tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21242170800890464062024-03-12T20:54:14.582-04:00Mama Carrie T.Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-75296338433987192072016-01-28T01:31:00.000-05:002016-01-28T01:31:03.377-05:00Regret<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQg-1MybEBa_K8w8X_af10vVMK1o0rG5tMkFXS8sCrZsKsoZmlCvjcSn7oiZyzurLxB4CxoRNIaaak7jWMZL91t_zBrkWu7andYO3GROeGLBfYLoUoejcSZ7b6ITZCfesN8gkSwRtAF4/s1600/DSCN2629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQg-1MybEBa_K8w8X_af10vVMK1o0rG5tMkFXS8sCrZsKsoZmlCvjcSn7oiZyzurLxB4CxoRNIaaak7jWMZL91t_zBrkWu7andYO3GROeGLBfYLoUoejcSZ7b6ITZCfesN8gkSwRtAF4/s320/DSCN2629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Until this past week when I dropped a little bomb on the hubs, I had been living with a secret. A regret. I hate the color I chose for our dining room walls. I knew almost instantly when it went up that it wasn't the color I was hoping for. The deep, warm, glowing, tomato soup ember that I was hoping for, looked much more like a freshly sliced tangerine. It made me cringe. It made me want to wear sunglasses. But if you know my hubs, you know I could never admit it was the wrong color. Oh, you don't know my hubs and "it's just paint", so why, you ask? For a couple reasons which I'm happy to outline below:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ol>
<li>It took me forever to convince him to paint the dining room orange in the first place</li>
<li>he hates to paint and wasn't going to be a party to any do overs</li>
<li>he's never uttered the words "it's just paint, it can easily be changed"</li>
<li>and he really hates to paint. Wait, did I already say that?</li>
</ol>
<div>
So yes, I kept that regret all to myself. For years. YEARS! But I think years is suffering enough, don't you? IT'S JUST PAINT, RIGHT?!? And now I am just dying to re-do the walls, and everything else, about our dining room. We've had a lot of disagreements about this room: we used to have a rectangular table and wicker chairs that I swapped out for the round table and cane back chairs which he hates. In his defense, at the time of their purchase I had promised to re-paint the table & the chairs. I DID reupholster the chairs though! I'm blaming it on my spark. It had gone out. I had no motivation to do any decorating. But now it's back, and I want to start with paint.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Initially I wanted black walls. Of course hubs immediate reaction was NO! But I've thought about it some more, and I'd actually love to use the navy I used on the nursery ceiling on the walls in the dining room. It's one of the few colors I feel like I got exactly right, and I just know it would look amazing in there. The room gets tons of light, and doesn't have a lot of wall surface space because of door casings & windows, so I feel like it's the perfect place to try out a dark moody navy. Yes??</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In an attempt to convince the hubs, I tried a little color visualizing on Sherwin Williams. Obviously my online painting skills have room for improvement, but nice, right? Who's with me? Who has a paint brush?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mDXWWsXUvzr8KyDES1NvRPj13ZusLXe4d2I9FXQV_R9EHQstlD88u-cC7CqX5uUCSt_3Xh8mvhsl1eUtGQjUiSEdJ30HCW96ufP3NzkgMwq2zF74gygNCs73zI3qc00z7tK2n2IefvY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-28+at+1.18.51+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mDXWWsXUvzr8KyDES1NvRPj13ZusLXe4d2I9FXQV_R9EHQstlD88u-cC7CqX5uUCSt_3Xh8mvhsl1eUtGQjUiSEdJ30HCW96ufP3NzkgMwq2zF74gygNCs73zI3qc00z7tK2n2IefvY/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-01-28+at+1.18.51+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And just so you get a feel for the room from every angle, here you go. Now really, who has a paintbrush?! Can you come over tomorrow?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDH35rMwFYF9bIPYTo-s1lOyZm2HieGPkEmyXloXoZals2ovwwvxCWSwTYlxRBHo2N1wcP2M7bX3TD1J9LOKSTWRWaqzbEFpDSIxk_NRykxnjyQNVPITt2DS98tdPV7bR2nM26_CtM-c/s1600/DSCN2630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDH35rMwFYF9bIPYTo-s1lOyZm2HieGPkEmyXloXoZals2ovwwvxCWSwTYlxRBHo2N1wcP2M7bX3TD1J9LOKSTWRWaqzbEFpDSIxk_NRykxnjyQNVPITt2DS98tdPV7bR2nM26_CtM-c/s320/DSCN2630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfom_T7cGfkuzlmxoBPjDXU6GlDMVSdDv1pCrntv7RULDg_Q79SXm9V8HDOWht3wK8q1jRg16bza0hfc0hQqIODBB4H9vWEnSSJmVEIaDESjFKk2OcpPubrQq1OsokCOp33ygYQ50580/s1600/DSCN2631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfom_T7cGfkuzlmxoBPjDXU6GlDMVSdDv1pCrntv7RULDg_Q79SXm9V8HDOWht3wK8q1jRg16bza0hfc0hQqIODBB4H9vWEnSSJmVEIaDESjFKk2OcpPubrQq1OsokCOp33ygYQ50580/s320/DSCN2631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRTUbJRqMFVaeCNCgYbTQEfu9VMUZa-md15a9FdQggpkF5eXJSbkjyMkLRqY2wjJtbWChXXt_5Er5Pv4ETJ-isSP4_A4SHiKEUL-eJRUj2bmdnQks3ByszGqJ1XGGkUhbSBAbZc3sGvs/s1600/DSCN2632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRTUbJRqMFVaeCNCgYbTQEfu9VMUZa-md15a9FdQggpkF5eXJSbkjyMkLRqY2wjJtbWChXXt_5Er5Pv4ETJ-isSP4_A4SHiKEUL-eJRUj2bmdnQks3ByszGqJ1XGGkUhbSBAbZc3sGvs/s320/DSCN2632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-20187953900292862702016-01-25T00:33:00.004-05:002016-01-25T00:43:39.768-05:00My Spark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b0akIckV0_hrHXqzBbH-4xKan7eNN-vRwvNAp0Mxf7RRegnqsv5LeBQVghCSk-VC-duo8W2nKQmeEwuPehNSC2as2Sn-CbsRx00H38ypA75p2PhWfEmVkA-IzS3RhfZMn_oQ-4tCKGg/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b0akIckV0_hrHXqzBbH-4xKan7eNN-vRwvNAp0Mxf7RRegnqsv5LeBQVghCSk-VC-duo8W2nKQmeEwuPehNSC2as2Sn-CbsRx00H38ypA75p2PhWfEmVkA-IzS3RhfZMn_oQ-4tCKGg/s320/IMG_0305.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Something amazing happened today. I read <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LetWhyLead/photos/a.390670524329877.91098.361680510562212/1047020795361510/?type=3" target="_blank">this piece</a> on Facebook early as I laid in bed. I saved it to read again later, because it resonated so strongly with me. We went about our morning- homemade waffles and relaxed family time, and the hubs & I watched a little HGTV while the kid(s!!) played & napped. A <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/shows/home-town" target="_blank">new show</a> came on that seemed kinda cool. I recorded it as it began, thinking I might not be able to get through the whole thing and would want to watch it later (life with kids!). At first I really liked it. Then I kinda liked it, but wasn't sure about the hosts (Too hipster, I told D). Midway through as Erin was sewing drop cloth curtains, I looked at D and said "drop cloth curtains. DROP CLOTH CURTAINS!!" while giving myself a chest bump. I certainly didn't invent using drop cloths for curtains, but I made some for our home a few years ago. That moment caused a little stirring in me. I watched as Erin shopped a junk store for cool finds and asked D if he remembered how much I loved doing the same. He said let's go. Really? REALLY?! You don't have to tell me twice.<br />
<br />
We packed up the kiddos and headed to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/myfavoriteplaceatlanta/" target="_blank">My Favorite Place</a>. R kept asking where we were going, and I said, "mama's favorite place". "But what's it called", she pleaded. My Favorite Place! (so confusing!) It had been ages since I'd been- certainly not since having both kids- and the last time I was there it was sorely disappointing. But I was excited. D was into it. It was awesome. R found every darn animal object in there, and when things started to get boring and she declared she was ready to go home, we made a scavenger hunt out of the store. "Find a snowman. A lion. A clown" Might seem like an impossible task, but not at My Favorite Place. We were finding <i>multiples</i>! A fellow customer in the store who had overheard us for some time laughed as she passed us in an aisle and said, "I've been able to find every one of your items except the whale" (Yeah, I mistook a shark for a whale- we didn't find one either, but I <i>bet</i> there's one in there. Somewhere.)<br />
<br />
It was fun. It was different with two kids. But it was a good different. And it was invigorating. My spark! I feel like it's back. I know me- I have to be careful. Guard it, and make sure the ember doesn't die out again. But goodness, it feels amazing to have that spark warming my soul again.<br />
<br />
Oh and this. Because, Yes!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BTgeEZtAvxHrxf179BZTXc4KK2SmAtn-awHI9__gsyxfydYAng-zRhT5PUD_yBxcCqBu8XKn5JD4fvvtiyg0XXKEPwLN6cW8mVEMuHpMkA13jUVBaEOP2L_FBsLXi1WCKgnO6pMYYec/s1600/Sunday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BTgeEZtAvxHrxf179BZTXc4KK2SmAtn-awHI9__gsyxfydYAng-zRhT5PUD_yBxcCqBu8XKn5JD4fvvtiyg0XXKEPwLN6cW8mVEMuHpMkA13jUVBaEOP2L_FBsLXi1WCKgnO6pMYYec/s320/Sunday.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-39268527843433526592013-10-23T23:33:00.000-04:002013-10-23T23:33:09.936-04:00Dolla' Dolla' Tree, Y'all<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYfwBUrjvYXkXOfv0sxCH8j2cF4gYTwPAtyRxbeCnZHCgis4BsE5NCT4G1BYlNW9xB9qqVLN4A1ZTEmXAvf3wPv1XIV2LaLH5cZT91CgbwDEE6FTBaL0pWIzU-NHuUQAOFCzc_wHY9ng/s1600/2013-10-23+23.09.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYfwBUrjvYXkXOfv0sxCH8j2cF4gYTwPAtyRxbeCnZHCgis4BsE5NCT4G1BYlNW9xB9qqVLN4A1ZTEmXAvf3wPv1XIV2LaLH5cZT91CgbwDEE6FTBaL0pWIzU-NHuUQAOFCzc_wHY9ng/s320/2013-10-23+23.09.56.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Am I the only nut that runs into the Dollar Tree for a couple things and ends up spending $75 bucks? That's seventy-five items!! Well, probably more like seventy with tax, but still!! I find myself grabbing multiples of items because they are such a great deal- that's where I get myself into trouble. 6 Halloween chair covers? Yes please! Cute turkey crafts for Thanksgiving? Yep 1 for each kid! Supplies for treat bags? I better stock up! Oh, goodness... In my defense, with that $75 I got fall decorations for babygirl's preschool and our house, supplies for Halloween treat bags, a sweet round-up of goodies for a baby gift, and more toiletries than we'll know what to do with.<br />
<br />
Sounds like money well spent, right?Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-28587088398744970462013-10-22T23:03:00.001-04:002013-10-22T23:03:10.670-04:00We were on a break; Oh, you didn't know?I forgot to mention we'd be taking a break. For a month. Or eight. Sorry about that. Not quite sure what happened- I got busy, and then I got bored, and then eight months had gone by. But this past weekend something really cool happened. I got an email Saturday morning from a total stranger thousands of miles away who went to a concert in Vegas more than seven years ago, and who happened to be reminiscing and decided to Google the concert, and up popped a blog post I wrote about that very concert, because I was also there! He emailed to thank me for the memories, and to share his own. I hadn't thought about that old blog or that concert in ages, but it was such a fun trip down memory lane to read my words and remember that time. Blogs are online diaries for sure, and as a person that doesn't keep a personal diary, it feels good that my words and thoughts and memories are immortalized somewhere and can be accessed by me, or anyone else who may stumble upon them, at any time. Very cool (and maybe a tiny bit vain?). So, even if it's only a pic & a couple sentences, I'm going to make more of an effort to contribute to my little corner of the internet on a regular basis. And if you're interested, here's the link to that blog post about one amazing concert seven years ago- my how life has changed since then!<br />
<br />
http://todo121.blogspot.com/2005/09/vegas-baby-vegas-kasabian-oasis-at.htmlTurners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-57528568987872313772013-02-25T16:03:00.000-05:002013-02-25T16:03:14.652-05:00Weekend UpdateHappy Monday everyone!! I feel so sluggish starting out this week because we had such a great weekend!! One of those that you didn't want to end. My sister & nephew came to town, and we had SO MUCH FUN!! Having my sis & nephew here always makes me wish they lived closer, we didn't even need to be doing anything to just have fun. Maybe one day...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7GGi4eqjTU-9M1SUD5XliuKXKq_r6iHgpxAWW5n1rUC6y62S9EA2aZByKxxqg7UM2bS-tXct0XSljLe4iUwG_kJglpIF1hreB5NG3KJw2tWahy67f2GCQzxl3B_ywl1ztIhT-92N2us/s1600/2013-02-22+17.11.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7GGi4eqjTU-9M1SUD5XliuKXKq_r6iHgpxAWW5n1rUC6y62S9EA2aZByKxxqg7UM2bS-tXct0XSljLe4iUwG_kJglpIF1hreB5NG3KJw2tWahy67f2GCQzxl3B_ywl1ztIhT-92N2us/s320/2013-02-22+17.11.10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Friday afternoon we were eagerly awaiting their arrival and someone got a little wrapped up in mama's tiny yarn collection. Literally. It was too cute!<br />
<br />
Saturday we had a leisurely morning, and then sis & I were off to do a little shopping (& research) at a couple local baby boutiques. We'd never been to either one, and they were filled with so much great stuff!! I fell in love with a few things...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx49nCCO43HeyOveR9q8D8HMeqOrNAM3uZMrZ44TQVqw7JojFqk6L5pnVuS3-9mS6gZQYWHxt18eLxnbaVguJ8RDhfUrowjVk10UbrcV0qj2dvPLNSLrdiCl2FsTIa-NtdIY2rxQetVUQ/s1600/2013-02-23+13.05.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx49nCCO43HeyOveR9q8D8HMeqOrNAM3uZMrZ44TQVqw7JojFqk6L5pnVuS3-9mS6gZQYWHxt18eLxnbaVguJ8RDhfUrowjVk10UbrcV0qj2dvPLNSLrdiCl2FsTIa-NtdIY2rxQetVUQ/s320/2013-02-23+13.05.30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
These over-sized cards are so cute, and I think they'd be great for teaching babgirl. At $25 they're a bit steep, but I did find them online at Amazon for cheaper, so I may go that route.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4iyS5pICbWFQj-leOafa6kQuDs74PQJenn2nCXYRTkdnmAUMO2HvJUQYBLVOgYDpfuHbE8GiGdOmod5Nutl38LStYkG6hzbVGG52egeKboU2OlhExw4UGSkRKcW6kpthISiQjtQiprk/s1600/2013-02-23+13.07.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4iyS5pICbWFQj-leOafa6kQuDs74PQJenn2nCXYRTkdnmAUMO2HvJUQYBLVOgYDpfuHbE8GiGdOmod5Nutl38LStYkG6hzbVGG52egeKboU2OlhExw4UGSkRKcW6kpthISiQjtQiprk/s320/2013-02-23+13.07.18.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This zebra head was adorable!! They also had a horse and ...hmm, one other one I can't recall. They were super cute, but nearly $200!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5X2JgOUKgUNsuQzVjMH6TFT9Iu1ftpGenxq5CDjjFHc2SDkyavKdUdXeBr8XIn53dQIaGczk70nnXQg8ZV8-Uw4USRGl0KE8fn5nUPXC-1bWmTaYvMNu53RCd5cBKvdnuNzeawulljlA/s1600/2013-02-23+13.08.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5X2JgOUKgUNsuQzVjMH6TFT9Iu1ftpGenxq5CDjjFHc2SDkyavKdUdXeBr8XIn53dQIaGczk70nnXQg8ZV8-Uw4USRGl0KE8fn5nUPXC-1bWmTaYvMNu53RCd5cBKvdnuNzeawulljlA/s320/2013-02-23+13.08.19.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I definitely want to get one of these for the bathtub. I'm always worried that babygirl is going to crack her head on the spout because she loves to play with it, and the whale is just way too cute!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__FbnSsW2XCLxUE3lCPFnUEtG-ViDTebffzyBdsOT-e0Y7JwvM78_swwLp_ZeRGrMxmUB32E1ykZgpsbfWw1OMDt1Hb7WY9t2vB5aHy8xTsrTkyZ5Je_OuqX8NX1C4vhcsOg-JH4EIiE/s1600/2013-02-23+13.16.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__FbnSsW2XCLxUE3lCPFnUEtG-ViDTebffzyBdsOT-e0Y7JwvM78_swwLp_ZeRGrMxmUB32E1ykZgpsbfWw1OMDt1Hb7WY9t2vB5aHy8xTsrTkyZ5Je_OuqX8NX1C4vhcsOg-JH4EIiE/s320/2013-02-23+13.16.09.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
These bird cards are beyond awesome. The art was beautiful, and I have a soft spot for bird art. I can't remember the price, but it was very reasonable, and with some cheap Ikea 8x10 frames, I think these would look awesome in babygirl's room!<br />
<br />
I didn't take any pics at the other baby store, and honestly felt like I had to sneak the ones above. They were the types of places that look at you sideways when you whip out your phone camera. Eeek!<br />
<br />
There was a super cool home store next to the second baby boutique, so we breezed through as quickly as I could manage since my sis was starving. It was also not a phone camera-friendly zone, but I snuck a few:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpqMmaW1R1Qb7h1bAQaadZ55bZM8cOBM4xy5QR7Jdi116Q46NKnePbjyVz6mHAXJsR2-9QQ903OG5BhtPBK-kkRCm6VXVcjfW_nH9oE926XmVgnw1hMcFzHj8OC1vmQA-C4x2ott2V7o/s1600/2013-02-23+14.09.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpqMmaW1R1Qb7h1bAQaadZ55bZM8cOBM4xy5QR7Jdi116Q46NKnePbjyVz6mHAXJsR2-9QQ903OG5BhtPBK-kkRCm6VXVcjfW_nH9oE926XmVgnw1hMcFzHj8OC1vmQA-C4x2ott2V7o/s320/2013-02-23+14.09.28.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
These little canisters were so cute!! I just wish they were bigger. I'm totally not a canisters-on-the-counters gal, but for these I'd make an exception. The ones pictured above were about the right size for teabags, or a sugar jar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWzqN5h5hW_o2sGz2TrX146UPXcX447ge_j-gQqt4M512B_RBHhujHgsRxHNj05dC_G8hDjwZC6jmlY9Xu44xWeM8W17rp2ye9vMzbY_n7oLJ2D5-mo3qe03nr4F4zwawqIM59O7GnSc/s1600/2013-02-23+14.10.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWzqN5h5hW_o2sGz2TrX146UPXcX447ge_j-gQqt4M512B_RBHhujHgsRxHNj05dC_G8hDjwZC6jmlY9Xu44xWeM8W17rp2ye9vMzbY_n7oLJ2D5-mo3qe03nr4F4zwawqIM59O7GnSc/s320/2013-02-23+14.10.59.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I don't care how many times I see chandeliers like this, I'm still going to love them. I just think they're AWESOME!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2rIB-A_QdUmXBHrTtlUQG04tnUuijTLb582Ge_MppTSt168w2MYK1o7klviJhnOO6Bmv_ZY1Bkbi2hVOEeZKfZ5Yb-a0NnFBLlM7dheT3vB_JmjLdeU0HePhC4d1vgT3PsvFpqDlZxQ/s1600/2013-02-23+14.11.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2rIB-A_QdUmXBHrTtlUQG04tnUuijTLb582Ge_MppTSt168w2MYK1o7klviJhnOO6Bmv_ZY1Bkbi2hVOEeZKfZ5Yb-a0NnFBLlM7dheT3vB_JmjLdeU0HePhC4d1vgT3PsvFpqDlZxQ/s320/2013-02-23+14.11.35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I saw this leather strap contraption and cracked up. I can just see the hubs using this to carry our firewood in from the back. NOT. He would laugh me out of house & home if I suggested it. Looks cute though.<br />
<br />
And then my phone went on the fritz. There were so many more goodies I wanted to show y'all. Oh well, guess I am going to need to go back! :)<br />
<br />
