tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31835908891102252882024-02-08T01:18:35.077-04:00Donna's chitchatramblings of a Queen without a CountryDonna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.comBlogger501125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-11495267965612897962023-08-14T09:10:00.001-03:002023-08-18T11:37:40.879-03:00Mid August 2023... a nice big family meal... This occasion was the mid summer visit from my sister Gail and her hubby, along with our brother in law.. James.. from Ottawa.
We took the opportunity to wish our cousins.. Grace and Sandra who were celebrating birthdays!!
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXf4n6c_mD8W7cTYKkDALrTU8WIg-QP6HeFW57W2LMx-Wbt0ZSOn_gRQTCAN2PZJcmVNYjFOrAv2uONx85MLFr5k-pmohYqUkL4u5ihk4CGBF80VeWaREf9AGBc8GetSYd8RkT0xw3QbWEYb3UDj6gWY8DemAI2lJ329cLFTMZ_h8IY0nuIIKwjAA0zY/s1597/image000000.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1597" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXf4n6c_mD8W7cTYKkDALrTU8WIg-QP6HeFW57W2LMx-Wbt0ZSOn_gRQTCAN2PZJcmVNYjFOrAv2uONx85MLFr5k-pmohYqUkL4u5ihk4CGBF80VeWaREf9AGBc8GetSYd8RkT0xw3QbWEYb3UDj6gWY8DemAI2lJ329cLFTMZ_h8IY0nuIIKwjAA0zY/s400/image000000.jpg"/></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-cSIBJyFpoA08ulHZeovmrlbOPqK_bUA7t6lHsSnXUNzMA_9klH3Ry1onuK1TqDBDWRL55URp0dnpL2APsb4JiorEiOHs_olrbwMFuYv5P0e7A5qnuoxMV4xcs0-NGty-ZE_QHwt3qH_4is4pD2rMm-Z-4g45Y7B5PSWss3NC2ibksAdB-BUxy5-0cQ/s1597/image000001.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1597" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-cSIBJyFpoA08ulHZeovmrlbOPqK_bUA7t6lHsSnXUNzMA_9klH3Ry1onuK1TqDBDWRL55URp0dnpL2APsb4JiorEiOHs_olrbwMFuYv5P0e7A5qnuoxMV4xcs0-NGty-ZE_QHwt3qH_4is4pD2rMm-Z-4g45Y7B5PSWss3NC2ibksAdB-BUxy5-0cQ/s400/image000001.jpg"/></a></div>Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-66469823658050075112023-04-08T08:55:00.000-03:002023-08-18T09:10:35.781-03:00<p> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Birthday Terry</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvPVld4l617KfwKJNvFcdP5rKEohJPaqfWm7xGrtxIlVR9Qd0Szp6iw9yRwy9S22FNGNeQ_SPn95W0_MCFo8dooGF3kjYjoRj_irDxICKQRJaK7LbleRFbY_MI89rumqopLjFVnd2jFd4YHt63Vn2Qw3t57akHrt_z_Cz0ZeMDozFUA-BFZbhPKB7/s2045/Family%20and%20Finn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2045" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvPVld4l617KfwKJNvFcdP5rKEohJPaqfWm7xGrtxIlVR9Qd0Szp6iw9yRwy9S22FNGNeQ_SPn95W0_MCFo8dooGF3kjYjoRj_irDxICKQRJaK7LbleRFbY_MI89rumqopLjFVnd2jFd4YHt63Vn2Qw3t57akHrt_z_Cz0ZeMDozFUA-BFZbhPKB7/w640-h480/Family%20and%20Finn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-58005014639565749172022-12-29T09:23:00.003-04:002022-12-29T09:23:23.550-04:00Christmas 2022... that's a wrap!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PYCFKNq2tbgecs7pf-3R4iC7QpauoVa2wcAYySB_GzUyFFHEqq2V3lk-gb6_ZoLKWm1yq8iei3Pf74zu9nouXBRyreBF0kfHDTUkClEyfwR8oSWwwpz3TOtVRK7sr2KHjnMd9F854LWpNdc9l3w3Ecd5deIMsN5gys2EoG0JO23thxChZ5ppPmuY/s1280/Christmas%202022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="507" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PYCFKNq2tbgecs7pf-3R4iC7QpauoVa2wcAYySB_GzUyFFHEqq2V3lk-gb6_ZoLKWm1yq8iei3Pf74zu9nouXBRyreBF0kfHDTUkClEyfwR8oSWwwpz3TOtVRK7sr2KHjnMd9F854LWpNdc9l3w3Ecd5deIMsN5gys2EoG0JO23thxChZ5ppPmuY/w640-h507/Christmas%202022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Christmas seem to be different every year. Gone are those traditional early hours- scramble to the tree -Christmas mornings. Kids are grown up and moved into their own lives, with their own Christmas traditions!<p></p><p>I am sooo blessed to have my family all around me, and this year was especially special to have James here from Ontario as well.</p><p>Stephanie & John, Grace & Nate, and Kim all arrived from Halifax for a Dec 27th Turkey Dinner. Michelle, Patrick and the kids arrived just on time from their Christmas spent in Ottawa and Luxemburg, for supper and gifts. James flew in for a week from Ottawa and that made 13 for supper.!! </p>Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-27832703344664281242022-05-09T20:00:00.001-03:002022-05-09T20:00:00.270-03:00The Simplest things that have changed because of COVID<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBGlZ3ah4ehH5xOm_I-V1SkCXIA-5sbS3iYjjktpBpaQmUvQNHKaMqhBY8UGEltwaQalL_9gZ-ASGUmUx6qrJeCVZWYjowOLHeS3KSH3qPL6_tvWHpQjrTWOmT5d3RAULcShXXVGeTL4mD1FWkFUKVGpVQjaaPOVHw_ICQs8XNExAM5GBDbJYoorc/s3398/IMG_4992.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1953" data-original-width="3398" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBGlZ3ah4ehH5xOm_I-V1SkCXIA-5sbS3iYjjktpBpaQmUvQNHKaMqhBY8UGEltwaQalL_9gZ-ASGUmUx6qrJeCVZWYjowOLHeS3KSH3qPL6_tvWHpQjrTWOmT5d3RAULcShXXVGeTL4mD1FWkFUKVGpVQjaaPOVHw_ICQs8XNExAM5GBDbJYoorc/w640-h368/IMG_4992.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I work in an office that is fairly business casual for office wear. Nice jeans on Fridays but the rest of the week... comfortable, clean and appropriate is the dress code. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">For that past 20 years, the LAST thing I put on when I was getting ready for work was a nice pair of earrings that complimented my outfit. I had two little dishes of loved earrings.. one on my dresser, and one on my nightstand, because the last thing I would do before falling asleep was to take those earrings out.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Every morning, I would finger through the mess of earrings, searching for what I needed that day! Sometimes I would search for one pair and find something that I hadn't worn in ages, which make me so happy to pop them into my ears!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Sadly, with the daily wearing of masks, my earrings (most of which are dangly or loops, or hooks), would get tangled up in the elastic loops. I fought it for a while, but after losing a couple of earrings... I finally decided that masks were more important than the earrings and they became my morning accessory!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Therefore, the last thing I do before I head to work, is pick out a nice mask that compliments my outfit or at least my mood!!!</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVW1Y7hAeIQdEOBNoEC-UAWTtJbZj_ZGoaaZwtO1U_D8MIbjmuwI5nO5K0yDeTOKCd4eGmIS2Kg2ftO1wRqRvzb90iN74kA8nBiuroByJ2nbwNtsAlh0jMBprx8PT9kKhkXwLTY_4PxBCbgGznkx5dEr7-4e4l9m99_vj0rzW7zu6M81UF0eoVxZz/s3521/IMG_4993.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2070" data-original-width="3521" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVW1Y7hAeIQdEOBNoEC-UAWTtJbZj_ZGoaaZwtO1U_D8MIbjmuwI5nO5K0yDeTOKCd4eGmIS2Kg2ftO1wRqRvzb90iN74kA8nBiuroByJ2nbwNtsAlh0jMBprx8PT9kKhkXwLTY_4PxBCbgGznkx5dEr7-4e4l9m99_vj0rzW7zu6M81UF0eoVxZz/w640-h376/IMG_4993.HEIC" width="640" /></span><p></p>Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-77140220593396717212022-05-08T18:00:00.002-03:002022-05-08T18:06:19.609-03:00Spring Garden Fun in Nova Scotia<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl1WN-yqY6cGKAPIT9xrzK0vQKBrVUpduTLADkKJ_8aSHt9VybMQkkKGQd_IJSUJsKWWsUBRfkfNvApE0i70TL7DFXHHiq7ObOxIoitmmsWjL4bkF-J4gvPPnFgbgjO8oj_nMOoEuHd_D8JQBlVeB8oyqM8dJ7U8pGD5XsIfRH4774wRUbbCOUrgH/s4032/10A5EA3C-7F32-4204-A554-FBF3EBDD8490.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzl1WN-yqY6cGKAPIT9xrzK0vQKBrVUpduTLADkKJ_8aSHt9VybMQkkKGQd_IJSUJsKWWsUBRfkfNvApE0i70TL7DFXHHiq7ObOxIoitmmsWjL4bkF-J4gvPPnFgbgjO8oj_nMOoEuHd_D8JQBlVeB8oyqM8dJ7U8pGD5XsIfRH4774wRUbbCOUrgH/w640-h480/10A5EA3C-7F32-4204-A554-FBF3EBDD8490.heic" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Spring in the Annapolis Valley. We have a small back yard, and we love gardening, both veg and flowers!! Our little garden oasis suits our needs perfectly. We have garlic coming up just perfectly, and asparagus is peaking up. This is year 3 for the asparagus, and this means this spring we will be hacking off our little sprouts as they come up.. we may only get to eat 2 or 3 at a time.. but thats ok.. we look forward to different ways to cook them!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VwMAFxkVsyMMBj9wR-EGT8cwvtFBCOBXUHm7vsQmoau9tABL9CwSrqvTRvU6dHyqxL4ZFvd3tDVhAvYLL9K1e6apeg71PRrt-pU3neHVkRKzqLQxlPRnj6gjpVzfoCMuDL9RA_tEAW7SNQy9WfnaWZrOgACgM5aFeJTdemY_XYUZAtEvHsRrhtCd/s4032/E06646B4-51E2-4647-9DF6-A2889B21D6A7.heic" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VwMAFxkVsyMMBj9wR-EGT8cwvtFBCOBXUHm7vsQmoau9tABL9CwSrqvTRvU6dHyqxL4ZFvd3tDVhAvYLL9K1e6apeg71PRrt-pU3neHVkRKzqLQxlPRnj6gjpVzfoCMuDL9RA_tEAW7SNQy9WfnaWZrOgACgM5aFeJTdemY_XYUZAtEvHsRrhtCd/w300-h400/E06646B4-51E2-4647-9DF6-A2889B21D6A7.heic" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"></span></div> <span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The Rhubarb is pouring out of the ground in two spots.. We have a GIANT rhubarb I inherited from a neighbour more than 30 years ago, as well as a smaller strawberry rhubarb that is about 10 years old. They produce beautiful stocks of both green and red flavourful rhubarb.. great for muffins and cakes! Gonna try a Rhubarb Curd this year too.. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tb4VHVXQ1-v_wFBlh7EDLBjLKjeOiWK1qmD1ZoDXEBK38C2uQvi1Jfn1Iwa0VjsNf1NEOqqg2Yn6_jkjruMsXad-1sWiqMtt-Sf79ntPtQR52C0iCZkmkJhmRT11yKO5nZv8xY8_18Q0eryFZ2Z4RwqoQ3tXHTy1M7JwjijO2_GXB1Mdzl8gMHTc/s4032/85249B7F-BB16-4E1F-8619-BAEC28C80245.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tb4VHVXQ1-v_wFBlh7EDLBjLKjeOiWK1qmD1ZoDXEBK38C2uQvi1Jfn1Iwa0VjsNf1NEOqqg2Yn6_jkjruMsXad-1sWiqMtt-Sf79ntPtQR52C0iCZkmkJhmRT11yKO5nZv8xY8_18Q0eryFZ2Z4RwqoQ3tXHTy1M7JwjijO2_GXB1Mdzl8gMHTc/w300-h400/85249B7F-BB16-4E1F-8619-BAEC28C80245.heic" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Hostas, sedum, iris and forget me knots are all peaking up in the shade of the back of the veg garden. During the summer, they get only about 2 hours of sunlight a day, but that is enough to keep them lush and green all summer long.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcpFaXB8FpxhXQqUeZ5i5YowI5g2lLQGulic2hzD2fzUxSNLSnmI9pID0Hl3R939jADBCYr3kFGI_2WRnCYiAlOa7sgUKTHiXmVfhiW2ErvjI9EeS1lBC3t4Ic14wJh94YBkPYSNzzkIgrNuNiTV_Sn8-ECDcB_1KPssMl2TkmOG37jj6bkmRhWsF/s4032/3474B906-D185-44AD-90C8-9E97A9AEA801.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcpFaXB8FpxhXQqUeZ5i5YowI5g2lLQGulic2hzD2fzUxSNLSnmI9pID0Hl3R939jADBCYr3kFGI_2WRnCYiAlOa7sgUKTHiXmVfhiW2ErvjI9EeS1lBC3t4Ic14wJh94YBkPYSNzzkIgrNuNiTV_Sn8-ECDcB_1KPssMl2TkmOG37jj6bkmRhWsF/w300-h400/3474B906-D185-44AD-90C8-9E97A9AEA801.heic" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">For Mothers day, Terry made these beautiful veggie garden tags from copper scraps. I love them and have now requested a few more, like "Cucumbers" and "asparagus" </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOSwMyZEBGUz5RUN8jzc8-Xop6pKSyHf8R0daw3VicBP8fcmEyUgce3ZvqQVNUuMqxxKuGQPtP2IzfU0EDYum1qTXg6t8-vNSaKP4YlcCZaEDQqPVYP4pfTh7x7vapllYgKg9AUex7BM4UaLbqwbMk3FChbDsS3LUAUMmGcWUkcieTCGgKoXeuUJv/s4032/5BFB2EC6-C82E-410C-BCD7-F956EDBA4EDD.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOSwMyZEBGUz5RUN8jzc8-Xop6pKSyHf8R0daw3VicBP8fcmEyUgce3ZvqQVNUuMqxxKuGQPtP2IzfU0EDYum1qTXg6t8-vNSaKP4YlcCZaEDQqPVYP4pfTh7x7vapllYgKg9AUex7BM4UaLbqwbMk3FChbDsS3LUAUMmGcWUkcieTCGgKoXeuUJv/w480-h640/5BFB2EC6-C82E-410C-BCD7-F956EDBA4EDD.heic" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">My Copper obelisk stands proudly in the garden where it will host a couple of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunbergia_alata">Thunbergia </a>plants on it. This climbing vine is not super thick on the posts so the shiny copper leaves still are visible, but the flowers hug and compliment this beautiful structure. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This was a labour of love from my hubby last spring, and it was gorgeous all last summer and fall. We left it out for the winter and the storms and wind broke most of the copper vines off the frame but Terry got it all up to perfection again, and we have learned a valuable lesson... winter storage for it this coming winter!!</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-87154980728040793372022-05-07T20:54:00.002-03:002022-05-08T10:33:10.449-03:00I have missed you Blogspot!!! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-family: georgia;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3xiaV6WE6ecbkpA4rzJyzuaD-DWzCLWC4AjetjHb3B8B7gk8IikxrRQnfz_hhJs03e_oI6fL6J6QopLnu4umFsrYUviR24bXtoFdU9_ctr0ErB52s5qcMyaMUxE_DQvrXWpMGcm792PWE96IbO-nXpyKWMCwtJSl2Q6AvhTZjJfs7gZSpm79W208/s4032/AEAB48EB-7DDA-4C39-9516-9637D62AC297.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3xiaV6WE6ecbkpA4rzJyzuaD-DWzCLWC4AjetjHb3B8B7gk8IikxrRQnfz_hhJs03e_oI6fL6J6QopLnu4umFsrYUviR24bXtoFdU9_ctr0ErB52s5qcMyaMUxE_DQvrXWpMGcm792PWE96IbO-nXpyKWMCwtJSl2Q6AvhTZjJfs7gZSpm79W208/w261-h348/AEAB48EB-7DDA-4C39-9516-9637D62AC297.jpeg" width="261" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting on the parts</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;">S<span style="font-size: medium;">o many times in the past few years, I have said to someone... I miss blogging. I don't really remember why it became so hard to blog, but it did. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">On more than one occasion is the past year, friends have commented that they miss my blogs, and I always tell them I miss them too.. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">So.. why not try again. Quietly... just for me... I am gonna try it!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Today I have been preparing for a visit from family coming from the city.. for all of us... COVID took that privilege away from us and although there are no longer restrictions, it seems harder to relax and venture out of that solitary comfort that we have all grown into.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Charcuterie Boards are such a fun way to host a few friends or family!! Stephanie and John gifted me with a wonderful bespoke canoe paddle Charcuterie board, for Xmas, for this very purpose. It came with Scallop Shell dishes for extra places to put drippy or gooey things! (Made by Drift Works, Michael LeBlanc, Broad Cove)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkO_KRMl_H_sgQGpXaB9BSh8jNtfcgwCWte1woUOyrAJb1xWV2K0kX25XePuyqeE1l6xApCIxqacQlzxqwsaYZkVOerpTJQKnNBNJMO7iy3yG488DohKhlplBURFPzCqhTLx3sraN3Tex1RJVHOhZtzVlRY0jUi9DPXUWy-jnSWWX4UEkTXjhfBYj/s4032/58142992-68CC-49CF-AD50-4400FADB278E.jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkO_KRMl_H_sgQGpXaB9BSh8jNtfcgwCWte1woUOyrAJb1xWV2K0kX25XePuyqeE1l6xApCIxqacQlzxqwsaYZkVOerpTJQKnNBNJMO7iy3yG488DohKhlplBURFPzCqhTLx3sraN3Tex1RJVHOhZtzVlRY0jUi9DPXUWy-jnSWWX4UEkTXjhfBYj/s320/58142992-68CC-49CF-AD50-4400FADB278E.