092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZtJ7xqnUI/AAAAAAAACAs/lVqQ5LyawSE/s400/img092.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, my camera took useless interior photos. Here are some I found through a google search because the interior is not to be missed:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZuZi7fHtI/AAAAAAAACBA/JkdRtwEBg30/s1600/siena-duomo-lib-italy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZuZi7fHtI/AAAAAAAACBA/JkdRtwEBg30/s400/siena-duomo-lib-italy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZuZyrtkjI/AAAAAAAACBE/IoeuH7fQEIo/s1600/4497521-Interior_of_central_dome_Sienas_Duomo-Siena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZuZyrtkjI/AAAAAAAACBE/IoeuH7fQEIo/s400/4497521-Interior_of_central_dome_Sienas_Duomo-Siena.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZuaku0s8I/AAAAAAAACBI/GNoIE9yRkfY/s1600/Siena.Duomo.pulpit02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZuaku0s8I/AAAAAAAACBI/GNoIE9yRkfY/s400/Siena.Duomo.pulpit02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZua_H0sjI/AAAAAAAACBM/9eRAnShCFOA/s1600/SienaDuomoInterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZua_H0sjI/AAAAAAAACBM/9eRAnShCFOA/s400/SienaDuomoInterior.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Incredible. Yes?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZtLwmKUjI/AAAAAAAACA8/8Luuxb8S9ic/s1600/img091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZtLwmKUjI/AAAAAAAACA8/8Luuxb8S9ic/s400/img091.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZtLPEMEDI/AAAAAAAACA0/5EwPGQykC4U/s1600/img089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZtLPEMEDI/AAAAAAAACA0/5EwPGQykC4U/s400/img089.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZtLSOS9kI/AAAAAAAACA4/85DJELgWH9I/s1600/img090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTZtLSOS9kI/AAAAAAAACA4/85DJELgWH9I/s400/img090.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">the Town Square</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If I ever get back to Italy I would definitely make an effort to spend a few days here. Just the few hours I spent here walking around in wonder has stayed with me all of these years. Plus, it's a great place to visit to get away from the hustle and bustle of the major tourist cities.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-75598667238970948762011-01-17T14:49:00.000-08:002011-01-17T14:49:59.436-08:00hitting the road<div style="text-align: center;">On Saturday I drove my parents up to Grass Valley to pick up their new motorhome. I tried to get them to display some form of excitement over this momentous occasion and all they managed was one arm up in the air. Oh well, they are retired so I suppose they're entitled to just take life easy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTTCMun9VTI/AAAAAAAACAY/s32U2604a_w/s1600/jan+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTTCMun9VTI/AAAAAAAACAY/s32U2604a_w/s400/jan+013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm so excited for them to go out and see the country and visit family and friends. They worked hard to raise 4 kids and send us all to a private college. They deserve this more than anyone I know and I only hope to follow in their footsteps one day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My little guy had a basketball game yesterday and played his best game yet. He is 6 for 6 on his free throws and his coach called him a free throw machine. :-P</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTTCbs7_bsI/AAAAAAAACAg/OLwxAAza44k/s1600/jan+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTTCbs7_bsI/AAAAAAAACAg/OLwxAAza44k/s400/jan+032.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTTDmjnirLI/AAAAAAAACAo/9dGF9YmcASM/s1600/jan+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTTDmjnirLI/AAAAAAAACAo/9dGF9YmcASM/s400/jan+022.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My sister and her husband came by to root Darren on since they were in town. Darren can't wait to meet his new cousins! She's at the 5-month mark and the wait is already killing me!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTTCOs2IhaI/AAAAAAAACAc/nMw4dcvSvz8/s1600/jan+040edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TTTCOs2IhaI/AAAAAAAACAc/nMw4dcvSvz8/s400/jan+040edit.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've managed to move into my new scrap space and can't wait to share photos when everything is finally unpacked. I also have a list of projects I want to work on before Valentine's Day. I still have a hallway of boxes and things to move and unpack so wish me luck!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On a serious note, in honor of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday holiday observance today, please take the time to listen to his words of wisdom and hope. He would have turned 82 on Saturday. Who knows what the world be like now were he still alive.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/iEMXaTktUfA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-72179131341202652522011-01-12T07:00:00.000-08:002011-01-12T07:00:08.569-08:00Blog Love<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you find yourself lurking on a lot of blogs but have not once or very often bothered to comment on them? I'm definitely guilty of it but after a brief blog/text discussion with my friend <a href="http://absosweetmarie.blogspot.com/">Marie </a>we decided we wanted to do something about it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would you please join us in a little grassroots effort to get fellow bloggers to leave a little love on other blogs they follow or even happen-upon? All you need to do is leave a brief comment on blogs you visit. Now, I know, some of you {like me} probably follow or find a dozen or more a day. No worries! Comment on 3-5 blogs and do your best to comment on the other blogs when you view them again. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The idea is to hope that they, in return, check out your blog and leave a little love in return. Who doesn't love a little warm fuzzy?