tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78960648398443258492024-03-14T09:27:46.278-04:00J&K AlwaysAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-5490830969108659182014-04-06T09:00:00.000-04:002014-04-06T09:00:03.631-04:00Orange Cardamom Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGAgQi1AcO_YtC2tetTkUXmjtIa9a98jl1iQpL_CQHj5zZMHDhdFO4U5Q3El6d6BjUjAn1azgYi4ted3kh6dlhWUfimPPgKd4CuLu5uomasd1nE5jdRTJ4wPZ19y0ANnFMf0Orz7NsAQ3/s1600/IMG_1163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGAgQi1AcO_YtC2tetTkUXmjtIa9a98jl1iQpL_CQHj5zZMHDhdFO4U5Q3El6d6BjUjAn1azgYi4ted3kh6dlhWUfimPPgKd4CuLu5uomasd1nE5jdRTJ4wPZ19y0ANnFMf0Orz7NsAQ3/s1600/IMG_1163.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So...a lot's happened since my last post. The big things have been our moving into a new house, which we absolutely love, and the entirely unexpected promotion I received at work (our Lord is so good!). So with moving, cleaning, painting, and with training, transitioning, starting, I've had little time for my dearly loved blog. But no more! My schedule's been set (Monday through Friday's a nice gig) and our house has been settled (for the most part, any way), and so here I am, ready to post again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And to bring in a new season of posts, I am sharing one of my favorite recipes for breakfast. Adapted from a Food.com <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/fresh-orange-muffins-14325" target="_blank">recipe</a>, I gave it a twist with the addition of freshly ground cardamom. Cardamom and oranges are one of those BIG WIN combinations, giving a floral note to the sweet bite of citrus. I added it because, for me, the original recipe was a bit too bitter due to the orange rind. The cardamom cuts the bitterness without overpowering the muffin. I also included a bit of ground flax seed for a touch of nutty flavor.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These make for an excellent breakfast meal - a quick, easy choice to help me get out the door and onto my day. I enjoy a muffin in the mornings, after fixing my hair and strapping on my high heels, with a cup of coffee in my favorite chair.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImGNUtjuL-huJdkgNmPh34aZcUGBi3jhhV5DbiG6OsxggmRo958Y9LI3M3GR5oKN1s6SeuCP_KgTxBbZir0Ey3t_XcE_WqQ15LvSUuykXEuYqB8Ou5MVclKremh7g1gwBNGlMpRr64sTj/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImGNUtjuL-huJdkgNmPh34aZcUGBi3jhhV5DbiG6OsxggmRo958Y9LI3M3GR5oKN1s6SeuCP_KgTxBbZir0Ey3t_XcE_WqQ15LvSUuykXEuYqB8Ou5MVclKremh7g1gwBNGlMpRr64sTj/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEiO5QOdUDiWk6RRnfhA6To3bR0QkMEnSrtz3jIzsScaVFatiTkP7awsrVdT-xWB8RjWkZg_t9yKViMhY1r-DKnGPuJ12hsrbi4S_9GIdl2zK-0tXlCgoJOXLGzgPPuYnxXQXcfIVy6n2-Z7/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5QOdUDiWk6RRnfhA6To3bR0QkMEnSrtz3jIzsScaVFatiTkP7awsrVdT-xWB8RjWkZg_t9yKViMhY1r-DKnGPuJ12hsrbi4S_9GIdl2zK-0tXlCgoJOXLGzgPPuYnxXQXcfIVy6n2-Z7/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhILj6E0im0zFf5c4P60-aPK6c1F6d68uU9yS3rviSSEAiBt80DSlz6SgRzf9s1ursl7QTdEdhM56ZTBnJu59jEZOHkC1P7Vv7RzA5IjaBZfYt-KP8nUqx7bxaEaBA420Yv6TjpeseauQ/s1600/IMG_1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhILj6E0im0zFf5c4P60-aPK6c1F6d68uU9yS3rviSSEAiBt80DSlz6SgRzf9s1ursl7QTdEdhM56ZTBnJu59jEZOHkC1P7Vv7RzA5IjaBZfYt-KP8nUqx7bxaEaBA420Yv6TjpeseauQ/s1600/IMG_1154.