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The parts!!</td></tr></tbody></table>I had so much fun shopping for this paddle board today and I had no idea how I was going to place everything, but i know that in the past when I have made plain ole rectangle Charcuterie displays... you just keeping putting stuff on... and eventually.. it looks great!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I cut, chopped and sliced.. rolled, stabbed and piled.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Cheeses, meats, cream cheeses, nuts, fruit, veggies and pickles. Crackers, bread and pretzel thingies.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaN5YLwWUf62nQFZlII82YHhuaSsbaq7yQlxxRx1l7cnB3dD7kTb0k-AeqSu8XLlQazUt17dbBPF5-Dp9YjhtM5GYIDuNIQDCqjSNyjefJpTD0PzbMYUwjGmzLhXM7hS-HEIm3fZ_d706hkXpVm_f5_12doKi_0zsd3Jq-tNcaU6egVQUQpadOJIx/s4032/IMG_4939.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaN5YLwWUf62nQFZlII82YHhuaSsbaq7yQlxxRx1l7cnB3dD7kTb0k-AeqSu8XLlQazUt17dbBPF5-Dp9YjhtM5GYIDuNIQDCqjSNyjefJpTD0PzbMYUwjGmzLhXM7hS-HEIm3fZ_d706hkXpVm_f5_12doKi_0zsd3Jq-tNcaU6egVQUQpadOJIx/w480-h640/IMG_4939.HEIC" width="480" /></span></span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It was hard to know how much to make, and I squeezed as much as I could on the board, and in the sweet little dishes around.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Then after just like 15 minutes of arranging, it was finally ready for visitors! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Suddenly, at the last minute.. plans and locations changed. So, we scooped up all the food items off the paddle board and piled it onto a platter that was easier to transport!!! </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It was hilarious how fast I could pile the items high onto a platter and snuggle up the cream cheeses and Bourins amongst the various items.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Now I know just how much to buy for the paddle board at the next gathering!!! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">YUP, the platter below is holding all the items that were carefully placed on the paddle!! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> Hard to believe!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyepqkt9RnzIlGum0iu0U3ZfU64_XuoDzK6V-nUOxUW8kNg8WX1nH3DDkme-eqE5IU0PUY6BrY9hVyP-NXBfBiX1kz1Zca3ajJyGzkuIj9WaiUpV5IDyZrBERmzJV1FeQRyP5CRAiqeZ27ng9ou01YOdygwk5xUlSdgiQXVvsVHn15Wh7oKvwfuSW/s2737/IMG_4942.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2574" data-original-width="2737" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyepqkt9RnzIlGum0iu0U3ZfU64_XuoDzK6V-nUOxUW8kNg8WX1nH3DDkme-eqE5IU0PUY6BrY9hVyP-NXBfBiX1kz1Zca3ajJyGzkuIj9WaiUpV5IDyZrBERmzJV1FeQRyP5CRAiqeZ27ng9ou01YOdygwk5xUlSdgiQXVvsVHn15Wh7oKvwfuSW/w640-h602/IMG_4942.HEIC" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /> </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /> </span><p></p>Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-52125891842111671052015-01-13T22:03:00.000-04:002015-01-13T22:03:36.299-04:00Bran Muffins Aplenty<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb4ByjrmYpL7ph-1wK6GCC21yr6wE8xexdYWEOliLThuTLJwfZ0S4N18IfZsLNvV_CqWuvBErns7ZXLG_JLxdEbFg3Kp2JCS1av_HNb_HXPFgLZ2s-PkBnE0SPctbgnKgNzsgG1oSIXM/s1600/Image+4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb4ByjrmYpL7ph-1wK6GCC21yr6wE8xexdYWEOliLThuTLJwfZ0S4N18IfZsLNvV_CqWuvBErns7ZXLG_JLxdEbFg3Kp2JCS1av_HNb_HXPFgLZ2s-PkBnE0SPctbgnKgNzsgG1oSIXM/s1600/Image+4.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>I have an old cookbook... you know the kind. The one where you write your favorite tried and true recipes in it. I received my book as a gift about 25 years ago. When I received it, I made a pact with myself that I would only write in the recipes that I know are good and useful recipes... ones that were family favourites.<br />
All in all, I did just as I planned and only took the time to hand write those recipes that were worth it. As I go back though the recipe book now, some recipes bring back memories of family meals, parties with friends, pickling weekends and there are even smatterings of other peoples handwriting in there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQkXD_YY3n-ZpIPuDjIbXVCqSE0tCVCvQ2jxaDCWDF1Qg15VcEDfcLa-pKotCIfj6NwEo4TxggTFDXCnva8kAc7DFPpEDfuroQAeCIq7htAKlMPRs3EPmSFP_Z2ze_F3H-X0tBmLLGbU/s1600/paprika.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQkXD_YY3n-ZpIPuDjIbXVCqSE0tCVCvQ2jxaDCWDF1Qg15VcEDfcLa-pKotCIfj6NwEo4TxggTFDXCnva8kAc7DFPpEDfuroQAeCIq7htAKlMPRs3EPmSFP_Z2ze_F3H-X0tBmLLGbU/s1600/paprika.jpeg" height="200" width="200" /></a>Now, in the high tech world I live in, I have converted to a electronic recipe book called "Paprika" which is an app that you can have on all your devices (iPhone, iPad and computer). I have all three apps, and they are linked so that when I take the time to type or copy a recipe into the program on my computer, it is now on my phone (for sharing with friends, or grocery shopping) and on my iPad for using in the kitchen as a recipe book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHBjPql_bn_xt-0pnS6ocXWeu2ybJofGZjzlLj_zzatyOod045VAKglme7SzX65VSsasgcIeyyf0rpR49WSFB04U08fuKMZbOFJvkq3t9Bldg7cfRPwHb7R7FqXWbEwhw9h3uFwun8Ek/s1600/Image+3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHBjPql_bn_xt-0pnS6ocXWeu2ybJofGZjzlLj_zzatyOod045VAKglme7SzX65VSsasgcIeyyf0rpR49WSFB04U08fuKMZbOFJvkq3t9Bldg7cfRPwHb7R7FqXWbEwhw9h3uFwun8Ek/s1600/Image+3.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a><br />
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That being said, I look back on my handwritten cookbook and marvel at the historic value in that book. Jack and I make our muffins from that old handwritten cookbook. He reminds me every time to get the book and he turns the pages until he finds a "MESSY" page and then he knows he has found either the muffin page or some other "favorite" page. That is something you won't find when you use an electronic cookbook... the faded marks of vanilla, sticky edges of sugar or egg splatters. My banana muffin recipe is particularly identifiable by the tear in the page where a blob of batter dried on the page and stuff to the next page for a few weeks. It had to be torn open.. leaving a small hole in the page, which Jack uses to narrow his search for the RIGHT muffin recipe. I would like to add that the pie crust recipe page in my book is pristine clean. (I hate making pie crust).<br />
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Well, that was long winded to tell you that in my peruse though that old book.. I found an old favorite I haven't made in years. It was given to me by an old friend, Dianna. We both made this recipe for our families and we also shared muffins with those around the neighbourhood or office. This is a recipe that you make in a very large bowl (sometimes its an issue to find a bowl large enough), you let it age in the fridge for 3 days and then... you can bake fresh muffins ... a few at a time. It makes around 40 large muffins.<br />
Last week I made 6-8 muffins every morning before I came to work. One day I added Chocolate Chips, another day it was raisins, and I have also add Blueberries in the past.. and fresh Cranberries ina batch I made before Christmas. You can't imagine how awesome they are with dark chocolate chips AND fresh cranberries!<br />
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If you pull out 2 cups of batter... add your goodies... and scoop using a 1/3 to 1/2 cup scoop.. you will get 6 to 8 large muffins.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Bran Muffins</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">2 cups natural bran</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRGeTcRWUKCEs6ulhp1updi-fXvrObvOYpRQTGXxdLCa7jtUVViAq9AFA6IPGSfbFg5RdLoBgSIh7cg-J-NPrXy3-VWbB8wBfDKQh9eef_Y2ojBT_8KA3uvUDNJMOr55Sr_CtkvZJK18/s1600/IMG_6712.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRGeTcRWUKCEs6ulhp1updi-fXvrObvOYpRQTGXxdLCa7jtUVViAq9AFA6IPGSfbFg5RdLoBgSIh7cg-J-NPrXy3-VWbB8wBfDKQh9eef_Y2ojBT_8KA3uvUDNJMOr55Sr_CtkvZJK18/s1600/IMG_6712.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I apologize for my poor photography. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2 cups hot water</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">pour hot water over natural bran in a VERY large bowl. In another bowl, cream together</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1.5 cups of sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1 cup shortening</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">then add to the creamed mixture</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">5 beaten eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">-then, pour this mixture in with the natural bran mixture and then add:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">5 cups flour</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">3 tablespoons baking soda </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1.5 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">4 cups of bran flakes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">1 litre of buttermilk </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">**let this mixture age for three (yup 3) days in the fridge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Bake at 375 for almost 25 minutes (depending on how big a muffin you make)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think this batter will last as long as your buttermilk is dated, so buy the freshest buttermilk you can.</span></span><br />
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Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-46146960131944437032015-01-10T11:43:00.003-04:002015-01-10T11:44:27.762-04:00I love Saturdays... have I mentioned this before!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our river is stunning in the winter. Terry and I sneaked a little winter walk in to our Saturday morning before all the housework, grocery shopping, family visiting and church craft creating took over.</span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLndiTdqCrX9mQwBzI-D8ztLZYN8y3aNxacDh-ceAtcj6Eur7yW-M_Td3OR8T7NMSLAsY4gTAbvYR0ETxfJLT2W_dbZzx82m4_pKAghy52c6-DnpZIhW5Q62E54ShcPJUK7jax6RVpZ80/s1600/IMG_6727.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh592CFoE2iJy4j2Ww3-8IahM235Kw5yTKeE31zbrmwDp_nAPl8efKpcBf0TYB8b9BBF3XCC3qnPvh6Z1jwJKxjVPB24SnVD3yZYOvCXTJBf2-Jcm1biFiYZ5lEfhUWU3ItdOg0jpfV630/s1600/IMG_6728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh592CFoE2iJy4j2Ww3-8IahM235Kw5yTKeE31zbrmwDp_nAPl8efKpcBf0TYB8b9BBF3XCC3qnPvh6Z1jwJKxjVPB24SnVD3yZYOvCXTJBf2-Jcm1biFiYZ5lEfhUWU3ItdOg0jpfV630/s1600/IMG_6728.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course only one of us has snowshoes. Terry doesn't seem to want any, even though he use to love snowshoeing. I think it won't take too many of snowy walks for him to change his mind. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghROZv757-ol-kVmAF56Lgp0oJfZqL89DIGennkSj0AgaxXNnBhZXNAYZh5sHbm519XwR-PXW4HbKdyNvUy2TdWViIQ-vkETZcXuSIolpe0PNEeS7J-MVREmTlVDOxdKQHWdmAX8gfue0/s1600/IMG_6731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghROZv757-ol-kVmAF56Lgp0oJfZqL89DIGennkSj0AgaxXNnBhZXNAYZh5sHbm519XwR-PXW4HbKdyNvUy2TdWViIQ-vkETZcXuSIolpe0PNEeS7J-MVREmTlVDOxdKQHWdmAX8gfue0/s1600/IMG_6731.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YUF_aHdiRncab9Wv-oe2eulv47bLtJv-chCWZBaCoUkH5Q8ifA098ij2_QukS8C2L8lKDteoDTgU_g95MML_xvHCBwf-YKk2RnzR3fO0UjPOW5-f0czBb0OXOwKVnL5j7nky2xr6cLg/s1600/IMG_6733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YUF_aHdiRncab9Wv-oe2eulv47bLtJv-chCWZBaCoUkH5Q8ifA098ij2_QukS8C2L8lKDteoDTgU_g95MML_xvHCBwf-YKk2RnzR3fO0UjPOW5-f0czBb0OXOwKVnL5j7nky2xr6cLg/s1600/IMG_6733.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">When you take the "secret" path through the woods, you end up in a big field. Well it use to be a secret but someone has built a wide bridge over the little creek that you used to have to leap over, or tiptoe over a big log. I love the new bridge... so much easier to snowshoe across.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZ2wfxaDBQacvZxDqVdzpWpeBTFTYzMly6D-jyttl-gxWKjJR8XYJdF_F9lTx5Xy6Z9-UiUp_R1RThNeFSgEn2wE6ONIf4GPk2B-ttf727vrpHVvr7TWmwiUXg9GCu0bP-MJsRwKiF3M/s1600/IMG_6735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZ2wfxaDBQacvZxDqVdzpWpeBTFTYzMly6D-jyttl-gxWKjJR8XYJdF_F9lTx5Xy6Z9-UiUp_R1RThNeFSgEn2wE6ONIf4GPk2B-ttf727vrpHVvr7TWmwiUXg9GCu0bP-MJsRwKiF3M/s1600/IMG_6735.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhVHluzCtybgoo9Mw4YNNd5KCAM_mAd2_Mi0gaNL2NODuGLLe-Rxh2B45OE7o1OKa5gnpD1Kbwwk2Mprv2RE1pku5zYOzUQdaDjJtxqDH27kxUNA8sOptYVR3GKUw28ilaMFN9oNfhfw/s1600/IMG_6738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhVHluzCtybgoo9Mw4YNNd5KCAM_mAd2_Mi0gaNL2NODuGLLe-Rxh2B45OE7o1OKa5gnpD1Kbwwk2Mprv2RE1pku5zYOzUQdaDjJtxqDH27kxUNA8sOptYVR3GKUw28ilaMFN9oNfhfw/s1600/IMG_6738.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">You have no idea how many tries we had to do to get ONE picture of the both of us with the white snowy backdrop! It was like walking through a black and white photo!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTZK1VEqrZpHM0F7VAQ9oZZfwuDCnWwV3jrWoMjRQu8zQwRvOVuHj-5C5afhLLco9WM4I1iTQ5AhgS3PReCghEzaEdbRL_w4HWAphDrvb7C35U0zQGe_F1H3AhE7hUA6J-k3U0BlnqCs/s1600/IMG_6740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTZK1VEqrZpHM0F7VAQ9oZZfwuDCnWwV3jrWoMjRQu8zQwRvOVuHj-5C5afhLLco9WM4I1iTQ5AhgS3PReCghEzaEdbRL_w4HWAphDrvb7C35U0zQGe_F1H3AhE7hUA6J-k3U0BlnqCs/s1600/IMG_6740.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Heading back to river after a long trek through the woods.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk8yhYj7qTIEFcI-ahDkrVcv4NbXJfqbLnb4q3cF1Zjui8LOgOMVFjBdjmdjTrwQb3w5nOCTF73en9s-wgY6abQWU7qARC9Gh8r5_5tmC5UiqCR9EbAzWrCVN7ZiPFWJYuDvnZY-ikns/s1600/IMG_6741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk8yhYj7qTIEFcI-ahDkrVcv4NbXJfqbLnb4q3cF1Zjui8LOgOMVFjBdjmdjTrwQb3w5nOCTF73en9s-wgY6abQWU7qARC9Gh8r5_5tmC5UiqCR9EbAzWrCVN7ZiPFWJYuDvnZY-ikns/s1600/IMG_6741.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The beauty just never stopped. I didn't want the walk to end. The snow covered rock in the picture above is what we call "Jack's" Rock. We have lots of pictures of him on or around this rock and it never really had a name for the first 25 years we have walked by it... but now... its <u><b><span style="color: #741b47;">Jacks Rock</span></b></u> to us</span>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh025gT25vdp4HIGT3aClBoIUR-GZdF0iYUy9RZCx1KQZT8-fUQcoWSlD-bQOieCAdooMO9pe3weMaiyuGYalfbyl6AU3uDOnZDTolltku9UtzmqD_mil6iZc6bQh5YwpFl_JHLftD58Dk/s1600/Jacks+rock+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh025gT25vdp4HIGT3aClBoIUR-GZdF0iYUy9RZCx1KQZT8-fUQcoWSlD-bQOieCAdooMO9pe3weMaiyuGYalfbyl6AU3uDOnZDTolltku9UtzmqD_mil6iZc6bQh5YwpFl_JHLftD58Dk/s1600/Jacks+rock+2.jpeg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sept 2014 walk through the woods with Papa!</td></tr>