After a quick lunch at one of my favorite places- Whole Foods Salad & Hot Bars, we were up for just a tiny bit more shopping, so we headed to Goodwill, where else?! I spotted some great stuff at pretty good prices...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgdYw4oY9VMrKcjWVZtfL1EhnYUtEt1yLy-nnMSbAhER7n1bX92dqY411S3MceZHWp4HvGhPT_cgo0n21FxUmFGuqRaqXBWQQmORbjgXWyTA7gsKPRhkBKFIXV3SJAPpzrdo3ReS8Ypo/s1600/2013-02-23+16.04.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgdYw4oY9VMrKcjWVZtfL1EhnYUtEt1yLy-nnMSbAhER7n1bX92dqY411S3MceZHWp4HvGhPT_cgo0n21FxUmFGuqRaqXBWQQmORbjgXWyTA7gsKPRhkBKFIXV3SJAPpzrdo3ReS8Ypo/s320/2013-02-23+16.04.04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hard to see, but this pale pink lamp shade was a great oval shape and really nice!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8JKGdRtQ9KtUWKveVqjQRhJX7V0fSLuV9LecAupoA-nVeKnvNWLDGjK6ZRjcHTkTN56JTjhvXifb6BJGfd92XaVd3S5wcXzNtnjZEU3s3bz2ztDvOjMPrXPHgQfffGBTGrxYuW-tMcM/s1600/2013-02-23+16.04.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8JKGdRtQ9KtUWKveVqjQRhJX7V0fSLuV9LecAupoA-nVeKnvNWLDGjK6ZRjcHTkTN56JTjhvXifb6BJGfd92XaVd3S5wcXzNtnjZEU3s3bz2ztDvOjMPrXPHgQfffGBTGrxYuW-tMcM/s320/2013-02-23+16.04.27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Not sure what this roll was intended for, I was thinking it would make a sweet dresser drawer liner for a little girl's room.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwF6biwKTDb8DE_-jQ_eSzoQihd3LSfK21CLGcaAvteu5DTYPd1ptp0HOWGk3KEdeec8qkjBeRC9_SFTDQauDB4R63m2iuDBsrhCR6G47hUsW_-R0xirrxohMKuLpysJPABxDJIWsDKs/s1600/2013-02-23+16.03.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwF6biwKTDb8DE_-jQ_eSzoQihd3LSfK21CLGcaAvteu5DTYPd1ptp0HOWGk3KEdeec8qkjBeRC9_SFTDQauDB4R63m2iuDBsrhCR6G47hUsW_-R0xirrxohMKuLpysJPABxDJIWsDKs/s320/2013-02-23+16.03.57.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At first I gawked at the price of these candles- almost $7 at Goodwill. But then I smelled them, and they were divine. Probably worth the $7 bucks!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUeWwM7I5-3ST2ysHAWxcR7-i2V-uSW7hWT8lEPKf0bBSnInqb4BBw9TBT6YuGiDsEVccfN-R-n8QZX-Kc_IU7gLRvl16a3y8c1p0nIhq5dcOetTiqQ9360PJasfpq_zYIaTZc9gdG9A/s1600/2013-02-23+16.09.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUeWwM7I5-3ST2ysHAWxcR7-i2V-uSW7hWT8lEPKf0bBSnInqb4BBw9TBT6YuGiDsEVccfN-R-n8QZX-Kc_IU7gLRvl16a3y8c1p0nIhq5dcOetTiqQ9360PJasfpq_zYIaTZc9gdG9A/s320/2013-02-23+16.09.09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
These woven trays were really cool. I'm not sure how functional they'd be, But I could see them stacked on a leather or cloth ottoman/coffee table.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2APPWawUWSJw7XT19R4hjOWmiovghTZ-26s3WMoCbej5Bkpj1wdXbUYxHicV6i968Cmx-IxXB3Z6Rd84onQb8huNjnGqOeX27_GV_l_zM7eKR9SqgjIFKCaDWADlTF74VeCNsMMZX5fU/s1600/2013-02-23+16.10.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2APPWawUWSJw7XT19R4hjOWmiovghTZ-26s3WMoCbej5Bkpj1wdXbUYxHicV6i968Cmx-IxXB3Z6Rd84onQb8huNjnGqOeX27_GV_l_zM7eKR9SqgjIFKCaDWADlTF74VeCNsMMZX5fU/s320/2013-02-23+16.10.07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
These porcelain ornaments reminded me of something my grandma would like.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho86AOMxaoYwvOzctR-TD7nwLNlPSUphYnDEA7eSm9R7czG2cSC8LhDcAwbUse9pBYOUCkUbP4KxRqDupRN01uk6a8ALxinOXOcjeJMpsKiarPIRRVeBMtkILltIF7Pvedf8ZxXZzZ-OA/s1600/2013-02-23+16.10.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho86AOMxaoYwvOzctR-TD7nwLNlPSUphYnDEA7eSm9R7czG2cSC8LhDcAwbUse9pBYOUCkUbP4KxRqDupRN01uk6a8ALxinOXOcjeJMpsKiarPIRRVeBMtkILltIF7Pvedf8ZxXZzZ-OA/s320/2013-02-23+16.10.31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I love fall decorating. They don't look like anything special, but both of these pumpkins were cute.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMEx4Ci5RIhrEHkn_PS1xJWhiAVP41PpNPDA1ZGVpmVifsQrwsEcWkueYjCW54pMHaPgzqQeFQpHx1Uc2-SGnrxPihLFYE4P05mAA8sBCqPpvFU7dQ8Zsmf2O852OIlWumouYqMG-6pg/s1600/2013-02-23+16.14.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMEx4Ci5RIhrEHkn_PS1xJWhiAVP41PpNPDA1ZGVpmVifsQrwsEcWkueYjCW54pMHaPgzqQeFQpHx1Uc2-SGnrxPihLFYE4P05mAA8sBCqPpvFU7dQ8Zsmf2O852OIlWumouYqMG-6pg/s320/2013-02-23+16.14.09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I'll probably regret not picking up those three shelves, they were a great price, I just couldn't think of where to use them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRc5qyQcCnQ-kSW0MP0JT3blOTBdzJbhhZXYCoiLK5hE38CXyaqIIV-zFKhrd2Dz3KT6iYwxLTMAjg2g7WWSeXUIhe0vGAOVSqH1pPpX9tnMZsnR3gI47V9AhlocElWEDaE_Zl4OHfRQ/s1600/2013-02-23+16.12.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRc5qyQcCnQ-kSW0MP0JT3blOTBdzJbhhZXYCoiLK5hE38CXyaqIIV-zFKhrd2Dz3KT6iYwxLTMAjg2g7WWSeXUIhe0vGAOVSqH1pPpX9tnMZsnR3gI47V9AhlocElWEDaE_Zl4OHfRQ/s320/2013-02-23+16.12.39.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I liked both the laptop case and those plastic heart plates. They'd be fun to use for kiddos just on Valentines day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEoOFbZBzU8RsFa7g9y2F-GZh_f9luPZyT0BTUh_xAl1UN0JlXz6QvKdozFt1QMl-iTsTFK8cmPwW0HGI65nztEUb94pHZR2-cAAuwQ81BuEZljpb5FhFjumQ65Duw-yOllmTg-h6z3k/s1600/2013-02-23+16.20.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEoOFbZBzU8RsFa7g9y2F-GZh_f9luPZyT0BTUh_xAl1UN0JlXz6QvKdozFt1QMl-iTsTFK8cmPwW0HGI65nztEUb94pHZR2-cAAuwQ81BuEZljpb5FhFjumQ65Duw-yOllmTg-h6z3k/s320/2013-02-23+16.20.28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
These embroidered cocktail napkins were great, and brand new, but I'm just not a martini drinker and I think that's the only way they'd make sense. I don't know any martini drinkers either. Oh well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1tehQ_qi_jJhnPLl_UBVCBQ8bqeCV-MLo-Gf34_H4eJQgyMd1ZVdyveimgY_ftLA0LQ9Eiqi5v7H15KJhKZ2xQPuK2U1mjndTBd2Iew31zcRsMfPqtmmjl-7DTgrYMU2n0NP6GHFUKw/s1600/2013-02-23+16.16.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1tehQ_qi_jJhnPLl_UBVCBQ8bqeCV-MLo-Gf34_H4eJQgyMd1ZVdyveimgY_ftLA0LQ9Eiqi5v7H15KJhKZ2xQPuK2U1mjndTBd2Iew31zcRsMfPqtmmjl-7DTgrYMU2n0NP6GHFUKw/s320/2013-02-23+16.16.35.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I liked the shape of this lamp, and the color wasn't bad either.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp8tz_KTK5CI7oEqvcLJwidSx_Nim8MmIAxN4CKXsVdc-DMbJJ8ppmFyQYSvrihk-7PeR9I8908PNQu6sNa4e3fmINwE44Xb6z3D4hWK08OnDp2S1v4iu_VDfEx6BBoFGBluEkUZPOG0/s1600/2013-02-23+16.22.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp8tz_KTK5CI7oEqvcLJwidSx_Nim8MmIAxN4CKXsVdc-DMbJJ8ppmFyQYSvrihk-7PeR9I8908PNQu6sNa4e3fmINwE44Xb6z3D4hWK08OnDp2S1v4iu_VDfEx6BBoFGBluEkUZPOG0/s320/2013-02-23+16.22.56.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Not sure what this is, I saw it on the way out and we were both kind of pooped, so I just grabbed a quick pic. Maybe a duvet cover? I thought the print was super fun though!<br />
<br />
Sis & I both made out with some great deals. I'll show you one of them later this week! We headed home, had some dinner, and then the whole gang went to our new favorite place, Barnes & Noble. The cousins had a great time playing at the train table together. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2I7Hoq_b6nLT0tr1z5kfi_Phcl4XuyrPqzuqX0S0Ts4WxDAV36uSDtPG6Z7KMWHZ26B19At-V5Zi7qyHf3phVi2umS9Ej4YKuvujy_nJGrGhsfZIYwPCS4sYTzai1x41PVZZKVvat_A/s1600/2013-02-23+20.47.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2I7Hoq_b6nLT0tr1z5kfi_Phcl4XuyrPqzuqX0S0Ts4WxDAV36uSDtPG6Z7KMWHZ26B19At-V5Zi7qyHf3phVi2umS9Ej4YKuvujy_nJGrGhsfZIYwPCS4sYTzai1x41PVZZKVvat_A/s320/2013-02-23+20.47.46.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
After playing we stopped for a scoop of icecream on the way home. The local shop is known for interesting flavor combos, but tonight we totally struck out. For whatever reason, I decided I had to taste the Peanut Sriracha- DEEEE-SGUSTING. I mean really bad. I asked the girl scooping how hot it was, and she was all, ehh, I dunno, a little. So I tasted it. Apart from instantly scorching my throat, it was just the grossest combo. I usually trust their "weird sounding combos", but I instantly regretted it. (I ended up having to grab a bottle of water b/c I couldn't even speak from the heat of the sriracha, no jokes.) So sis & I both ended up with Salted Caramel, which should have been a no-brainer. But it was so S.A.L.T.Y. Like, it was hard to enjoy it was so salty. Sis ended up dumping her scoop and eating the cone; I had a cup so I suffered through. Oh well!<br />
<br />
Sunday morning we headed to church, where we snapped snapped a few pics after service. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRfGU89GZdeEicD_mD7BszmZ7OiP2y2cqrtGpWpdfxY5yOmqkXtfEk30v8l7f_I32UqkCKBO3CEOucPT8HAly8xeR8zJjrSk5CJryz2clgohnsVmHzHlINTEQcOzGA94QclHdk0I9T8k/s1600/2013-02-24+10.20.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRfGU89GZdeEicD_mD7BszmZ7OiP2y2cqrtGpWpdfxY5yOmqkXtfEk30v8l7f_I32UqkCKBO3CEOucPT8HAly8xeR8zJjrSk5CJryz2clgohnsVmHzHlINTEQcOzGA94QclHdk0I9T8k/s320/2013-02-24+10.20.13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5K9s_9QJDMFIvUnpqD-WoTRUKPzEqSNDc6N9RTMrHjJRBxQ1yWL8V5M0UFTleEJJtkgtQ6F0fo8tp-8BRmlPsTEldz2apExU-NIRJpApqHEkly2AvyyQE4rg9zDvixp5oOJfKz3U7us/s1600/2013-02-24+10.20.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5K9s_9QJDMFIvUnpqD-WoTRUKPzEqSNDc6N9RTMrHjJRBxQ1yWL8V5M0UFTleEJJtkgtQ6F0fo8tp-8BRmlPsTEldz2apExU-NIRJpApqHEkly2AvyyQE4rg9zDvixp5oOJfKz3U7us/s320/2013-02-24+10.20.44.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Afterwards we headed to our neighborhood coffee shop for a light breakfast in the sunshine. Then home for naps and relaxing the rest of the day. <br />
<br />
All in all, the best kind of weekend- not hectic, no work, just lots of fun family time!!<br />
<br />
Hope y'all have a great week. This one should be interesting around here- we hired a nanny who starts on Tuesday!! Hoping it goes well...Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-28092639272402825952013-02-21T01:23:00.002-05:002013-02-21T01:33:51.979-05:00Recipe: Strawberry ShortcakeI'm about to share a super secret family recipe. It's my go-to, no-fail dessert that I pull out when I need something quick that everyone will enjoy. So, are you ready...<br />
<br />
Strawberry Shortcakes made with BISQUICK!! I know, it's not original at all, but it's such a yummy treat, and nearly impossible to screw up. I grew up eating this dessert at my grandma's house, and if my grandma isn't too good for Bisquick shortcakes, than neither am I!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGWgTHU_CEDQZroahnudP2ExSOlwh504ICwEpR-6DuoHSSzOsr71x9yxPES7IAzQkd91t_f_rMLh8LE54mUq2T41eKqOhRnu9yAkVoUPuim63rBnMbXPyyHmlfmW58eCYJF89DyLj6NA/s1600/100_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGWgTHU_CEDQZroahnudP2ExSOlwh504ICwEpR-6DuoHSSzOsr71x9yxPES7IAzQkd91t_f_rMLh8LE54mUq2T41eKqOhRnu9yAkVoUPuim63rBnMbXPyyHmlfmW58eCYJF89DyLj6NA/s320/100_1171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Start by slicing up some strawberries. Of course it tastes best when strawberries are in season and sweet, but the grocery had them on sale this week, and I just couldn't resist. Sprinkle a little sugar on if you like, then stir and keep them in the fridge while you make the shortcakes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrukkXv-K0PiIIu3maYbyo8qTf2Ch6Uga2D_e54qRoedM8x0Tjt7B4nh3DoDDqJuGn-AtcH1P-5LMOkYTadwU2pMxJZr5i7ej0zxZUIpVTbl-pnGXHdbcyGDwTsCFVa_gNY-7VVbustY/s1600/100_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrukkXv-K0PiIIu3maYbyo8qTf2Ch6Uga2D_e54qRoedM8x0Tjt7B4nh3DoDDqJuGn-AtcH1P-5LMOkYTadwU2pMxJZr5i7ej0zxZUIpVTbl-pnGXHdbcyGDwTsCFVa_gNY-7VVbustY/s320/100_1173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The recipe is on the side of the box, but it's 2 cups Bisquick, a couple tbsp of sugar, a couple tbsp melted butter and 1/3 cup milk. I barely measure things out though, I mostly eyeball. The recipe is very forgiving as long as it's not too wet or too dry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR99DVqObglqhHxXLEkCtLWJBNs7eP371aL8f50cKmN2c8UO9apjKHYKX7WTn0i9ecsRgZ5lxPdlf62AxJv759xd4rG8VGqgh1Xd-RFX6sQEep66_TEKSCGOG6YgeqJEE23a6r8EGFM3M/s1600/100_1174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR99DVqObglqhHxXLEkCtLWJBNs7eP371aL8f50cKmN2c8UO9apjKHYKX7WTn0i9ecsRgZ5lxPdlf62AxJv759xd4rG8VGqgh1Xd-RFX6sQEep66_TEKSCGOG6YgeqJEE23a6r8EGFM3M/s320/100_1174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Don't over-mix, just stir until it comes together and isn't powdery anymore. It won't be smooth, that's okay. The less you mix, the more tender your shortcakes will be. Trust me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVx_t02Ql7qHwSiksNBptpz0CCCcf6nnqf6Y0rp8lVBaIKlgu-uuZl8E9naJOLUbIDDA9DYrgTCtYEIdP4epYgQC0mrCRl0LITtrK_MHgWnGbOQBCm6NQXq4dTqD7x4jg66h61gUUYIzE/s1600/100_1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVx_t02Ql7qHwSiksNBptpz0CCCcf6nnqf6Y0rp8lVBaIKlgu-uuZl8E9naJOLUbIDDA9DYrgTCtYEIdP4epYgQC0mrCRl0LITtrK_MHgWnGbOQBCm6NQXq4dTqD7x4jg66h61gUUYIzE/s320/100_1175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I just drop them by spoonful on a baking stone. I like the rustic look. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi_YMSWru1_ZW8tgyPy9CBmrlBlqIDsaAi1bAcVEF6q-6BiHelFpd4qbg4vzCVlNLBQvmFrMZaef6B2JZ52xZUhB6TipYeGEku9LABZqZ6AgMDdpNFMmMaVwqbOgXHQgVgGJZ14Y5VBo/s1600/100_1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLi_YMSWru1_ZW8tgyPy9CBmrlBlqIDsaAi1bAcVEF6q-6BiHelFpd4qbg4vzCVlNLBQvmFrMZaef6B2JZ52xZUhB6TipYeGEku9LABZqZ6AgMDdpNFMmMaVwqbOgXHQgVgGJZ14Y5VBo/s320/100_1176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And out of the oven. Don't over-bake these! They'll dry out and taste awful. Bake til golden brown. The middles may look a bit wet, but just let them sit a few minutes and they'll be perfect.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR41xOsf9KiK9U0DLtmyfGfK0Qhz71_WfTQyQilbilau0JeBk4Y_JAd8fmZQ5v_q78gwfv_hpanZ32QqHTfv5OI_c1LeYiRedkQDHupYmkoMxPS9hbUNEstzHPCb8izLt4-ys-oWH9Vd0/s1600/100_1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR41xOsf9KiK9U0DLtmyfGfK0Qhz71_WfTQyQilbilau0JeBk4Y_JAd8fmZQ5v_q78gwfv_hpanZ32QqHTfv5OI_c1LeYiRedkQDHupYmkoMxPS9hbUNEstzHPCb8izLt4-ys-oWH9Vd0/s320/100_1177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
In my family we split the shortcakes while they're still pretty hot and butter them, then add strawberries & milk. If you've never had shortcake this way, you HAVE to try it. My hubs used to turn his nose up at the milk, but it honestly makes the dish. The shortcake soaks it up and becomes this delicious buttery, milky, hot and cold wonderment. It's insanely good!!<br />
<br />
PS, I know Bisquick contradicts my <a href="http://mamacarriet.blogspot.com/2013/01/recipe-taco-seasoning.html" target="_blank">previous statement</a> about buying things that I can easily make myself. Don't worry, I'm going to make my own Bisquick mix once this box runs out!! ;)Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-44755302010684015782013-02-19T20:42:00.000-05:002013-02-19T20:42:57.125-05:00DIY: Beauty SecretsDon't worry, you're in the right place! I've never done a beauty post before, and I'm definitely not a fashion or beauty expert, but I thought I'd share two awesome beauty secrets I've discovered this year. Remember my post about <a href="http://mamacarriet.blogspot.com/2013/01/recipe-taco-seasoning.html" target="_blank">Taco Seasoning</a>? I mentioned one of my unofficial resolutions for this year was <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">to try and MAKE more things I could easily make instead of BUY. This was partially motivated by saving money, and partially motivated by being more healthy and reducing the harmful ingredients we ingest every day. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">My first order of business was homemade deodorant. I'm not going to get all preachy about how bad deodorants & antiperspirants are for you, if you're interested, just do a little research and see for yourself. I decided a long time ago I wanted to try and limit their usage. That's not easy for me because I both 1) hate to be sweaty and 2) have a tendency to be sweaty! But I've been giving it a try during the days when I'm home with babygirl and we don't go anywhere- I just don't wear anything. And most days I don't sweat or stink- hurrah! But, it's the dead of winter and I'm not doing anything crazy active around the house, so I knew it wasn't foolproof. I started looking around and found lots of recipes for deodorants, most with similar ingredients- coconut oil, baking soda, essential oils, and sometimes arrowroot or other natural things. I was up for trying it, but then I came across the most simple recipe of all (really wish I remembered where so I could give them credit!!). It wasn't even a recipe, actually, just one ingredient:</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.armandhammer.com/Images/Deodorization/Baking-Soda-Category-hero.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.armandhammer.com/Images/Deodorization/Baking-Soda-Category-hero.png" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">You're probably rolling your eyes just like my sister did when I told her, but here's the thing: baking soda is so dang cheap, and I'm sure you probably have a box in your pantry like I did, so what's to lose? Try it & see. I grabbed a small plastic container and poured some baking soda in it. Then I went through my makeup and found a large powder brush I wasn't using anymore. Dusted a little baking soda under the pits and went about my day. By the end of the day, no smells. Tried it again, same result. Amazing!! Now I have to clarify I haven't tried this in the heat of summer or during a workout or any otherwise stressful/sweaty situation, but even if I have to use my old antiperspirant/deodorant for those occasions, I'm okay with that. I'm saving a ton of money, and being much healthier in the process!!</span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Now if you thought baking soda was crazy, you're going to think I'm certifiably insane on this next one, but I promise it works!! Dry shampoo. I'm a big fan of the idea, not a big fan of the products out there. I don't wash my hair everyday, I usually strive for every other day, or every third day. It's better for your hair, and I just don't have time to wash, dry & style my hair everyday with babygirl! (I'm working on some DIY shampoo & conditioner too, stay tuned!). So in the past I've tried several dry shampoos with really disappointing results. The Bumble & Bumble <a href="http://www.bumbleandbumble.com/product/72/179/Products/Styling/Specialty/brown-hair-powder/index.tmpl" target="_blank">Hair Powder</a>, apart from being expensive, was way too dark for even my dark brown hair. It also rubbed off on anything that touched my hair, including my fingers, and just looked generally unnatural. </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">So then I went to the other end of the spectrum and tried a drugstore brand: TRESemme Fresh Start <a href="http://www.tresemme.com/Products/Fresh-Start/Fresh-Start-Smoothing-Dry-Shampoo/" target="_blank">Dry Shampoo</a>. The price was great (around $5), but the result was not. It cast almost a grey look on my hair. And trust me, I don't need any help in that department!! It was also sticky & stiff, almost like hairspray, so my hair just felt really yucky when I used it.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">And I think we've all tried the Baby Powder trick once in our lives- talk about making your hair look grey!! I think this only works if you have blonde hair. It smells nice, but looks crazy!!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">Enter my new trick: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq1b3365QB1qkv6ue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lq1b3365QB1qkv6ue.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">Now, this will be best for folks with brown hair, or dark roots, and I know it sounds crazy, BUT IT WORKS!!! I also can't recall where I read this trick first, but I filed it away thinking it was a little nuts. Then, I had an appointment, and no time to do my hair, and decided to give it a try. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and then dabbed my fingers into a little of the powder and ran it across my hair in sections, starting near the hairline and running back toward my ponytail. I was AMAZED at how well it instantly worked. Not to mention, it gave me a look of subtle highlights- very pretty!! After I went all around my hairline, I took my ponytail out and brushed through my hair a couple times to really integrate any areas I might have been heavy-handed with the powder, and then pulled it back into a ponytail. My hair looked fresh & clean and had a very, VERY subtle chocolate smell. :)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">What do you think, will you try these? Or have you already? Any other great secrets I should know about?</span></div>
Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-90503820722717232112013-02-17T22:48:00.000-05:002013-02-17T22:55:05.639-05:00Weekend UpdateHappy Monday friends!! Hope y'all had a great weekend and are staying toasty warm. It was COLD in Atlanta this past weekend but we had plenty of sunshine so it didn't feel too bad. Saturday morning started out perfect- the hubs let me sleep in while he hung out with babygirl, so I got to catch up on some zzz's! We did a little thrifting in the afternoon, but didn't come away with much. I always like to snap pics while I'm thrifting of fun stuff that I don't buy, but the place was SO picked over there was nothing to take pics of!! Seriously, when we pulled in the parking lot there was nary a parking space. I don't think I like that thrifting has gone mainstream!! :)<br />
<br />
Sunday was church & cleaning and then a little window shopping at Hancock Fabrics. It's not my favorite fabric store, but there's inspiration to be found everywhere. Here are a few of the fabrics that jumped out at me (these are apparel fabrics, not home dec)...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBWuXikS3r4BvwXkTOD6v_TcrvYy0lNofh2UUlrTyEDtaL_eXkKBIU8UbXE3k3a0MdywU6LVrGx-CYeEVWpNz8u6ZxNaqvdNCZ9Ru79yb2G_RZwvkvCZ0kd9cj8oavsOhd1pkyKS81mY/s1600/2013-02-17+15.11.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBWuXikS3r4BvwXkTOD6v_TcrvYy0lNofh2UUlrTyEDtaL_eXkKBIU8UbXE3k3a0MdywU6LVrGx-CYeEVWpNz8u6ZxNaqvdNCZ9Ru79yb2G_RZwvkvCZ0kd9cj8oavsOhd1pkyKS81mY/s320/2013-02-17+15.11.46.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I love the vibrant colors & graphic patterns in these purple & orange prints.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0jPkAJcpHbcZG-3haUO6JEbIPZq7-SJp87VkCsByfD0siFDbTl7zIP-De4XvGLm6geWWmGpenTcG_-PX3KoZJnnR67U7QEi2GiemG6D58MEMJHmyDKOtM3LNZbgThnyqYd0lT9t7qdw/s1600/2013-02-17+15.11.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0jPkAJcpHbcZG-3haUO6JEbIPZq7-SJp87VkCsByfD0siFDbTl7zIP-De4XvGLm6geWWmGpenTcG_-PX3KoZJnnR67U7QEi2GiemG6D58MEMJHmyDKOtM3LNZbgThnyqYd0lT9t7qdw/s320/2013-02-17+15.11.38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
These too! So fun and funky.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24EdeDE3NddmGqLIP7JRstlWBkpGfp1qLpyzhFxKHf3xYA0lmkXd7f1z7vsv6xBXAW0xbAryaK1R9wD49ikexApUOeSIJGpLGVKuGuyvbGEDlSTo8eYnV__9kGMWMO8ZaajdMCZ_EpVE/s1600/2013-02-17+15.13.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24EdeDE3NddmGqLIP7JRstlWBkpGfp1qLpyzhFxKHf3xYA0lmkXd7f1z7vsv6xBXAW0xbAryaK1R9wD49ikexApUOeSIJGpLGVKuGuyvbGEDlSTo8eYnV__9kGMWMO8ZaajdMCZ_EpVE/s320/2013-02-17+15.13.10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My eye is always drawn to black & white. There was nothing special about any of these, but i liked the gathering as a group.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ01qnFHKK6xBOWemLolZ-J1JhQ9NZZFPr8spE_B5GnslzvOWeJWrcuTBGKMulbcy4UPsi9JBwbaBdJEZMl7Z6MiR48zBYW80gUgw3ZE9wbWu1pp2CZMwi2Fwx0VzKN1GoiCFtBOs3yA/s1600/2013-02-17+15.15.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZ01qnFHKK6xBOWemLolZ-J1JhQ9NZZFPr8spE_B5GnslzvOWeJWrcuTBGKMulbcy4UPsi9JBwbaBdJEZMl7Z6MiR48zBYW80gUgw3ZE9wbWu1pp2CZMwi2Fwx0VzKN1GoiCFtBOs3yA/s320/2013-02-17+15.15.50.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Speaking of pattern, these batiks were fun. The colors were a lot more vibrant in person!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFHKT3LfxqicjGbkGvcCaYdEGJla5fcCgAuV-ISJPKNNua00p8o56rg8_lJ7TRj4EHwe9s8re8otOQFxXgoFug3bnND4uWEyy_VK0haFOs5rxYoGqzMfM1ElLtWNePZVYVWHxIhPBKuk/s1600/2013-02-17+15.16.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFHKT3LfxqicjGbkGvcCaYdEGJla5fcCgAuV-ISJPKNNua00p8o56rg8_lJ7TRj4EHwe9s8re8otOQFxXgoFug3bnND4uWEyy_VK0haFOs5rxYoGqzMfM1ElLtWNePZVYVWHxIhPBKuk/s320/2013-02-17+15.16.13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Especially this yellow & grey one. There is a shadow over it, but it was the sunniest yellow & so cheerful! I could see babygirl in a sweet sundress in this pattern.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4zYtE9U2dZhjVMsDDVIO_iAATp4ZwdmSxvhIMnUJsHs_qI9lZdcuOGpctN2VHDMNF3wf3mVoO64umsQJnB2qiwaDgfC-XFTuKLJxsX1Ug0fINAAV7Nq86iFQHIEg63SwVyJgNN-8Qsc/s1600/2013-02-17+15.16.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4zYtE9U2dZhjVMsDDVIO_iAATp4ZwdmSxvhIMnUJsHs_qI9lZdcuOGpctN2VHDMNF3wf3mVoO64umsQJnB2qiwaDgfC-XFTuKLJxsX1Ug0fINAAV7Nq86iFQHIEg63SwVyJgNN-8Qsc/s320/2013-02-17+15.16.31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Stripes, gingham & buffalo check are always classics you can't go wrong with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wCnck3unegw6-1tA4pYZDKxCQ1402ciGU0waV1L7q2VNhqn6lSSALS-AyElVQ3rNg3PWsq7iAjxZP_0hn3rnrhiOeLNaYICxBd66PT52mdk7fj9qOqSotrvoVM5VqYHi8UGNFkYLChk/s1600/2013-02-17+15.13.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wCnck3unegw6-1tA4pYZDKxCQ1402ciGU0waV1L7q2VNhqn6lSSALS-AyElVQ3rNg3PWsq7iAjxZP_0hn3rnrhiOeLNaYICxBd66PT52mdk7fj9qOqSotrvoVM5VqYHi8UGNFkYLChk/s320/2013-02-17+15.13.40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Amid all the pattern, this aisle was like a soothing balm. I love the neutral muslins & the ticking stripes. The textures are what make these fabrics so appealing to me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cyCAU8RYmqKfAEnCzQsX8HzcvMBG62Gg3TKwENRx3krEllHH8UiIKiIi2ImZqD-_IfaPlI_lm3XsEi86FPBkuGJQ9gI2qRr1PwG9HPboqnHR0nYR-2PoF934DhG2IKZ8NnKBl3N-3Ok/s1600/2013-02-17+15.16.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cyCAU8RYmqKfAEnCzQsX8HzcvMBG62Gg3TKwENRx3krEllHH8UiIKiIi2ImZqD-_IfaPlI_lm3XsEi86FPBkuGJQ9gI2qRr1PwG9HPboqnHR0nYR-2PoF934DhG2IKZ8NnKBl3N-3Ok/s320/2013-02-17+15.16.49.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Especially this white cotton ruffle, I just adore it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGi9-8oquxDwVRY0O9fX7cfKE8bSuHuWVdDvfz_YfVho_4l-MelwewUpFzjZLpO3SPa-urX0Lkm4_qLl2HnoAwxz751A9JWmEM-98qjW6A327HJfvZ5fD6vWs5LhPS8OTKy5jPYqNoNTc/s1600/2013-02-17+16.24.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGi9-8oquxDwVRY0O9fX7cfKE8bSuHuWVdDvfz_YfVho_4l-MelwewUpFzjZLpO3SPa-urX0Lkm4_qLl2HnoAwxz751A9JWmEM-98qjW6A327HJfvZ5fD6vWs5LhPS8OTKy5jPYqNoNTc/s320/2013-02-17+16.24.29.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
After Hancock the fam took a trip to Barnes & Noble. We hadn't been there in ages, and we thought babygirl would enjoy it. Boy were we right. That gal was literally like a kid in a toy store! We had no idea B&N had bulked up their toy selection, and they had some great brands and beautiful educational toys. I'll totally head there first from now on when I need a baby/kid gift!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nowDLOB7YnFiJMhTRoVVJHj7OXrG4pzAyxXh1DrM_-6q-RE3cNr0pbgxyy4sVZBurQgKFLjzWmSKRVqTXoX9W0D93_eJHyVjEH-vnmBU08dtPEGK74JvYCJqIXKVc8Dh1_4wBXm1X4A/s1600/2013-02-17+16.25.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nowDLOB7YnFiJMhTRoVVJHj7OXrG4pzAyxXh1DrM_-6q-RE3cNr0pbgxyy4sVZBurQgKFLjzWmSKRVqTXoX9W0D93_eJHyVjEH-vnmBU08dtPEGK74JvYCJqIXKVc8Dh1_4wBXm1X4A/s320/2013-02-17+16.25.08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I've been shopping around for alphabet flashcards for babygirl. She's a total sponge right now, and is starting to mimic everything. I'm constantly amazed by the little things she recalls from books we read or things we've said to her. These look like a good option, but I passed for now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gjcZYaHZ2b_ilOX1ycT_8rl84yW4m02vJRtOXTgpQ_K4dusdBPMl8oUTX14CbldyD2vTAaSY-pP-bL6Vag0RmAEk-fDi5AJf3db8YEIFlndKktUubVinVMc4K6HWHZHRr4MxXlJqUhQ/s1600/2013-02-17+16.24.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gjcZYaHZ2b_ilOX1ycT_8rl84yW4m02vJRtOXTgpQ_K4dusdBPMl8oUTX14CbldyD2vTAaSY-pP-bL6Vag0RmAEk-fDi5AJf3db8YEIFlndKktUubVinVMc4K6HWHZHRr4MxXlJqUhQ/s320/2013-02-17+16.24.43.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This was the cutest darn purse I've EVER seen! I grabbed it to show babygirl, and she instantly put it over her shoulder and hugged it tight. For almost the whole time in there. It was so cute. It nearly broke my heart to see the $22 price tag. Sheesh! Honestly, it's probably not bad, but it's also not in the budget. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKEFxNvTRSls-g4oxkRlG8uhcOqdAmW9WMHF4anltUxAIQ1WQIvkiUAvRU4HSp8q1lYyiBwtV2O2f1XznKyiH6qE1zNnXX59sJNEQ-1tig2RNWWwmeID14LApQCnqGv96j-xHKJAAvms/s1600/2013-02-17+16.26.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKEFxNvTRSls-g4oxkRlG8uhcOqdAmW9WMHF4anltUxAIQ1WQIvkiUAvRU4HSp8q1lYyiBwtV2O2f1XznKyiH6qE1zNnXX59sJNEQ-1tig2RNWWwmeID14LApQCnqGv96j-xHKJAAvms/s320/2013-02-17+16.26.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And lastly, I see now why parents invest in train tables. The kids were like magnets to this thing. Riley had a great time, and met some nice new friends too. It was the perfect way to end the weekend! We're adding B&N to our list of places to visit more often!<br />
<br />
So what were y'all up to this weekend? I've got a busy week ahead of me with lots of fun new projects on the horizon, so stay tuned!! Have a great week!Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-18866200361066594902013-02-14T17:00:00.000-05:002013-02-17T23:26:46.596-05:00I'm So in Love...<div style="text-align: center;">
...with black interior doors!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You thought I was going to say my hubs, didn't you? Well, yes, of course! But recently a friend asked for my advice about black paint for interior doors. I'm a big fan of the look, though I've never done it in my own homes. Several years ago I painted the trim in my kitchen & family room black and LOVED it. I was scared to dip that paintbrush and paint the first strokes of black, but once I did, I knew it would be amazing. Painting interior doors is the same- it instantly elevates the look of your rooms! As I was doing a little research for my friend I was reminded of how much I love the look, and am wondering what it will take to convince the hubs. Here are some looks I love...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.soulstyle.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Black-Interior-doors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.soulstyle.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Black-Interior-doors.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.soulstyle.ca/black-interior-doors/" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I like this pic because this is about how our upstairs would look if we painted all the doors. There are five, yes FIVE, doors at the top of our landing, but I think this looks amazing!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://picklemedia1.scrippsnetworks.com/pickle_media1/media/HGTV/090110/Photo_Video_453419937_medium.JPG?0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://picklemedia1.scrippsnetworks.com/pickle_media1/media/HGTV/090110/Photo_Video_453419937_medium.JPG?0" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Other-Spaces/Interior-doors--Hallway/detail.esi?oid=4480188" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
I like this one too- we have a couple glass doors and this is a great visualization of how they might look painted black.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i50.tinypic.com/2nrcvia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i50.tinypic.com/2nrcvia.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://pandce.proboards.com/thread/62776/black-interior-doors" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I don't care for this one. It may just be the lighting, but it's too gray for me. I'd prefer a true black, or a blue-black rather than a grey-black.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1OClDq_o4PUytQiN9YnLN6KTdrP2nzaCJyjM3HRZloURUuhXSFMOvrAILIwG5MMw5bf5pCGR5PDgCjnIK9Dmrwt-BlXnA1JXhCVEDDvxUSfPA6E9I73bUtdUr29puZ36qyp1IwjhUK6z/s320/Black+back+of+front+door.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1OClDq_o4PUytQiN9YnLN6KTdrP2nzaCJyjM3HRZloURUuhXSFMOvrAILIwG5MMw5bf5pCGR5PDgCjnIK9Dmrwt-BlXnA1JXhCVEDDvxUSfPA6E9I73bUtdUr29puZ36qyp1IwjhUK6z/s320/Black+back+of+front+door.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://4littlepilgrims.blogspot.com/2009/05/interior-doors-that-i-painted-black.html" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This one scares me because I don't think it looks too hot. Again, it could be the lighting, but I feel like you can see the roller marks. Eeek.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_qy6hPzdvyWPud22Rco3-ohD3lRuAZ0FuzI379yGES71s32CyFLDTRdiaMy6u6whSRggz-n8FsIupYXMxkDwGUyjdqyPzNGPrIl-cEiDZYA-fu7_uk8ovOvbBLp-UkZyoT6gnevm1e0/s1600/6122149462942319_bK8GafUn_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_qy6hPzdvyWPud22Rco3-ohD3lRuAZ0FuzI379yGES71s32CyFLDTRdiaMy6u6whSRggz-n8FsIupYXMxkDwGUyjdqyPzNGPrIl-cEiDZYA-fu7_uk8ovOvbBLp-UkZyoT6gnevm1e0/s320/6122149462942319_bK8GafUn_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>original source unknown</i></div>
<div>
My jaw about dropped when I saw these doors. I'll take two please!! Oh my goodness, how great are they?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.elegantlyuntamed.com/storage/161848180328120651_cahyWUJF_c.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1349305413179" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://www.elegantlyuntamed.com/storage/161848180328120651_cahyWUJF_c.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1349305413179" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.annecoyleinteriors.com/portfolio2.php" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This one is just a weeeee bit too glossy for my taste. You want a little gloss, but this looks almost lacquered!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQqVovhUgkzD1Vjix2OSjS3FDHK22ObCurglzRO-6xkQy9fn6HLdHCopBY9ZC7eK-6Y74VrCUZ4ecCpH07YleiLNzI-PRCY017S9KbeDXCBCPfj6tuXh44ugq0Xe_2Ul6gSrHrMhjvs4/s1600/182747697348896942_t4Qw17en_c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQqVovhUgkzD1Vjix2OSjS3FDHK22ObCurglzRO-6xkQy9fn6HLdHCopBY9ZC7eK-6Y74VrCUZ4ecCpH07YleiLNzI-PRCY017S9KbeDXCBCPfj6tuXh44ugq0Xe_2Ul6gSrHrMhjvs4/s320/182747697348896942_t4Qw17en_c.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>original source unknown</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
These are utterly gorgeous- a mile high and lovely glass knobs. Love Love Love.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvmpE2H4k4zx3nV6MS000y3PZuLk0McoGcB9G635ylOB0NeXndETyVdwOYuQXepXN4Scs4tVFiSCc6K2d9QI10ilsL3IpVQE6GeS35YIMuhAOXWMUsHAYpP9eA0X4oTeYS3ApwqbcLNks/s640/IMG_6325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvmpE2H4k4zx3nV6MS000y3PZuLk0McoGcB9G635ylOB0NeXndETyVdwOYuQXepXN4Scs4tVFiSCc6K2d9QI10ilsL3IpVQE6GeS35YIMuhAOXWMUsHAYpP9eA0X4oTeYS3ApwqbcLNks/s320/IMG_6325.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.theyellowcapecod.com/2011/10/31-days-of-character-building-simple.html" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Perfection. And can I tell you how much I love those draperies? Wow. Check out that link, she has several more beautiful examples of the doors she painted in her home!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, what do you think? Have I convinced you to paint your doors black too? Oh, and I learned a couple things in trying to find pics to post here:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) It seems that every blogger has done a 'black interior doors' post sometime in the past 2 years.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
and 2) Said bloggers generally suck in sourcing the original poster of the pic. There were so many more pics I wanted to include, but couldn't track back to the original author. I always try really hard to track back to the original author of the photo, or just not post it. It takes a little longer, but they really should get the credit. Now I see why so many folks watermark their photos with their web address!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgGueHmRcPgOKTLUEiYjUllYDnga_DVbOPQ2IzjKYRktvLAW6IDxNYFCoebk1WmEPK9QxgwN1UM0IUZQj72G23xT93lYoB30xkrhvPQ-89mHUsPkMheQeBmWr2tie03lqPor4FfHmABk/s1600/valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzgGueHmRcPgOKTLUEiYjUllYDnga_DVbOPQ2IzjKYRktvLAW6IDxNYFCoebk1WmEPK9QxgwN1UM0IUZQj72G23xT93lYoB30xkrhvPQ-89mHUsPkMheQeBmWr2tie03lqPor4FfHmABk/s320/valentine.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope y'all had a great Valentine's Day with your loved ones, we sure did!</div>
</div>
Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-58417051960612178122013-02-13T22:29:00.000-05:002013-02-14T00:22:51.371-05:00Things I'm Loving...It seems that every blogger in blogland does these type of posts on a semi-regular basis. I've shied away from them, but the lighting in our house has been dreadful due to way too many dreary rainy days, and I need all the sunshine I can get to make my pics look even half-decent! So I thought I'd do a little round up of some of the things on my radar lately.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://l4.zassets.com/images/z/1/1/8/0/4/0/1180408-p-MULTIVIEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://l4.zassets.com/images/z/1/1/8/0/4/0/1180408-p-MULTIVIEW.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.zappos.com/minnetonka-hi-top-back-zip-boot-grey-suede?ef_id=UPo4LQAAFOTWTBa7:20130214014439:s" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