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FIfMBb8daExpKmlTWjULibYWVbj-5wfx-vtE3yUqf4TlmuYePgl1KhGYMMuD7By_bdTdqlEeISRa7gLTSoAR0ql5Q3xOBVIyu9i_5nca3RfFU62jnZEkYosAOml1Ybz2f_2jjAoWFPyT/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FIfMBb8daExpKmlTWjULibYWVbj-5wfx-vtE3yUqf4TlmuYePgl1KhGYMMuD7By_bdTdqlEeISRa7gLTSoAR0ql5Q3xOBVIyu9i_5nca3RfFU62jnZEkYosAOml1Ybz2f_2jjAoWFPyT/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUVEANCvfPc23W_pUF5H1PW_aZlNzWiUoxcw8ngydpFnU1VafFJq4Zvvu-8ZcxdBwRzqigFyuIAYbWv3VAgAYR7OqWDBUfbAvJuFg0Ifdr5jz9nGB6OpxfbcAICC-IcyTesNZ_vqNmHBt/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUVEANCvfPc23W_pUF5H1PW_aZlNzWiUoxcw8ngydpFnU1VafFJq4Zvvu-8ZcxdBwRzqigFyuIAYbWv3VAgAYR7OqWDBUfbAvJuFg0Ifdr5jz9nGB6OpxfbcAICC-IcyTesNZ_vqNmHBt/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaD5KLmDBwN0tH2Qhyphenhyphen9eLpNXGnYn41rm1IMNi7pN_ba3s8wmXeAx8ZcEJKUYSGI7dBPnicIfwneCvWBe1h6IK0hov2E4su1UHqaWTq2A50Kvu7WKskXubvOPu32fJk2_Em_WRytqtDXVa6/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaD5KLmDBwN0tH2Qhyphenhyphen9eLpNXGnYn41rm1IMNi7pN_ba3s8wmXeAx8ZcEJKUYSGI7dBPnicIfwneCvWBe1h6IK0hov2E4su1UHqaWTq2A50Kvu7WKskXubvOPu32fJk2_Em_WRytqtDXVa6/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rCf8EIvdY3Z64-_HCnyXtZqvOetjosTl49PDjB7WKEjS1HnrRKUMrSKFId-LTLcw-cbaS1Jk6RwZpyU8H9XWaTFBo8svMTRV5KZ9uY_y8olx7ejhfEw9vKrKMmqVRr5zKB_LXCEC3HV2/s1600/IMG_1163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rCf8EIvdY3Z64-_HCnyXtZqvOetjosTl49PDjB7WKEjS1HnrRKUMrSKFId-LTLcw-cbaS1Jk6RwZpyU8H9XWaTFBo8svMTRV5KZ9uY_y8olx7ejhfEw9vKrKMmqVRr5zKB_LXCEC3HV2/s1600/IMG_1163.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Orange Cardamom Muffins</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> </b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recipe by: Kimberly Meyers</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adapted from: http://www.food.com/recipe/fresh-orange-muffins-14325</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.jandkalways.blogspot.com/" style="color: #bb5421; text-decoration: none;">www.jandkalways.blogspot.com</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 14.949999809265137px; white-space: pre-wrap;">As always, this recipe is tried and true from my kitchen to yours.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 14.949999809265137px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Serving size: 12 Prep Time: 15-20 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Rest: 5-10 minutes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 18px;">(</span><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GD-8tQCWp6LZvblyEMyMJ01dvWks5GN1P-3lHU0QLM4/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">The Printable</a><span style="line-height: 18px;">)</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 orange with peel, quartered and seeds removed</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1/2 cup orange juice (or if using fresh oranges, 1 orange squeezed and add water to make 1/2 cup)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 large egg</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1/2 cup butter</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">3/4 cup white sugar</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 tsp. baking powder</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 tsp. baking soda</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom (or if using mortar and pestle, grind seeds from approx 24 cardamom pods)</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 tsp. ground flax seed</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1/4 tsp. salt</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Directions:</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Use muffin liners or take a paper towel and vegetable shortening to grease muffin tin. Combine dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside. Place orange quarters and orange juice in food processor and puree. Add egg and butter to oranges and blend well. Pour wet mixture into a bowl, then add dry ingredients. Fold together. Fill muffin cups about 3/4 full. Bake for 20 minutes. Prick with a toothpick to make sure they are done, then let cool for approximately 5 minutes before removing from tin. Kept at room temperature on a plate covered with saran wrap, these will hold up for several days. Enjoy!