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<br />Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-61590558172686265612015-01-07T20:30:00.000-04:002015-01-07T21:28:50.103-04:00Change Is As Good As A Rest..... or so they say<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHS2e9SxL0TZ5M7sSbxTNvOOSB4GObQsMIrydPZ7iKLM8Ycp4jkFzmQ8gwMmRo0JL-7yxQ4kjF1pO5DApZMHxla8EJ2wrGEt6ORAVxnekqP0Mfwn8H9VIUCwGZUc6UPrRZwaGNt6pc_A/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well, it happened.... they have been telling us it would happen... and it really did. They renovated our school office over the 7 working days between Christmas and New Years, and WOW... what a change. For many reasons, our office needed some upgrading. Better doors, better flow... some security additions for when we need "added" security. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> It began in the spring when we, as a team decided the flow in the office was not working. The doorway was congested and things were to high for some kids, and visibility for doorways was to restricted. Blueprints were made (on graft paper), changed, added to, changed again, and things added (that we didn't want), and things taken away. Time lines were discussed, and plans were drawn up. Last day of working before summer break was spent packing, culling, dusting and organizing until the office was ready for "Reno's". </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK-gqN6ODRNBB_KSYiAABbs-jtJ5djSbzLpuaOCX9FIi8xQQU-0gnx6ap_HeX01BQNucOrXtm28Ezi8_vlod3wfWEJt-D-b0TKDoKIM15TTtTwPh71kn6i2lc0o8oJBCSCdoR5iLu7Nw/s1600/IMG_5677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK-gqN6ODRNBB_KSYiAABbs-jtJ5djSbzLpuaOCX9FIi8xQQU-0gnx6ap_HeX01BQNucOrXtm28Ezi8_vlod3wfWEJt-D-b0TKDoKIM15TTtTwPh71kn6i2lc0o8oJBCSCdoR5iLu7Nw/s1600/IMG_5677.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You know, when you haven't moved in ages.. you just gather a lot of junk.. and our office is the dumping ground for a lot of things. You can see in the above pictures... we have a lot of stuff.. and the green tape on the floor represented some renovation notes... measurements and markers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMur7LBVusCCRIZRVj_F3IOcaHjufkUXsEXn-uShYqfuwWZRZzR-0UVfNzB5pORi2v7Riwnchyphenhyphen0EWHsEWcFCIZhqRH_NAy4L2Z8LZfBQXmd0n5y5jUA3UIgscxdwuU5eAsFq39A3rw5w0/s1600/IMG_5678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMur7LBVusCCRIZRVj_F3IOcaHjufkUXsEXn-uShYqfuwWZRZzR-0UVfNzB5pORi2v7Riwnchyphenhyphen0EWHsEWcFCIZhqRH_NAy4L2Z8LZfBQXmd0n5y5jUA3UIgscxdwuU5eAsFq39A3rw5w0/s1600/IMG_5678.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzFyAbXvnSh66sFFVybazPb2empwgawjuqAN05z0z46_QjqhIidYvfRTWxYBLgkvKWkSEkpNwqTDDM3cCqf4tXTKlp7A3fkDPLIhieeZPM-wtvMRk-FAbxQyt9I5RE968JvyouKlm1eE/s1600/IMG_5680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzFyAbXvnSh66sFFVybazPb2empwgawjuqAN05z0z46_QjqhIidYvfRTWxYBLgkvKWkSEkpNwqTDDM3cCqf4tXTKlp7A3fkDPLIhieeZPM-wtvMRk-FAbxQyt9I5RE968JvyouKlm1eE/s1600/IMG_5680.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">By the end of the day on that last day... everything was in boxes, and
we said a final good bye to our blue counter and the old messy office.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmVhUz_zyrjO_6A78de-AqdRy0fRf55XGwoU_MGOPyKenIys_fpC6UmLphAuuoYt4jTacnK1kNJQ5E8Mh6oNd5srnXilW-O8Z22TMhyYgXoSK28T4-qnuzSKL_uW4ylFN7FRBuSf6c8g/s1600/IMG_5703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmVhUz_zyrjO_6A78de-AqdRy0fRf55XGwoU_MGOPyKenIys_fpC6UmLphAuuoYt4jTacnK1kNJQ5E8Mh6oNd5srnXilW-O8Z22TMhyYgXoSK28T4-qnuzSKL_uW4ylFN7FRBuSf6c8g/s1600/IMG_5703.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, all summer... I stopped in the office.... nothing was started... every week.. wondering.. worrying.. wishing it was done and over. And then... we got the word... it just wasn't going to get done. So many other things needed to get done across the board.. and so few workers and so little time... we just didn't make the cut. Secretly.. I was so relieved. There is just so much to do in August and September.. and to have a new office to content with was stressing me all summer. So... the promise was it would get done over the Christmas Break... to which we all gave a knowing (not likely) nod! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVYXtOA_jJ4P-wDNbJpyXuwlkBkSF2dpa4Bi-LAKei3ILj-AfqsOusdPgRF8XdI7Gif3l9JpIMcvr1-kWG60izhHEiiLkzNL7xzZgE1zyR5e8GP2MjpRTnRCjBl1X1OA59V1_S0P_-xY/s1600/IMG_6595.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVYXtOA_jJ4P-wDNbJpyXuwlkBkSF2dpa4Bi-LAKei3ILj-AfqsOusdPgRF8XdI7Gif3l9JpIMcvr1-kWG60izhHEiiLkzNL7xzZgE1zyR5e8GP2MjpRTnRCjBl1X1OA59V1_S0P_-xY/s1600/IMG_6595.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">packing boxes on the last day of school before Xmas Break.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then... beginning of December we had a visit from the Gods of Construction.. and they had pens and paper, and measuring tapes and paint chips.. and questions.. and promises. It looked promising but the undertaking seemed daunting... two new doorways, taking out windows and doorways, flooring, new counters, new paint.. new cameras and buzzers... moving PA, moving phone lines, and printers and computers.. in 7 working days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So we packed our boxes once again, and stacked them in the middle of the office and said good bye once again to our dingy cluttered office with its yellow walls and blue counter.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvC1reU6sUA3hjOg94xtuolTH7mq2vWIW1Hs6FULZGf9miNyCskhsmsxO7VVOroQ7e-oSuGItmPbis68wwP2rTVWNnV27R9RcRcoTl2Jk9LvioZ1zq61PxiKrRWFawLxMPPVWST6W6qFI/s1600/Image.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvC1reU6sUA3hjOg94xtuolTH7mq2vWIW1Hs6FULZGf9miNyCskhsmsxO7VVOroQ7e-oSuGItmPbis68wwP2rTVWNnV27R9RcRcoTl2Jk9LvioZ1zq61PxiKrRWFawLxMPPVWST6W6qFI/s1600/Image.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, on Monday of the Christmas Break I stopped by for a little peak.. to see if I should get my hopes up or not... and What do to wondering eyes should appear... but busted out windows.. and door frames and smashed out counters.. and bricks flying every which way!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The set of windows as you walk in, and the door way with old blue paint!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTA1NlfAatdU5G8pbQkNNPOL09qvWgDWZOZZ-Qv5jNTjn7AI58Q9AZVZIggeujQtUjCJirGFK799pAgM-N9XRzODmRITbgjDlGibS-8oBsUc1IjQYeJfHYblX-7bQ9CMAQoW6DfDoFUjs/s1600/IMG_1974_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTA1NlfAatdU5G8pbQkNNPOL09qvWgDWZOZZ-Qv5jNTjn7AI58Q9AZVZIggeujQtUjCJirGFK799pAgM-N9XRzODmRITbgjDlGibS-8oBsUc1IjQYeJfHYblX-7bQ9CMAQoW6DfDoFUjs/s1600/IMG_1974_2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The counter with the step up.. hiding 20 year old wallpaper!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBsfDn-M2558qpN3QOojpZ1NBvfT85i6SW0oLw6QSbyTMKDcoMTvUZ6VvIexiEs5yCGy_M0J7nBNHpBb3bxvg3iZza0E89k0rliIpwBIdgCN3lKqW9xS2I0Kfs6cv-ULzW5ttIipjYOQ/s1600/IMG_1973_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBsfDn-M2558qpN3QOojpZ1NBvfT85i6SW0oLw6QSbyTMKDcoMTvUZ6VvIexiEs5yCGy_M0J7nBNHpBb3bxvg3iZza0E89k0rliIpwBIdgCN3lKqW9xS2I0Kfs6cv-ULzW5ttIipjYOQ/s1600/IMG_1973_2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first new door which is between the two sets of doors coming in the building.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdaMqys_6XUzKLNEwmbK1ukcju1ZFpsj3IfJnuqQanUi6TMOVV9Aqy61k6DPypwY3ES_q4FJSOY7i8_mOh-toGSVYNgDKt83wF9axOtGcnbvXphZXnAJQlw-D9Fw7JU1R4-b8jFq_xKI/s1600/IMG_1976_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdaMqys_6XUzKLNEwmbK1ukcju1ZFpsj3IfJnuqQanUi6TMOVV9Aqy61k6DPypwY3ES_q4FJSOY7i8_mOh-toGSVYNgDKt83wF9axOtGcnbvXphZXnAJQlw-D9Fw7JU1R4-b8jFq_xKI/s1600/IMG_1976_2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So you can compare, see what the old office looked like below.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2hyphenhyphen99HmYexOx75gqvOJ0mF-US4p2r7tDvyqpVP3NsGjyLGIWtqSlFQsw_MXYGME51rRSxEUOdMCxH-_viXxnT0cP64_KytS-utrkENGEyPfnPGWR8wGkacMRyhXAiPhOBRs-HFHXvfA/s1600/IMG_5681.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2hyphenhyphen99HmYexOx75gqvOJ0mF-US4p2r7tDvyqpVP3NsGjyLGIWtqSlFQsw_MXYGME51rRSxEUOdMCxH-_viXxnT0cP64_KytS-utrkENGEyPfnPGWR8wGkacMRyhXAiPhOBRs-HFHXvfA/s1600/IMG_5681.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the office windows looked like before.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pMBTyihHtT3KM3y5cviWKtLAAnT4IhhiLiLCXnuD_xhoRgqLgR7CnIsSvo7RmDoUaskIwWSUjWVNMuyjgzrpllO57YTIe9AGGqZqNGOuhBxl7Sr6BCaDaaVpH5xga1c8cwAqp6Umvbo/s1600/IMG_1979_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pMBTyihHtT3KM3y5cviWKtLAAnT4IhhiLiLCXnuD_xhoRgqLgR7CnIsSvo7RmDoUaskIwWSUjWVNMuyjgzrpllO57YTIe9AGGqZqNGOuhBxl7Sr6BCaDaaVpH5xga1c8cwAqp6Umvbo/s1600/IMG_1979_2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second door is taking shape with a peep window too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV83_MjOEcjmgDBSvs1oJXqyPK-nRGeAdsoCIH7eDv_yZY8o3dVbohTCdLlFNiSGq12-oalC_Nz8AGIBrkBmQKDi9lJA1-Y2iUohYP6L-mOBWBzoi17mVLsYjhGJfplvC-Iguryla7VtY/s1600/IMG_6608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV83_MjOEcjmgDBSvs1oJXqyPK-nRGeAdsoCIH7eDv_yZY8o3dVbohTCdLlFNiSGq12-oalC_Nz8AGIBrkBmQKDi9lJA1-Y2iUohYP6L-mOBWBzoi17mVLsYjhGJfplvC-Iguryla7VtY/s1600/IMG_6608.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old doorway will be no longer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeES4Jhvely7xL_dn0o6-P0kjRyFdg4IS8WG_ZKqh7fohip3Z7sZP4QODFk1ZIRrDblxIhWD1_0dW2S7uCiJzLsGOdbZ_MoJV93P1X9d7VdnKkWac_OKXHMgfbvsu0NUAaSnxmkUhI7g8/s1600/IMG_6615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeES4Jhvely7xL_dn0o6-P0kjRyFdg4IS8WG_ZKqh7fohip3Z7sZP4QODFk1ZIRrDblxIhWD1_0dW2S7uCiJzLsGOdbZ_MoJV93P1X9d7VdnKkWac_OKXHMgfbvsu0NUAaSnxmkUhI7g8/s1600/IMG_6615.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The door way is coming out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwuP8WMs_Wd7I6tDlFiGyM6aXw-SmctN9y0oN9_qG-naEa-A5kGWEBm2DZz2Gj4PipTgLNu2qECft2PBsn4wvn-L9Hf5RNZWObIEEnLZcEMnNxpSwpE8uMISMqpnwc8YN_wZF1t6lk-c/s1600/Image+2.jpg" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Its taking shape.... this is where the old door way and is no longer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2hyphenhyphen99HmYexOx75gqvOJ0mF-US4p2r7tDvyqpVP3NsGjyLGIWtqSlFQsw_MXYGME51rRSxEUOdMCxH-_viXxnT0cP64_KytS-utrkENGEyPfnPGWR8wGkacMRyhXAiPhOBRs-HFHXvfA/s1600/IMG_5681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Just seven long days for the construction crew and another whole day by the office girls, we have a clean and inviting office. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQue9iiiObyxws9TUxbYgIRyRktdtEEfXGkW2dmLF0F56e0EjbxIhJPI-IvUdG_fDGTyk7c2cu19XgC1IFBY1yBoYNC4QBu3IjDmzGFvLI5D8r6hcuL2L330bel0R0JEtO0SDRGqhe_zU/s1600/IMG_6703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQue9iiiObyxws9TUxbYgIRyRktdtEEfXGkW2dmLF0F56e0EjbxIhJPI-IvUdG_fDGTyk7c2cu19XgC1IFBY1yBoYNC4QBu3IjDmzGFvLI5D8r6hcuL2L330bel0R0JEtO0SDRGqhe_zU/s1600/IMG_6703.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
We have two doorways, one for entering and one for exiting. We have a beautiful tall counter with plenty of room for parents and children. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgVxfCUUxvc-ZkVgfelJjfZZqfiC5AQcKJ0bYkQvurWLvhAQLdYwatr6G7a91FuDaBNhRyFIBTuD-M_oiKleAkXYvxuoWYnREB6fQESmqynanXP-tjVk6HQ83DuneDHrTAPO3OR3ElVI/s1600/IMG_6704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgVxfCUUxvc-ZkVgfelJjfZZqfiC5AQcKJ0bYkQvurWLvhAQLdYwatr6G7a91FuDaBNhRyFIBTuD-M_oiKleAkXYvxuoWYnREB6fQESmqynanXP-tjVk6HQ83DuneDHrTAPO3OR3ElVI/s1600/IMG_6704.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
My phone does not do justice to the colors, so please do not judge. The colors are warm and inviting and look awesome with our wooden furniture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-Xwa3fOZ5Xmr0H93EfyhQa7VfV4XK5jwP1wm34LZX0K7yBP_z9Q08TcZysCTPjVWlbh9sjzh77DKI33DsxMlyu-jZ6ptdKZ6oqBKhO5F0XtbsEXqZviyLUG_44Skv-lMevZvO8S7M64/s1600/IMG_6705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-Xwa3fOZ5Xmr0H93EfyhQa7VfV4XK5jwP1wm34LZX0K7yBP_z9Q08TcZysCTPjVWlbh9sjzh77DKI33DsxMlyu-jZ6ptdKZ6oqBKhO5F0XtbsEXqZviyLUG_44Skv-lMevZvO8S7M64/s1600/IMG_6705.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
There are about 15 little things that need to get done, like phone wires, and printer stuff, and things hung all the wall. We have floor tiles that need to be replaced and baskets purchased and signs made.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8VJczXGYjtdgd2VRz-wgsWZNSKy6_JxEBSsTBZi8YvOqDSEfmKTCshclocJVxkp_x_kMWEE3I9IKm5pqiO_ie6z5GW-_70nxxGWQBJD-Xh1GlWmRsdMZ8Exi6vzDHwVJK0vKq0EQ-CQ/s1600/IMG_6706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8VJczXGYjtdgd2VRz-wgsWZNSKy6_JxEBSsTBZi8YvOqDSEfmKTCshclocJVxkp_x_kMWEE3I9IKm5pqiO_ie6z5GW-_70nxxGWQBJD-Xh1GlWmRsdMZ8Exi6vzDHwVJK0vKq0EQ-CQ/s1600/IMG_6706.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