These are so not me. I mean SO not me. But I saw a pic of them on someone and I've been obsessed ever since. In my mind I see them worn with leggings or super skinny jeans. I'm pretty sure the reality wouldn't look at all like the picture in my head, but can't stop a girl from dreaming!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://apalacheehills.com/SpeciesAdded05/MaidenhairFern-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://apalacheehills.com/SpeciesAdded05/MaidenhairFern-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://apalacheehills.com/Plantweb2/MaidenhairFern.html" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I saw a potted Maidenhair fern at the supermarket the other day in preparation for Valentine's day and fell in love with it. I don't know if it was the vibrant green sign of life in this gloomy weather, or the delicate scalloped leaves, but I wanted it terribly. At $24.99 it seemed a bit steep, but I'm hoping that ferns won't be the #1 seller this v-day and it will be marked down!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/phalaenopsis-potted-plant__0090675_PE224825_S4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/products/phalaenopsis-potted-plant__0090675_PE224825_S4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40148542/" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Speaking of greenery, Natalie did a <a href="http://designerbagsanddirtydiapers.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-style-orchid-like-pro.html" target="_blank">post on orchids</a> earlier this week, and I've been thinking about them ever since. I've only ever had one orchid that was given to us as a gift, and I killed it. I'm not the best with houseplants. But, now that I know the trick to keeping orchids alive is lots of sunshine and an icecube a week, I think I could give it another try! Ikea, of all places, always seems to have really pretty ones, and at $9.99 or $15.99 each, I think that's a pretty good deal! Does anyone know what the heck you're supposed to do once the flowers fall off? I've never figured that out...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/015/0/5638853/il_570xN.409885052_se54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/015/0/5638853/il_570xN.409885052_se54.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/88623992/valentines-day-sale-green-onyx-teardrop?" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm going to blame this one on subliminal TV advertising- I swear I saw a flash of an emerald green teardrop earring on a lady in a commercial, and now I want some!! I don't even wear earrings much, though that is a habit I'd like to change. These are sooo pretty, and hey, emerald green is the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/88623992/valentines-day-sale-green-onyx-teardrop?" target="_blank">Pantone color of the year</a>! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/assets/common/clear.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://oldnavy.gap.com/assets/common/clear.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www3.assets-gap.com/webcontent/0005/629/884/cn5629884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www3.assets-gap.com/webcontent/0005/629/884/cn5629884.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=85732&vid=1&pid=730770342" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I know I'm totally late to the colorful skinny jeans bandwagon, but last weekend I saw a pair of turquoise ones and I wanted them like crazy. I'm just not sure I'm brave enough to wear brightly colored skinny jeans!! These ones from Old Navy are super cute, and $12.97 isn't much of a risk!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/0131072_PE285539_S3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/0131072_PE285539_S3.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10212129/" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been itching to start working on our guest bedroom for ages, but we don't have the spare cash right now, and I'm not 100% sure what I want to do. I know that I've been drawn to bold black & white stripes and buffalo check. Every time I see this blanket at Ikea, I'm tempted to buy 2 and stash them away until I can get started on the room. It's such a soft blanket and I think it would look perfect folded over the foot of the beds dressed in fluffy white duvets. And this <a href="http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2012/11/coral-velvet-bed.html" target="_blank">headboard of Jenny's</a> has totally inspired me. Ah, I wish I could get started, like yesterday!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well those are just a few things on my dream shopping list, what's on yours?!</div>
Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-66917672475451300382013-02-11T01:48:00.001-05:002013-02-11T01:49:23.104-05:00Weekend Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZOR3engbu5VIifZ9V6uHxvDtKG3tkeILYNduVqarC1IZmtnJ5gw5kspU1gvj4IlGQZx0DS-9HQf42tpxCHmgjpBLR3UVAG8QhbME2Z8ewregWj8cpTTn4z3XP1HXHS619ZUyXd1_hNY/s1600/2013-02-09+16.54.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZOR3engbu5VIifZ9V6uHxvDtKG3tkeILYNduVqarC1IZmtnJ5gw5kspU1gvj4IlGQZx0DS-9HQf42tpxCHmgjpBLR3UVAG8QhbME2Z8ewregWj8cpTTn4z3XP1HXHS619ZUyXd1_hNY/s320/2013-02-09+16.54.12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Not much to update, creatively speaking. I've been spending my days soaking up the sweetness of that little girl above, my babygirl. Sometimes I feel like I can see inside her head and literally watch the wheels turning as she learns and grows everyday. I always knew the thing in life I wanted to do most was be a mom, but I just never realized what a change it would make on ME as a person. Everyone tells you babies change your life, I thought they meant your LIFE, not who you are on the inside. I'm so aware of this little person who is watching me all day, everyday- what I do, what I say, and I want to make sure I'm being the best I can be for her. I constantly surprise myself with reserves of patience, even at the end of the day, because I can see that she's thriving and learning and just soaking up every little bit of everything we're giving her. It's such a gift to be a mom and grow a little person, and I just pray every day that God will continue to guide me and help me to be a better person & mom.<br />
<br />
Whew, just got a little heavy there, but that's what been on my mind this week! I'm constantly humbled by my role as mama. To that end, this weekend was spent together as a family!! We did some family thrifting on Saturday, without much success. Sunday was church and a nice long nap. We visited an open house of a friend who's a realtor, which may not sound like too much fun, but the hubs & I really enjoy looking at houses, so it was lots of fun for us! Family time ended with a POLO (parents of little ones) early Valentines party at our church. The pouring rain was a perfect excuse to stay in, but in an effort to create more <i>connections</i>, we braved the weather and I think we were all happy we did! Babygirl is such an observant gal, and can spot a fellow kid in a crowd, so it was such a treat for her to be surrounded by lots of littles. Sunday evening ended with a little work and some much needed mama time with the DVR: Real Housewives, Kim & Kourtney & Shahs of Sunset. Oh yes, I watch 'em all, and I love it!!<br />
<br />
Hope y'all had a great weekend, and HAPPY MONDAY!!Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-48674292701499961742013-02-06T23:30:00.000-05:002013-02-07T01:10:37.060-05:00Being HappyYou know how sometimes stuff in your life changes? And you don't want it to change, so you resist? Even though resisting is futile, 'cuz it's gonna change no matter what. And the change has a lot of positive things going for it, but there are downsides too, and it's always easier to focus on the downsides when you're in the dumps. So, I've just been letting myself be in the dumps, 'cuz I know I'm not going to stay there, and I figure I'm allowed to mourn the changes. And then I saw this today, and I knew it was time to get back up and move forward. Because this is so true. And sometimes all ya need is just a little reminder, and a tiny kick in the rear.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TyEh_o8ONX3B1vQHsbKr8jNljzEHb_EznmgLWij_Q42tJ2tJHdTyVLF8u5u7bbM9YeWRQS2aHWGTYTmSOVBIlWoURSXIFluh7cC1rPc2NaQrgIrZB-mjrMQ5naxs8VfKQpbNBLSbGbw/s1600/someone+else.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TyEh_o8ONX3B1vQHsbKr8jNljzEHb_EznmgLWij_Q42tJ2tJHdTyVLF8u5u7bbM9YeWRQS2aHWGTYTmSOVBIlWoURSXIFluh7cC1rPc2NaQrgIrZB-mjrMQ5naxs8VfKQpbNBLSbGbw/s320/someone+else.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
<br />Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-14729540044027135562013-02-01T19:12:00.001-05:002013-02-01T19:26:26.524-05:00Things I Love (from around our house)Do you ever walk by something in your own house and just smile? Because it's the perfect piece, or the perfect spot, or it just makes you happy? I have quite a few of those. Here are some of my favorites...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHwpWybHGlAC3LHoV9N7a47hw0Ptc0cpT1jgAT6dfGSdGmtltqAmUyIB3GZfOwIS8ysiUqCYOKUhG0yv6SghchvniyYmUYD1lTGzAtVF8QH__fSQEjCRE-PcFys5SZxMYwOdXYrQqOHA/s1600/100_1132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHwpWybHGlAC3LHoV9N7a47hw0Ptc0cpT1jgAT6dfGSdGmtltqAmUyIB3GZfOwIS8ysiUqCYOKUhG0yv6SghchvniyYmUYD1lTGzAtVF8QH__fSQEjCRE-PcFys5SZxMYwOdXYrQqOHA/s320/100_1132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I found this sunny yellow casserole dish (?) at a junk shop and I fell in love with the cheery color and scalloped edges. It was crazed all throughout, so it seemed possibly unsafe for food, but a perfect little planter for a few succulents. I had it on a shelf in our family room for a long time, but I couldn't see it well and sometimes forgot to water the plants (oops!). I moved it to the marble table in our breakfast room where it gets lots of sunshine and the plants are thriving! Plus I get to see it everyday. Babygirl has even taken a liking to it and asks me to bring it down so she can see. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7Un5oJGWCwivlR8JtFhUWel5kR6eJO622xDffNWPQLXxP135LY6VS-nwSggMoFRUkapfX9GclJJVSJwVpP3hyphenhyphen2WH6rUH_yc6nBv99M8SXhYrvXiGATHdTtp6OO7Lx-8SZbq6_fD8auk/s1600/100_1134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7Un5oJGWCwivlR8JtFhUWel5kR6eJO622xDffNWPQLXxP135LY6VS-nwSggMoFRUkapfX9GclJJVSJwVpP3hyphenhyphen2WH6rUH_yc6nBv99M8SXhYrvXiGATHdTtp6OO7Lx-8SZbq6_fD8auk/s320/100_1134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This little white grouping on our mantle just makes me happy! The pieces came from different places over the years, but they all go together so nicely. I have a subtle beach-y theme going with the accessories in the family room, I think because I'm a Pisces and love the ocean. I'm just drawn to them!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWud2Zi2_ganpoOMYp6x36jZ-_EvDrsCyTJPUDvJLgqsvRXzJJst5-bztHZwOMbmrbDDEf_0n8u6oOfeqeoDAr-p_-gkPCBHCtoRDmC-E86QOF7ID3V9hmhuZ8YimBE45FQAMqJFiCGUg/s1600/100_1137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWud2Zi2_ganpoOMYp6x36jZ-_EvDrsCyTJPUDvJLgqsvRXzJJst5-bztHZwOMbmrbDDEf_0n8u6oOfeqeoDAr-p_-gkPCBHCtoRDmC-E86QOF7ID3V9hmhuZ8YimBE45FQAMqJFiCGUg/s320/100_1137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I found this sweet little cross stitch of a yellow squash at a thrift shop. It was in a super dingy frame with even worse matting, but I LOVE needlework, so I scooped it up. In a simple black frame with a clean white mat I think it's adorable and just the right amount of quirk for our entry table.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNqqylsttfjbQT24gYqrAbFzTn_tVRfJLYolChbXdDjq3Tjcuqx9H4SptwK4IoJgzVUkHjLySVhLKJHNhuiIq7-uirnp-GQnfU2tBi2AZxT8Y-4gk9lFDZXX9WrdivHKCyxTdTr7XDV4/s1600/100_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNqqylsttfjbQT24gYqrAbFzTn_tVRfJLYolChbXdDjq3Tjcuqx9H4SptwK4IoJgzVUkHjLySVhLKJHNhuiIq7-uirnp-GQnfU2tBi2AZxT8Y-4gk9lFDZXX9WrdivHKCyxTdTr7XDV4/s320/100_1152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And speaking of needlework, I can't get ENOUGH of this radish pillow!! When I saw it at one of my favorite junk shops, I grabbed it as fast as I could. The colors are so fresh and beautiful, and radishes- super quirky!! I love that it was handmade, though I have to admit I HATE the fabric backing the pillow. Luckily, you never really see it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgehoQ3-nnZxnlmxq3gPQFxFCmlG2TK-0J4HCmjhoWM1G5yuqdsdjNIT-v9oqDLiiHNyaKeNqsy5C3cUbVSscRTUZL3Rf54tmqBV45g1lhyGYk9QsniOv2fYk0UAREDtEzUkPS6TC-7M/s1600/100_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgehoQ3-nnZxnlmxq3gPQFxFCmlG2TK-0J4HCmjhoWM1G5yuqdsdjNIT-v9oqDLiiHNyaKeNqsy5C3cUbVSscRTUZL3Rf54tmqBV45g1lhyGYk9QsniOv2fYk0UAREDtEzUkPS6TC-7M/s320/100_1149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
How cute are those cows?! I've always had a soft spot for cows, and when I saw this painting at an antique store I had to grab it, even though I had no idea where it would go. It spent some time in our stairwell, but it wasn't quite the right spot. Then I had an idea to fill a little nook/hallway outside of our laundry room and between the dining room & kitchen. It's the perfect surprise in the quiet little hallway. (*Note, I have my eye on the perfect table for that space too. Dad, you know what I'm talking about!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqq9PSUC1xytMr0ISsCGD4MUPilE7lP7-oXG-Y9-2x1bIv0nDd1N-Ykco_auObdPWCEV8vy2aMpRLQ-VWmfaWzX_et2Pymgc2nrkXbERr39PBx1jo3zcSPZCZi6e6M3L5HOcfHR34K-u0/s1600/100_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqq9PSUC1xytMr0ISsCGD4MUPilE7lP7-oXG-Y9-2x1bIv0nDd1N-Ykco_auObdPWCEV8vy2aMpRLQ-VWmfaWzX_et2Pymgc2nrkXbERr39PBx1jo3zcSPZCZi6e6M3L5HOcfHR34K-u0/s320/100_1141.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
When a favorite shop of mine was closing, the owner sold me a pair of these lamps for next to nothing (if I recall, less than $10 each). I'm not super into brass, but I do like the brass base, and it cleaned up perfectly. The asian-inspired design painted on the lamps is really pretty too. When I went to look for shades, I lucked out at Target with these gold-on-the-inside, black-on-the-outside gems. They were on clearance too! I love the glow the gold creates when the lamps are turned on at night. Perfect for our nightstands!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7WZpkwhQJbMdAf4v5xGM-VU5hk6gMmpr9c3iL3LqLVX7znXXHu5TWT2KmxYnMAHgBisZCLo4TFr_wrrn0xBvS4ZdDp4DreZQFNaOJXGxlXLBKxlM0Qqd9UK7GCfHfVAXg59x66WSqHA/s1600/100_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7WZpkwhQJbMdAf4v5xGM-VU5hk6gMmpr9c3iL3LqLVX7znXXHu5TWT2KmxYnMAHgBisZCLo4TFr_wrrn0xBvS4ZdDp4DreZQFNaOJXGxlXLBKxlM0Qqd9UK7GCfHfVAXg59x66WSqHA/s320/100_1145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I really love this small painting in our bedroom- the colors are so pretty. But I hate the spot it's in. I've GOT to spend some time sprucing up our master this year!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-bVWNeaBfUAP0OPcXNKSjy_Ivsf5nLUUSxUx2_e-ugWJy8GsIVdFhH70tgna6r6RMmYzjcevJV0IPO1W1lEtIg3yHYE6a_epp2_-bD1mdzmAvPt7JVcZiAf56EooHtCZzYS2dHe_ujA/s1600/100_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-bVWNeaBfUAP0OPcXNKSjy_Ivsf5nLUUSxUx2_e-ugWJy8GsIVdFhH70tgna6r6RMmYzjcevJV0IPO1W1lEtIg3yHYE6a_epp2_-bD1mdzmAvPt7JVcZiAf56EooHtCZzYS2dHe_ujA/s320/100_1147.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Lastly, I just love this spot in our house- the stair landing. It's such a sunny & cozy spot with a rug that was my great-grandmother's, a painting identical to one that hangs in my parent's house, and my long "linen" (drop cloth) drapes. Sorry the pic is so dark, there was just too much light streaming in!!Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-78108860784742566342013-01-31T01:06:00.001-05:002013-01-31T14:18:30.101-05:00Baby Essentials: The things we couldn't live withoutBabies seem to come in cycles: you go awhile with no babies around and then suddenly everyone you know is pregnant all at the same time! Inspired by four friends and my sister-in-law who are all expecting in the coming weeks & months, I've been thinking about the things we couldn't have lived without in the first year. They're the things I recommend over & over to new moms & friends because they WORKED for us. And I'd rather hear from someone I KNOW about something that worked for them, than to randomly try the millions of baby products out there. Most of these are things fellow mamas shared with me, and I'm SO grateful!! Here ya go...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img3.targetimg3.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/92/54/92544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img3.targetimg3.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/92/54/92544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.target.com/p/lansinoh-hpa-lanolin-40g/-/A-92544?reco=Rec|pdp|92544|ClickCP|item_page.vertical_1&lnk=Rec|pdp|ClickCP|item_page.vertical_1" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<b>Lansinoh Lanolin Ointment</b>. This stuff works wonders in those first few weeks of nursing. No need to wipe it off before nursing, and I'd especially slather it on before shower-time- ooooh, that can be painful! The tube lasts forever, I still have the first one I bought. Totally worth the money!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://herblore.com/files/styles/medium/public/files/images/products/PokeRoot2Sized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://herblore.com/files/styles/medium/public/files/images/products/PokeRoot2Sized.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://herblore.com/products/poke-root" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<b>Poke Root. </b>I was introduced to this at a mommy & me group, THANK GOODNESS! It has been a lifesaver. For whatever reason, I was really prone to clogged ducts while nursing. They're super painful and a little scary/dangerous because they can turn into mastitis or an abscess really quickly. When all else failed, a couple drops of poke root in a little water cleared the clog/lump within a few hours! I'd much rather try something natural than resort to antibiotics. And you literally need a couple DROPS so the bottle lasts forever. (Note, I didn't use the brand above, I used Blessed Herbs purchased at a local health store, but I'm sure they're all about the same. Read <a href="http://herblore.com/overviews/poke-root" target="_blank">here</a> for more info about Poke Root and how it works.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/assets/product_images/230/4215813630208p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/assets/product_images/230/4215813630208p.