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you'd like to join our effort you can feel free to add this badge to your blog and go for it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSzjK01hSkI/AAAAAAAACAI/BHzVwmFWv7s/s1600/bluebird1badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSzjK01hSkI/AAAAAAAACAI/BHzVwmFWv7s/s1600/bluebird1badge.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">badge from <a href="http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/">Free Pretty Things for You</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm off to leave some blog love now!</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-23524811206260885902011-01-11T07:05:00.000-08:002011-01-11T07:05:00.520-08:00Travel Tuesday: Tahiti<div style="text-align: center;">All of this freezing cold weather is making me wish for warm tropical days so I thought a trip down memory lane to Bora Bora and Moorea in Tahiti would bring us all a little sunshine. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer: Please excuse the horrible photo quality. Seriously! These photos were taken back in 1991 probably with a disposable camera. <a href="https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=photoshop_elements&loc=en_us">Photoshop</a> could only do so much.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First off let me explain that this 7-day cruise was a freebie. I know! Crazy, huh? I had a college friend who was working for a medical supply company and all of the sales reps were invited to take a "business trip" to Tahiti all expenses paid...for 2!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Niiice!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Again, since this cruise was 20 years ago the ship we were on wasn't anything like the cities-on-the-sea of this day and age. We were on a ship called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windstar_Cruises">Wind Song</a> {which as I posted the Wikipedia link I read this ship had an engine room fire a year after I was on it and was a total loss! Wow!}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu1-8tdtlI/AAAAAAAAB_4/hBJDN2S0P0I/s1600/img082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu1-8tdtlI/AAAAAAAAB_4/hBJDN2S0P0I/s400/img082.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Wind Song</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu2iuaj7YI/AAAAAAAAB_8/YXrzN4aQ78M/s1600/img084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu2iuaj7YI/AAAAAAAAB_8/YXrzN4aQ78M/s400/img084.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After flying 9 hours from L.A. to Papeete, Tahiti, we stayed at some resort with this view. Gorgeous, I know!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We first stopped on the island of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorea">Moorea</a>. We rented mopeds and toured the island. The views were phenomenal.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu4yI_SfmI/AAAAAAAACAA/iExp4nD4fTE/s1600/img085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu4yI_SfmI/AAAAAAAACAA/iExp4nD4fTE/s400/img085.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu16pyVXII/AAAAAAAAB_k/UKc7CFDgdec/s1600/img076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu16pyVXII/AAAAAAAAB_k/UKc7CFDgdec/s400/img076.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu19ahifLI/AAAAAAAAB_w/5gKxDqwp_6Q/s1600/img079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu19ahifLI/AAAAAAAAB_w/5gKxDqwp_6Q/s400/img079.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our next stop was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bora_Bora">Bora Bora</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Talk about heaven on Earth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu1-BO2WoI/AAAAAAAAB_0/E6_ztBNEefY/s1600/img080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu1-BO2WoI/AAAAAAAAB_0/E6_ztBNEefY/s400/img080.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There was a bar called <a href="http://www.boraboraisland.com/bloodymarys/">Bloody Mary's</a> that is literally on a beach and the floor is the sand on the beach. If you ever go there beware of the bathroom situation:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu17kYYf9I/AAAAAAAAB_o/YPG_ukIDNN0/s1600/img077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu17kYYf9I/AAAAAAAAB_o/YPG_ukIDNN0/s400/img077.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah. I took a picture of it. The toilet is out back with no door. No privacy whatsoever. Lovely. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu7C6j2BSI/AAAAAAAACAE/4gJuTHBeJ9g/s1600/img086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu7C6j2BSI/AAAAAAAACAE/4gJuTHBeJ9g/s400/img086.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish I had taken more pictures of this island. I'll never forget their water. It is pure turquoise. I did not photoshop this picture. That's how crystal clear and amazing the water is.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'd have to say that my biggest thrill was happening upon the rehearsals for <a href="http://tahitifete.blogspot.com/">Tahiti Fete</a>. It's a little known secret that back in the day I used to dance hula and tahitian. I've danced on and off since the age of about 9. So to see these performers just in costume rehearsal was a complete thrill for me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu18d2TkwI/AAAAAAAAB_s/but0V5e7W1U/s1600/img078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu18d2TkwI/AAAAAAAAB_s/but0V5e7W1U/s400/img078.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu15qV8KcI/AAAAAAAAB_g/MccDJ3e26aI/s1600/img083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSu15qV8KcI/AAAAAAAAB_g/MccDJ3e26aI/s400/img083.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you all feel a bit warmer and relaxed now?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-26294862943374566092011-01-10T15:23:00.000-08:002011-01-10T15:23:08.188-08:00things are progressing...<div style="text-align: center;">in my world of crafting! Although I have not yet moved from my dark dungeon of a room I'm currently crafting in to a larger and sunnier room in my house I have been busy collecting fun antique furniture and other goodies to furnish and decorate it. Buying all of these fun goodies are giving me motivation to actually start the packing and moving process but talk about a cumbersome move...