But it feels like home already and we can't wait to have all the little "post" renovation ends done so we can relax and start enjoying the upgrades! This was after Day 1 open for business. I didn't take "unpacking" pictures. It was too awful!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2ij-SXaZS14sy6xF0prEqZrvJr9GXqJtzDvP5im1r6rAiiwT5wua4tbZ-FosQlflddW_ZoKCduPlzdNAYcVCfa2JEHyqY3IJy2j8C2eY8NVOzxud9iidoMZKx8RyPhgDG1I9tzt3pOE/s1600/IMG_6707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2ij-SXaZS14sy6xF0prEqZrvJr9GXqJtzDvP5im1r6rAiiwT5wua4tbZ-FosQlflddW_ZoKCduPlzdNAYcVCfa2JEHyqY3IJy2j8C2eY8NVOzxud9iidoMZKx8RyPhgDG1I9tzt3pOE/s1600/IMG_6707.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgbXO6MnTAwIEXrYoLgf1jUnc2Ib0KTn_7434CCESaGIv-mwOgz-G3Bj8E2aoeDz0Wj7Nv9FiYfGN4WUbNMh2UJXqoipslP-WRACfB1VA02m-aDImUnROpAXFVVkUTKzalGvmqiz5LcM/s1600/Image.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgbXO6MnTAwIEXrYoLgf1jUnc2Ib0KTn_7434CCESaGIv-mwOgz-G3Bj8E2aoeDz0Wj7Nv9FiYfGN4WUbNMh2UJXqoipslP-WRACfB1VA02m-aDImUnROpAXFVVkUTKzalGvmqiz5LcM/s1600/Image.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have to put things on the wall, and a charging station is being created for the walkies... bulletin board hung.. you know.. just lots of little things to do.. but I couldn't wait to show all of you.</td></tr>
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Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-4152258612118653802015-01-02T18:00:00.000-04:002015-01-03T13:45:54.800-04:00Winter has arrived<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Christmas is such a busy time, and even though I have two whole weeks off during the Christmas season, I rarely see friends or do any of the "normal" routine of stuff that is sometimes rather mundane, but somehow comforting at the same time.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Christmas is also the time when my friends are as busy as I am, attending to family and Christmas traditions, stealing moments between all the seasonal flurry to relax in quiet and ponder the next thing they need to do. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The arrival of our first real snow happened on the first day of 2015 and with it brought the realities of winter. The Christmas season is now done, and its time to put away the decorations leaving the house to look fresh and new. Time to empty the fridge of the seasonal foods and make room for healthier choices that seems to be on every one's "New Years Wish List". </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Time to get outside and brave the cold and wind, and toughen up our "indoor" skin. Today was a briskly cold but sunny day. It was a perfect day to try out my new snowshoes. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPuT-vTKvEfC5LK-D1DeuoM8HJb9V2TLsmGZM6rA97YVoxPT0PH7ku_PgJL5idOfaGcMFsIHGhBDPliJZboJMs33eHgZpUUn44DelFzKUD22FEuTijWNqmeFiGZWtZtcFtUysJT5uG1w/s1600/IMG_6689.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqtrGE-baFt6sdV2r0_cSTpHR8INZNRrqRmTLeb11DFgSI8tM0vBDZNtdtjNe7OF9LXnUmbSnj-mNOi11gSml_wow0gmmTvDHWhyphenhyphenEVdBwh_iZzrBLqMOBfW5Vx2w8fjKjBP0qhoP4RTs/s1600/IMG_6691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqtrGE-baFt6sdV2r0_cSTpHR8INZNRrqRmTLeb11DFgSI8tM0vBDZNtdtjNe7OF9LXnUmbSnj-mNOi11gSml_wow0gmmTvDHWhyphenhyphenEVdBwh_iZzrBLqMOBfW5Vx2w8fjKjBP0qhoP4RTs/s1600/IMG_6691.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Debbie and I (with very little planning, which seems the only way to get stuff done when it comes to busy people) hopped in the car, and drove to the Golf Course and started an hour long walk across open fairways and in under the cover of big trees. The wind was howling but I barely felt the wind... it just felt so good to be out in the sun, enjoying catching up with a great friend and feeling pride in owning a modern and sleek pair of snow shoes. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MKVdc5wQVk_4-nrHQwhlKqMrIoxyNuK_OfuZZOAos0XRXrjPv3BKsaPCpIrqoGNAj27ZmOd9hEh1y2ZFcOoyRRim3GYSekC58EaKKcsFmHF4mNkhFnXu46qLozFgb5chSp2ajhXSdW8/s1600/IMG_6694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MKVdc5wQVk_4-nrHQwhlKqMrIoxyNuK_OfuZZOAos0XRXrjPv3BKsaPCpIrqoGNAj27ZmOd9hEh1y2ZFcOoyRRim3GYSekC58EaKKcsFmHF4mNkhFnXu46qLozFgb5chSp2ajhXSdW8/s1600/IMG_6694.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
I have wanted a pair of snowshoes for a while, but felt I didn't really need to spend the money on something I wouldn't use very often.<br />
But last winter, I decide to challenge myself to change a few bad habits... and I paid myself each day that I successful! It took me 6 weeks to earn $100 from this challenge, and I couldn't think of a better reward than a beautiful and slick pair of snowshoes.<br />
Of course, the ones I wanted were not available (by February, there weren't many good pairs of snowshoes on the market).. so I held onto my $100 and waited. Surprisingly, Costco had the ones I wanted when I visited in AUGUST! They are perfect and I will use them often since my two greatest friends have each a pair as well! <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Look out snowy world....</span></div>
Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-86101629809465293492015-01-01T18:00:00.000-04:002015-01-03T13:46:35.987-04:00Happy New Years 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIHJzu3HQTpen7203vq-c9gMa3pYTq0FFypCl18Wsz8twP5n40pssOkF_jzOmXC_BlZWew1HUaIUQoDh0hiyA5Vq1j7VS_7jQ_ftdio1u37Kpm65aVAQFd9hv6FIsSEHKpXt4tcvAoaM/s1600/Image+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIHJzu3HQTpen7203vq-c9gMa3pYTq0FFypCl18Wsz8twP5n40pssOkF_jzOmXC_BlZWew1HUaIUQoDh0hiyA5Vq1j7VS_7jQ_ftdio1u37Kpm65aVAQFd9hv6FIsSEHKpXt4tcvAoaM/s1600/Image+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I never baked with either of my Grandmothers. I don't really remember baking or cooking with my mom until I was a teenager. I am not sure where I got the thought that grandmothers are suppose to bake with their grandkids. It could be the inspiration of my sister who bakes all the time with her 6 grand children. No matter where it came from.. I love baking with Jack.<br />
For Christmas this year, Stephanie bought Jack an Easy Bake Oven (a very modern version, mind you) and I bought him a Sesame Street cook book, filled with fun and easy cookies and muffins to make.<br />
Jack's love for books opened the way to us sitting and looking at every page and every picture on Christmas day and that opened the door to making a bake date to start our cookie baking plan.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBkTuer6ttJvRGc2fK15SNsIYZCkKpxIyWecCHxRku3i3uFeqQqBMpn8xW0Ka5oSzT7E4HWqKHewk9EjT60jHg32K3szjEaq0_ETjHFz7GAZZlbGV9eb0FCnmsW9Nn7PlfMW-0dvzdEI/s1600/Image+8.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBkTuer6ttJvRGc2fK15SNsIYZCkKpxIyWecCHxRku3i3uFeqQqBMpn8xW0Ka5oSzT7E4HWqKHewk9EjT60jHg32K3szjEaq0_ETjHFz7GAZZlbGV9eb0FCnmsW9Nn7PlfMW-0dvzdEI/s1600/Image+8.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzo-pGPK3_Mjxlo76q-kqQAmWf22G9YEpcwgqYITjDTO0Eo8T7qTOidPLkrL67QnbAOgVJO_OpVfehX8f4hmEhbnNIOxv4O3MSDDO0rc7zNgnDBGMOPK4qQXRJAjVAFcn-54ETIUyG_4/s1600/Image+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzo-pGPK3_Mjxlo76q-kqQAmWf22G9YEpcwgqYITjDTO0Eo8T7qTOidPLkrL67QnbAOgVJO_OpVfehX8f4hmEhbnNIOxv4O3MSDDO0rc7zNgnDBGMOPK4qQXRJAjVAFcn-54ETIUyG_4/s1600/Image+6.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacks job .. placing them on the sheet</td></tr>
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Now, I thought we were making cookie snakes when we started the day, but when I opened the recipe book to the right page, I was quickly corrected and directed to the cookie catepillar page. We had to make a chocolate cookie dough, refrigerate it overnight (very cruel to a kid) and then cut a million little chocolate circles.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack taste testing every type of sprinkle </td></tr>
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It called for Nutella for the filling, and since we didn't have any of that, we make a chocolate chip and peanut butter melted spread to stick all the little circles together. Some eyeballs, some dinosaur feet sprinkles and other odd sprinkle decorations and the cookies were complete.<br />
They didn't look much like the book, but good enough for our crowd.<br />
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The last little bit of dough was too small to make anything, so I made a larger cookie in the shape of a heart. Jack decided that this cookie would be for Papa.<br />
When it was baked, we added chocolate spread to the top and then dumped sprinkle balls on the top of it.<br />
After lunch, when it was time to eat the cookies, which one do you think Jack chose to eat..<br />
Yup, Papa's heart cookie... with all the sprinkles<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Missing from the plate above is the Heart cookie... we only thought to take a picture of these gems after we had eaten some!</span><br />
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<br />Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-30731632954965356292014-05-30T07:31:00.004-03:002014-05-30T07:31:37.880-03:00Lets Do It!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2jQ0InIyXEuHExLVaW1383djrlp-wk9Rr0MeB1bYht_DP8PavHUhFWsa7xHlxW1BbA5UhVVXI0klVc0LT7cjWJbAszTOlV8WOWlvV88BKJF-Z3FbC1bDMgt_VU1ye400UH3xH3llNFs/s1600/Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2jQ0InIyXEuHExLVaW1383djrlp-wk9Rr0MeB1bYht_DP8PavHUhFWsa7xHlxW1BbA5UhVVXI0klVc0LT7cjWJbAszTOlV8WOWlvV88BKJF-Z3FbC1bDMgt_VU1ye400UH3xH3llNFs/s1600/Image.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;"><span id="goog_1307255172"></span><span id="goog_1307255173"></span>Friends… Goals….Rewards</span></div>
Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-82550986088601311972013-08-11T15:25:00.000-03:002013-08-13T18:45:06.083-03:00The Ups and Downs of camping!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Fs4QVZGXE1RFXGvW8QPYA4f-Hx2FgovQ7HLHu0T5IuQOMftOa1USnPchGmqvb8l9ZWo7IDSinaeTzYI6Wzb5DRHhbt40G7WzIilsvcMiLVmSJpBT_rpGyPIVcyOD4rNsCvscZwq6v7g/s1600/IMG_4213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Fs4QVZGXE1RFXGvW8QPYA4f-Hx2FgovQ7HLHu0T5IuQOMftOa1USnPchGmqvb8l9ZWo7IDSinaeTzYI6Wzb5DRHhbt40G7WzIilsvcMiLVmSJpBT_rpGyPIVcyOD4rNsCvscZwq6v7g/s400/IMG_4213.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This summer has been filled with summer time activities for me. Some that I haven't done in awhile. One of which is to pack up the car with kayaks and tent... and go on an outdoor adventure. We hadn't planned on going camping actually but Terry had a couple of days to burn up on vacation stuff so we made some plans to stay fairly close (within an hour from home) but to explore a part of Nova Scotia that we barely know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So off we headed for Smiley's Campground in Brooklyn. What a beautiful spot we found. Quiet, peaceful with large camp sites and clean bathrooms. Always a bonus when camping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our site was a little tucked in site that protected us from the sun and heat (and rain). We set up our campsite and then hit the road to explore the area and look for somewhere to put the kayaks in.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvU3oVzFPoaZhf_KDsJdEPzp4j-Ra3d9fu2DgpRamaeDlPQDQ2KU0YZWw4MS9sKW78c6eqizzCodHRXwPUk0YYKXhbzUcO-bzmGn3FDVLfzYP_YsuJkFGthmLUcNaCJj1pQJPXk4RVMuA/s1600/IMG_4189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvU3oVzFPoaZhf_KDsJdEPzp4j-Ra3d9fu2DgpRamaeDlPQDQ2KU0YZWw4MS9sKW78c6eqizzCodHRXwPUk0YYKXhbzUcO-bzmGn3FDVLfzYP_YsuJkFGthmLUcNaCJj1pQJPXk4RVMuA/s320/IMG_4189.jpg" width="236" /></a>We found a cool paddling site in St. Croix. Not by chance, though, as Terry pours over maps and websites looking for locations. He remembered something about a NS Power Dam project he read about, so off we go.. up hills, over dirt roads, on windy paths way up in the deep of the forest. I was a little nervous but when we finally got to the top of the dirt road, we came upon a beautiful man made HUGE lake, perfect for paddling.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lake is over 30 km long and was made over 60 years ago using two dams. It was a beautiful calm paddle and we discovered a little waterfall, a few beautiful cottages and some very cool deadwood trees. Can you believe that this huge lake empties at the bottom of the hill into this quaint and bubbly river at St. Croix. (pictured below) We only paddled for two hours but we do plan on making a longer day of it, with some friends and a picnic lunch. There were lots of places to pull ashore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent 4 days at Smileys and shared our campsite with Kim, Caleigh and Bella for a couple of those nights. We had the most terrifying rain/wind storm I have ever experienced in a tent on the third night there... and I don't want to have that experience again. We were tucked safely in the woods but it didn't help any in the middle of the night when all we could hear was the deafening sounds of rain and wind against the tent!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jack and Michelle came to visit one afternoon and we had a great time taking him to the little river just down from our tent. We enjoyed the cool water and the flat smooth round rocks too. Great for throwing and even painting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday morning, Jack and his mom and dad arrived just on time for a late morning camp breakfast. We were all so tired from lying awake most of the night in the rain/wind storm that we took our time getting up that morning. It was great to spend the morning with them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our last night at the campground was quiet, relaxing and just perfect. We spent the evening playing "hangman" on the iPad while gazing into the fire. The downfall of camping in the "rurals" of Nova Scotia is the lack of cell coverage, and no ability to charge ones' technology! I must say, I felt very disconnected from the world, and at times lost when I needed to know how to do something (no YouTube and no Google). What have I become! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The "UP" of camping, I must say, I loved being out in nature, enjoying the trees, the sounds, the water. The DOWNS of camping .....I didn't enjoy the "No See Ums"... which ate my legs to bits and resulted in many large red welts which I am now treating with cortisone. I have learned, though, that Deep Woods Off is my new favourite cologne!</span><br />