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Always,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kimberly</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-71620918697903318952014-01-21T17:29:00.001-05:002014-01-21T17:29:06.595-05:00The Lord's ProvisionWhen I arrived at work this morning, I saw a stack of papers printed with the schedule for the next four weeks. After highlighting my shifts and counting the days, I found that I was short a shift for three weeks in a row! As I took deep breaths, my mind scrambling to figure out what I would need to do to remedy this, God was already making things happen, and after an unexpected series of events, I now find myself scheduled to work full time each week, and I am even earning overtime today. In the course of a single hour, our Heavenly Father made it so I had just what I needed.<br />
<br />
It is often easy to place a sense of "control" in the hands of other people - in this case the hands of the manager who made the schedule. When I first saw it, I thought, "Drat! What about bills? What am I going to do?" My emotions started to edge toward worry. But my provision does not come from man, it comes from God. I am under His schedule. And His provision is so good. So never doubt Him. For as he feeds the fouls of the air (Matthew 6:25-34), He will take care of you, too. His loving grace is so great that I continue to be amazed by it and continue to be grateful for it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaihSB9016AJ0mUFBFBdur7rrdo2KSVspgyHvfp1zeBuBuruvC3ha5lPhlemmNwXiQcuqBbD0-1AlYTJDEU2HbtVEIQ2qoMaBb7chpQcOUzRwnWoOuB-LE4TwbHLnFv3aR8v_qtTp3wZwq/s1600/matthew-62533_4710_1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaihSB9016AJ0mUFBFBdur7rrdo2KSVspgyHvfp1zeBuBuruvC3ha5lPhlemmNwXiQcuqBbD0-1AlYTJDEU2HbtVEIQ2qoMaBb7chpQcOUzRwnWoOuB-LE4TwbHLnFv3aR8v_qtTp3wZwq/s1600/matthew-62533_4710_1024x768.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from wallpaper4god.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Always,<br />
KimberlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-27150510571870355582014-01-14T09:56:00.001-05:002014-01-14T09:56:06.505-05:00The First Year with Fiona the Poo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This month we celebrate a whole year with Fiona, AKA <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-first-6-months-with-fiona-poo.html" target="_blank">the Poo</a>. Fiona was one of several rescue dogs that lived at the spay/neuter clinic where I was working at the time. This is her story, shared with me by the wonderful woman who first helped to get her off the streets where she had lived the first couple years of her life:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Her story started with me in the summer of 2011. I noticed her on the streets with what I know now to be some of her pups. They would hang out by the Dollar General store under the trailers. I started feeding them and taking bags of ice due to the heat. A friend of mine in rescue tried to help me catch her, but by then, I found out from some local folks that she had lived all her life on the streets. Very scared of humans. I came morning, noon and after work for 4-5 months. She had started recognizing my car by then but would not let me get close to her still. I started coming down on the weekends and leaving food and water because it was so hot that summer and I worried about her constantly. Finally after many months, she let me touch her, and within a few weeks, she was running to see me when she saw my car and would lay down for belly rubs. Then she had another litter of pups, and I knew she trusted me when she let me get near her pups. By then, I had notified MARC, who had tried in the past to catch her. She had had numerous litters of pups thru the years but she was very smart. She was caught once by the dog catcher and escaped!! He hated her from that point forward and wanted nothing more than to catch and kill her. At one point, he started watching me, so I had to be careful as I didn't want him knowing where she had her pups hidden. Once the pups could start walking, it got hard for her to