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?sku=13630208&" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>White Noise</b>. After those first few awesome weeks when the little one sleeps anytime, anywhere, at the drop of a hat, real life sets in. And they start to cry. All of the time. For no reason. Oh, was that just us? We tried everything, and a few folks asked if we tried white noise, but I dumbly thought that SHUSH-ing loudly in her ear would have the same effect. No. In desperation we downloaded a free white noise app on our phones, and within seconds, yes SECONDS, babygirl was quiet, and then asleep. We called it our baby crack. It was a miracle. So you must do two things: 1, download an app for your phone to use while you're out & about and can then slip into the baby carrier when you're driving, shopping, whatever. Yes, you will lose your phone, but you won't care. and 2, buy a machine to use at nap & bedtime. Not a teddy bear or some other stuffed gimmick with white noise that plays for 15 minutes, an actual machine. We take ours when we travel and it instantly creates the familiar sleeping atmosphere from home. And it blocks out all sorts of other background noise. Oh, and you're gonna want to CRANK up the volume. The louder, the better. It's real loud in the womb, they're used to it.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.boppy.com/shop/images/1073/Bare%20Naked%20lg.jpg?500,378,0,100,100,-380164598" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://www.boppy.com/shop/images/1073/Bare%20Naked%20lg.jpg?500,378,0,100,100,-380164598" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.boppy.com/shop/boppy-bare-naked-pillow/" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Boppy</b>. If you're into nursing for the long haul, Boppy makes life 10 times easier. I was given an older hand-me-down and got a new one at my babyshower. This worked out perfectly because one stayed upstairs and one downstairs! The older one is actually my favorite because the pillow is a lot firmer than the newer one, but either way, it makes positioning baby while nursing so much easier. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.miracleblanket.com/cart/image.php?type=P&id=16145" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.miracleblanket.com/cart/image.php?type=P&id=16145" width="178" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.miracleblanket.com/#" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Miracle Blanket</b>. It's no mistake that the word "miracle" is in the name of this product! We continued to swaddle babygirl after she came home from the hospital- we'd read lots of good stuff about swaddling, and she slept well while swaddled, so we kept it up. We noticed she didn't sleep as well when she wasn't swaddled tightly, so we started perfecting our swaddle skills. Then we gave up on the blankets and switched to the ready-made velcro swaddles. They were great for a while, but babygirl started getting stronger and busting out of them. And then waking up crying. Every parent knows you'll do anything for better sleep, so when a friend recommended the Miracle Blanket, we gave it a try. MIRACULOUS! Now I have to say the hubs had trouble getting babygirl as tight as she needed to be in this thing because there are several steps. But if you do it right, they are like a little burrito, and they're not getting out! Which results in amazing & awesome sleep. Of course after a while I started to stress about "breaking her from the swaddle" and what happens when she starts rolling over- new moms will find 1,001 things to stress over. Amazingly, we swaddled til babygirl was 6 months old. In the same week she started rolling over in her sleep she also got strong enough to bust out of the Miracle Blanket, so we took that as our cue to stop the swaddle. We quit cold turkey, and she was fine. No biggie. Oh, and for the record, I don't believe those parents who say their 1 week old baby "doesn't like" to be swaddled. I think they're lazy and don't know how to swaddle properly. Just my opinion, lol.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/11/03/11037180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/11/03/11037180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.target.com/p/fisher-price-little-lamb-infant-seat/-/A-11037180?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C11037180&CPNG=Baby&kpid=11037180&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=11037180" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Baby Papasan Chair</b>. This was babygirl's favorite piece of equipment. She wasn't a fan of the swing or any other contraptions, but she loved to chill in her papasan chair. We took off one of the cushions of our couch and set the chair on the couch so she could lounge with us (probably not recommended in case baby falls off, but we did it with success!). We also traveled with it a few times and it travels great because the legs fold flat. Nothing revolutionary here, different babies will like different equipment, but our girl liked this one. <br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fridababy.com/wp-content/files_mf/1318873726sampleslideshow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://www.fridababy.com/wp-content/files_mf/1318873726sampleslideshow2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.fridababy.com/shop/nosefrida/" target="_blank">source</a></i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="text-align: left;">NoseFrida</b><span style="text-align: left;">. The first
time your baby has a stuffy nose and you try to use that blue nasal aspirator
to clear the snot, you realize how USELESS those things are!! You also realize that you'll now do ANYTHING
it takes to make your baby feel better, including using a crazy contraption
that involves SUCKING the snot out. Yes,
sucking it out with your mouth. But
don't worry, there's a filter and a long tube and none of that snot is gonna
reach your mouth, even though you will freak out that it will. But then you use it and realize how well it
works, and you stop freaking out about snot touching your mouth, and you get
excited about how much snot gets sucked out! Might not be for the squeamish, but used in conjunction with saline
spray, this will clear snot & boogers like gangbusters!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41dZyjdxm1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41dZyjdxm1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-CureTM-Teething-Necklace/dp/B004J1QNFW/ref=sr_1_1?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1359609083&sr=1-1" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Amber Teething Necklace</b>. This is one of my most recommended items, I can't say enough about this necklace, for us it has been AMAZING. Babygirl started teething early, at 4.5 months. Those first two teeth were a nightmare: tons of crying, fussiness, drooling, low fever, lost sleep, chewing on everything (including while nursing- OUCH!). I was desperate and was reading everything trying to find relief. I heard about amber teething necklaces, and figured for $20 we had nothing to lose- if it didn't work it would look cute. The first week I was super paranoid and would move the necklace to babygirl's ankle when she slept, but I quickly realized she was perfectly fine, and so it stayed in place on her neck 24/7. At 16 months she now has 16 teeth, and the only 2 that were difficult were those first two. I totally attribute it to the necklace after seeing what happened with the first 2. She's had no drooling, no pain and no fussiness. Often she'd cut teeth without us even realizing until they were already through! You can read more about how amber teething necklaces work <a href="http://www.amberteethingnecklace.org/how-do-amber-teething-necklaces-work/" target="_blank">here</a>. They're NOT for chewing on, it's the properties in the amber when it warms against the skin that make them work! (Note, we purchased from Art of the Cure at the link above, and they were great to work with, the screw on clasp has never come undone, we've been totally happy with it!)<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wubbanub.com/images/products/giraffe1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://www.wubbanub.com/images/products/giraffe1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.wubbanub.com/prod_giraffe.html" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Wubbanub</b>. We were like many first-time parents and said we weren't going to use a pacifier. Then they gave babygirl a paci in the hospital, and we thought, meh, whatever! She loved that hospital paci, and there was no trouble with nursing, so we really didn't care. But dangit, that little paci was getting lost constantly. And forget about driving and trying to reach back and find a dropped paci. For Christmas (when babygirl was 3 months old) she received two Wubbanubs- BEST.GIFT.EVER. We completely replaced all her paci's with those 2 "woobies" and a year later they're still going strong. When she was littler they were much easier for her to grip and get into her mouth alone, and she can find them in her crib in the middle of the night without crying for us to get her paci. They can be thrown in the washing machine, and have held up great after a year of washing. And, now that we're getting close to cutting off the woobie entirely, we're hoping that since an animal is attached, she'll be happy with just the animal. Fingers crossed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/public/8n6DyOwYU5p_HCetzaFEHWL7acF29dUVZXv8vFceN8VEExWXZD-MEC16ErjGfTwDEgkqsZvQxF-i7vEJbyvMJk2EQP-Un1NbsGxzU6gLVtMZzV6sYY0RbfRIwhL7M5yct512aXMJhYat-6E7bYaufrxDDR3JsGb-SlDy471wHrse9qsaewJb=s220-c" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/public/8n6DyOwYU5p_HCetzaFEHWL7acF29dUVZXv8vFceN8VEExWXZD-MEC16ErjGfTwDEgkqsZvQxF-i7vEJbyvMJk2EQP-Un1NbsGxzU6gLVtMZzV6sYY0RbfRIwhL7M5yct512aXMJhYat-6E7bYaufrxDDR3JsGb-SlDy471wHrse9qsaewJb=s220-c" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://www.babybullet.com/index.php?r=store/orderindex" target="_blank">source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Baby Bullet</b>. We were lucky enough to receive the entire Baby Bullet set as a gift, and it was invaluable. I like to cook and had planned to try and make all of babygirl's food, and with the Baby Bullet that was totally possible and super easy. I could make big batches of food and freeze them to use later. I have no doubt it worked out cheaper than buying jarred food, and KNOWING it was healthier too made me feel so much better. Unfortunately its use was shorter-lived than I would have liked- babygirl decided early on that she wanted to eat OUR food. But, I'm thinking of trying out smoothies in it, and I don't see why that wouldn't work great!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So there you have it, the list of things we couldn't have lived without in the first year, or so. Some of them were more critical than others, but all of them played a big part in making life just a bit easier and I would whole-heartedly recommend them to all my friends and new mamas!! So did I miss anything??</div>
Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-67608119109306860972013-01-28T22:39:00.000-05:002013-01-28T22:39:43.386-05:00How to Spruce up a Boxed Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgeNexZYMPqeykc-m3XpvVZ8zWym55tGrOiKDpCTd23VEt2wwwrCe2zyl_2xfFlIliy2Fy-cfCjxOl048iOCTdgedI_XZwCUFJlul3e58HJBd97umtXBM7-ks4Y_SDcN9t7yNHJjOrpk/s1600/2013-01-25+18.12.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgeNexZYMPqeykc-m3XpvVZ8zWym55tGrOiKDpCTd23VEt2wwwrCe2zyl_2xfFlIliy2Fy-cfCjxOl048iOCTdgedI_XZwCUFJlul3e58HJBd97umtXBM7-ks4Y_SDcN9t7yNHJjOrpk/s320/2013-01-25+18.12.26.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi friends! Nothing to report for a Weekend Update- it was low key around here this weekend with lots of cleaning, yard work & working. But, I wanted to share something I do when I'm feeling lazy and still want to have a yummy dinner. We have a boxed shells & white cheddar cheese that we like, but it's not the most interesting thing to eat. So I dice & saute a purple onion, make a packet of frozen broccoli and add both to the cooked pasta. Super simple, but adds lots of flavor to the boxed pasta and tastes great!! </div>
Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-86732963897568509812013-01-25T14:58:00.001-05:002013-01-25T21:34:31.322-05:00Recipe: Chicken Tacos & Pickled Red Onions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lz1Pf9TPFmPu9mkdEU5yssNZs0mb0cM17rLzAvqkWKrjQUSBM7IqxVmR1E4tfx6q5DudjkG34doGEyNOHFmuWAFs1u7hz36PYO9mz6K9GDD7xvhsGULK8Dc1eaoKPw3dEKWNPTQ1w1Y/s1600/100_1115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lz1Pf9TPFmPu9mkdEU5yssNZs0mb0cM17rLzAvqkWKrjQUSBM7IqxVmR1E4tfx6q5DudjkG34doGEyNOHFmuWAFs1u7hz36PYO9mz6K9GDD7xvhsGULK8Dc1eaoKPw3dEKWNPTQ1w1Y/s320/100_1115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
How gorgeous is that image?? Does it make you hungry just looking at it?? Well, let me tell you how easy it is to make...<br />
<br />
Okay, so you can hardly see the chicken for all my shredded cheese, what can I say, I LOVE cheese. But the chicken is the base to these tacos and it's super easy.<br />
<br />
Take a package of chicken breasts (3-4) and cut into thirds. Add to a medium sized crockpot along with 2/3 a jar of salsa (I use a 24 oz jar, so approx 16 oz or 2 cups) and a heaping spoonful of <a href="http://mamacarriet.blogspot.com/2013/01/recipe-taco-seasoning.html" target="_blank">taco seasoning</a>. Stir around to combine, and then resist the urge to stir during cooking!! Cook on high for 4-6 hours, and then switch to low until you're ready to eat. It may look like there's a lot of liquid, but don't worry. Right before serving, take 2 forks and shred the chicken. The chicken will shred really easily and absorb all the liquid/sauce from the salsa, and look like this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbhaTOHn3kloxCV82AwIehk7A-PSQz_5vcVUzV7cXOaykLIiafSB_CHGjpEJ-Ado95LZTZQNJ-4-Si10nfGQa9GwN_e-3J1___3rupbus-WxS4rR_db0dtGSc1YR7P9ouCns9ScmwfNI/s1600/100_1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbhaTOHn3kloxCV82AwIehk7A-PSQz_5vcVUzV7cXOaykLIiafSB_CHGjpEJ-Ado95LZTZQNJ-4-Si10nfGQa9GwN_e-3J1___3rupbus-WxS4rR_db0dtGSc1YR7P9ouCns9ScmwfNI/s320/100_1114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Scoop into whatever vehicle you like: hard shell tacos, soft tacos, burritos, nachos- they're all awesome! We dress ours with the usual tomato, shredded cabbage, cheese, sour cream. And of course, PICKLED RED ONIONS!!! If you recall from <a href="http://mamacarriet.blogspot.com/2012/11/were-baaaaaaaaaaack.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, I came back from Phoenix obsessed with them, and I still am! I make a jar every couple weeks, and it disappears within days. The biggest culprit? Babygirl! I'm not even kidding, that little gal thinks they're hot pink M&M's or something!<br />
<br />
So here's how to whip them up:<br />
<br />
Dice 1 large red onion. Add it to a mason jar, or any container, along with 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup vinegar (I use plain 'ol white vinegar, but use whatever you like), 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt. Shake it up, and refrigerate. You can make them a couple hours in advance in a pinch, but I think they taste best if they've had at least 1 day in the vinegar. And they turn this crazy beautiful pink color!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPY20YfcMnBxtRM6gnXYGi4mVKf0XCpW_2qb3ZPPZnMHTu89meqg978-nTXpyU4u6Oes_fsO5Nesb_AECBl5V6qRSRZJF6CEWrBarGU0u0CNuGrGUi89WqhEBd89ZmdqKUOweSa9iRpM/s1600/100_1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPY20YfcMnBxtRM6gnXYGi4mVKf0XCpW_2qb3ZPPZnMHTu89meqg978-nTXpyU4u6Oes_fsO5Nesb_AECBl5V6qRSRZJF6CEWrBarGU0u0CNuGrGUi89WqhEBd89ZmdqKUOweSa9iRpM/s320/100_1116.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And just in case you thought I was kidding, here's proof. Girl just got a refill of pickled onions on her tray and she's happy!! I love it!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirROLw-AsXc2sk-qfngLVNng-oYPOEqsBaW9A151pGyUI70v8LYgBU11bAcGvwsumMjly4XfOwV6KZNwXRCb7BY5SVFeqjFG_u6TYpeYXbqNGaFJ9uHLIx6ESyMMLGXCdwTVndWe-Fr-c/s1600/100_1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirROLw-AsXc2sk-qfngLVNng-oYPOEqsBaW9A151pGyUI70v8LYgBU11bAcGvwsumMjly4XfOwV6KZNwXRCb7BY5SVFeqjFG_u6TYpeYXbqNGaFJ9uHLIx6ESyMMLGXCdwTVndWe-Fr-c/s320/100_1118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-44323422164405232932013-01-23T00:10:00.002-05:002013-01-23T00:23:01.826-05:00Recipe: Taco SeasoningThis is a quickie post to share the easiest recipe in the world that will totally change your LIFE! That could be a gross exaggeration, or it may just change your life. You'll have to try it and find out!<br />
<br />
I made a couple of resolutions this year. Nothing fancy, and nothing written down, but one of them was to try and MAKE more things I could easily make instead of BUY. Like pancake mix. Or ketchup. And most definitely taco seasoning. I'd made tiny batches before and it was super easy, but I had a bunch of packets in the pantry so I decided to use what I had. Until I looked at the labels one day, have you ever done that? Go grab a packet real quick and check out the "ingredients". Okay, toss 'em in the trash and let's grab a few spices to make your own taco seasoning using this recipe! It's super easy, tastes way better, and doesn't have lots of icky chemicals in it.<br />
<br />
Go to your spice rack, here's mine:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqUt5ESdRUdbq_iIN_oJ_9erVEF9npqXLi4WsjujPhYRjWv-AumqVEdXi2uED9stNJDjUsZ6PeRlPh60rr3BcB4RWLl0c6VzKGNvm2pSiyti_JIeZi4e-2WDRU0rGdwFGhxoq2ug7ICI/s1600/2013-01-22+23.11.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqUt5ESdRUdbq_iIN_oJ_9erVEF9npqXLi4WsjujPhYRjWv-AumqVEdXi2uED9stNJDjUsZ6PeRlPh60rr3BcB4RWLl0c6VzKGNvm2pSiyti_JIeZi4e-2WDRU0rGdwFGhxoq2ug7ICI/s320/2013-01-22+23.11.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I made it! I'll teach you how one day...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58-_1zMQJtci54m2RvHwaUJSqZLPKrkmhavIrUik4jefVgCHs2KpWLrBOES6tSFjz448QHwDKX2zOrn4qdzwkPqQKFA5OE76gr-wrVZWlmabB0AhU8bJt3n6kV2bEZXdr8tsjDy4apYI/s1600/2013-01-22+23.08.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58-_1zMQJtci54m2RvHwaUJSqZLPKrkmhavIrUik4jefVgCHs2KpWLrBOES6tSFjz448QHwDKX2zOrn4qdzwkPqQKFA5OE76gr-wrVZWlmabB0AhU8bJt3n6kV2bEZXdr8tsjDy4apYI/s320/2013-01-22+23.08.20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Grab: salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder (I used dried minced onion), oregano, paprika & red pepper flakes (optional).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlpIXEkX6erfJ3MlPA5DrcEl-CZbK35Kxr2HOZ5YMVcAitwlcl-p3gekaa-8QRFC1C3ync4HyIEOfoA3392P5pUlAZGUmqluAVMwWFm55P2Rj-hASiiwHwk_-Jiku0LPh6yXuXfICmD4/s1600/2013-01-22+23.09.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlpIXEkX6erfJ3MlPA5DrcEl-CZbK35Kxr2HOZ5YMVcAitwlcl-p3gekaa-8QRFC1C3ync4HyIEOfoA3392P5pUlAZGUmqluAVMwWFm55P2Rj-hASiiwHwk_-Jiku0LPh6yXuXfICmD4/s320/2013-01-22+23.09.20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