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<br />Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-59192086282371444032013-01-13T14:49:00.000-04:002013-01-13T20:29:24.861-04:00Summer Revue - part 1... A Wedding Shower <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had the most amazing summer, this summer. Truly. It was a planned and busy summer with loads of family, loads of activities that involved family and our beautiful province too. I was so busy this summer, I just couldn't make time to blog.. and I was sad about that. So.. my plan is to blog a few events that need to be shared. Someday, I plan on having my blog published (for my own use) to keep as a memento. There are so many wonderful things in my life that I want to commemorate ... and the winter months are the months to catch up on those things that I didn't have time to blog about. When I go to publish my blog, I will rearrange the blogs into the right order so eventually it will be the right order.</div>
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I have lived in this community going on 25 years. Coming from a military family, and marrying into a military life... I never imagined I would ever have the luxury of becoming part of a community. You know, really living in a community and feeling like its my home. I have friends that I will grow old with and I know lots of people at the grocery store and I know tons of kids, and have watched them grow into adults and get married and have kids. Not only does that mean I am getting old.. but it also means that I am a part of this community. <br />
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So... that being said, in a long and obscure way, I was honoured to host a wedding shower this summer for sweet little Ashley Walker who I have known since she was 4. She and her family have been in my life all that time, even though they moved twice in our friendship life. Her mom, Debbie and I have been "stay home mom" friends, then "working mom" friends, then "Brownie Leader" friends, and "running the roads with our kids" friends (we earlier post about busy life as a mom). Our lives have been entangled enough over the past 25 years... that I feel we are WAY MORE than friends. And, in many ways, better than family! <br />
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Ashley's wedding was set for Sept.. so a July shower was perfect timing. I was finished work in early July and expecting company in a few weeks... I was cleaning and baking for my company to arrive so having a Wedding Shower was perfect timing, since I was already in the entertaining mode! I was also working on a wedding bouquet for my own daughter Stephanie who was getting married in mid August.. and that just made everything feel romantic!<br />
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Michelle and Jack arrived the day before Ashley's shower to help with the set up and my niece, Aubrey arrive from Ottawa the day before that.<br />
I had lots of help to decorate and do the last minute food prep and Lauren arrived shortly after lunch to set up for the games and activities part of the shower. I was very thankful she did that part, since I am not that experienced at those parts of the party.<br />
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I will gladly admit that Pinterest helped me with so many fun ideas for the food and decorations. We had three kinds of punch..<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Wine punch, Watermelon strawberry punch and Lemon Lime Punch.</td></tr>
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Ashley's wedding colors were Orange and Silver, and therefore,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkL_MCIng-XVsYGWyVYDoQf2cWWpOJdJHsJJLsixvkowNub4WVpn1aLRofOsjx7wc3uAXXjAuDpGvGBkMXEtxU0Ku_rop09CfDl0Z6ZaVL4f95bJsK1fDw-N-N19LvdW-qCF1enjLMK2k/s1600/DSC_1046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkL_MCIng-XVsYGWyVYDoQf2cWWpOJdJHsJJLsixvkowNub4WVpn1aLRofOsjx7wc3uAXXjAuDpGvGBkMXEtxU0Ku_rop09CfDl0Z6ZaVL4f95bJsK1fDw-N-N19LvdW-qCF1enjLMK2k/s320/DSC_1046.jpg" width="212" /></a>I made sure that most of my accents were in those colours.</div>
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We had fresh fruit and fresh veggie cups. Hidden in the</div>
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bottom of the cups for the veggies was a yummy onion dip, </div>
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and there was a fruit dip to pour on the top of the fruit cups. <br />
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Michelle is well stocked in fun cake servers and I borrowed a matching set from Paula. </div>
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Tea biscuits served with 4 types of butter... Lemon butter, cinnamon/walnut, raspberry and plain</div>
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Sweets included heart shaped jam filled sugar cookies, gluten free chocolate squares, Cupcakes with or gummy orange slices, wedding cake cookies. Along with orange candies and orange cheese.. it was a pretty and yummy display of food.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucEcAHOyPweUKH3OmCUzx9kKSb8FzwnCugPoJe8NmVTB8JFSSudQ35hbS5x397ob_3OvZ11Jy-TLSPZ7C6K4LGwFtF4QdtJP4KLZRpCUaCn5ZbLqJiU8g6SqQ5yUwXAik8zKQdtY9ECo/s1600/DSC_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucEcAHOyPweUKH3OmCUzx9kKSb8FzwnCugPoJe8NmVTB8JFSSudQ35hbS5x397ob_3OvZ11Jy-TLSPZ7C6K4LGwFtF4QdtJP4KLZRpCUaCn5ZbLqJiU8g6SqQ5yUwXAik8zKQdtY9ECo/s400/DSC_1057.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbk93xX79gHIvOpbQVzHVQgvHE0Q_M6Rk4bu2bwtBxGsEJ1Ki-vpILg3ae4ELNSZHILf078vHsuqgtPcM8eyLHngCj5WD94k-w7KWlBk5MsMJBp7BQhMO7Vs5k2BydAIQJmzENZsYbYw/s1600/DSC_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbk93xX79gHIvOpbQVzHVQgvHE0Q_M6Rk4bu2bwtBxGsEJ1Ki-vpILg3ae4ELNSZHILf078vHsuqgtPcM8eyLHngCj5WD94k-w7KWlBk5MsMJBp7BQhMO7Vs5k2BydAIQJmzENZsYbYw/s400/DSC_1049.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Aubrey, my niece had a blast with her new camera and took lots of "art type" pictures of my veggie and fruit display.. and they were so pretty I had to share them. She has quite the artists eye.. which she gets from her dad.. who is quite the photographer. She didn't take many pictures of the people who were there, the decorations on the walls and entrance way.. we played several games and they were all really fun... </span>identifying "white" powder in many forms. we all felt and sniffed baggies of white powder... and then had to guess what they were.. Sugar.. baking powder... soda... flour...baby powder.. and I can't remember the rest, but I was totally wrong on most of them.!</div>
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Our next game was designing a wedding dress out of 2 rolls of toilet paper. I have very little imagination so I was sure this would be horrible! I certainly wasn't going to be a model for the game, and I was scared to be a designer.. but the three brave souls and there design teams went off in all directions in the house... and these were the final designs. Ashley's grandmother-in-law "to be" was fashioned in a beautiful strapless off the waist Mermaid type gown, accented with a small flower bouquet and some sort of bow/veil. To the left, Michelle was also in a Mermaid style dress, but hers was off one shoulder, some hip bling and a sexy headpiece. Conveniently, her dress falls to the ground on command, which would come in very handy for the honeymoon! Last but not least, is sexy Jackie, who was fashioned in a plunging neckline of a dress (which we had to accentuate the boob area to make the plunge work). It was a sassy short number, for the sleazy bride and her dress came with flowers, head dress and waist bling. </div>
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Ashley was our judge and she was quite impressed with all of the designs.. and frankly, so was I. Its amazing what you can do with a couple of rolls of toilet paper and some very creative women!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashley, her two sister in laws.. sizing up and appreciating our dress designs!</td></tr>
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Finally, Ashley was blessed with wonderful gifts from her family and friends. Her kitchen cupboards will be adorned with new and shiny eating and cooking items. She will have soft and lush towels to offer anyone who gets to spend the night... and lots of baking supplies to get her started on her adventures of baking!</div>
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Ashley is surrounded by newly married girls, and although they all seem so serious, they are all remembering when they were in the spotlight and had to open gifts in front of everyone. I had forgotten how nerve wrecking this could be. Ashley did an amazing job and was as cute as a button through the whole thing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMF4nGU1SO1aH2BZIGlYAyM3zGCzl3tkmDTa8I3Or8MyfdiORnTxcUHFOZ-sjzI2KFQcPHKmijmrOg2Q3FDcA2WKO4VBIy-fS-F_ZbhCX-47S5nPWwas8e50zEqpDWnxuYgeGS0MsxTY/s1600/DSC_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMF4nGU1SO1aH2BZIGlYAyM3zGCzl3tkmDTa8I3Or8MyfdiORnTxcUHFOZ-sjzI2KFQcPHKmijmrOg2Q3FDcA2WKO4VBIy-fS-F_ZbhCX-47S5nPWwas8e50zEqpDWnxuYgeGS0MsxTY/s400/DSC_1085.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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With Michelle and Lauren's help, we pulled off a beautiful and fun wedding shower for the cutest bride of 2012!</div>
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*** added as an afterthought.. well, actually thanks to Debbie's reminder**</div>
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Final added pictures. We had great hopes of getting the carpet removed from the steps going both up and down stairs during the first weeks of the summer. It was easy to remove the carpet and underlay but then with working full days... having to precision cut, sand and stain (several coats), battle potato bugs in our garden (by hand, no less) and wedding shower prep (on my part)... the stairs just weren't coming together. <br />
On the night before the shower... Michelle dragged out my markers and proceeded to decorate the stairs in honour of Ashley's shower!<br />
The stairs didn't actually get finished until our exciting summer was over.. so we had the pleasure of enjoying these decorated stairs all summer.. <br />
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Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-15331008450750002592013-01-08T16:00:00.000-04:002013-01-08T16:00:04.033-04:00Menu Planning 101 Gone are the days when I was mom to a family of 5 (this included my dad, and my hubby - 2 little girls). Also, 4 cats (maybe 5), 2 dogs, 2 tank-full of fish and I think... one guinea Pig (who lived for 8 years, ugh).<br />
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Add to that houseful... violin lessons (I ran the program), swim team, basketball, Brownies (was a leader), Tae Kwon Do, Catechism, Junior Liturgy (Leader), Drama club, skating lessons, soccer and a full time job. My kids didn't do all those things at the same time but several of them at least. I know I am missing some...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHIyN8msODYkyGAzp2lVksd55OL4KHqbK0dlBedVh20NIjjqlJPQSnZvsu6sc36-OtL_960NoT-MMmeXYIEIC8TZ60F6U9RL939afDcqKuxtUiraMFgFsEoAeepq1tAIE-II9XcQOKM8/s1600/image-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHIyN8msODYkyGAzp2lVksd55OL4KHqbK0dlBedVh20NIjjqlJPQSnZvsu6sc36-OtL_960NoT-MMmeXYIEIC8TZ60F6U9RL939afDcqKuxtUiraMFgFsEoAeepq1tAIE-II9XcQOKM8/s320/image-2.jpeg" width="239" /></a>I look back and my head spins at what I did with so little time and so many things to do... Plus I sewed, crafted, socialized and went to the gym (in fits and spurts).<br />
One thing that got me through that busy time in my life was menu planning. We began this practice when I first started to work full time in the early 1990's but by the time my dad moved in with us in 1995, we were menu planning experts. Even the kids participated in the planning and executing of the menu.<br />
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A good friend of mine gave me a great Day Planner in the late 1990's and I started buying that planner for the next 10 years until I started moving out of super busy and into the computer calendar era. This day planner is still out on the market and it has several spots to plan your week, including a menu column. I just bought one for Michelle, this Xmas... since she is just starting her roller coaster life of a working & stay home mom!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SuiAy5OMuXUt3fV24yQO3fgLCiFNxWjzWApS5uffPfiWzLuTR44DVc9WtzzpDtBB3b4HxfotYY4tBilo8przmlHEg6O9qfBvZtDqAppy58_RdqM4JFGoIlEydUUKTROzNUtyEzz1oN0/s1600/image-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2SuiAy5OMuXUt3fV24yQO3fgLCiFNxWjzWApS5uffPfiWzLuTR44DVc9WtzzpDtBB3b4HxfotYY4tBilo8przmlHEg6O9qfBvZtDqAppy58_RdqM4JFGoIlEydUUKTROzNUtyEzz1oN0/s320/image-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Every Sunday, our family would brainstorm what would be good to eat for the week, at the same time as reviewing who has what on what night and trying to anticipate what problems we were going to up against for the week. We managed to eat supper together every night of the week, even if we had an event starting at 6.. we were fed and on the road by 5:45.... and only because we had meals planned and half made before we even got home. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnBBEEQDYK8uQUAJPbbfhQHSEdCFSiMrhY6ihpOKnD6TdGOGp448OXu9zlksOE2cQqPJ4cWbq1JjPRx1ICH_XRGnAZ0xVYQBjuJxSB5qFNST8mcWm7cBWaHdNuDK9hKEpRxiS4UU7eu0/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnBBEEQDYK8uQUAJPbbfhQHSEdCFSiMrhY6ihpOKnD6TdGOGp448OXu9zlksOE2cQqPJ4cWbq1JjPRx1ICH_XRGnAZ0xVYQBjuJxSB5qFNST8mcWm7cBWaHdNuDK9hKEpRxiS4UU7eu0/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a>As the kids moved away and my dad was no longer around to anchor us and our meal times, and the evenings were less hectic. Terry and I became lazy about meal planning and it got harder and harder to get meals done on time and not from a box in the freezer. We would never have groceries in the house that we needed and we often ate out. Although, it was fun at first.. we soon realized that this wasn't all it was cracked up to be and we started to plan at least Monday to Thursday each week. <br />