contain them. Eventually the pups disappeared and her teats got large and infected since the pups weren’t nursing. That is when I contacted MARC and we drugged her and got her to the vets, where she was reunited with 2 of her pups that someone had found wandering the streets. Being contained at the vets was very stressful for her but she got better and then I took her to the spay/neuter clinic one night in December of 2011. Her 2 pups went to a rescue and Fiona started her life at the clinic that cold December night. As you know, it took her a long time to trust anyone. She did seem to remember me when I visited her. Then you came into her life and she is now happy and content and very loved. This is the short version but I hope it helps you to understand some of what she went thru and I’m sure there are some things she went thru that we can only imagine. I think about her every time I pass where she used to stay, especially when it is raining and in the winter time. So thankful she will never be cold or wet again!! So now you know why she is so special to me and I am so thankful to you and your husband for giving her the life she deserves and for letting me be a small part of it. You have no idea what those pictures mean to me and how happy they make my heart when I see them." -V</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I first met her at the clinic, she was quiet and very "aloof." This coolness and lack of overt friendliness didn't make her the most noticeable, and the other dogs that lived there with her, all with their own stories of abandonment and mistreatment, were friendlier and jumpier (just more dog-like, really), and they got adopted out in the course of a few months. And that left Fiona. She was always a good dog, the easiest one there to walk on a leash, but she had that soulful sadness that gets to you, especially when she'd look at your with her big, fire hazel eyes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9LK69oZ2XWYI51FvB5g4Y2DYrC-OIfle-xYDDfGvYfmEUXMlr197kNcpdrdZd5PYEtJhko1aVJR_Jx1X0fgKiylLmr8h6UAd5s19mnbji-rDCJ-jdH11rUMz7A5_haIAfo-Py1KfTA49/s1600/166043_10150817259602303_368915556_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9LK69oZ2XWYI51FvB5g4Y2DYrC-OIfle-xYDDfGvYfmEUXMlr197kNcpdrdZd5PYEtJhko1aVJR_Jx1X0fgKiylLmr8h6UAd5s19mnbji-rDCJ-jdH11rUMz7A5_haIAfo-Py1KfTA49/s1600/166043_10150817259602303_368915556_n.jpg" height="264" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One hot day in August, while taking a break from answering the phones to walk her in the side yard to do her business, she suddenly got super excited about being out there and started to run and jump and play with me; I just couldn't believe it - it was amazing! And I just started to fall in love with her. My husband says I gave him "the look that a man cannot say 'no' to" on the day I asked if we could adopt her. And he tells me often how glad he is that we did. She has been a most wonderful, blessed addition to our family.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I thought I'd share the year in pictures, since she's just so cute.</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/AVvXsEgQB8ZLzvtV4BgzGWkFbqkcqtCyhnJ0S719_FEfN_VUN7iQUylbXGAQirB0oMsCUNCtXHDIXdg_j7gBeLFbyHvRoC5JZ7Em39SVOU_0IvhyphenhyphenlQrWJSvnN2xyMB4dBMRI_YPy2pQxM01WryUt/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQB8ZLzvtV4BgzGWkFbqkcqtCyhnJ0S719_FEfN_VUN7iQUylbXGAQirB0oMsCUNCtXHDIXdg_j7gBeLFbyHvRoC5JZ7Em39SVOU_0IvhyphenhyphenlQrWJSvnN2xyMB4dBMRI_YPy2pQxM01WryUt/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="640" width="384" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Her second day in our apartment and the first time she gave me that sweet smile.