{sigh}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ginger and I made our first joint investment in a crafting machine. We have succeeded in avoiding getting sucked into these nifty machines that come out every year but we just <i><b>had</b></i> to get Tim Holtz's Vagabond:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuQUiqulqI/AAAAAAAAB-0/cLv-Ai_n5p0/s1600/vagabond2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuQUiqulqI/AAAAAAAAB-0/cLv-Ai_n5p0/s1600/vagabond2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuQV9PUN4I/AAAAAAAAB-4/ftbKI-vncTU/s1600/vagabond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuQV9PUN4I/AAAAAAAAB-4/ftbKI-vncTU/s1600/vagabond.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh what fun! The layered flowers and the caged bird die cut...lovely!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've managed to get through Dec. 16th in my December Daily. Yeah, I'm still behind. What's new. Here are a few pages but the rest can be seen on my Flickr photostream <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29865509@N03/sets/72157625700502434/">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSGLdUTQI/AAAAAAAAB_E/anWF0G0V2Aw/s1600/Dec-7a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSGLdUTQI/AAAAAAAAB_E/anWF0G0V2Aw/s320/Dec-7a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSHlpC9II/AAAAAAAAB_I/ix1oibMBS4I/s1600/Dec7b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSHlpC9II/AAAAAAAAB_I/ix1oibMBS4I/s320/Dec7b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSJJJdKgI/AAAAAAAAB_M/BUJhEdo-OHI/s1600/Dec8a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSJJJdKgI/AAAAAAAAB_M/BUJhEdo-OHI/s320/Dec8a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSJ8fNyGI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/nQE9pXeg6Gc/s1600/Dec8b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSJ8fNyGI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/nQE9pXeg6Gc/s320/Dec8b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSKuZkLDI/AAAAAAAAB_U/XQw_fohXXMc/s1600/Dec9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSKuZkLDI/AAAAAAAAB_U/XQw_fohXXMc/s320/Dec9a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSEMtEGUI/AAAAAAAAB-8/R1l09d_YRks/s1600/Dec10a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSEMtEGUI/AAAAAAAAB-8/R1l09d_YRks/s320/Dec10a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSFbg1j_I/AAAAAAAAB_A/52ce4z1cn84/s1600/Dec12b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuSFbg1j_I/AAAAAAAAB_A/52ce4z1cn84/s320/Dec12b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also made these towels for a fellow Duranie friend for Christmas. I loved making the first set with <a href="http://blardonylaughter.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-daily.html">apothecary labels</a> so much I couldn't resist making more. I simply downloaded the album covers off of the web and put them in a blank word document and printed out the page on fabric paper. Sew them on and viola! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I almost wanted to keep them for myself but I'm sure hubby would roll his eyes if these were seen on my towel hanger:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuUC1VO-sI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/FHRoJ7dHD7Y/s1600/DD+towels2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuUC1VO-sI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/FHRoJ7dHD7Y/s320/DD+towels2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuUGYuPO-I/AAAAAAAAB_c/TDoqB8Z8vVo/s1600/DD+towels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TSuUGYuPO-I/AAAAAAAAB_c/TDoqB8Z8vVo/s320/DD+towels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">See you tomorrow for Travel Tuesday!</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-30769837179317804712011-01-04T18:48:00.000-08:002011-01-04T18:48:12.341-08:00so 2011 brings me...<div style="text-align: center;">a fun new virus for the new year. </div><div style="text-align: center;">oh joy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">sorry, no travel tuesday this week. </div><div style="text-align: center;">back to bed. -------> :-(</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hope your new year is brighter!</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-77301820715376779522010-12-31T16:15:00.000-08:002010-12-31T16:15:55.258-08:00The Year in Review<div style="text-align: center;">I noticed a lot of fellow bloggers blogging about their Top 10 events, projects and other things but I came across Jeremy's <a href="http://justme-jeremyk123.blogspot.com/2010/12/2010-in-review-part-1-year-in-photos.html">blog</a> and liked his take on the Year in Review. He's a cool dude {probably young enough to be my kid!} who is a talented scrapbooker and story teller. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyhow, thanks Jeremy for the inspiration. Here's my take on the Year 2010 in Review:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5pUk7uJQI/AAAAAAAAB90/VX1Ff_cjp4w/s1600/alice+child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5pUk7uJQI/AAAAAAAAB90/VX1Ff_cjp4w/s320/alice+child.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">January brought a box of vintage photos and albums of my grandmother and her ancestors. My cousin is now organizing them all online for our extended family to see and enjoy. What treasures!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5qCMI7IWI/AAAAAAAAB94/31aOM8lcqSA/s1600/new-baby-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5qCMI7IWI/AAAAAAAAB94/31aOM8lcqSA/s320/new-baby-web.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">February brought our camping trailer. Say goodbye to nights freezing in our tent and hello to an extended camping season!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5rf6hf7yI/AAAAAAAAB-A/Kpn2wnI3hr4/s1600/wedding+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5rf6hf7yI/AAAAAAAAB-A/Kpn2wnI3hr4/s320/wedding+party.