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Now that its January, and its a good time to start good habits... Terry and I are going to start a serious Meal Planning routine again. I went through about 10 years of old day planners to see what it was we liked to eat. It provided me with some long forgotten favourites but it also made me chuckle... some weeks we ate exactly what we ate.. the week before. I can actually remember sitting with the kids to try and think of things to eat.... and the kids would say.. "what did we eat last Tuesday".. well, if it was spaghetti... we would plug that in on a Thursday the next week.. and we were all relieved to at least have one more menu night done! Hee hee... a great reason to include the kids in this routine... so they can't really complain about whats' for supper.. since they agreed to it on Sunday! My list does NOT even include all the recipes in my recipe books, and favorite websites for recipes... Whew...certainly lots to choice from!<br />
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Well, that's it... how we menu plan, and we have been successful for many years. The menu was done and the grocery list was prepared on Sundays. Sunday supper was usually leftovers for Monday or Tuesday and groceries were purchased on Monday night. Quietest night at the grocery store! It always set us up for a great week in the kitchen at the very least!</div>
Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-11258158816959650052013-01-06T16:00:00.000-04:002013-01-06T16:00:07.488-04:00Crystal Falls... 2013I know if I dig deep enough I will find pictures of hikes to Crystal Falls from 1990 and every year since then. But the trips to the falls stopped a few years ago... when the kids were grown and working most weekends; the ticks and blackflies were in full force (so we didn't take the dog or Terry).... and life was just too busy for family hikes.<br />
Terry and I started doing some fun winter walking about a month ago.. and have really enjoyed the brisk cool walks. No black flies and your never tooo hot! <br />
Being a sunny Saturday, which I know is rare in Nova Scotia, we decided to give Crystal Falls a try. <br />
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Well, hiking through snowy trails, broken only by skidoos is a hard walk and I forgot just how UPHILL the whole walk is!<br />
What a blast and we invited Debbie and Brian, who just got snowshoes for Christmas and are getting into some fun winter walking too. They were happy to come along and Debbie trotted with her snow shoes the whole walk. I have never owned the new kind and they look really way better than the old ones we used in our younger days... I am tempted to get some.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funny how I look like a giant next to Debbie... she looks so tiny! hee hee, the magic of cameras!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so, you can't tell, but this is VERY steep uphill walking</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top of the falls.... windy and cool here. No where to stop and snack. Next time we will take the bridge route and climb down the big hill to the falls...<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What do you mean, we have only gone 3 kms... </td></tr>
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What a great day, and makes for a perfect Saturday. Napping after a 6 km walk is pretty sweet too! Another great thing to do on a Saturday!Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-61964283401459900162013-01-05T10:00:00.000-04:002013-01-05T15:24:39.140-04:00A typical Saturday MorningI love Saturdays. They are sometimes so busy and productive.. it makes your head spin. Then other Saturdays are lazy and restful. <br />
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No matter what my Saturday will be like.. I can always bank on an early morning Skype call.. from my favorite little guy.. Jack.</div>
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We have been skyping since he was just 2 months old.. and he and I have a routine of wide mouthed funny face smiles at each other... some songs we enjoy together (If your Happy and you Know it Clap your hands, Itsy bitsy spider.. etc) and I even get to playpen babysit while Michelle is letting the dog out for a pee. He shows me all the toys in his playpen. I get tours of his books and proudly shown his fire truck, or a hammer... and I get to see the occasion temper tantrum and time out too.. </div>
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When I am late for our date... I get a buzz or two from Michelle's phone... and that usually gets me up and off to my laptop (usually before 7 AM)</div>
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What is so fun, and so amazing is that from a very young age, Jack recognized the sound of Skype phoning me.. and makes a bee line to the computer to await my window to open. Michelle taped him waiting for me to call... I love knowing he knows me!</div>
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This morning I got a tour of his new book with all kinds of textures and page by page he showed me all the cool things that you can feel in the book!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXb_Zd0L_Y2C8DJL4Uplpyw51cvyXnrnSSnym0otHWtMYQ8zhNzFfyoUvRcYObCXSfXrNECmQtwpw5chK7RfgiZy9Qn-yy2niEXdzud8CO5QEx59EK9P97t3wi68PqB6-pKXxgtuCb-k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-01+at+10.04.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXb_Zd0L_Y2C8DJL4Uplpyw51cvyXnrnSSnym0otHWtMYQ8zhNzFfyoUvRcYObCXSfXrNECmQtwpw5chK7RfgiZy9Qn-yy2niEXdzud8CO5QEx59EK9P97t3wi68PqB6-pKXxgtuCb-k/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-01-01+at+10.04.07+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typing to me... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbZIwqvP6FzEZWd01lNz7dhXWjK3UeVtYbBuQmAMETU2mIurOOmzJSNP8LR2khAc-nCnc_A5-io0goGYLQNnSc679qRmnc9pnq_ZJFRLkXaN1vL-S0Upw49Th4GtjL8p8tRjQjZtgsHM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-01+at+10.04.35+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbZIwqvP6FzEZWd01lNz7dhXWjK3UeVtYbBuQmAMETU2mIurOOmzJSNP8LR2khAc-nCnc_A5-io0goGYLQNnSc679qRmnc9pnq_ZJFRLkXaN1vL-S0Upw49Th4GtjL8p8tRjQjZtgsHM/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-01-01+at+10.04.35+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having to reach farther to type to Grammie.. Mom keeps moving the laptop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fWgRweRCQPPpM6fW2a-FZbKvazhiJG4yeohBsvMCyXJcAjxg-9gB6xn99hwY86E4Oo-aXtDSU5aTaoL8m57enU63kCuBvxmwfRr73XsHlS0JvfDpTgFJJusoWUUSmHA8DGhFm_GKm-Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-01-01+at+10.06.47+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fWgRweRCQPPpM6fW2a-FZbKvazhiJG4yeohBsvMCyXJcAjxg-9gB6xn99hwY86E4Oo-aXtDSU5aTaoL8m57enU63kCuBvxmwfRr73XsHlS0JvfDpTgFJJusoWUUSmHA8DGhFm_GKm-Q/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-01-01+at+10.06.47+AM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new book, A Snowman, with lots of cool textures. Corrugated Cardboard arms... </td></tr>
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A great way to start my Saturday.. don't ya think!Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-21011627365950408242013-01-02T17:00:00.000-04:002013-01-02T17:00:05.263-04:00Happy New Year 2013I love New Years. I love the whole idea of a fresh start... a new beginning. A reflection of what needs to be done.... a review of what went on the past year.<br />
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2012 was filled with excitement, family and happiness. Along with good things, there were a couple of very sad, life "re-focusing" moments as well. I did not have a bad feeling about 2012... at all... but I do have a good feeling about 2013. I really do... and that is a rare thing for me... I never have premonitions... not good ones anyway.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjNXVf42owpTR16nxApMokmfm7-IMtydHnv3WY2eeHubAYn-5vtUepSdR-yZCOyq6wr5a5Aq0kGBvlnuhfhXSw20NHPV__TOKg37fwAkDz-rysR0xM022p7Xevc8XfeZgyCD60b9a8Jg/s1600/IMG_0875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjNXVf42owpTR16nxApMokmfm7-IMtydHnv3WY2eeHubAYn-5vtUepSdR-yZCOyq6wr5a5Aq0kGBvlnuhfhXSw20NHPV__TOKg37fwAkDz-rysR0xM022p7Xevc8XfeZgyCD60b9a8Jg/s200/IMG_0875.jpg" width="149" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDINbfDuVw9EUq1R2YWzSiwR551-Xtl3hIdJmlKZiWp2SJPAKqaX3rQn6SuETJ5XuWu9J_bdX2ZzygZhO2FFCpUdEzqVYEpYz7bqmM_IzFu4AHyQpIjgEsU710zkNfif-A5DWyZK1L5tg/s1600/IMG_0871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDINbfDuVw9EUq1R2YWzSiwR551-Xtl3hIdJmlKZiWp2SJPAKqaX3rQn6SuETJ5XuWu9J_bdX2ZzygZhO2FFCpUdEzqVYEpYz7bqmM_IzFu4AHyQpIjgEsU710zkNfif-A5DWyZK1L5tg/s200/IMG_0871.jpg" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVOsZiawdfYR42Aa7iBiPp0faT0zAKGlChPELI0_yB7V9zplAQbuSjj-K-TmxR7Lh8sgUmyad1-wyETIM1BLLb-AlkNSeAtiBQLlXFyVjYMGrQcNBr9Y-xVFCH08crKsn-kGuGJf7Ib8/s1600/IMG_0880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVOsZiawdfYR42Aa7iBiPp0faT0zAKGlChPELI0_yB7V9zplAQbuSjj-K-TmxR7Lh8sgUmyad1-wyETIM1BLLb-AlkNSeAtiBQLlXFyVjYMGrQcNBr9Y-xVFCH08crKsn-kGuGJf7Ib8/s200/IMG_0880.jpg" width="149" /></a>This time last year.... our home was filled with a newborn baby and two young adults... learning about parenthood and loving a baby. We had cats, dog, guinea pigs.... Every nook and cranny of our moderate home was filled with stuff. News Years... clean slate mentality... started me on a quest to empty out useless things from our home.. or things that others would value more than I did.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8sC0xxS8tVb_qB6Ldu_XdsDNu_3Kmy5-PbzTnLsaM92dW7iTG53IBoggoyzqomfJerdNwODiXy_U4hU6ayTXtdnNyjoHSI8DNf4kX_MwehVcCTqEuZLzloaCtoBaATNVSwc3st3YPmU/s1600/IMG_0879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8sC0xxS8tVb_qB6Ldu_XdsDNu_3Kmy5-PbzTnLsaM92dW7iTG53IBoggoyzqomfJerdNwODiXy_U4hU6ayTXtdnNyjoHSI8DNf4kX_MwehVcCTqEuZLzloaCtoBaATNVSwc3st3YPmU/s200/IMG_0879.jpg" width="149" /></a>I started with all the baby items I had saved from my kids' childhoods, and things that had more memories attached to them than usefulness. Stuffed animals, pretty newborn dresses and sleepers, favourite toys of many of their stages. ALL of these things meant way more to me than to my kids.<br />
<span style="text-align: center;">So... off to a new family .. went... Kid Sister, Hostess Munchie bear, pink bunnies, pink stuffed animals, bath toys and random baby/toddler toys.</span><br />
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I found Calendars from 1977 to 1988... sort of a blog but in calendar form. I didn't throw those out, but they are tucked nicely in my closet with other "heritage building" materials. Wedding dress... homemade wedding flowers and centrepieces... gone.<br />
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A particularly special trophy I won in 1976, marking my expertise at being a secretary - right out of high school. Geesh.... I had a lot of fun with that for about a week at work.. and when everyone was finished bowing to me because of my greatness... a picture was taken of my remarkable award and it was also dumped!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnzHM0NXSkcf8JsqK9YpLGgNx-viV6FgHLv7b7WgRPpwn1F_F6FKoMTk7txFfVexj2nnQG7FCHd7KsjHikvdXmgBf_CWHCVP3LRSj1jsemjzInoTi7u3d-RU4kCnLDv1SgixoPjsqmzk/s1600/IMG_0884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnzHM0NXSkcf8JsqK9YpLGgNx-viV6FgHLv7b7WgRPpwn1F_F6FKoMTk7txFfVexj2nnQG7FCHd7KsjHikvdXmgBf_CWHCVP3LRSj1jsemjzInoTi7u3d-RU4kCnLDv1SgixoPjsqmzk/s320/IMG_0884.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Soon, this giant trunk in the garage was emptied of these useless memories and re-filled with camping gear and other more appropriate trunk items. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfOKOhzSzwaVC1gAP-hzm2IwODXxdRG12z6luW-tejuXrfhsuZ-XXjuC9-I1YmvZnZLqrrwmPLEMLsQR4s-nl_WAVXtFby4d9eiF21Y8c3fYXObRTDrc304EIrGvbg4zgTnRaUhSG8cY/s1600/IMG_0917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfOKOhzSzwaVC1gAP-hzm2IwODXxdRG12z6luW-tejuXrfhsuZ-XXjuC9-I1YmvZnZLqrrwmPLEMLsQR4s-nl_WAVXtFby4d9eiF21Y8c3fYXObRTDrc304EIrGvbg4zgTnRaUhSG8cY/s320/IMG_0917.jpg" width="238" /></a>We moved onto my freezer and I am embarrassed to say... we took 5 boxes of meat, berries, veggies and fish to <a href="http://www.oaklawnfarmzoo.ca/">Oaklawn Farm</a> for all the animals there to eat. I had to throw out bread, fries, egg rolls.. etc. Not even the Bears, Tigers and Eagles would eat those frost bitten items. But Gail Rogerson said she would take anything from your freezer because her creatures don't mind freezer burn. And how fun to feed her big bears frozen strawberries in the middle of winter when they usually don't get such treats. This is a note to everyone who is cleaning out your freezers... she will <u>ALWAYS</u> take your throw aways.<br />
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The whole year of 2012 has been a de clutter year. Craft room, Christmas decorations, Linen closets, kitchen cupboards. Not 100%, and not all the time.. but it has been on my mind all year. And now.. in 2013... it will continue. <br />
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In 6 short weeks, our home will become home to Michelle and Scott, along with Jack and all the pets. This is a strategic move on their part as they move from one stage in their family life to another. They will be leaving behind Fredericton, in search of a new life in the Halifax area. While the search is happening, they will be joining our house, sharing with us the joy and mayhem of raising a little boy. <br />
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In the weeks ahead, we will be super purging closets, un-used "spare" rooms and re-vamping a dusty, lifeless "family room". It will be wonderful to have life in every part of our big, mostly empty house, but before that can happen, those mostly forgotten hiding places need to be cleared of more "never used" items... Prom dresses, old clothes, boxes of dishes... old blankets, books, wool.. oh my.. the list goes on! <br />
But, for now, today... New Years Day.... after a wonderful one hour walk through the snow..... we rest.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtjmM7j22sayXEaBxQTe8AsG_erCCcvm8V2FvXauU_xDceptuAtCjZfjootYbH11AR-g1rU_88V854QfwIDuQNIKCxCVKR1kDZWl5p5YevSRaeVgGzhL2HTF8D9n_A9r4G8s65jTVa5s/s1600/IMG_0916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrIlHtNWEWgwlA7FhDoYKv5fb2X8kgQu-Xyx1wd2n4XO4g0dFqeRtC31WMqgAc6Dl5UmNSAOVyK1FGAt_qrZz8PT-tQCXOCYV4JbcQDpN3MLQitHX32xs9O29chlYTnXPzeV0vtvvIqg/s1600/IMG_2817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrIlHtNWEWgwlA7FhDoYKv5fb2X8kgQu-Xyx1wd2n4XO4g0dFqeRtC31WMqgAc6Dl5UmNSAOVyK1FGAt_qrZz8PT-tQCXOCYV4JbcQDpN3MLQitHX32xs9O29chlYTnXPzeV0vtvvIqg/s400/IMG_2817.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-4799758375017206882012-12-25T18:01:00.000-04:002013-01-01T18:01:21.201-04:00Merry Christmas 2012<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCyzBvbll8tEAVpf4jw6FU3Tz8gBiF829mpPPaJAiJQMbzg3_UiWEbzbJ2xn89EA2NEBsPhK40WxD765w026bOuqtKRGtzemH3P971G2mJ0Ic2HRG_Fjl2guPRRcd6j7fgo3S2zFeIK8/s1600/IMG_2822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCyzBvbll8tEAVpf4jw6FU3Tz8gBiF829mpPPaJAiJQMbzg3_UiWEbzbJ2xn89EA2NEBsPhK40WxD765w026bOuqtKRGtzemH3P971G2mJ0Ic2HRG_Fjl2guPRRcd6j7fgo3S2zFeIK8/s320/IMG_2822.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Digital Picture frame filled with pics of the family</td></tr>