</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/AVvXsEhkTDJj6bvDcKd6RakvimXxeQz_vNlvlOEb1yw5vtbcO3trlFilXhErdd4QJlGFyTsWVhaHVPa0UvfXK1WnMpTJiarkJHIyoMUJ9vwPPZsqRzLHbcnh6TrCyCJpVc0TQH08nnTGdnEshyphenhyphen7e/s1600/163338_10100158260452148_1373327711_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTDJj6bvDcKd6RakvimXxeQz_vNlvlOEb1yw5vtbcO3trlFilXhErdd4QJlGFyTsWVhaHVPa0UvfXK1WnMpTJiarkJHIyoMUJ9vwPPZsqRzLHbcnh6TrCyCJpVc0TQH08nnTGdnEshyphenhyphen7e/s1600/163338_10100158260452148_1373327711_n.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Her very first Christmas present. </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/AVvXsEhrZOc4gwG8SetekY8zX3LZ1Ba6pQMDSuk0oLwL-SEnBV5hlax9DwPmMO8wtARzy5Ljgoy5TywsAy64uhnqO7IVLw9e4S33Y-AqJbhwLbjIjhaIx_eXFS7HNiIRIRsMTmJG1BSwtrrt_9q4/s1600/555277_10100167839690278_1393642093_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZOc4gwG8SetekY8zX3LZ1Ba6pQMDSuk0oLwL-SEnBV5hlax9DwPmMO8wtARzy5Ljgoy5TywsAy64uhnqO7IVLw9e4S33Y-AqJbhwLbjIjhaIx_eXFS7HNiIRIRsMTmJG1BSwtrrt_9q4/s1600/555277_10100167839690278_1393642093_n.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sporting her awesome pink fanny pack.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGafGtMJ-QA1zHAOLKQzRmsUyQgN-SB-nVZeWRJzewPvWCGeTvy-l3oUwBqI5y2ftv0Frqb76X6cUDuIAXz0cuRWivmn2yyM6CH8OK2uvH-6AiBC8wEO3-O0h9J5_bvgkaSax10jTcjLx/s1600/150611_10100171393932548_1400028267_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGafGtMJ-QA1zHAOLKQzRmsUyQgN-SB-nVZeWRJzewPvWCGeTvy-l3oUwBqI5y2ftv0Frqb76X6cUDuIAXz0cuRWivmn2yyM6CH8OK2uvH-6AiBC8wEO3-O0h9J5_bvgkaSax10jTcjLx/s1600/150611_10100171393932548_1400028267_n.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's a giraffe under there.</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/AVvXsEg9Ci0gr49DXtDzI6a1a53t791Ps3E1CJ2VCeLGBdfoB9aMJ8tEYE_EDcu-1SMKUe14jvXEHnpgX1Kxe_1zJTKwWKPqkwN3X_aIdwN-Cr_cdzx20nOc_V8t3j_ys02XZ4neAqQLFhgRtUNg/s1600/554404_10100174231955128_1363820339_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ci0gr49DXtDzI6a1a53t791Ps3E1CJ2VCeLGBdfoB9aMJ8tEYE_EDcu-1SMKUe14jvXEHnpgX1Kxe_1zJTKwWKPqkwN3X_aIdwN-Cr_cdzx20nOc_V8t3j_ys02XZ4neAqQLFhgRtUNg/s1600/554404_10100174231955128_1363820339_n.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Smell good, Fi?</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/AVvXsEg0NdbdcCn6Y7IV88UnekwSUVY5xLZG58xJg31YKrhHKLwQzxuwFAT9fKW1ZaNqoA0LU-zNqhlCO1s3SJ71fViCIiZHP9ltWP_8_pxkfW-y3xubZgjeHX7P4x3_OqWl8sNBxyjcEEVVEgOL/s1600/294932_10100174004151648_55508538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NdbdcCn6Y7IV88UnekwSUVY5xLZG58xJg31YKrhHKLwQzxuwFAT9fKW1ZaNqoA0LU-zNqhlCO1s3SJ71fViCIiZHP9ltWP_8_pxkfW-y3xubZgjeHX7P4x3_OqWl8sNBxyjcEEVVEgOL/s1600/294932_10100174004151648_55508538_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Snow day!</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/AVvXsEghEagDtbsUF0ymBb-INZTVwIFSYD4mB6asiByh2chWyV1NOAPiu5_sup4Q-sbuuyapDbgp2unff4DS1gZFObPJQXkXxtCPiPYLzrAEDrZAaLQ5lUF5RaYutGjKvs-Ls28ncAuvxjhxZMDl/s1600/602058_10100174004081788_1832410270_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEagDtbsUF0ymBb-INZTVwIFSYD4mB6asiByh2chWyV1NOAPiu5_sup4Q-sbuuyapDbgp2unff4DS1gZFObPJQXkXxtCPiPYLzrAEDrZAaLQ5lUF5RaYutGjKvs-Ls28ncAuvxjhxZMDl/s1600/602058_10100174004081788_1832410270_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhZQ1KNhKyD7UCjKFJDUOkWW5xrAc2xoEdmxFVE4xaunPJEhYpQlvp_7QdEzBE7ZVyENBlCBrPUTO5MxSOYC4EJcrEbRI1ImRrm4venvBnCViVe6SZpO9HZOt9z0mDB_yaTsyXmj-ImH8aL/s1600/408477_10100174004630688_1543407365_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQ1KNhKyD7UCjKFJDUOkWW5xrAc2xoEdmxFVE4xaunPJEhYpQlvp_7QdEzBE7ZVyENBlCBrPUTO5MxSOYC4EJcrEbRI1ImRrm4venvBnCViVe6SZpO9HZOt9z0mDB_yaTsyXmj-ImH8aL/s1600/408477_10100174004630688_1543407365_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3 sets of footprints :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQX7-9EiTEVYoS-DqWPKysKhqqju0t2SyQpEqFUm7bCJfn7iJUAr8ie2Crb4P70zreNUULr9YZv4r35EyZsr_OdW9qUAjmxEKpgo2YuQSWHxSld8ALChlpfXZWc0ewJrDq6s1MXwBI2sgJ/s1600/522615_10100199612397518_134747726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQX7-9EiTEVYoS-DqWPKysKhqqju0t2SyQpEqFUm7bCJfn7iJUAr8ie2Crb4P70zreNUULr9YZv4r35EyZsr_OdW9qUAjmxEKpgo2YuQSWHxSld8ALChlpfXZWc0ewJrDq6s1MXwBI2sgJ/s1600/522615_10100199612397518_134747726_n.