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> February also brought me a new brother-in-law when my sister got married on Valentine's Day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5qrvt7fYI/AAAAAAAAB98/-kJxs-Dc9Fk/s1600/explore-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5qrvt7fYI/AAAAAAAAB98/-kJxs-Dc9Fk/s320/explore-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">March brought my first delve into the world of digital scrapbooking. Great, that's all I need is a new outlet of scrapbooking!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5sAysMVqI/AAAAAAAAB-I/U6uVmgEZSRg/s1600/braces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5sAysMVqI/AAAAAAAAB-I/U6uVmgEZSRg/s320/braces.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5r9uQIakI/AAAAAAAAB-E/vzyEvm1U3us/s1600/no+braces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5r9uQIakI/AAAAAAAAB-E/vzyEvm1U3us/s320/no+braces.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> April was the only thing that took away; Darren's braces that is. ;-P</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5sr37ci2I/AAAAAAAAB-M/iNLBGQR2kq8/s1600/Easter+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5sr37ci2I/AAAAAAAAB-M/iNLBGQR2kq8/s320/Easter+016.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> May brought Darren closer to God with his holy communion. It was a moment we were proud to share since I was Darren's CCD teacher this year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5tXlLeYsI/AAAAAAAAB-U/SmF8LM_UBrM/s1600/before+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5tXlLeYsI/AAAAAAAAB-U/SmF8LM_UBrM/s320/before+race.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">June brought me past a personal goal of mine I had set this year: I ran a half marathon! I couldn't have done it without the support of my partner-in-crime, Ginger.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5uOUFWsWI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/W-Qk8doqNhA/s1600/darren+1st+day+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5uOUFWsWI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/W-Qk8doqNhA/s320/darren+1st+day+school.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">July brought the first day of school. How did my kid end up in 3rd grade already?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5uuJRh4kI/AAAAAAAAB-c/9qI--edF6-g/s1600/Memorial+Park+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5uuJRh4kI/AAAAAAAAB-c/9qI--edF6-g/s320/Memorial+Park+045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">August brought us our annual <i>moms and kids only</i> camping trip of the year that Ginger and I probably would rather forget but would probably still do again. What? No BBQ gas connector? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5vWe2O4NI/AAAAAAAAB-g/xtOmcvzFfBI/s1600/ankle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5vWe2O4NI/AAAAAAAAB-g/xtOmcvzFfBI/s400/ankle.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">September brought me a sprained ankle on the day of Darren's 9th birthday party and an end to my hopes of doing the <a href="http://www.metrodash.com/san-francisco/">SF Metro Dash</a>. :-(</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5wBaN0bQI/AAAAAAAAB-k/hu5YZgdHty8/s1600/Disney+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5wBaN0bQI/AAAAAAAAB-k/hu5YZgdHty8/s400/Disney+001.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">October brought another <i>moms and kids only</i> trip to Disneyland.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5wwx168wI/AAAAAAAAB-s/AAulQ9i5MCI/s1600/Tahoe+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5wwx168wI/AAAAAAAAB-s/AAulQ9i5MCI/s400/Tahoe+027.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">November brought a trip to North Lake Tahoe for some much needed R&R.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5w_TawT2I/AAAAAAAAB-w/0q6U58QuzJw/s1600/xmas+eve+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TR5w_TawT2I/AAAAAAAAB-w/0q6U58QuzJw/s400/xmas+eve+017.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">December hasn't brought my 2 incoming nephews yet but here's they are in month 4 of my sister's ever-growing belly! Now <i><u><b>that </b></u></i>is gonna be the highlight of 2011 come April/May!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy New Year to you all. Be safe!</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-48106773355050657002010-12-29T11:15:00.000-08:002010-12-29T11:15:51.357-08:00December Daily<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGaBhpuYI/AAAAAAAAB9U/K8Xz7zdz7fY/s1600/dec+daily+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yet again, I am behind on my December Daily. This year I am sort of combining inspiration from <a href="http://aliedwards.com/projects/december-daily">Ali Edwards</a> but focusing a bit more on the journaling aspect thanks to Shimelle's online <a href="http://www.shimelle.com/classes/841/an-online-scrapbooking-class-for-the-holidays-journal-your-christmas/">class</a> I joined this month. Here's what I have finished so far:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGaBhpuYI/AAAAAAAAB9U/K8Xz7zdz7fY/s1600/dec+daily+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGaBhpuYI/AAAAAAAAB9U/K8Xz7zdz7fY/s400/dec+daily+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGfV_0S0I/AAAAAAAAB9c/15YLOpfhFYQ/s1600/dec+daily+2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGfV_0S0I/AAAAAAAAB9c/15YLOpfhFYQ/s400/dec+daily+2a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGc1xhaWI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/UHxflgbVi-k/s1600/dec+daily+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGc1xhaWI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/UHxflgbVi-k/s400/dec+daily+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGXGWTdNI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/acXDTBOvHdw/s1600/dec+daily3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGXGWTdNI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/acXDTBOvHdw/s400/dec+daily3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGiNzsW8I/AAAAAAAAB9g/uSauAWsXHT0/s1600/dec+daily+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGiNzsW8I/AAAAAAAAB9g/uSauAWsXHT0/s400/dec+daily+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGkoHtDCI/AAAAAAAAB9k/VV2cmz37foQ/s1600/dec+daily+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGkoHtDCI/AAAAAAAAB9k/VV2cmz37foQ/s400/dec+daily+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGne6S4QI/AAAAAAAAB9o/Wjmb7sx1JW4/s1600/dec+daily+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuGne6S4QI/AAAAAAAAB9o/Wjmb7sx1JW4/s400/dec+daily+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I almost embellished these towels with apothecary labels printed onto fabric sheets and sewed them on with my sewing machine. It made a great gift for a friend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuIAsHpHgI/AAAAAAAAB9s/gItJX1sMQoA/s1600/towel2+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuIAsHpHgI/AAAAAAAAB9s/gItJX1sMQoA/s400/towel2+edit.