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Our Christmas morning was NOT typical of a Peters Christmas Morning. We have a clean house... we had 1 small bag of wrapping paper garbage... no need to stop and clear the floor of paper and tags.. to start opening again. No sleepless night waiting for the kids to wake up.... no putting the chocolates up high so the dog(s) won't get them.... no line up of phone calls while trying to put the turkey in the oven... fridge is not stuffed beyond capacity .....<br />
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Our Christmas morning was filled with skyping, texting and emailing pictures. At many points in the morning, I had MacBook and iPhone on my lap.. terry on the iPad... Terry and I... in matching plaid Pajamas... sat on the couch and chatted around the world for well over an hour before we enjoyed coffee, scones and opening gifts. It was quiet and slow... peaceful.... time to appreciate each other opening our gifts. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoylR7b7EhP5s6x9FORA6lAPbdq5cHktTXnO9a2X1LJQj41f-3RMN8fYIycV_NtsxTjJhcfcpMfJo3KNiuVqMZCMf-4bhe7MpTKWxx5AxQtwaXsoxqnHIQfbz2E2M-ifmSL_owqfbsfg/s1600/IMG_2827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoylR7b7EhP5s6x9FORA6lAPbdq5cHktTXnO9a2X1LJQj41f-3RMN8fYIycV_NtsxTjJhcfcpMfJo3KNiuVqMZCMf-4bhe7MpTKWxx5AxQtwaXsoxqnHIQfbz2E2M-ifmSL_owqfbsfg/s200/IMG_2827.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Intricate hand knit Socks </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHj80eWahVCEIIll1oiaMoNnL8VUItpKGWM1uUjp92lY38H5uC2gXVjsmqNYRyAId1B0QYK5kK1GpSvsVuOrOYZMTOMfXpSUFdww0iUmHlL_XgASUQkOOok1iBQetotoSMfQ4gRtnGpg/s1600/IMG_2828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHj80eWahVCEIIll1oiaMoNnL8VUItpKGWM1uUjp92lY38H5uC2gXVjsmqNYRyAId1B0QYK5kK1GpSvsVuOrOYZMTOMfXpSUFdww0iUmHlL_XgASUQkOOok1iBQetotoSMfQ4gRtnGpg/s200/IMG_2828.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More amazing Socks</td></tr>
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Terry and I agreed not to buy for each other this year.. and just exchanged stockings... and one small gift each. That was so great... because we need (or want) nothing. Our gifts under the tree were from the hearts of each of our family members and so fun to open in the quiet. Origami paper, pumpkin carving tools, extremely difficult mind puzzles, pizza stones and gardening, cooking and travel books.<br />
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Our family found each other apart because Stephanie and Sean are in Korea and were home in the summer... Michelle, Scott and Jack are in Fredericton and unfortunately, we have to share them with Scott's parents. The last two years I have been blessed and spoiled to have my house full of kids... so it was my turn to not have them. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9iNySVL1GgOyo42GtNvsL1ibhg00WvILsbxyLE4fZHOSJubLb-wjoKHxNfPg3cZBtKIe_hCByC1JlsCcM0yDLIYUlkvgYvnsTVOnskT40vjHPxsl5UrnyzzAbkIxnsxQkb1fwr1PKlw/s1600/IMG_2839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9iNySVL1GgOyo42GtNvsL1ibhg00WvILsbxyLE4fZHOSJubLb-wjoKHxNfPg3cZBtKIe_hCByC1JlsCcM0yDLIYUlkvgYvnsTVOnskT40vjHPxsl5UrnyzzAbkIxnsxQkb1fwr1PKlw/s400/IMG_2839.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvgRf8QTu0CzfH4BZBZyKimFWEcZrtNiu30q9vFtRXDCY6v6ztvbBzcAyE8YoqFM0o1GCEpUV01Xb054OQpV5-HZ9AhfBYV6m9oczQNVeZamdxsbfHn7dKhSmQM5jNyeV6M39tOCKSq0/s1600/IMG_2829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvgRf8QTu0CzfH4BZBZyKimFWEcZrtNiu30q9vFtRXDCY6v6ztvbBzcAyE8YoqFM0o1GCEpUV01Xb054OQpV5-HZ9AhfBYV6m9oczQNVeZamdxsbfHn7dKhSmQM5jNyeV6M39tOCKSq0/s320/IMG_2829.jpg" width="238" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">Therefore.. today we do all those things we never get to do on Christmas Day and enjoy them. Sit quietly and blog... Terry is napping... cats are spread all over the house. All the opened gifts are neatly tucked under our pretty Xmas Tree. We had a wonderful walk through the woods near our house. Something we never seem to make time for anymore, especially at this time of the year.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> We found several beaver dams (to Terry's amazement and excitement). Many beautiful ice </span>sculptures made by nature... animal foot prints and many signs of wildlife that I would never have notices if it was for Terry's tracking abilities. I left the woods figuring we should have had a big stick with us! geeesh. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A wonderful Christmas in its own special way.</span></div>
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Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-46711237543983627672012-11-07T16:00:00.000-04:002012-11-07T16:00:07.824-04:00Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Seems a shame to throw out a perfectly good pumpkin. The kids in primary got to actually carve a pumpkin, cleaning out the seeds, and separating the slim from the seeds... roast the seeds and try eating them. But then.. what do you do with the pumpkin after halloween. </div>
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Donna takes it... chops it all up.. roasts it in the oven for 1 hour.....</div>
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And purees it in the food process and gets about 5 cups of lovely pumpkin puree. </div>
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A big batch of pumpkin muffin batter and a few dozen cupcake papers (left over from Ashley's wedding shower) and we have a big Monday morning feast at school.<br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><u> Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins</u></span></div>
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(recipe from Dianna Berry)</div>
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4 Eggs</div>
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2 cups sugar</div>
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1 cup veggie oil</div>
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2 cups puree pumpkin</div>
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3 cups flour</div>
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2 tsp baking powder</div>
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2 tsp baking soda</div>
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1 tsp cinnamon</div>
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1 tsp salt</div>
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2 cup choco chips</div>
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In large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil.</div>
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Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in separate bowl.</div>
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Add to pumpkin mixture, also adding chocolate chips.</div>
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FOLD ingredients together (thanks Chantal) until just mixed.</div>
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Fill muffin tins 3/4 full and bake in a 400 degree oven for 16-20 minutes.</div>
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Cool in pan for 10 minutes.</div>
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Makes 24-26 muffins. You can cut this recipe in half, no problem.. but why bother!</div>
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Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-79284344392730758162012-11-06T16:46:00.000-04:002012-11-06T17:40:47.430-04:00Christmas Parcel to Korea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltAWbqP9ls7s6V8HAfUvYKZ9XfXilL5cmFkcPu96vKBuIroGi6zQAo65DydL-eggAxoy3auq544213Sr-OBEUAgtpoHFoOA4RSPgdcku5hySzRHwMyODaWIPC2rO5Hi_J_fQwdhO0r2k/s1600/IMG_2635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltAWbqP9ls7s6V8HAfUvYKZ9XfXilL5cmFkcPu96vKBuIroGi6zQAo65DydL-eggAxoy3auq544213Sr-OBEUAgtpoHFoOA4RSPgdcku5hySzRHwMyODaWIPC2rO5Hi_J_fQwdhO0r2k/s400/IMG_2635.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Even though its early November, I have to get this parcel in the mail before Nov 14th... so I am spending my evening wrapping up Stephanie and Sean's Christmas Parcel.<br />
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The first year they were in Korea I sent a huge box and it was filled with so many Xmas items from Canada and I sent it in Mid October. I tracked it to Montreal within the first 3 days and there is sat until Mid December. 7 Weeks it sat in Montreal and when I talked to the post office, they told me it was waiting for a container to fill up before it went on the container ship to Asia. <br />
That Xmas day... Stephanie had no parcel and my heart broke for her and Sean. Their first Xmas away from home and it was lonely enough without the fun and excitement of opening gifts from home. Her parcel arrived in Mid January and I learned a very valuable lesson.<br />
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This parcel is much smaller, filled with more appropriate gifts.. and toys for the kitty. I will send it via Air Mail and it will be sure to get there by Dec 25th. This is the 4th year that Sean and Stephanie are away from home.. and we were so lucky to have them here for Christmas just 2 years ago.. and had them home for 2 weeks this summer!</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbNco4W2DheUmvi4IDu5tLgQKhwvSKuoqMC088hCSCT7-CBO0hBij06AvqZPOPOsaKZS0qZWoKaWKkomyPGTsYbxPKkG5sH-3Wq4b1iGpOsiy4RcX3pT_P4qWAQt551TBZVefE19DImk/s1600/IMG_2289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbNco4W2DheUmvi4IDu5tLgQKhwvSKuoqMC088hCSCT7-CBO0hBij06AvqZPOPOsaKZS0qZWoKaWKkomyPGTsYbxPKkG5sH-3Wq4b1iGpOsiy4RcX3pT_P4qWAQt551TBZVefE19DImk/s640/IMG_2289.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">On there way back to Korea after a very busy and fun filled 2 weeks in Canada.</td></tr>
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<br />Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-22235581692235921792012-11-05T16:00:00.000-04:002012-11-05T16:00:04.116-04:00Jack Turns One today!This week has been a full week of reminiscing about one year ago... and all the waiting, waiting, waiting.<br />
We thought for sure Jack would come before Halloween.... and he almost did.. but he changed his mind. Meanwhile, I drove up while Michelle was experiencing labor... but by the time I got there.. all the action had stopped. My thinking was, that it was going to happen any day, so I chose to stay a few days.. because I knew it would happen any day.<br />
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The next 6 days were very long and Michelle and Scott were nervous, tired, sore, stressed... and miserable. It was my job as their mama to keep them active, and well fed... so they wouldn't be so anxious. We carved pumpkins, and went to the market... got a big bag of samosa. Jack's actual due date came and went. <br />
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an October Snow storm... came... and went... <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In line at the market.. waiting for their favorite treat.. Samosa</td></tr>
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Halloween came... and... went....<br />
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Every day, we went to my sisters and worked on an amazing quilt she planned on making for Aurora for Christmas. It was a big and overwhelming project and it was meant to be that we (Michelle and I) were looking for a BIG distraction. Every day we traced flowers onto paper, then cut all the parts out. We talked about what we would do the NEXT day... if... Michelle was still around. Then the next day.. we irons the papers onto fun fabrics which were spread out, all over Gail's kitchen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">notice the snow in the window.</td></tr>
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Then the next day... we cut out all the flowers.... and ironed all the pieces together... <span style="text-align: center;">Each one of these flowers had 3 to 4 different circles or squiggles and we had to write on each shape in code so we knew which fabric went on what flower... there were cats and lady bugs and butterflies too</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting out flowers... even Scott and lucy got into the act... it was something to do!</td></tr>
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This was the finished quilt, which we never did see.. because Gail had a ton of work to do on it before Christmas.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">And we waited..... Gails Grandkids made a big sign for the window.... and Aurora put the final touches on it... and we waited. Aurora was pretty excited for Jack to arrive because FINALLY she would be older than someone else. She has been the baby of the gang for 3 years now.</span><br />
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Finally, the quilt was organized, the snow stopped falling... and I had to leave to back to Greenwood. Still no baby. I went home.. but I left my suitcase packed. Every day, I called and talked to the waiting parents and they got sadder and more anxious..... and then Friday came... and Jack didn't... and the doctor said... Tomorrow is the day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxgMwk8ZNDfjKq2Yp-WWO50bsuSJpYMjEQuB_eZc_P5_dR0JCAzXi05jiC32ytg4GGZ4KKIf2HXUpeiWQjZ4WPMgHtT1llIEYlawbQGZgtM4-CDEpajHNV5_L2Rozq5qtQO6UCoIwB9k/s1600/IMG_0224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxgMwk8ZNDfjKq2Yp-WWO50bsuSJpYMjEQuB_eZc_P5_dR0JCAzXi05jiC32ytg4GGZ4KKIf2HXUpeiWQjZ4WPMgHtT1llIEYlawbQGZgtM4-CDEpajHNV5_L2Rozq5qtQO6UCoIwB9k/s320/IMG_0224.jpg" width="320" /></a> They had the above sign on the fridge all week... and Jack never made his move.. so they arrived early Saturday morning, Nov 5... and the games began. I left early Saturday morning amongst black ice and snowy skies. I was so intent on getting there.. I forgot to check my fuel level. Now, that would have been the worse thing.. but I was looking at the snow on the road and a thought came to me that I hadn't stopped for gas... and when I looked at my gauge... the light was on! For how long.. who knows.. but I stopped at the very next exit and filled her to brim! (Don't even look at the fact that I was driving 110 km and taking a picture)<br />