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Poo ball.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDbEGSgWIyrjSFE1mSMK8nWJqwGZiSB8qlvjMO1DhIqQMDdnxnxEUR9-x-VmsNQkRkiOPOXDBWhhxVCi9LCHGJdfvjHJvwIA_B1GuJBRcfwzbohAyuiHmK9VilIL7UV0GW35F4lhPcg84/s1600/578575_10100199707287358_68314181_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDbEGSgWIyrjSFE1mSMK8nWJqwGZiSB8qlvjMO1DhIqQMDdnxnxEUR9-x-VmsNQkRkiOPOXDBWhhxVCi9LCHGJdfvjHJvwIA_B1GuJBRcfwzbohAyuiHmK9VilIL7UV0GW35F4lhPcg84/s1600/578575_10100199707287358_68314181_n.jpg" height="640" width="384" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sleepin' cozy compared to her days on the streets.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUHX7p-wFXsxMB9n8DmmXK62kjG3EA5v7H19gsZCdrzvPbcNH4XfIGmGT9ir7yoDxjt29N2HtdBMFIniGqCUG0m_fQUfvGdVfQ0xrJEJY3FR_linqAt06k2MKxks-gMEeLIOCoY8BZivI/s1600/578465_10100199826658138_1360863489_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUHX7p-wFXsxMB9n8DmmXK62kjG3EA5v7H19gsZCdrzvPbcNH4XfIGmGT9ir7yoDxjt29N2HtdBMFIniGqCUG0m_fQUfvGdVfQ0xrJEJY3FR_linqAt06k2MKxks-gMEeLIOCoY8BZivI/s1600/578465_10100199826658138_1360863489_n.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
By the fireplace.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQD4Jy-BhG-Lqq6XPe1OyIPcQMfsL-q3R7mprb8PUJ_S4nX__WOxbrMNbRla7JCF__UYQaTSUhCdBUcOiXRgMJXZ7jkhk2IrWgWMHT502GsxLS4h7rhnCqL34BYWWE6PP8EUzgrnaAUXiU/s1600/72408_10100202573059328_1345510420_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQD4Jy-BhG-Lqq6XPe1OyIPcQMfsL-q3R7mprb8PUJ_S4nX__WOxbrMNbRla7JCF__UYQaTSUhCdBUcOiXRgMJXZ7jkhk2IrWgWMHT502GsxLS4h7rhnCqL34BYWWE6PP8EUzgrnaAUXiU/s1600/72408_10100202573059328_1345510420_n.jpg" height="640" width="384" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy it's the start of the weekend.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjtD2HYRbPz7wjdJnfAK3aL9PqUBZpYk2xwZ46PpFZUQcw3BowgUmjfpaFffzlmtGKja50jU0_uWC3mdn4tVDNN-ED2xQVF57abD8O3Ef8SzW1XFtrD8OGq1x5ekYW87nihWfJu3pUYbH/s1600/999372_10100267110994788_625777626_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjtD2HYRbPz7wjdJnfAK3aL9PqUBZpYk2xwZ46PpFZUQcw3BowgUmjfpaFffzlmtGKja50jU0_uWC3mdn4tVDNN-ED2xQVF57abD8O3Ef8SzW1XFtrD8OGq1x5ekYW87nihWfJu3pUYbH/s1600/999372_10100267110994788_625777626_n.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Couch Poo-tato.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVzD9ARBUEUXr67WoqaORsHNlPQi5b0NnifuIJV-19UqJHZFdkvZ2F22IqlQBW0wpN7eCnRggYYMFQLDFeL5pqTbNbH-28b39L4ZmI-8kTBCPfUMBmrDJqvUyxepgbNGkWqLtl3wpcMjt/s1600/431951_10100219164355238_1315977157_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVzD9ARBUEUXr67WoqaORsHNlPQi5b0NnifuIJV-19UqJHZFdkvZ2F22IqlQBW0wpN7eCnRggYYMFQLDFeL5pqTbNbH-28b39L4ZmI-8kTBCPfUMBmrDJqvUyxepgbNGkWqLtl3wpcMjt/s1600/431951_10100219164355238_1315977157_n.jpg" height="640" width="384" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Runnin' errands with mama.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRWT2Fr2m1JqixFdnRLQytfmJ7qqd86b-Hw_a7WvMLmppWdLwegEeiFH0j-oaaGIh2gBP7j7UkqZPSVD90HwXM9a21uNf8bxAx_RxR3Mzywa1E9KewDdwRmCmjGWDiUFY7b37KNAjF40J/s1600/310076_10100230883859258_664710918_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRWT2Fr2m1JqixFdnRLQytfmJ7qqd86b-Hw_a7WvMLmppWdLwegEeiFH0j-oaaGIh2gBP7j7UkqZPSVD90HwXM9a21uNf8bxAx_RxR3Mzywa1E9KewDdwRmCmjGWDiUFY7b37KNAjF40J/s1600/310076_10100230883859258_664710918_n.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Porch Poo.</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/AVvXsEiOkiS19kzgxFEVXNcN8W7SUPnP7uJCdcVsF3ctTSzuXP0tHBFUXVRjlcq7-GW7WtM_0-O4mh9S820uFh27jBvcS1dz7j6lWonAffAQRa6drplqdClHNyLMOH-kXB0mL5lWZzEAo3ewq65L/s1600/1009790_10100271729279708_453395871_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkiS19kzgxFEVXNcN8W7SUPnP7uJCdcVsF3ctTSzuXP0tHBFUXVRjlcq7-GW7WtM_0-O4mh9S820uFh27jBvcS1dz7j6lWonAffAQRa6drplqdClHNyLMOH-kXB0mL5lWZzEAo3ewq65L/s1600/1009790_10100271729279708_453395871_n.jpg" height="400" width="226" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hot summer dayz.