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuIBKXPZfI/AAAAAAAAB9w/RR4EP3r3-Ts/s1600/towel+apothecary+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRuIBKXPZfI/AAAAAAAAB9w/RR4EP3r3-Ts/s400/towel+apothecary+edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I loved making them so much I made another set with a different theme for another friend. Thanks again to Cathe at <a href="http://justsomethingimade.com/2010/07/apothecary-label-hand-towels-free-digital-downloads/">Just Something I Made</a> for the fantastic idea!</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-70085622988195884272010-12-28T17:46:00.000-08:002010-12-28T17:46:53.571-08:00Travel Tuesday: Brentwood, CA: My Hometown<div style="text-align: center;">Happy holidays everyone! I hope Santa treated you all well! </div><div style="text-align: center;">My sister reminded me on Christmas Eve that I missed last Tuesday's travel post. Well, at least somebody noticed! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I decided to choose my hometown in honor of the holidays and the comfort of home. I'm blessed to have both sides of my family living all within an hour's drive. I cringe at the thought of flying this time of year and the blizzards and resulting flight delays. Yes, I consider myself lucky!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Since I don't bake homemade pies like my mother nor did I have the energy to even try during the holidays I brought a <b><i>seriously</i></b> yummy apple pie to a friend's house for a holiday party. Now, I am spoiled when it comes to eating pie. I mean, my mother makes the best pies. I cringe at the thought of store-bought pies; <i>but</i>, I do make an exception with Kandee's homemade frozen fruit pies that are sold at <a href="http://www.harvest4you.com/">Tachella Family Farms</a> and <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/brentwood-fine-meats-brentwood">Brentwood Fine Meats</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Brentwood may not be bursting with night life, fine dining or a <a href="http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/Home-10551-10051-en?spu=0&gclid=COiT4JekkKYCFSBugwodqGZ3pA&langId=-1&storeId=10551&storeId=10551&catalogId=10051&cid=PSGo0334&bannerCode=PSGo0334&viewTaskName=COABannerCodeDirectorCmd">Coach</a> store but we do have fantastic <a href="http://www.viamagazine.com/food-wine/fruit-picking-brentwood-calif">local farm stands</a> and farmer's market. Brentwood is most known for their corn on the cob {yumm-o!} but they also have cherry-picking in the spring where people literally travel from all over the country to pick their own off the trees. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRqMDVF_1sI/AAAAAAAAB80/A8I-HfAkAJk/s1600/butterfly+release+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRqMDVF_1sI/AAAAAAAAB80/A8I-HfAkAJk/s320/butterfly+release+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRqMIL7SnkI/AAAAAAAAB84/sLxSGh5l3eo/s1600/butterfly+release+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRqMIL7SnkI/AAAAAAAAB84/sLxSGh5l3eo/s320/butterfly+release+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and this U-pick strawberry field that is literally a mile from my house. Darren loves to pick the strawberries so we end up with 4 pounds of them so we freeze some for later and give some away. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRqOSwN1SNI/AAAAAAAAB88/ZwnHhtTlDZI/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRqOSwN1SNI/AAAAAAAAB88/ZwnHhtTlDZI/s320/IMG_1045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRqO1A06tKI/AAAAAAAAB9I/FC2yrQQbew4/s1600/IMG_1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRqO1A06tKI/AAAAAAAAB9I/FC2yrQQbew4/s320/IMG_1041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRqOe2PbPFI/AAAAAAAAB9A/_DHsuUOQi4E/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TRqOe2PbPFI/AAAAAAAAB9A/_DHsuUOQi4E/s320/IMG_1044.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1948103632"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wix.com/jkdevera2/smithfamilyfarm">Smith Family Farms</a> in the nearby town of Knightsen is also a fun place to visit in the summer. There are farm animals the kids can see. In the month of October you can go listen to a band play fun clap-along songs with the kids complete with a washboard and a banjo. You also get to take a hayride to the pumpkin patch on the other side of the farm and pick your own pumpkin. There are boatloads of photo opportunities to be had!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be back tomorrow with a little something I made for a friend for Christmas as well as some much-delayed photos of the first week of my December Daily. And no surprise here: I'm behind!!!</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-25002426142517165772010-12-17T21:29:00.000-08:002010-12-17T21:29:25.823-08:00and so it begins...<div style="text-align: center;">...the annual Christmas tin filled with cookies, fudge and whatever else finds its way into my oven.</div><div style="text-align: center;">125 sugar cookies rolled, cut, baked and frosted today in about 5 hours. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So glad my mom is my helper elf. </div><div style="text-align: center;">ha ha</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQxGSJOpywI/AAAAAAAAB8k/tD6ttb5OyOA/s1600/dec17cookie1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQxGSJOpywI/AAAAAAAAB8k/tD6ttb5OyOA/s320/dec17cookie1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQxGTL32TSI/AAAAAAAAB8o/LQZMhRDfWlI/s1600/dec17cookie2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQxGTL32TSI/AAAAAAAAB8o/LQZMhRDfWlI/s320/dec17cookie2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQxGUHRB7ZI/AAAAAAAAB8s/82WddyAQUNQ/s1600/dec17cookie3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQxGUHRB7ZI/AAAAAAAAB8s/82WddyAQUNQ/s320/dec17cookie3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQxGRC6wqrI/AAAAAAAAB8g/PcF1kZh5r8s/s1600/dec17cookie4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQxGRC6wqrI/AAAAAAAAB8g/PcF1kZh5r8s/s320/dec17cookie4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been baking holiday treats for almost 15 years and giving them to family and friends. What is your holiday tradition?</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-20430870406987860412010-12-15T12:00:00.000-08:002010-12-15T12:00:01.344-08:00The "to-do" List<div style="text-align: center;">My to-do list is so long that I'm afraid to write it down. Not good!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've managed to tone things down over the past few years but I still plan to bake holiday cookies and package them up in pretty tins to give to family and friends. It's been my holiday tradition for over 10 years. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Besides buying gifts, wrapping them, getting out the last half of the family Christmas cards and everything else on my holiday list I also have a craft list. I'm already aware of the fact that not one will get checked off of that list until the end of this week when I have two glorious weeks off for winter break. {One advantage of being a teacher!}</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I did manage to copy Jenni Bowlin's November <a href="http://www.jbsmercantile.com/limitedinstructions.asp?Month=11">project kit</a> by using my own stash. This is happily hanging on the door of my craft room:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQgHFd2i-TI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/90TekuQFe3Q/s1600/jbs+door.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQgHFd2i-TI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/90TekuQFe3Q/s320/jbs+door.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't even want to talk about my December Daily at this point. I've managed to build all of my pages but haven't started on December 1st yet. Not good! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also want to make some of these:</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQgHlg07cGI/AAAAAAAAB8c/PYYVlo9LIVA/s1600/felt+pinecones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQgHlg07cGI/AAAAAAAAB8c/PYYVlo9LIVA/s320/felt+pinecones.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I came across this from Twig & Thistle's <a href="http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2010/12/five-days-of-felt-no-2-2/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TwigThistle+%28Twig+%26+Thistle%29">blog</a>. You can just click <a href="http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/christmas/decorating/felt-holiday-crafts/?page=22">here</a> for the tutorial and instructions thanks to <a href="http://www.familycircle.com/">Family Circle</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Those of you who enjoy creating digital pages like I do should like <a href="http://www.minitoko.com/laboutique/?cat=6">this</a> from Minitoko's <a href="http://www.minitoko.com/laboutique/?cat=5">boutique</a>. Just thought I'd share the love!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-72599230389731312972010-12-14T15:38:00.000-08:002010-12-14T15:38:09.075-08:00Travel Tuesday: inspired by vintage finds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQf5hsoOzUI/AAAAAAAAB70/XC5JrHpjNfs/s1600/vintage+bulbs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQf5hsoOzUI/AAAAAAAAB70/XC5JrHpjNfs/s320/vintage+bulbs.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I bought these vintage bulbs at the local vintage store last year at their post-Christmas sale and couldn't wait to display them this year. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They fit perfect atop my Christmas candle holders that I bought in Germany 14 years ago. And this is what brings me to my Travel Tuesday destination today:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Rothenburg, Germany</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQf5scwecwI/AAAAAAAAB8M/QymT6kh-7k8/s1600/img073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQf5scwecwI/AAAAAAAAB8M/QymT6kh-7k8/s400/img073.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rothenburg_ob_der_Tauber">Rothenburg</a> is a walled-in city that took my breath away with it's beauty. We were lucky enough to arrive during the change of seasons so all of the tree leaves were vibrant shades of red and orange.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQf_ICld8mI/AAAAAAAAB8U/EN-EroGwl-M/s1600/img074+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQf_ICld8mI/AAAAAAAAB8U/EN-EroGwl-M/s400/img074+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQf_Ghc-SAI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/IJ-1Zw5R0xk/s1600/img072+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQf_Ghc-SAI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/IJ-1Zw5R0xk/s400/img072+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We stayed at a hotel that was 600-years old. The wood-beamed ceilings and stone walls in the entry were so rustic it felt like I was taken back to the time it was built. This photo shows the entrance to our hotel. Can I tell you how much I love cobblestone roads?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQf5qIvS2HI/AAAAAAAAB8E/ORMcNUqwAQc/s1600/img071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQf5qIvS2HI/AAAAAAAAB8E/ORMcNUqwAQc/s400/img071.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the first stops my sister and I made {yes, we're women...of course we're going to shop!} we went to the Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas <a href="http://www.wohlfahrt.com/">store</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">omg.