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I arrived in Fredericton, just on time, to be a part of a very amazing experience... which I blogged from the heart about <a href="http://www.peterssm.blogspot.ca/2011/11/i-always-knew-i-would-be-with-michelle.html">here</a>. </div>
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This is the VERY first picture of Jack... peeking out from him mothers grasp.. to see his Grammie, I think</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My very first babysitting job... We sat in the warm sun from the window and waited for mama to have a shower, and I got to tell Jack all about the waiting and waiting... </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All snuggled up, waiting to go home!</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Seems like a life time ago now... and I guess it was.. Jack's lifetime, really. We are so lucky and thankful to have our little Jack.. who is so happy all the time.. and so healthy and fun!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Heading to visit Grammie and Grampie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherrios... a beautiful thing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aylesford Tartan jacket, just like his Grampie and daddy</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy 1st Birthday Jack.</span></div>
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Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-17095842202519435642012-10-29T10:19:00.000-03:002012-11-04T13:53:13.394-04:00Last Paddle of the year...2012<br />
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On the last Sunday of October (28th), with long sleeves on and long pants... Terry and I, along with our kayakin' friends, Robin and Bill, make our way out to McGill Lake. It was my first time this year to go to McGill, even though the past 3 years its been one of our favorite lakes. This year we kayaked in so many different rivers and lakes..... we didn't even make it to McGill. Or, I should say, I didn't make it there... Terry has been with Bill and some guys. The water was choppy in the main part of the lake, and the winds were bitter cold. We met up with an old gentleman on a 4 wheeler and we chatted for a bit. He told us that they opened the dam up yesterday, and we might have trouble getting to the next lake. But we put our boats in at the little wooden bridge and headed towards Big Mollie (I think). But on our way there.. there were beautiful stumps and coves to explore and by the time we made it to the bubbling, torrent of water that was coming out the channel that goes to the Mollie.. we had paddled enough.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">It was not easy getting into this stump to get a picture. There were jagged rocks all around the stump and leading into the stump and we sort of played a labyrinth game to get there. We squeezed into the stump and my mind was racing.... thinking... how many of the giant spiders are living amongst the knots and gnarls of this trunk. A few pictures and then we carefully backed out of the labyrinth... not as expertly as going in.. and both Robin and I scrapped into rocks and tipped a few times... laughing all the way. I was just happy to be away from the stump... to tell you the truth.</span><br />
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After paddling the shoreline for 10 minutes, to find a place to pull in, we found a spot with no wind, lots of places to pull in, and exit the water without risk of tipping in. I must say, we were very careful this time, to find a safe spot to park... since the water was FREEZING and neither of us were that eager to get even a little wet. All of our excursions this summer were a little more carefree... and we usually ended up at the end of the trip with wet legs, wet feet, or wet all over (mostly Bill). </div>
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The colors were spectacular, the sun was warm and the view was awe inspiring. Terry built a little rock tower in honor of his sister, who started this tradition in Cape Breton this summer. We will paddle back next summer to see how it made out during the winter!</div>
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The end of a great day... the end of a great Kayaking season. I am sad to put them away for the winter.. and already looking forward to next summer.</div>
<br />Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-20109024812965102902012-10-28T12:08:00.002-03:002012-10-28T19:28:47.962-03:00Perfect Fall Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Truly, the most perfect fall Saturday I have had in a few years... Just one of those days that made you feel warm and fuzzy about all the golden beauty everywhere.</div>
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We took several breaks (or I should say, I took several breaks). I am still suffering from my cold, plus I had lots of indoor chores to do too.. so I was in and out all day. </div>
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Our compost got filled with golden leaves from the back yard and all the vines and the rest of the old flower pots. Two weeks ago I emptied the majority of them before the killer frosts but that day was freezing and we had to wear mitts and jackets.. Something about yesterday was so glorious.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzz6q9vSReery2xROfFiIiWmbIWrkAk7y2dqYkq5HDlvPSaLeYd6GANuGVh_jeFacbnzMTO7yEZ4bhUp6vAhy6w7RDCaT__JXCOFxnjrPe4OVMXHuEsMwkHxhnp14ceLrcJ9QZCDmUJ4/s1600/DSC00006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzz6q9vSReery2xROfFiIiWmbIWrkAk7y2dqYkq5HDlvPSaLeYd6GANuGVh_jeFacbnzMTO7yEZ4bhUp6vAhy6w7RDCaT__JXCOFxnjrPe4OVMXHuEsMwkHxhnp14ceLrcJ9QZCDmUJ4/s400/DSC00006.JPG" width="300" /></a>This time last year, I was in Fredericton waiting on a stubborn baby to come along... today was Michelle's due date. Being her first, the norm was that Jack would be over due.. but still... she was so big... and she actually went in with labor pains... I couldn't wait... I drove up... and when I arrived... the pains had stopped... and I was met by two very sad kids... I spent the next few days there.. keeping them busy, and baking and sewing and going to Market. It was a glorious weekend for me... filled with final moments of taking care of my little girl (and my little Scotty boy too). When I went to leave though... we had a snow storm... and I had to stay... one more day! Terry and I talked a lot today about that weekend and how fun it was.. and that is why NOTHING got put away properly last year. We were so distracted by "the waiting for Jack" game... that we really didn't do much here. </div>
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Kind of fun to see some of these fall pictures of Jack. Hard to believe he is here.. and he is walking and communicating. Hard to believe a whole year has gone by since that weekend in Fredericton when it was my job to cheer up two very nervous, sad and cranky kids.. waiting for Jack to arrive.!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall looking garden. Pond is full of leaves and we will leave them there for the winter. Helps to insulate the water lilies for the winter. Maybe even a frog or two.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the vines were taken down....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the vines are down. The cats are thrilled with the warmth and sunshine.. but I think they know what is coming. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCf0m7gzd2D8NaBBy6NWROjb6mh6m1_VU0hJE3mTVkMBtnlEqYvF-phE8NGeqNbiLOzRulpNVlMXSFncqoKFwyaTmrWogoSr5fa9-5T3x90y7aRTYZfT0nS4wVGUZfKs9qXOrnRMBdgaE/s1600/DSC00025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCf0m7gzd2D8NaBBy6NWROjb6mh6m1_VU0hJE3mTVkMBtnlEqYvF-phE8NGeqNbiLOzRulpNVlMXSFncqoKFwyaTmrWogoSr5fa9-5T3x90y7aRTYZfT0nS4wVGUZfKs9qXOrnRMBdgaE/s320/DSC00025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning Glory seeds are gathered for next year.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Runners are gathered too..</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Ready for the winter. Awning is gone, furniture is gone... nothing left but a few "safe and warm" spots for the cats.</td></tr>
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Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183590889110225288.post-73946756003807379002012-10-26T17:30:00.000-03:002012-10-27T12:03:35.672-03:00I Found it.....but the search has created a monster!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dsRgq4IkJ8BSErF2W_ZLX3uG5tZa-_sdFkA14lC6fSQyhoy3WYpVG75Eo6te4y5yAo8M9EcVY9rikI7NK6dIBnMQZrMRovnWX7aZxbTll-n-UkMltWuxvp9OcU3Jd5pQ1kX9Yw70ETc/s1600/DSC00001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dsRgq4IkJ8BSErF2W_ZLX3uG5tZa-_sdFkA14lC6fSQyhoy3WYpVG75Eo6te4y5yAo8M9EcVY9rikI7NK6dIBnMQZrMRovnWX7aZxbTll-n-UkMltWuxvp9OcU3Jd5pQ1kX9Yw70ETc/s400/DSC00001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Yes. My gold tin, filled with fabric already cut out for an I Spy quilt. I found it in amongst my boxes of church craft supplies. Go figure. I didn't even bother looking at that stuff the first night, because really... who would put their sewing tin in amongst craft supplies for church. Apparently... me.<br />
I am sad to say though... I got a really good look at all the extra stuff I have piled in my craft room. I try really hard not to have my craft stuff anywhere else in the house, except a knitting or hand sewing project I am currently working on. <br />
Therefore, my one room in the house filled with my passions... is busting at the seams. <br />
Now, I feel I need to start purging and I am challenging myself (for lack of a better word) to start purging on small part of this room everyday for the whole month of November. I am going to set up a purging station in my Rec Room with boxes for give away... be it, the Diabetic Association, the Opportunity Shop, the Christmas Shopping Party at school or just to friends I know will be able to use stuff.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxal1eLWF2RVDwJrybhrb9tUi-fZJuLe_QF4pF_IDlWAKMmnvw5M_rJ0ddNNMcOrxYQ2DK7AZmhaPDQqo1xSM2Wlx5tKuBLTZEuzYGx-wWOzpkT3p2NQTTIE5uhp5k6kYbS972lRmhM2c/s1600/DSC00014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxal1eLWF2RVDwJrybhrb9tUi-fZJuLe_QF4pF_IDlWAKMmnvw5M_rJ0ddNNMcOrxYQ2DK7AZmhaPDQqo1xSM2Wlx5tKuBLTZEuzYGx-wWOzpkT3p2NQTTIE5uhp5k6kYbS972lRmhM2c/s640/DSC00014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I am totally embarrassed to show these pictures. But, its time to come out of the closet... I am a craft hoarder! This is my craft room. Filled with flat surfaces that get piled up with "temporary" projects or things I don't have time to put away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbYmzIkpgAEIiEYCwFA-FABm2aziRRciadSIft8ElbFcw103ImxOCw1LPdnt9gk7kASENb2YYzQqgOjtDNC-pCjZdNIFrOsigql5LR_IwOCOWsVDfJXM_US-emH8yCrHoSTLPLqpg3rE/s1600/DSC00012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbYmzIkpgAEIiEYCwFA-FABm2aziRRciadSIft8ElbFcw103ImxOCw1LPdnt9gk7kASENb2YYzQqgOjtDNC-pCjZdNIFrOsigql5LR_IwOCOWsVDfJXM_US-emH8yCrHoSTLPLqpg3rE/s320/DSC00012.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I have two particular loves. First and foremost, fabric.. for sewing. I love sewing ... quilts, dolls, clothes, paper piecing, fun little projects... therefore, I have a collection of fabric that spans the full gambit of project potentials. I keep every scrap.. for paper piecing, I keep large quantities of basic cottons, in basic colours.. black, white, cream.. plus seasonal prints.<br />
Ask me when is the last time I sewed a quilt, or anything for that matter... well, its far and few between. I blame my computer.. really... first.... Pinterest, although its full of amazing projects to do.. and I have pinned thousands.. I spend more time looking for them.. then actually making anything.<br />
All my other social events on the Internet also take away from my craft room.. but really, not. Its just an excuse to sit..<br />
Well.. I am going to try and get back my creative desire this winter.. but first I need to clear out some of that fabric. I certainly don't need it all. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dQ7DFWGe3sZxKJNcdUsdJ2gpR8trNTjthn_fKdoRfG_QK97iWyfhw1zBkze1Tliq4kcKQYBE_8VVoXtqx3w6Jyn5GOEN84bFddsSbXjYR3_hPtdI9QJ4hyphenhyphenU7GFlVasFlsvoLPoy7xuI/s1600/DSC00013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dQ7DFWGe3sZxKJNcdUsdJ2gpR8trNTjthn_fKdoRfG_QK97iWyfhw1zBkze1Tliq4kcKQYBE_8VVoXtqx3w6Jyn5GOEN84bFddsSbXjYR3_hPtdI9QJ4hyphenhyphenU7GFlVasFlsvoLPoy7xuI/s320/DSC00013.JPG" width="240" /></a>My next love it paper.. and paper crafts. Scrapbooking, cards, tags, origami... even colouring. Therefore, I have bins of paper, shelves of photos (not even including all the digital stuff). I also own all the family photos from my childhood, my parents old albums. I have my kids photos, their trips, their scrapbooks.. I have ribbons, and brads, and glue, stickies, markers and hole punches. Books on how to scrapbook, half made scrapbooks.. oh my. Its crazy. <br />
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So, today, the purge is beginning with fabric. I have filled three boxes of large pieces of fabric, small or partial fat quarters... patterns I will NEVER use. Knitting books (I actually hate knitting, just so you know). I was given an entire set up for "felting" stuff.. you know.. all the tools, all the wool, all the instructions. I never wanted to try it.. and so.. its going. I am passing it on to someone who might like to try it... or it might go in a donation box.. who knows.. but its not staying!<br />
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Its just the beginning, but I am sort of excited to get rid of things.. to make room to actually work.Donna's chitchathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523989922691248424noreply@blogger.com1