And the end product. Like powdered gold! Or, really tasty taco seasoning!!<br />
<br />
2-3 tsp salt (I only use 2, just taste and see what you like)<br />
1 1/4 tbsp black pepper<br />
4 tbsp chili powder<br />
2 tbsp cumin<br />
1 tsp garlic powder<br />
1 tsp onion powder<br />
1 tsp oregano<br />
2 tsp paprika (I don't recommend using smoked paprika here, the flavor is too over-powering)<br />
1 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste. (I leave them out because babygirl eats what we eat, so don't want to make it too spicy)<br />
<br />
Mix all ingredients in a mason jar or any other air-tight container. Feel free to double or triple the recipe and adjust the amounts of the individual ingredients to your taste!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-33678802769421898382013-01-22T00:43:00.004-05:002013-01-23T15:17:27.184-05:00Window Shopping: MarshallsI learned a couple things this past weekend as I browsed around for this post. Namely, I don't go shopping <i>alone</i> nearly enough! Way back when babygirl was just a dream and the hubs was the boyfriend, I had a Saturday ritual. I'd sleep in, have a late breakfast and then take off on a solo shopping excursion. I'd hit up a few of my favorites and leisurely spend the day looking and dreaming. Of course, it was easier to justify doing some buying too when I didn't have diapers in the budget! I never felt guilty leaving the boyfriend at home because I knew he was happy with his TV and would hate being drug around shopping anyway. It was a win-win for both of us! Those Saturdays were like therapy for me: time alone, time to think and time to dream. I could clear my head and just slow down a bit. But those days are long gone! Now when I venture out, it's usually with a little one in tow, so I always know time is not on my side. I try to pack accordingly: graham crackers & a sippy cup will buy me a few minutes when babygirl starts wearing thin. A toy or two to distract her will add a few more. And if I'm really desperate for some time out, the pacifier, previously relegated to the crib for naps & bedtime only, will give me bonus minutes (at a price, of course!). But I know that even if it's a bit of a pain, that little gal is gonna be my future shopping companion, so I've got to train her now! (Kidding! Sort of...)<br />
<br />
But then Saturday's like this past one happen, and I realize alone time without the hubs & babygirl is SO important for my sanity! I'm resolving to take more time just for me, and hopefully when I do, I won't feel like such a kid in a candy store, which is how I felt this trip to one of my favorites: Marshalls. The trip was also a great reminder that, although I love my thrifts & antique stores, there are so many cool <i>new</i> things happening too. So without further ado, here are some of the things that caught my eye (forewarning, there are a LOT of them!)...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYjCRt4oq8L0MSYGiUD1u975hjs2uRiuh91wyIT_EYNfHJl-c5eQhiqBXokR1HcwPe1jXCKUFJUJSacK7xs6iPP5IR9_cn7URCtkaIzc3bmpAsDNRSpsSYybw8TPMHiisp0F12CsEkmw/s1600/2013-01-19_12.05.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYjCRt4oq8L0MSYGiUD1u975hjs2uRiuh91wyIT_EYNfHJl-c5eQhiqBXokR1HcwPe1jXCKUFJUJSacK7xs6iPP5IR9_cn7URCtkaIzc3bmpAsDNRSpsSYybw8TPMHiisp0F12CsEkmw/s320/2013-01-19_12.05.24.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
It's not a home item, but I LOVE this purse! The color combo is so on-trend right now: mint, light tan just a hint of red and chunky gold hardware. You can't see very well, but the bag is patent leather with quilted stitching. So beautiful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi016PxilpZ-i1skCSTaxAPlkB33BtaNLT8Pjnbg1XBLCBwXxgwBLNaq-A7P7hf1-M9vr2eWBQxaB84ucK_kFPFtXfcBIsb9snAJxcsuDDaGXRWlxNOBBpYa5SbZnM98UA5LXdTlicNxWc/s1600/2013-01-19+12.06.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi016PxilpZ-i1skCSTaxAPlkB33BtaNLT8Pjnbg1XBLCBwXxgwBLNaq-A7P7hf1-M9vr2eWBQxaB84ucK_kFPFtXfcBIsb9snAJxcsuDDaGXRWlxNOBBpYa5SbZnM98UA5LXdTlicNxWc/s320/2013-01-19+12.06.59.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Such a cute serving dish, and at $7.99 (I think) it was a steal. Would be equally cute on a dressing table to display colorful jewelry or on a desk with fancy paperclips.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDMHU2UjZjuTZCK-JZnxnd03-J3EbbgrtS3X6n_Pij8bjuUXZFW9uP7UmFTLW26Ks3sIzFljR0Car1TTs7kCuv0uYoXCBlRX2t3rXxdeJY8jeiLHSQybO3QgagQ5felHaGfwlgXFqBt0/s1600/2013-01-19+12.07.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDMHU2UjZjuTZCK-JZnxnd03-J3EbbgrtS3X6n_Pij8bjuUXZFW9uP7UmFTLW26Ks3sIzFljR0Car1TTs7kCuv0uYoXCBlRX2t3rXxdeJY8jeiLHSQybO3QgagQ5felHaGfwlgXFqBt0/s320/2013-01-19+12.07.05.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The pattern on this plate was gorgeous. I'm always drawn to beautiful and graphic salad plates. My dream is to have a collection that I display with my simple silver-banded china, and swap them out every now and then. I'd add this to my collection in a heartbeat!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhkxhsLQpMCxvMk1ggyVSSc_X2x7gyxf4az-k1MRwLyLnlAC96QcqiGa65VXIYpb3vb41YYyodygfZ1YrVNKTC2gIlyXOOCzEaXFgzhQ9hg9ZqKntEK2V3-aIjOJcAbMqPWFW8OehU0Q/s1600/2013-01-19+12.09.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhkxhsLQpMCxvMk1ggyVSSc_X2x7gyxf4az-k1MRwLyLnlAC96QcqiGa65VXIYpb3vb41YYyodygfZ1YrVNKTC2gIlyXOOCzEaXFgzhQ9hg9ZqKntEK2V3-aIjOJcAbMqPWFW8OehU0Q/s320/2013-01-19+12.09.31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The other day I ran across a blog (really wish I could remember the link) with lovely pictures of the lunches the blogger packs for her daughters. She used silicone baking cups (like those above) to hold individual items in the larger compartments of the bento box, which I thought was a brilliant idea!! The little heart ones are especially sweet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqW1_Y0Ejat9kOsqcvBZz4-jyE8cOvT1kodgQl2Fm1-Mpx1D-iVrWyCQo0bDaDv4eiIRyu54EzhpjjeJDlRZjWtfd9-hQlPhYyiSpiNlat45Aq-oYPzduXwLt-3IRtwKYpsrDtAEirZA/s1600/2013-01-19+12.12.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqW1_Y0Ejat9kOsqcvBZz4-jyE8cOvT1kodgQl2Fm1-Mpx1D-iVrWyCQo0bDaDv4eiIRyu54EzhpjjeJDlRZjWtfd9-hQlPhYyiSpiNlat45Aq-oYPzduXwLt-3IRtwKYpsrDtAEirZA/s320/2013-01-19+12.12.51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I am BEYOND a sucker for pretty papers and packaging, and these little muffin cups were the perfect combination of the two. I instantly wanted to open a bakery and fill them with sweet (and healthy, of course!) treats.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDO8WNP-l07uybWJHnXduRRaIscKsTKcSVi4a7Tki7VrYnymP8tmBHYtVubWJijOUYnmqqPT-zVTIVJwurfHmO4mCXITtZ0APsHwEAdclVEPQTPVTyWnBtLnWLgCbYoiwwfJ3FZLUE1U/s1600/2013-01-19+12.19.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDO8WNP-l07uybWJHnXduRRaIscKsTKcSVi4a7Tki7VrYnymP8tmBHYtVubWJijOUYnmqqPT-zVTIVJwurfHmO4mCXITtZ0APsHwEAdclVEPQTPVTyWnBtLnWLgCbYoiwwfJ3FZLUE1U/s320/2013-01-19+12.19.59.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
How gorgeous are the rainbow colors of those microfiber cloths? Do you think they would make cleaning more enjoyable? If they would, I'd hop right on it, but I'm just not sure...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YIlg-tZoUsyD6G060w-gUOguI9UXlLb0zQz__Zqf9OKEW0Vxd8CV_J4xWeDkms0E_UhonVL8rcGv7bohRmI_g7nMp9peK98BsALFhp-7Yru3vcuvJpTfS09FvxmcTj2nl58osxlXY_o/s1600/2013-01-19+12.20.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YIlg-tZoUsyD6G060w-gUOguI9UXlLb0zQz__Zqf9OKEW0Vxd8CV_J4xWeDkms0E_UhonVL8rcGv7bohRmI_g7nMp9peK98BsALFhp-7Yru3vcuvJpTfS09FvxmcTj2nl58osxlXY_o/s320/2013-01-19+12.20.10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Which is the same reason why these colorful and happy brooms & mops & dustpans always tempt me! The hubs would probably kill me for replacing our perfectly performing broom with a "girly" one anyway.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jtzqU7mceWwvoESbBBVXDaiC9DmZjladGSGXow7g4Juwpa4TqwX3AEoIu5L9hFdeDeT3VRRUGSf2FkM5q_xfZslDl1ONVCBIYVJF-I6aBViFr7x1bjaWX9IqPhx9_T__Sv3k1Rphq0g/s1600/2013-01-19+12.21.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jtzqU7mceWwvoESbBBVXDaiC9DmZjladGSGXow7g4Juwpa4TqwX3AEoIu5L9hFdeDeT3VRRUGSf2FkM5q_xfZslDl1ONVCBIYVJF-I6aBViFr7x1bjaWX9IqPhx9_T__Sv3k1Rphq0g/s320/2013-01-19+12.21.51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm totally not a crazy cat lady (don't own cats, never will), but I would rock this mug, and I'd rock it hard! It's a hilarious sentiment, and the mug was HUGE. Nothing I love more than a giant cup of steaming tea first thing in the morning (or anytime of day, really).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy74ILEHf5Fmt9eQaGc1Brva2I_TgedngI5N9y4fq7pwwRK25gTCM38uqGNeEODdaqj9uEgCtAwoMjrRNGWMns85Oz-YBi4g_jvLuVFjW6zF55w9xbQw4u-HvGk0SMUDMAO0xRLhf80ZY/s1600/2013-01-19+12.22.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy74ILEHf5Fmt9eQaGc1Brva2I_TgedngI5N9y4fq7pwwRK25gTCM38uqGNeEODdaqj9uEgCtAwoMjrRNGWMns85Oz-YBi4g_jvLuVFjW6zF55w9xbQw4u-HvGk0SMUDMAO0xRLhf80ZY/s320/2013-01-19+12.22.04.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I can't stand how gorgeous these Ralph Lauren plates are. The simple bands, especially the scalloped one, were lovely. I'm so wishy-washy when it comes to dishes & bedding, I just can't make up my mind, which is terrible and leads to having way too many sets of dishes (and bedding). I was good this past year and got rid of all the extras (Except for the cheap white sets from Ikea I use for entertaining. And the good china. And our everyday cream & black ones you caught a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQACBT8wvKNxzG4hBSLIQ75oVRrS72tjWwT550G8e0JstDgoyZWMEZiTfp1ayGi_GlowkzlZ_QyiwMUBstE5aVf__QPlYPYqIH38RbGrMTNwQJMe1VReIkTkmxUdl7pmighD51LhfgpdU/s1600/2012-12-29+11.19.27.jpg" target="_blank">glimpse</a> of yesterday. And the <a href="http://www.katespade.com/st-kitts-exeter-road-collection/st-kitts-exeter-road-collection,default,pd.html" target="_blank">Kate Spade</a> ones I only have 4 place-settings of, but will drop the everyday ones for in a heartbeat as soon as I can buy more place-settings. [Okay, Kate Spade, not happy with you right now, a quick Google search revealed my pattern is discontinued except for the salad plate. After 2 years? WTF?]) Hmm, it doesn't really sound like I pared down, does it? But I digress, I've come to the conclusion that mostly white is best on dinner plates, and these fit the bill perfectly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1KsXpwX4paS8HGPwQHvgMDYO8PJYgOrSwDi7Z4yxQHYNyJtKsKTyUXcTn8uFxFXcfRtuiWeXqRmeSLm0h6QLj7wueupP9wfi_xHVJ6in_5FtK-9A43X_CP-F13jD5Blwho_GeNPrpqU/s1600/2013-01-19+12.44.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1KsXpwX4paS8HGPwQHvgMDYO8PJYgOrSwDi7Z4yxQHYNyJtKsKTyUXcTn8uFxFXcfRtuiWeXqRmeSLm0h6QLj7wueupP9wfi_xHVJ6in_5FtK-9A43X_CP-F13jD5Blwho_GeNPrpqU/s320/2013-01-19+12.44.22.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
These were fun & funky cactus looking sculptures. Something about them appealed to me, maybe because I lived in the desert for 10 years, but they'd be fun on a mantel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzDRy90GgxgUpuvQn2tN_dR40Cw0yjzbH49hw2Bmu3mvzzOVNFfEI-nrPHptcugl6o-zqRQxALSKr1csgQ0d0eHKynYejAxkj588BbpOm2Tsyxy44f1BUJ3jSKPGHLXWlJAJYy87mJOI/s1600/2013-01-19+12.31.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzDRy90GgxgUpuvQn2tN_dR40Cw0yjzbH49hw2Bmu3mvzzOVNFfEI-nrPHptcugl6o-zqRQxALSKr1csgQ0d0eHKynYejAxkj588BbpOm2Tsyxy44f1BUJ3jSKPGHLXWlJAJYy87mJOI/s320/2013-01-19+12.31.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Oh can I tell you how this vision made my eyes glaze over? In a good way! I love organizing, and really love organizing with all manner of containers. I just hopped on the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40047675/#/80071319" target="_blank">Expedit</a> train for our <a href="http://mamacarriet.blogspot.com/2012/08/house-tour-studyplayroom.html" target="_blank">office</a> re-do (will share soon!), and I need good-looking, and interesting, storage. I also need to corral the toy chaos after a very generous Christmas. I ended up bringing home just one of these beauties. For now. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpXxPQNUoIcJtOJGkd8CQUPR86xESBz8RaPuT7z8GpL8LyjsBy-tQuIMU7CzGUCDQp62aNFaLzrRs5hT0rGxUvifnllJNZalKOrjQDMaM_xwfLHGFxdzjC2weXZ9qn-uxUqJ-jC3gLls/s1600/2013-01-19+12.49.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpXxPQNUoIcJtOJGkd8CQUPR86xESBz8RaPuT7z8GpL8LyjsBy-tQuIMU7CzGUCDQp62aNFaLzrRs5hT0rGxUvifnllJNZalKOrjQDMaM_xwfLHGFxdzjC2weXZ9qn-uxUqJ-jC3gLls/s320/2013-01-19+12.49.17.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
The hubs would never go for this Cynthia Rowley comforter set, even in the grey shade- it's just too feminine for him. But I adore the softness of the ruffles. With two queen size beds in our guest room, I think they'd be way too busy & overpowering, but it sure is pretty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8Saq5uLBuwZHpvuitXSfhstcan5hyphenhyphenhRhCVC3aHBUQIbunTtKbMDPXA4kcMTIa-Oq0Bo5XO-gUnLO6Q3vfXsGJN-c6bmnE1dENX296YsrKA2-W41mvYl1iAytJqa7qBkVBrISomfKBLI/s1600/2013-01-19+12.47.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8Saq5uLBuwZHpvuitXSfhstcan5hyphenhyphenhRhCVC3aHBUQIbunTtKbMDPXA4kcMTIa-Oq0Bo5XO-gUnLO6Q3vfXsGJN-c6bmnE1dENX296YsrKA2-W41mvYl1iAytJqa7qBkVBrISomfKBLI/s320/2013-01-19+12.47.07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
More cool storage baskets. I love the aged look of the wire and burlap. And, they can work with a multitude of styles from country to industrial and many in between!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCIoLTJnNraGxF0OmDl9QMkU-KMHJK2b2d7eQI_UDC6e2_N7eYmMl4OY6o6JVCTyeRFAV-F4W8mtU_COStNLgwh1chOkhnyqLH7Ar52gnwm704iO2h0V8Mx8YHcZgu9lms-9R7L1aiJI/s1600/2013-01-19+12.48.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCIoLTJnNraGxF0OmDl9QMkU-KMHJK2b2d7eQI_UDC6e2_N7eYmMl4OY6o6JVCTyeRFAV-F4W8mtU_COStNLgwh1chOkhnyqLH7Ar52gnwm704iO2h0V8Mx8YHcZgu9lms-9R7L1aiJI/s320/2013-01-19+12.48.07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Two trends in one: ombre & chevron! I'm not over either one yet, so I almost picked up a hand towel for our <a href="http://mamacarriet.blogspot.com/2012/08/powder-room-tour.html" target="_blank">powder room</a> but I wasn't sure about the color for that space. Another colorway, and a few of those may have found their way home with me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGQDbOXOzCQRjJJjEyJ4uGaLjTjuuO_ZpwroLHcMPNtAopEqYI64vcYqjK9tOuPCRl_NCpn1VGnT1jZUx5FANkWH-Po_3HMLaO3YEzV60UhLLZ1_C4Svu-YAh0oanIxQK10wzozfepZE/s1600/2013-01-19+12.50.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGQDbOXOzCQRjJJjEyJ4uGaLjTjuuO_ZpwroLHcMPNtAopEqYI64vcYqjK9tOuPCRl_NCpn1VGnT1jZUx5FANkWH-Po_3HMLaO3YEzV60UhLLZ1_C4Svu-YAh0oanIxQK10wzozfepZE/s320/2013-01-19+12.50.51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I love the coziness of sweater pillows and the color of this one was the perfect shade of orange. My only beef was, it one of those pillows that's so soft it makes your hands feel rough. I hate that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgqblBijBxQtlUeFXn_AdVzFh-iOGLdwcUMp5gu5yNcC_ocYuuQgW1bWeW7gQbDdBHzUuUPbycmECkfubj6dwcG1VvxNCKx5lgyMYLloucy1PGgE3aouVZ3OXxFhp-EoJE7D6qGRYTsA/s1600/2013-01-19+12.54.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgqblBijBxQtlUeFXn_AdVzFh-iOGLdwcUMp5gu5yNcC_ocYuuQgW1bWeW7gQbDdBHzUuUPbycmECkfubj6dwcG1VvxNCKx5lgyMYLloucy1PGgE3aouVZ3OXxFhp-EoJE7D6qGRYTsA/s320/2013-01-19+12.54.44.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Speaking of the perfect shade of orange, our guest bath recently got a paint job (details to come!) and now I'm on the hunt for an awesome shower curtain. I can't get <a href="http://decorandthedog.blogspot.com/2012/06/double-shower-curtain.html" target="_blank">this idea</a> out of my mind, and though I did end up buying this shower curtain because of the awesome pattern, it's going back. I just know I won't be happy with it because our ceilings are high and the subway tile surround goes all the way up the wall, and I just want a nice tall shower curtain. Oh well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3nRP_YXsf8apixlDjL76mwf5TRhTj6waEtxxABlk3ikN-kP9eHxn4yPxbiDaSSUIdRGPMTksoQSegN-E8Ehgod0u6n-XLrTH8-kPdUZUM4sDd6XL23r1-TcHD-idWUo7zMdR-RiJt0E/s1600/2013-01-19+12.54.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3nRP_YXsf8apixlDjL76mwf5TRhTj6waEtxxABlk3ikN-kP9eHxn4yPxbiDaSSUIdRGPMTksoQSegN-E8Ehgod0u6n-XLrTH8-kPdUZUM4sDd6XL23r1-TcHD-idWUo7zMdR-RiJt0E/s320/2013-01-19+12.54.12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Have you ever seen linen sheets? Yeah, me either. I feel like they'd be scratchy and wrinkly as hell, but I must be wrong about that, because at the price of $199 at Marshall's for SHEETS, those have got to be some dang good sheets. As soon as we win the lottery, I'm trying out linen sheets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCTRro5my4u4-KA1ZbflKQc4_fdxZQuDHjW1_-tUwV87Ler1SMHwwFBsHTwX-pLxE-4HEFTOxLAWM5sXj-tgT78Bfv_S1yEJl4Iy9zuBPMlQYhrTPFHvfCP-x8YPEnD4PnAOfUkyjsjE/s1600/2013-01-19+12.45.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCTRro5my4u4-KA1ZbflKQc4_fdxZQuDHjW1_-tUwV87Ler1SMHwwFBsHTwX-pLxE-4HEFTOxLAWM5sXj-tgT78Bfv_S1yEJl4Iy9zuBPMlQYhrTPFHvfCP-x8YPEnD4PnAOfUkyjsjE/s320/2013-01-19+12.45.54.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Two things that will never go out of style, in my opinion: barrel chairs & quilted leather. In this case the leather was faux, but as an accent piece, and for the price ($179), I don't mind at all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7i7HsE1k027zx9A1Yt_Q_vddCTjJoV0MYTDxMHufA5AXYxRKn_p-5EWxyVK1QP-iRdyBgpZYkx_HT6AS-eIL3IdVUHODXBvwoPjsorVX3pW9bF35kGYDAMprWSXDFt-Kt3jIbgTGD48/s1600/2013-01-19+12.58.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7i7HsE1k027zx9A1Yt_Q_vddCTjJoV0MYTDxMHufA5AXYxRKn_p-5EWxyVK1QP-iRdyBgpZYkx_HT6AS-eIL3IdVUHODXBvwoPjsorVX3pW9bF35kGYDAMprWSXDFt-Kt3jIbgTGD48/s320/2013-01-19+12.58.55.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm not sure if I would have noticed this item if it weren't for the God-awful, overpowering stench emanating from the stack. They're faux (and in this case HEAVY on the FAUX) leather storage ottomans that are collapsible. Kind of cool idea, I just wonder how: 1) sturdy they would be (the package claims they're ideal for extra seating) and 2) how the heck long it would take to air them out. Because they reek. At $39.99, I suppose you don't have much to lose to figure those two things out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6m_nDJ0t-D3MB245E_jkW06EIDDwPVIMJ8ZKqNEoUgX5lx01Djgpr0h7fEpRte69bkGQ9LQB8HNAfRAPpGgNz8jpwsXmnNSLOv-gFfRf-tuQyxPGMcXOSLW1COj8h-vj986fjzyVKO0/s1600/2013-01-19+12.59.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6m_nDJ0t-D3MB245E_jkW06EIDDwPVIMJ8ZKqNEoUgX5lx01Djgpr0h7fEpRte69bkGQ9LQB8HNAfRAPpGgNz8jpwsXmnNSLOv-gFfRf-tuQyxPGMcXOSLW1COj8h-vj986fjzyVKO0/s320/2013-01-19+12.59.49.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Last up, this tufted linen (look) chair. Not much I don't love about it. Except the legs, I don't love the legs. I'd like to see ebony stained stacked bun feet, but who am I to be picky?? I don't recall the price, but it's Marshall's, so you know it had to be reasonable!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTyjEV-_YPMTKnzsTJ2HcgeJEMQ7j41EhVZYbi2QRUQ9gzbvCAqFoAIvXQTDSIBS19m-_Nm5I69xH72QslwX1npaDIqGyvnvpzYvgmR0kHxKqPyu1b20-jm8eWkUhiKESYK00sYYeNAs/s1600/100_1109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTyjEV-_YPMTKnzsTJ2HcgeJEMQ7j41EhVZYbi2QRUQ9gzbvCAqFoAIvXQTDSIBS19m-_Nm5I69xH72QslwX1npaDIqGyvnvpzYvgmR0kHxKqPyu1b20-jm8eWkUhiKESYK00sYYeNAs/s320/100_1109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here's the loot I brought home. The storage basket is awesome, especially the beautiful chestnut color leather handles. I've been searching for a basket to hold all our winter hats & scarves, and this one fits the bill perfectly. Remind me to post a pic of it in its new home! The wooden ampersand has been on my search list forever, so I was excited to find a nice chunky one. I'll show ya where it ended up too. The shower curtain & curtain rings are going back, for the reasons mentioned above. The Dora cup, all I can say is if I find a STRAW cup that's INSULATED and GUARANTEED not to leak, I'll buy it every time. I hope you can tell from all that capitalization how hard it is to find. And you better believe I saved the packaging, because if that bad boy leaks, I'm sending it straight back. But so far, so good. And that tiny little bottle- a lovely shade of midnight blue nail polish. Just cuz. So what would you have grabbed, and what would you have passed up? Do tell!<br />