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This store made my jaw drop to the floor. Seriously. I bought 2 dozen beautiful ornaments along with my candle holders and a few gifts for Christmas and they shipped everything home directly. You gotta love it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQf5osYyAFI/AAAAAAAAB8A/Fbin0dFbtdw/s1600/img070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQf5osYyAFI/AAAAAAAAB8A/Fbin0dFbtdw/s400/img070.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My tree is still adorned with the ornaments I bought there by half thanks to my then-kitten, Bocce, who decided he wanted to climb the live tree I had in my apartment at the time and caused the tree to come tumbling down. :-(</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What do you have displayed in your home that you bought in a far-off place?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-13471701684722801692010-12-08T14:11:00.000-08:002010-12-08T14:11:36.411-08:00All You Need is Now<div style="text-align: center;">Calling all 80's fans:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember Duran Duran? Yeah, <a href="http://www.duranduran.com/wordpress/?page_id=14246">Duran Duran</a>! Simon Le Bon, John Taylor...need I go on?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They have a new single out called, "All You Need is Now" and you can download it for<i><b> free</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">on iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/album/all-you-need-is-now-single/id407657091">here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQACTnfcTwI/AAAAAAAAB7w/38owChGqqsI/s1600/DD_AYNIN-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TQACTnfcTwI/AAAAAAAAB7w/38owChGqqsI/s1600/DD_AYNIN-300x300.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What are you waiting for? It's free! Go! :-)</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-56575332366173860462010-12-07T20:51:00.000-08:002010-12-07T20:51:14.693-08:00Travel Tuesday: Muir Woods<div style="text-align: center;"> Before I start on Travel Tuesday can I play catch up from Saturday?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ginger and I spent the day here in Berkeley window shopping and working on this at <a href="http://www.scrapbookterritory.com/">Scrapbook Territory:</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8IcPmF5PI/AAAAAAAAB7E/0K0lcQAHlP4/s1600/tannenbaum+dec4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8IcPmF5PI/AAAAAAAAB7E/0K0lcQAHlP4/s400/tannenbaum+dec4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We were first admiring these last winter when <a href="http://k8tykat.typepad.com/">KL</a> had this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63329069/oh-tannenbaum-silver-bella-tinsel-tree">Tannenbaum project</a> for sale through her Kenner Road website. She brought it back in a slightly different form for last October's <a href="http://teresamcfayden.typepad.com/silverbella/">Silver Bella </a>and Ginger and I were all twitterpated about making one. We basically had all of the supplies but for the jello mold which we picked up at the Vintage House here in town. I don't know how KL dreams up these things but this is by far the most adorable thing ever! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">OK - so now on to Travel Tuesday: Muir Woods</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's all about something local here in the Bay Area. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I swear I will never move out of the Bay Area as long as I live. Within a 4 hour drive you can reach Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Napa and Carmel. How can you beat that?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nps.gov/muwo/index.htm">Muir Woods</a> is a national monument just north of San Francisco in Marin County. You get to enjoy the infamous scenic drive up Highway 1 before reaching the entrance. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The coastal redwoods are awe-inspiring and almost hard to believe that it is located only 11 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bustling city of San Francisco.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The paved trail is very people-friendly and the self-guided tour allows you to wander at your own pace. There are 6 miles of trails if you are in the mood for a bit more of a workout.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had a friend visit from the East Coast last year and I took her here as well as Stinson Beach up the road. Here are a few photos I took:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is from a lookout point off of Highway 1:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8MULIOEII/AAAAAAAAB7M/jJzgIaUbVzA/s1600/IMG_3314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8MULIOEII/AAAAAAAAB7M/jJzgIaUbVzA/s400/IMG_3314.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8MYpZGFvI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/VYah3mCj3Gc/s1600/IMG_3320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8MYpZGFvI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/VYah3mCj3Gc/s400/IMG_3320.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8McNzS2ZI/AAAAAAAAB7U/y-AiprJ-m_A/s1600/IMG_3344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8McNzS2ZI/AAAAAAAAB7U/y-AiprJ-m_A/s400/IMG_3344.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8MohTBVqI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/GtXJQE6Z0iY/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8MohTBVqI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/GtXJQE6Z0iY/s400/IMG_3372.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8M7f8OqiI/AAAAAAAAB7g/1l8g_fR_c60/s1600/IMG_3352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8M7f8OqiI/AAAAAAAAB7g/1l8g_fR_c60/s400/IMG_3352.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8OEbeOw7I/AAAAAAAAB7o/X9UvESlCz-M/s1600/IMG_3371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8OEbeOw7I/AAAAAAAAB7o/X9UvESlCz-M/s400/IMG_3371.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If this place doesn't make you a nature lover, I don't know what will!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">On a final note, I celebrated my birthday on Monday and enjoyed a lovely dinner with my family and my parents. Here's a photo of my favorite drink: the lemon drop. Mmmm!