</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/AVvXsEjmlE-_Wn5X51DqC8dz-ZAFip1FetePg9eGUKXARoFXtS2z5fxN1GKMO1FdnJjjv-WTSaIk_HG1UsW516lvemDjHXBOD4LzlJ09jlO_uExHvsQwefQh8e0LjYV4px6PP9bdibTJsPI8NL1_/s1600/unnamed+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlE-_Wn5X51DqC8dz-ZAFip1FetePg9eGUKXARoFXtS2z5fxN1GKMO1FdnJjjv-WTSaIk_HG1UsW516lvemDjHXBOD4LzlJ09jlO_uExHvsQwefQh8e0LjYV4px6PP9bdibTJsPI8NL1_/s1600/unnamed+(1).jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Trying to get a shot of her smiling.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43gnuIKBEJHQflFgizoKROyirln-yLdmMfEdtDNRDbgTyWkgTlNknqS4uCG0IXVZbsotc1MbmMZ4nzqFIQsEmflCRM940gb3JfDvPuE85olcVX3GuOk9kenfeUkofhqGZ-Y5XHLP9Ibdx/s1600/unnamed+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj43gnuIKBEJHQflFgizoKROyirln-yLdmMfEdtDNRDbgTyWkgTlNknqS4uCG0IXVZbsotc1MbmMZ4nzqFIQsEmflCRM940gb3JfDvPuE85olcVX3GuOk9kenfeUkofhqGZ-Y5XHLP9Ibdx/s1600/unnamed+%25282%2529.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" 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/AVvXsEjf8oPUO3LuolIgCAfbhgSWRKzfrY61SoU_d2sxolqjcOfhSnPwqceGPDHgglPxDvKdhBKyKIIf-n7DgLnE7R2UYWWB95JqgLB-ojBCUPZVXn0JU_HmHK_TTS0pvJ1yiC1lAQPo0rrvj51G/s1600/unnamed+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf8oPUO3LuolIgCAfbhgSWRKzfrY61SoU_d2sxolqjcOfhSnPwqceGPDHgglPxDvKdhBKyKIIf-n7DgLnE7R2UYWWB95JqgLB-ojBCUPZVXn0JU_HmHK_TTS0pvJ1yiC1lAQPo0rrvj51G/s1600/unnamed+%25283%2529.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPXya9dQQ9SN5fM_Ur6s5s7a1TTkZdWnVhaUlwlJ6w5l8f2Fx3yvSpNhSPudR_UIZKcnRFC22U0a0p8sFwY6eagtSRwJMYnzSncI_LOHl8OHdGtYATtmS-mw7vxKQ1lT0sXvwvyS_IF0M/s1600/unnamed+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWPXya9dQQ9SN5fM_Ur6s5s7a1TTkZdWnVhaUlwlJ6w5l8f2Fx3yvSpNhSPudR_UIZKcnRFC22U0a0p8sFwY6eagtSRwJMYnzSncI_LOHl8OHdGtYATtmS-mw7vxKQ1lT0sXvwvyS_IF0M/s1600/unnamed+%25285%2529.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
*yawn*</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/AVvXsEgN0NesTBo0Mx021VvoQaJsyqjeODz0Ufd2kMddZq15jZ48p3TxFSU6AiWcYJwlPt1lOkg4MimN0Qx2hk2A9grfNpFesdVaKcSgHe9zONiYafIgH9V8kwHsEw1OKPTgBSUUYmXKgG2jHyOr/s1600/unnamed+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0NesTBo0Mx021VvoQaJsyqjeODz0Ufd2kMddZq15jZ48p3TxFSU6AiWcYJwlPt1lOkg4MimN0Qx2hk2A9grfNpFesdVaKcSgHe9zONiYafIgH9V8kwHsEw1OKPTgBSUUYmXKgG2jHyOr/s1600/unnamed+%25284%2529.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"What's that?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIopDPN3ezrh9VM_sFqZ0SNyPu42GDyeanKlkXcDY-hHAERrLjMXW4jBMJOFJ_J4K_woX8WGdmfzV4DHhQUjsadphpyJx1fH7Sum3JkgMjCQfIFnYgjZ_nVOgmt1ckoDsY52ZnvCk65H9/s1600/unnamed+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIopDPN3ezrh9VM_sFqZ0SNyPu42GDyeanKlkXcDY-hHAERrLjMXW4jBMJOFJ_J4K_woX8WGdmfzV4DHhQUjsadphpyJx1fH7Sum3JkgMjCQfIFnYgjZ_nVOgmt1ckoDsY52ZnvCk65H9/s1600/unnamed+%25286%2529.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
There it is :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIPoR1sFQQjUfzsRGNk6FGF_144UtHDdPcblWMSV1WMkrgjcBaEYlWFOk1HU_7O3WPhVY-yLOhawGgtVL2tt-aZPK6ztYluUJEvXadfw_7pachoKiazDqZ9GNFtxp3SsNrp8r_8FKdX5e/s1600/999585_10100295964427278_467832551_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIPoR1sFQQjUfzsRGNk6FGF_144UtHDdPcblWMSV1WMkrgjcBaEYlWFOk1HU_7O3WPhVY-yLOhawGgtVL2tt-aZPK6ztYluUJEvXadfw_7pachoKiazDqZ9GNFtxp3SsNrp8r_8FKdX5e/s1600/999585_10100295964427278_467832551_n.jpg" height="400" width="226" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Out and about on campus.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafARA19OdIDk5K2k4f7cKhKZsdJiJ56haLjpEp_fB-ln-MBRGJICoYpU6oHgVxoMJTrIuwLnNfoVSr4KZFt3J6Bz0JPzpGDKZO8tYV7mrcfAjE2xEFxTAcISs6CZo50qgZ_AAkV2SCFWR/s1600/1185198_10100302059797108_1701802269_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafARA19OdIDk5K2k4f7cKhKZsdJiJ56haLjpEp_fB-ln-MBRGJICoYpU6oHgVxoMJTrIuwLnNfoVSr4KZFt3J6Bz0JPzpGDKZO8tYV7mrcfAjE2xEFxTAcISs6CZo50qgZ_AAkV2SCFWR/s1600/1185198_10100302059797108_1701802269_n.