<br />
Oh, and on the way home I was behind this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdidehUnuJCml_D2VVFzKD67bnxIFipva6EqCTUKTqq6xwiFbgGD-eUUPFAq6K7a8Ea0Ow8NrXeWECfufO1sgp62USlzMNrWUpCc-yIPfXbxEDg1oKQq28E-_Ayv4cGTHfqFBJCGWWc2k/s1600/2013-01-19+13.44.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdidehUnuJCml_D2VVFzKD67bnxIFipva6EqCTUKTqq6xwiFbgGD-eUUPFAq6K7a8Ea0Ow8NrXeWECfufO1sgp62USlzMNrWUpCc-yIPfXbxEDg1oKQq28E-_Ayv4cGTHfqFBJCGWWc2k/s320/2013-01-19+13.44.10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Years, maybe decades, ago I read an interview with Martha Stewart where she mentioned she has an old pick-up truck she takes out on the weekends to antique shops and estate sales. I have no idea if that's even true, but it left a deep impression on me, and I've wanted one of my own (for the same purpose) ever since. I'd snap that beauty up in a heart beat, it was my perfect shade of orange. Oh, a girl can dream...Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-26587188966921810122013-01-21T00:34:00.000-05:002013-01-21T00:34:46.036-05:00Weekend UpdateI sincerely hope that y'all had as beautiful of a weekend as this mama did! <br />
<br />
It started Friday night with a cheap pizza & 2 hours with the hubs in front of the TV for the series finale of Fringe. It's one of the few shows that we can agree on, and we've been watching together since it began back in 2008. The X-Files-ish vibe of it appealed to me, and I just adore Walter (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0633604/" target="_blank">John Noble</a>). But like X-Files, there were some so-so seasons, especially this past one. I had a hard time sticking with quite a few of the episodes: I hated the future story-line and I especially hated the daughter story-line, but I stuck around, and the reward was a really well-done finale. I'm not sure how the world-at-large felt because I haven't read any reviews, but I was happy with it and in my world, that's all that matters!! <br />
<br />
Saturday morning I left a very happy hubs at home with babygirl (see why <a href="http://mamacarriet.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-few-notes-about-tv.html" target="_blank">here</a>) to do some solo window-shopping (post forthcoming later this week, and it's a good one!). I forgot how nice it is to go shopping alone on a Saturday morning and just LOOK <i>slowly</i>. Ahhh, perfect break. Of course mama-guilt kicked in after about 2 hours and I made my way back home. I scored the loot below (though I've already decided to take a few things back) still, very fun!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0ccbhaZx-DoDzEkxmZqILTmcIaSNDL7SSZwNlsXHDFkO8PbagUjj4JG3AE6bLNJNto5PTM6FjGohnvO0uGQzy7qCeVMhHOiwUpR6ttVI3k5Cdq1ZL6nIQQBmALiUj8WlWWnjmS09-a4/s1600/100_1109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0ccbhaZx-DoDzEkxmZqILTmcIaSNDL7SSZwNlsXHDFkO8PbagUjj4JG3AE6bLNJNto5PTM6FjGohnvO0uGQzy7qCeVMhHOiwUpR6ttVI3k5Cdq1ZL6nIQQBmALiUj8WlWWnjmS09-a4/s320/100_1109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The rest of the day was spent with the family and the TV. I discovered two new (to me) shows and a lovely movie, as I mentioned <a href="http://mamacarriet.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-few-notes-about-tv.html" target="_blank">here</a>. And the nightcap? A ginger bath. I first read about them on MFAMB <a href="http://www.myfavoriteandmybest.com/mfamb-home/2012/12/30/what-day-is-it.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and decided to try it out last night when I was feeling a little meh. The gist is a really hot bath with epsom salts, powdered (or fresh) ginger and baking soda. I was going by memory and forgot the baking soda, oops! The bath smelled divine, was verrrrrrrry relaxing, and I felt great on Sunday. I'd call it a success, and I'd definitely recommend you try it! Just make sure to drink tons of water (I actually brought a big glass to the bath with me!) because you'll sweat a lot and want to be sure to flush out all those toxins. Ahhhhhhh..........<br />
<br />
Sunday morning was a little bit of a cooking frenzy: I whipped up some chicken in the crock pot for tacos (remind me to share that recipe, it's AWESOME!), and some taco seasoning to add to the chicken (also awesome, also need to share!), and some waffles in the hubs new waffle maker. We've never had a waffle maker, so it's been a fun Sunday thing to do, but let me tell y'all, these waffles are HUGE and I don't even want to KNOW how many carbs they contain. I can't even eat a whole one. Actually, I can't even get through 3/4 of one! But they are yummy!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQACBT8wvKNxzG4hBSLIQ75oVRrS72tjWwT550G8e0JstDgoyZWMEZiTfp1ayGi_GlowkzlZ_QyiwMUBstE5aVf__QPlYPYqIH38RbGrMTNwQJMe1VReIkTkmxUdl7pmighD51LhfgpdU/s1600/2012-12-29+11.19.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQACBT8wvKNxzG4hBSLIQ75oVRrS72tjWwT550G8e0JstDgoyZWMEZiTfp1ayGi_GlowkzlZ_QyiwMUBstE5aVf__QPlYPYqIH38RbGrMTNwQJMe1VReIkTkmxUdl7pmighD51LhfgpdU/s320/2012-12-29+11.19.27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Next up we took a little trip to Starbucks for the hubs to chat with some nice folks about a fun little side job. I hope he gets it because it will be right up his alley!! Babygirl & I enjoyed tagging along, and taking a self-portrait while we waited.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNygak7jV6QyzkP6QH0VhH1QGFcGmpUW1V_PiIKaf48z36MztCWv6IIrycZlWjZ3zx7WkjRj19r-U1qYbNLAKR_j7fHb8RUruHI48m5lgY0t991S8nFTv-pngQGw33vkkonbgFFxQv2Uo/s1600/2013-01-20+13.47.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNygak7jV6QyzkP6QH0VhH1QGFcGmpUW1V_PiIKaf48z36MztCWv6IIrycZlWjZ3zx7WkjRj19r-U1qYbNLAKR_j7fHb8RUruHI48m5lgY0t991S8nFTv-pngQGw33vkkonbgFFxQv2Uo/s320/2013-01-20+13.47.45.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We took the scenic route home (meaning through the city streets instead of the freeway- ha!) and just enjoyed the scenery and the sunshine. Cleaning, eating and football took up the rest of the day, which is not bad at all! Copious amounts of crumbs were removed from our floors (this could honestly be a full-time job for me), soft tacos were delish, and 1 of the 2 games went our way. What more can you ask for?<br />
<br />
Happy Monday, Inauguration Day & MLK Day!!Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-57135548382504541252013-01-19T23:55:00.002-05:002013-01-24T16:48:16.487-05:00A Few Notes About TVWe ditched cable months ago to trim the household expenses a bit. I didn't mind, but the hubs was having a hard time with it. "There's something I didn't tell you", he said earlier this week. Never the words you want to hear! Turns out he signed us up for a deal with DirecTv and they were coming to set it up this weekend. At $25 a month, there wasn't much to protest, and I've got to say I thoroughly enjoyed a couple programs!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.vanrozeboom.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/LaraSpencerDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://www.vanrozeboom.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/LaraSpencerDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.vanrozeboom.com/blog/design/design-crush-lara-spencer/" target="_blank">Source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) I Brake for Yard Sales on HGTV with Lara Spencer. I didn't catch the beginning, but I totally loved this show! I don't watch GMA, so I'm not too familiar with Lara, but after this show I secretly wanted her as my new BFF! She's so sweet & personable, and I really love her style. She also genuinely seems into thrifting & bargain-hunting, it's not just a TV gimmick. The above is the dining room from the show- I don't love the color on the dining chairs, but holy-moly you should have seen them before!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/files/2012/09/image002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/files/2012/09/image002.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/good-morning-americas-lara-spencer-adds-a-side-job-reality-show-host_b146155" target="_blank">Source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2) Directly after was Flea Market Flip, another Lara Spencer show. It was totally up my alley. The premise: 2 two-person teams are given $600 and a punch list of 4 things they have to search for. They go to the Rose Bowl flea market and purchase items, then go back to a fully-stocked warehouse where they transform the items in order to "flip" them at the flea market the next week. The team that makes the most profit off the sales of their items wins the profits from both teams. Cool premise, and really well done. It didn't seem contrived and I really enjoyed seeing not only the stalls at the flea market, but the projects the teams took on, and how they approached them. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b0/New_Year's_Eve_Poster.jpg/220px-New_Year's_Eve_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b0/New_Year's_Eve_Poster.jpg/220px-New_Year's_Eve_Poster.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year's_Eve_(film)" target="_blank">Source</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3) Somehow I missed this movie when it came out in Dec 2011. Oh yeah, I was busy having a 3 month old baby! The hubs and I caught it tonight, tho not from the very beginning and I LOVED it. I don't care what the online reviews say (I read a few while looking for the above image), I thought it was sweet and inspiring and the perfect movie to watch every single New Year's Eve. For a moment I felt like we were experiencing NYE all over again, and it was really nice! Even babygirl climbed up in my lap and watched about a quarter of it (quite a feat for a toddler!). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you haven't caught any of these three, I recommend them! And now I'm off to fry my brain cells with more TV!!<br />
<br />
**UPDATE, okay, I totally remember now why I didn't mind at all when we got rid of cable the last time. I have walked into the family room, or glanced up from my computer, because of insane sounds coming from the TV and have muttered "what the hell are you watching" at least a dozen times. Not to mention I watched the hubs eat while standing at the counter, then back up to the dishwasher, load his dishes and get a drink, ALL WITHOUT TAKING HIS EYES OFF THE TV. And he had a cartoon on people!!! The man is obsessed. I'm hoping the shininess wears off soon, but I'm not holding my breath. Oh, and did I mention he talks to the tv? Yeah, I'm not sure Bravo & HGTV are worth it...</div>
Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-1576217966160450232013-01-18T23:20:00.000-05:002013-01-18T23:32:36.674-05:00A Handmade Christmas, pt 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GXKRXHxbkvZ6qkKsFxSMCUKaZ9QYW8CZUw7nr1qxXb4FJry9VJSHb5NV5zijd38mTrrj7idv-wejOeR13gPb4BYSK2X8rJkz13yggw-0dy9Efaj4E2_ul6iTaXBHsxcWQAL2a614jO0/s1600/100_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GXKRXHxbkvZ6qkKsFxSMCUKaZ9QYW8CZUw7nr1qxXb4FJry9VJSHb5NV5zijd38mTrrj7idv-wejOeR13gPb4BYSK2X8rJkz13yggw-0dy9Efaj4E2_ul6iTaXBHsxcWQAL2a614jO0/s320/100_1026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here it is, January 18th, and the top thing on all our minds: Christmas!!! Yeah, I know, everyone has moved on from Christmas. But since I wasn't, ahem, blogging back in December, and since my family reads this blog and would have privy to their gifts beforehand, I'm gonna tell you about the gifts we made now. In January.<br />
<br />
There had been some chatter amongst a number of family members about MAKING gifts this year instead of BUYING them. We're all semi-crafty, and thought it would be fun. That was until we started doing it. Then it got tough, and time-consuming, and at times expensive. But all in all, it was still lots of FUN! I don't recall anticipating Christmas so much as I have this year, just because I was dying to see what everyone had made!! A few of us had remained pretty tight-lipped about what we were doing, so it was awesome to see the gifts unwrapped and the givers & receivers reactions! Of course, I would have been wise to document all this, but alas, I suck. <a href="http://mamacarriet.blogspot.com/2013/01/things-ive-learned-while-taking.html" target="_blank">Remember?</a> So, I'm going to sprinkle in the pics I have, and you'll just have to use your imagination on the processes!!<br />
<br />
First up, the gifts we made. I say "we" because the hubs did help, a little, and as a married couple, we represented as a "we". And also because he's not so crafty. Not because he <i>couldn't</i> be, but because he doesn't <i>try</i>. But that's another story. Our gifts:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVC-orphw_zjRq4XcxlphK-WV3IJw3P7O6PpTiqMC0JqkBdloO8hQKpH7yBsRIbUr0ouSPKYiH7boh1MKwnGAfVqtz-U9i2bAt95VxUe4k-GRh4_j_OvXk9T5Lk6hhIDEMF0M4Ex3XcPA/s1600/100_1028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVC-orphw_zjRq4XcxlphK-WV3IJw3P7O6PpTiqMC0JqkBdloO8hQKpH7yBsRIbUr0ouSPKYiH7boh1MKwnGAfVqtz-U9i2bAt95VxUe4k-GRh4_j_OvXk9T5Lk6hhIDEMF0M4Ex3XcPA/s320/100_1028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
1) Everyone got one of those initial ornaments as gift tags on their presents. They were easy to make out of the sheets of craft felt you see at Michael's for super cheap. I just traced two circles in two different colors, cut them out, printed out a page with the first letter of everyone's name (I used Cooper Std Black in 100+ pt font) and then cut out each letter. I then pinned the letters to felt, cut them out and hand-stitched them on with white embroidery floss. I then pieced the 2 circles together and zipped around them with my sewing machine. I left a tiny hole so I could stuff them with poly-fil. Lastly, I cut a length of ribbon and stuck it in the hole I'd left open, and stitched that closed. That might all sound awfully complicated, but those little guys took me no time at all, and were super cute!! I kind of wish I'd made one for myself...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtyGtxBoJVD82B6cauWgWvJ_CYIWmwhhUl9Ull7G5KMj-50vyw1Xp1ReCZPnazRJfwLMitm3NVk2_yUB-EcH6WIOMLpXRPN1uwEFTIapEbTLqLJklE1BduxBppKUkkUbkprchTar01sY/s1600/100_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtyGtxBoJVD82B6cauWgWvJ_CYIWmwhhUl9Ull7G5KMj-50vyw1Xp1ReCZPnazRJfwLMitm3NVk2_yUB-EcH6WIOMLpXRPN1uwEFTIapEbTLqLJklE1BduxBppKUkkUbkprchTar01sY/s320/100_1030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZTJ0Yj9B6BeVM8eQg3pa0SJD4CWMIwrnod_HrZsIhaFX-meVEwPYzmQv4ba0nHWuYDfKNuyeMlJGGa3uVla3_Hcy9c3iHVSuyBixcko-idkGaSWUJGsSD7a6_YQXeK9b8TqUrJwgmVE/s1600/100_1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZTJ0Yj9B6BeVM8eQg3pa0SJD4CWMIwrnod_HrZsIhaFX-meVEwPYzmQv4ba0nHWuYDfKNuyeMlJGGa3uVla3_Hcy9c3iHVSuyBixcko-idkGaSWUJGsSD7a6_YQXeK9b8TqUrJwgmVE/s320/100_1032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
2) My sister got this little wristlet/phone carrier/whatevs made from a men's necktie. This one will probably be easiest to understand if you check out an actual tutorial with actual pictures. Like this <a href="http://confessionsofalitgeek.blogspot.com/2011/11/repurposed-tie-wristlet.html" target="_blank">one</a>. It's quite simple once you get the gist, and I didn't do mine exactly like she did hers, but you'll get the idea. Take a tie, cut off the skinny end, fold it up and stitch. And if you like, make a little wristlet however you'd like. I used a bit of the skinny end and stitched it right into the side. You could add a clip, keyring, whatever! I sewed on a snap to close it, and then a fancy button on top of the snap just to be decorative. This was a fun little project, and didn't take much time at all. The trickiest part was finding a cool WIDE tie so the iPhone would fit down into it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHc-QG_OPdesk1UZTh1abGmSGdqwRt6orXY_ovNjA-uf1g_kqH1tWzXn5pOjuPmgE0vQzk5PCowBBlUYXlJXX_Ur5jpKG5yLoW5vJOySNQaZBzAMckML42-E9ehFeNZTJATsO4p3G7Qk/s1600/100_1036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHc-QG_OPdesk1UZTh1abGmSGdqwRt6orXY_ovNjA-uf1g_kqH1tWzXn5pOjuPmgE0vQzk5PCowBBlUYXlJXX_Ur5jpKG5yLoW5vJOySNQaZBzAMckML42-E9ehFeNZTJATsO4p3G7Qk/s320/100_1036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