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8L4gmCk0I/AAAAAAAAB7I/IISH_o7jGC8/s1600/dec6+lemondrop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TP8L4gmCk0I/AAAAAAAAB7I/IISH_o7jGC8/s320/dec6+lemondrop.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-47738601935116814122010-12-01T11:00:00.000-08:002010-12-01T11:00:47.765-08:00December<div style="text-align: center;">How did it get to be December? </div><div style="text-align: center;">For that matter, how did this get to be the last month of 2010?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here I go again. The start of my second <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29865509@N03/sets/72157624357992662/">December Daily</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I told myself I wasn't going to create one this year but after seeing this my ever-growing box of holiday-themed goodness:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPabJ2TRYrI/AAAAAAAAB7A/CK4Q3dmO-3I/s1600/xmas+goodies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPabJ2TRYrI/AAAAAAAAB7A/CK4Q3dmO-3I/s320/xmas+goodies.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and this <a href="http://www.shimelle.com/classes/841/an-online-scrapbooking-class-for-the-holidays-journal-your-christmas/">class</a> offered by <a href="http://www.shimelle.com/">Shimelle</a> I decided to take the plunge. It's a pretty great online class for $35. I decided to treat myself to an early birthday present. Besides twice daily prompts and exclusive digital goodies {yay!} it also gives you access to this class every year from here on out for <i>free</i>! Think of it as a gift that keeps on giving!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Come on, what are you waiting for? The class starts today!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2212287122571067827.post-83014347034180601502010-11-30T21:32:00.000-08:002010-11-30T21:32:56.269-08:00Travel Tuesday: Yosemite<div style="text-align: center;">I have already managed to miss last week's Travel Tuesday but what can I say? I was preparing for a complete Thanksgiving feast at my house for a party of 25. Yes, you heard that right: <b>25</b>. That mad final hour dash to whip the potatoes, toast the buns, cut the turkey {and the ham!} and at the same time making sure everyone's wine glass {or beer bottle} was full.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's my table all ready to go.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPXWh5b-jBI/AAAAAAAAB6o/lNOPMhSu1GM/s1600/Thanksgiving+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPXWh5b-jBI/AAAAAAAAB6o/lNOPMhSu1GM/s320/Thanksgiving+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gift bags for each family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPXWUJ6KyBI/AAAAAAAAB6g/euFzfwtYnDw/s1600/Thanksgiving+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPXWUJ6KyBI/AAAAAAAAB6g/euFzfwtYnDw/s320/Thanksgiving+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was also my mother-in-law's 82nd birthday. Happy birthday Nilta!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPXWRPcYxeI/AAAAAAAAB6c/E03LTfdICYE/s1600/Thanksgiving+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPXWRPcYxeI/AAAAAAAAB6c/E03LTfdICYE/s320/Thanksgiving+042.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">OK, so back to Travel Tuesday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">With all of this super cold weather and Sierra snow I couldn't help but think back to last year's <i>day trip</i> to Yosemite. Yes. I'll say it again: <i><b>day trip</b></i>. It's a 4-hour drive each way and I would never attempt such a feat but being a passenger rather than the driver? Totally do-able!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We left at the crack of dawn and got up to Yosemite before noon. The backdrop in the snowy meadow we were playing in was <i>unbelievable</i>. There was a thick layer of mist sitting on top of the snow so it made us all feel as if we were living in a dream.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPXYh6jnCTI/AAAAAAAAB6s/wtiVjs74np4/s1600/IMG_2541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPXYh6jnCTI/AAAAAAAAB6s/wtiVjs74np4/s400/IMG_2541.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPXYjulZghI/AAAAAAAAB6w/UzvHfEgWW8w/s1600/yosemite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPXYjulZghI/AAAAAAAAB6w/UzvHfEgWW8w/s400/yosemite.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPXYm5aIKHI/AAAAAAAAB60/QBLKQAGop4k/s1600/IMG_2536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_t6KRVZt3NzM/TPXYm5aIKHI/AAAAAAAAB60/QBLKQAGop4k/s400/IMG_2536.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yosemite is definitely a beautiful place in the summer but the winter scenery is just as incredible. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Photographs can never do any justice to what the human eye sees. You don't have to be religious to believe that Yosemite is truly God's Country. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you are lucky enough to visit and don't want to pay top dollar to stay at the <a href="http://www.yosemitepark.com/accommodations_theahwahnee.aspx">Ahwahee Hotel </a>and you don't want to go too rustic at the <a href="http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations_YosemiteLodge.aspx">Lodge</a> then by all means I highly recommend staying at <a href="http://www.tenayalodge.com/">Tenaya Lodge</a> in Fish Camp, which is about an hour outside of the park. It has cozy beautifully appointed rooms, a heated pool and jacuzzi, a gym, restaurants, a great room with a fireplace and board games and puzzles you can check out for free and even an ice skating rink. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even if you don't stay at the Ahwahnee Hotel you <u><i><b>must</b></i></u> go to their <a href="http://www.yosemitepark.com/Dining_AhwahneeDiningRoom.aspx">Sunday Brunch</a> in the main dining room. The food is incredible and the views through the floor-to-ceiling windows are spectacular. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you have been to Yosemite, what part of the park is a must-see or must-do for you?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Diane B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11957895694800061129noreply@blogger.com1