3) Next up, my brother and his family got matching PJ pants, and yes that is Christmas-striped John Deere fabric! My brother's wife loves John Deere (such a funny thing if you know her b/c it's not something you'd expect!) and I found the fabric way back in August on clearance at Hancock Fabric. It was my first foray into sewing with a REAL pattern, and I'm pretty proud of how well it went! (I used Simplicity pattern #3577 which was a unisex adult & child PJ pattern- super easy to follow for a beginner!) I also used the pattern to make our other nephew a pair:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-RCamEz8jwQr6LUynnI2I5d1lk-Ek9nT3bn1P_ObOmgGLDDMbaidq3rdioRfG8nBf1D-ELp8ZqEJTuN7sENSxMmk3ioNmzrRY4Eskd_H5OdC53wPK_rpDykCIRl8RZJNM-Ma2hXs3F8/s1600/100_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-RCamEz8jwQr6LUynnI2I5d1lk-Ek9nT3bn1P_ObOmgGLDDMbaidq3rdioRfG8nBf1D-ELp8ZqEJTuN7sENSxMmk3ioNmzrRY4Eskd_H5OdC53wPK_rpDykCIRl8RZJNM-Ma2hXs3F8/s320/100_1035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
4) I was feeling so confident in my sewing-by-pattern abilities, that I made letter initial pillows out of fleece for all the kiddos in the family, and two of Riley's BFF's. Here are a couple of the pillows:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6vmskdcnytoWo80jsHfTu3tYG9KL-3MZGCex93zCMjZX_ghS99oe2I4X6i2zpY1rz7_gLkO7mrVucn94l7ZGPEXoGV-aqRumBRFvdgnIhaK5ueoITTN8fLV_EU5Y5MPs9T3OVGqDIvY/s1600/100_1033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6vmskdcnytoWo80jsHfTu3tYG9KL-3MZGCex93zCMjZX_ghS99oe2I4X6i2zpY1rz7_gLkO7mrVucn94l7ZGPEXoGV-aqRumBRFvdgnIhaK5ueoITTN8fLV_EU5Y5MPs9T3OVGqDIvY/s320/100_1033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I used an ANCIENT Simplicity pattern I found at the local thrift. The letters were very "bubbley" and thus the M and the H I made looked a lot alike, lol. But the kids loved them and they were super easy to make!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiI7U5bA9_ax8Qaa19gVySBDDuqlUueC3YX8xuD5VS4jB2tFtXK1hGPHH1bbx-HcqsK7LRtRqi4gYKLDxReRPP6wqr50Qc8hVaV_fxXaeXTuc-cs3vMtQ9QnbimF0BrnhfwfRkk5lcfsk/s1600/100_1037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiI7U5bA9_ax8Qaa19gVySBDDuqlUueC3YX8xuD5VS4jB2tFtXK1hGPHH1bbx-HcqsK7LRtRqi4gYKLDxReRPP6wqr50Qc8hVaV_fxXaeXTuc-cs3vMtQ9QnbimF0BrnhfwfRkk5lcfsk/s320/100_1037.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
5) Next up were wood bead necklaces for the gals in the family. I was so impressed with the tutorial over at <a href="http://decorandthedog.blogspot.com/2012/11/dare-to-diy-handmade-wood-bead-necklace.html" target="_blank">Decor And The Dog</a>, and already had oodles of ribbon, so I thought I'd give it a go. I followed her tutorial to the letter, and it couldn't have been more simple. I spent the majority of my time trying to perfect the bows. Four words: I.Suck.At.Bows. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
6) My sister had pinned a website ages ago where you could turn a photo into a coloring page. I used one of her favorite pics and then had it blown way up. I colored it and spray-mounted it to a canvas.<br />
Actual Pic:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7zBbh79ojBGKEKMa0_Am3gBm6reLu7M2p8lMh_unfQvYnjeEiMtKwqfEwl0TSPXVxTa1ixN8B8ck3E0A48UxeRWxKGHmxOAFda6pSMirvi7m-6OyNuP40wBQMi_HA-7q2hifDq1FyGA/s1600/cris+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7zBbh79ojBGKEKMa0_Am3gBm6reLu7M2p8lMh_unfQvYnjeEiMtKwqfEwl0TSPXVxTa1ixN8B8ck3E0A48UxeRWxKGHmxOAFda6pSMirvi7m-6OyNuP40wBQMi_HA-7q2hifDq1FyGA/s320/cris+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Coloring book page:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVH_sKdSoBx-kUd6M3f720ZJBqXmmXnH3LuZ9RzCO9i5A6iFig_azPuhZq1QrgKcfZ3TPXtZNthVLyQbmUQVw_Ae1TvlnstFx3jjbLWVJKNQCZEGqOmvo94INeOoeD5lOM4orYrtE1EA/s1600/cris+pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVH_sKdSoBx-kUd6M3f720ZJBqXmmXnH3LuZ9RzCO9i5A6iFig_azPuhZq1QrgKcfZ3TPXtZNthVLyQbmUQVw_Ae1TvlnstFx3jjbLWVJKNQCZEGqOmvo94INeOoeD5lOM4orYrtE1EA/s320/cris+pic2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sister's Gift:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeag1dNB9-StnHGjGqvN6ZMLMKDufgvB-mdeOsiMcV3U-qRH5bNTOm0lpjeRHEjjy-PQn3MDuOhCBQPLoYxejiEwXc22iT7O4DHBLHDoYa-CHG6FtMHaRShu0dtCcbrlA2f_rWnSO7Zk/s1600/100_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeag1dNB9-StnHGjGqvN6ZMLMKDufgvB-mdeOsiMcV3U-qRH5bNTOm0lpjeRHEjjy-PQn3MDuOhCBQPLoYxejiEwXc22iT7O4DHBLHDoYa-CHG6FtMHaRShu0dtCcbrlA2f_rWnSO7Zk/s320/100_1038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
7) Next up, my mom has been needing storage for her jewelry for ages. Scratch that, she HAS jewelry storage but it's in lots of drawers where you can't see anything! I've been on a mission to make her something to display all her pretty necklaces and bracelets. Voila...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpMicEZo1egsm9BkW6V095dhiDxbe5JZL1Wx2I6T08AIyajFY5rsQZ6sZ1q00sXhxTejaBBTGJ7tRbLWVEhWzwaMWydzPocWqFmGSyKoX0yBb0YqSKwx6yet8UOSIgt1SyyFJ01QFreA/s1600/jewelry+holders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpMicEZo1egsm9BkW6V095dhiDxbe5JZL1Wx2I6T08AIyajFY5rsQZ6sZ1q00sXhxTejaBBTGJ7tRbLWVEhWzwaMWydzPocWqFmGSyKoX0yBb0YqSKwx6yet8UOSIgt1SyyFJ01QFreA/s320/jewelry+holders.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I came across those interesting frames/boxes/whatevs at the local thrift. They had weird prints on the front, but they actually peeled off really easily. The hubs sanded them down and I painted them a pretty light green on the fronts and white around the edges. The hubs then drilled holes and inserted some cute knobs we found at Ikea, and there ya go! The only regret is we didn't have a chance to hang them during our visit.<br />
<br />
8) My parents lost their beloved dog this year, a Mastiff named Toby. He was my dad's pride and (slobbery) joy, so when I saw a tutorial on Camilla's blog for a <a href="http://blog.effortless-style.com/2012/12/diy-silhouette-pillow/" target="_blank">silhouette pillow</a>, I knew it would be the perfect gift! I adapted it from a photo my mom sent.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPXiwo6lqgZs69bs_gAV_CnjQ2mbWSHviDxkmdHU70X_BQ2NXcNY2B9TbWi1FQi-mSKTfdFTcU3T0HX38XLhS8c6l5MDWY3725-rMkp3bEPQ_xjHcoktR1crnUO4lwO4xS9BrgMhMnyg/s1600/toby+pillow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPXiwo6lqgZs69bs_gAV_CnjQ2mbWSHviDxkmdHU70X_BQ2NXcNY2B9TbWi1FQi-mSKTfdFTcU3T0HX38XLhS8c6l5MDWY3725-rMkp3bEPQ_xjHcoktR1crnUO4lwO4xS9BrgMhMnyg/s320/toby+pillow.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I used black felt- the craft felt sheet was too small, so I purchased 1/3 yd from Hancock Fabrics. I cropped and enlarged the pic my mom sent, printed it and then cut out the silhouette. I pinned it to the felt and cut that out. I used spray mount to attach it to (both sides) of that great pillow from Ikea, but I wasn't 100% confident the spray mount would hold, so I (TEDIOUSLY) hand-stitched around the edges to secure it.<br />
<br />
There you have it, part one of our handmade Christmas. I'm going to try and round up pics of the things everyone else made, I was so impressed with the creativity of everyone and I know you will be too!!Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-63890023789065488342013-01-17T16:04:00.000-05:002013-01-20T22:17:28.028-05:00Scrabble Family Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcih8Ocr3nbbO2NDdMU2QaEL61DWs21I_bp07AOrcMWUFb6kO6NNZaHPwgMe3Y-MuczGtQteEIONXNIJmOcappjBIROgNwGNh18pOlbuGDwOxNPPUMCE98yMlPE8B4t-_d62bRly-ep6U/s1600/100_1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcih8Ocr3nbbO2NDdMU2QaEL61DWs21I_bp07AOrcMWUFb6kO6NNZaHPwgMe3Y-MuczGtQteEIONXNIJmOcappjBIROgNwGNh18pOlbuGDwOxNPPUMCE98yMlPE8B4t-_d62bRly-ep6U/s320/100_1108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I know Scrabble crafts have been way over-done the past few years. You name it, there's a Scrabble craft- earrings, coasters, tree ornaments, etc. But when I came across a bundle of TWO Scrabble games at my local thrift store a few months back, I couldn't resist the temptation to buy them because: 1) I hadn't done any Scrabble crafts, and 2) I felt certain I could come up with something cool for them. And at a couple bucks for BOTH games, they were a bargain. <br />
<br />
I brought them home and took a peek. There was a vintage version and a newer version. I immediately fell in love with the vintage one- the board colors, the smoother & better crafted tiles. I started playing around, and ended up with a family tree, of sorts, with the names of all our family members. I grouped them by family, and since my parents don't share any letters in common, I used one of the blank tiles and added an ampersand. I kind of loved it!<br />
<br />
But there were two issues: the vintage board had a pretty noticeable tear, and there weren't enough of the old tiles, so I had to combine the two. It was OKAY, but the discrepancy between the old & new tiles was really obvious to me. So it sat in our dining room the past few months, and every time I went to a thrift store, I looked for a Scrabble game, to no avail. I even had my folks scouring their thrift stores. Now I'm sure I could have found one on eBay*, but what fun is that??<br />
<br />
Fast forward to this past weekend when my folks were in town and we were visiting a few of my favorite shops- I found another vintage Scrabble game! Granted, I really hemmed & hawed over the purchase because $12 is way more than I paid for the first two. But the board was in perfect shape and there were lots of the beautiful old tiles. <br />
<br />
I swapped out my "new" vintage board for the older torn one, though I was disappointed to see the beautiful grey shade was a lot lighter in the new one. Alas, the colors are a lot better than the actual new board. I was able to write out all of our names and only had to sub in 5 of the new tiles- points to the first person to spot which ones they are!<br />
<br />
I haven't glued down the tiles yet, I'm still trying to decide what method I want to use for that, but I really love the look and think it will be sweet hanging among our family photos. I'm just hoping that my brother & his wife's new addition will fit on the board!! One of the names they're considering fits perfectly, no pressure. :)<br />
<br />
I don't think I've ever seen this done with Scrabble tiles, have you**?<br />
<br />
*Note, okay I just looked on eBay for the vintage Scrabble game, and they were a lot cheaper than I expected. Oh well, I still like that mine was a hunted treasure. ;)<br />
<br />
**Note, while I was at it, I also Googled "Scrabble Family Tree"- I should have known I wasn't the FIRST to come up with this idea (<a href="http://mamacarriet.blogspot.com/2013/01/trend-setting_19.html" target="_blank">duh!</a>), but I don't recall ever seeing it done, and I STILL LIKE MINE all the same. Oh, and someone was SELLING them for $225. Hmm..... ;) Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-89832620815555708432013-01-15T16:45:00.000-05:002013-01-19T16:49:51.391-05:00Trend-setting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsd9vtwzwoxn4epWYvlWllySkWR9hK9TwsCQWbWCR2QgazNljMM75kHmyLBoYyiTl6-rE1JFvBkDiH5nJaybpBqFqcb3xmFpn9cjWoSgvf-Cw-iBmVLPE9TdI-R8_2xBiqRv6xZWRRt8/s1600/Green+monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsd9vtwzwoxn4epWYvlWllySkWR9hK9TwsCQWbWCR2QgazNljMM75kHmyLBoYyiTl6-rE1JFvBkDiH5nJaybpBqFqcb3xmFpn9cjWoSgvf-Cw-iBmVLPE9TdI-R8_2xBiqRv6xZWRRt8/s320/Green+monkey.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
**Disclaimer: This post is kind of a rant, which may not be all that interesting to anyone but me, but I gotta get it off my chest...<br />
<br />
I read my fair share of blogs. I enjoy reading & seeing real life people doing real life things. (OMG, as I wrote that I realized blogs are the internet version of reality TV, which I've always been a fan of: Real World New York circa 1992, holla!!!) And like reality TV, sometimes blog personalities can just rub you the wrong way, but you can't stop reading! I was reading a blog today and I got super-peeved by the post. And even more peeved that lots of folks commented on the post agreeing with the blogger! Now I realize that's kind of a skewed reality, because most folks that take the time to comment on a "small" blog really like you and aren't going to disagree with you. And if they do, they'll probably just politely click away instead of creating a hub-bub. And while I did just click away, it's literally been bugging me all day, so let me just vent for a sec, m'kay?<br />
<br />
The gist of the post was, "what do you do when something you love goes mainstream?" The Keep Calm and Carry On mantra was this blogger's love, and had been since back in 2007. "No one knows I knew it [<i>sic</i>] about it before it was on coffee cups, magnets, cell phone cases." The 10 year-old in me gets this, because I spent half my childhood complaining to my parents that my little sister copied <i>everything</i> I did. But the adult, and the blog-reader, in me doesn't get it at all.<br />
<br />
Everyone seems to be a decorator with a design blog these days, and with the proliferation of Pinterest, I think it's safe to say there aren't a lot of original thoughts happening in mainstream design, or at least in mainstream blogger design! And if you're a decorator with a design blog trying to get followers on Pinterest and Instagram, how can you be mad at people for copying the ideas that you just pinned and copied from someone else?!?<br />
<br />
For many years now my family has liked to tell the story of how I've "always been a trend-setter" (I put that in quotes because they're their words/thought, not mine). That since back in middle school, I've been doing things that were weird, until they became popular years later. They tell the story, and I always smile, but it always makes me feel uncomfortable. Because I always feel like a fraud. I know that the things I jumped on wearing or doing or liking were always things I saw somewhere else first. I just looked up trend-setting and it's defined as: <i>a person or thing that establishes a new trend or fashion</i>. That's certainly not me, I've never established anything. Or what about this definition: <i>someone who popularizes a new fashion</i>. Nope, not me either, I've never been popular! So hmm, where does that leave me? To paraphrase something I heard my dad say this past weekend, "I just like the things I like."<br />
<br />
I have no idea how I'd define my style or taste, and I know that's something that drives those close to me totally bonkers. Just when they think they've figured me out, I baffle them by declaring my love of something they just don't get! In fact, this weekend the hubs & I were at an antique store with my folks. I picked up a simple white handmade mug dotted with aqua-blue polka dots and showed it to the hubs, telling him how much I loved it. "Huh?" was his response. "I'm just a simple girl with simple taste", I explained. "If that were true, my whole life would be a heckuva lot easier" he replied. True story! He then made me show the mug to my dad, who also turned his nose up at it and couldn't understand the appeal. <i>I just like what I like.</i><br />
<br />
So what does all this have to do with that blog post I read earlier today? I'm not even sure anymore! But seriously, design bloggers, if you're going to follow and pin tons of people & things and want to in turn be followed and pinned, don't be upset when the things you're pinning end up EVERYWHERE!! Hello: brass, fiddle leaf fig trees, spray-painted animals, chevron, ikat and a million other trends that design bloggers have done to death!!!<br />
<br />
Let me leave you with a quote I ran across on an Apartment Therapy comment, in response to decorators & trends: <i>They would do well to never forget their humble beginnings lest they awaken from their delusions to discover they have alienated the trendy masses. </i>Couldn't have said it better myself!<br />
<br />
Now, to predict the next trend, how about that silly-looking ceramic monkey above? I can't stand how much I love it!!! Thank goodness I probably have the only 2 left in the world!! ;)Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-24456394212720306682013-01-14T16:24:00.000-05:002013-01-18T23:40:58.984-05:00Things I've Learned, While Taking a (blogging) BreakI've noticed a few things in my hiatus. Here they are, in no particular order:<br />
<br />
1) No one notices when you ARE blogging, but EVERYONE feels free to point out when you're not. This is particularly annoying to me because I know folks are reading from the stats, and yet I rarely get comments. Which is fine because I know I read tons of blogs and rarely comment. And yet, folks (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!) like to make all manner of comments about how I'm not blogging. Helllooooooooooo, if you like-y the blog-y, show a mama some love!! Just sayin'.<br />
<br />
2) The longer you don't blog, the harder it is to get back to it. I kept thinking, okay, this will be the day. No, THIS will be the day. And here we are, two months later. Time flies when: you're having fun, you have kids, and when you have a blog. Feel free to quote me on that.<br />
<br />
3) I suck MAJORLY at taking pictures. I mean M-A-J-O-R-L-Y. And not only for the blog, in my life too. At Christmas I fully intended to document the whole experience (we have a little one, that's what you're supposed to do, right?), but my camera battery died on Christmas Eve (I charged it beforehand, I promise!), my phone likes to spontaneously shut down pretty much every other picture I take, and it just feels AWKWARD taking a picture with the iPad. So to sum it up, I suck! Cuz no one wants to read a blog without photos. And yet I always forget to take 'em, or I have malfunctioning equipment. Is this a justification for new equipment??<br />
<br />
4) I have so little truly FREE time, and I easily squander the time I do have with blog-surfing and pin-surfing, ie: mindless relaxation. I was good at writing a blog 7+ years ago when I was single, and though I still had a life, I had plenty of downtime without a husband or a kid, so I could think about my posts, thoughtfully write & edit them, and produce quality writing several times a week. But these days, I prefer to spend my free time with my hubs, or babygirl. And when I'm not doing that, I'm trying to work. And when I'm not doing that, I'm pretty much exhausted so I'm trying to chill (mindless blog & pin-surfing). But I do MISS blogging, and I do WANT to do it. So....working on a way to make that balance.<br />
<br />
5) Ummm, there may not be a 5. That might be it.<br />
<br />
So, I'd hesitate to call it a comeback, cuz I HAVE been here for years (lol), but seriously, I have at least one more post lined up for this week, so come back soon, y'all!!Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2124217080089046406.post-68972252943860454942012-11-20T01:27:00.000-05:002012-11-20T01:27:52.837-05:00You Know What Sucks?1) Coldsores.<br />
<br />
2) And not being able to kiss all over your babygirl for days and days because of:<br />
<br />
3) COLDSORES.<br />
<br />
How is it possible that modern medicine hasn't eradicated these annoying boogers?<br />
<br />
<br />Turners in the Countryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06055652530768336134noreply@blogger.com1