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB35GYPiDYVf385cEYOCocZwPveA9cxn99pPORhwa9zT31lPzL3ir8X782BMukIY3StQ_RVK_qYhS4jutDB1xjrzvHrcqLYyGLEcpaMQBO2faTC6xG8P53ritBOeD67UHIagGkG2Iael28/s1600/1422581_10100347663921078_1956711957_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB35GYPiDYVf385cEYOCocZwPveA9cxn99pPORhwa9zT31lPzL3ir8X782BMukIY3StQ_RVK_qYhS4jutDB1xjrzvHrcqLYyGLEcpaMQBO2faTC6xG8P53ritBOeD67UHIagGkG2Iael28/s1600/1422581_10100347663921078_1956711957_n.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadQ4Z_NqBc3pgf2MdjeFnuzUJePD_6s6zCRd0s08lD0av2Wg-nTQdvkKU8f27Yj6yHxeRepFfUKY4aKBTsZSgWXixin2KjRi24skg23AmlEwaJMGXU6XIjpwIgaI-ocjE9lzX5s2lgJwl/s1600/1450841_10100360790415478_1885568545_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadQ4Z_NqBc3pgf2MdjeFnuzUJePD_6s6zCRd0s08lD0av2Wg-nTQdvkKU8f27Yj6yHxeRepFfUKY4aKBTsZSgWXixin2KjRi24skg23AmlEwaJMGXU6XIjpwIgaI-ocjE9lzX5s2lgJwl/s1600/1450841_10100360790415478_1885568545_n.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Aww! </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/AVvXsEjKYvuaL7ElKfWifn9CzGTLPGRQGCIAtGcrSUnd4Ij_GOz6nryWnQSYBY2EQfqyknFP28EApwN1NX73I-EewGmwa9xxK2pnFBciOhKRFvJh4g3GZOofx5Ayxd29LsJCupQI2ii8DYovEcM4/s1600/1461043_10100351740686208_1449437870_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYvuaL7ElKfWifn9CzGTLPGRQGCIAtGcrSUnd4Ij_GOz6nryWnQSYBY2EQfqyknFP28EApwN1NX73I-EewGmwa9xxK2pnFBciOhKRFvJh4g3GZOofx5Ayxd29LsJCupQI2ii8DYovEcM4/s1600/1461043_10100351740686208_1449437870_n.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"I've been out here, like, a whole hour, guys."</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/AVvXsEjlar-Q_WRWu_1gwp9j2F6QXKBzI-xu5-Jtqjit_clMRLiNWjcWoo0-lMlVrvAkAna2snc9JDHaRvf47DCPVY3tY1addBXnbhRxngXrP41FjTPOf_UkJ2a3Bvux4s7jYt9DOSb_pFkxJVdz/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlar-Q_WRWu_1gwp9j2F6QXKBzI-xu5-Jtqjit_clMRLiNWjcWoo0-lMlVrvAkAna2snc9JDHaRvf47DCPVY3tY1addBXnbhRxngXrP41FjTPOf_UkJ2a3Bvux4s7jYt9DOSb_pFkxJVdz/s1600/untitled.bmp" height="321" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Belly rubs?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HGyqtYvY5IYInGBKpt3tT9WSth1NB5ZE03lXeXo3wPrJomfRtF7GhfkNrcVwyczdp7kuV2IqMaaaqi9-ji8cgSmjH2NRhWrqNo_Y0lXnCw126t0f8v6NF2yIHhAkpLkjNptuE-8K951W/s1600/1526803_10100379461258958_391485227_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HGyqtYvY5IYInGBKpt3tT9WSth1NB5ZE03lXeXo3wPrJomfRtF7GhfkNrcVwyczdp7kuV2IqMaaaqi9-ji8cgSmjH2NRhWrqNo_Y0lXnCw126t0f8v6NF2yIHhAkpLkjNptuE-8K951W/s1600/1526803_10100379461258958_391485227_n.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Beauty shot.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVgzimmZy8R8y3LpjYHVjvzjgadc7o5thO5SvR1wIdwukoF35ZSUPEK629-FnkUzIMO3GL7ZFe4IlHGIN27NmyExN_8deQSSrTqmlKefxKw34VG7cd8YIteiGrjZZC6CYou7Xk67MKS5g/s1600/1505191_10202914807651362_1632851080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVgzimmZy8R8y3LpjYHVjvzjgadc7o5thO5SvR1wIdwukoF35ZSUPEK629-FnkUzIMO3GL7ZFe4IlHGIN27NmyExN_8deQSSrTqmlKefxKw34VG7cd8YIteiGrjZZC6CYou7Xk67MKS5g/s1600/1505191_10202914807651362_1632851080_n.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The two of us conked out after moving day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here's to you, sweet girl, and to all the joys awaiting us in the years to come. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Always,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Kimberly</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-14707197170383460622014-01-10T21:16:00.001-05:002014-01-10T21:16:36.041-05:00Home 2014New Year's Goal 1: Survive Moving.<br />
The furniture is out, boxes have been packed and moved, utility companies have been called, and I made it out alive with only a bruise the length of half my thigh from dropping a large box of heavy winter coats. Phew! With 20+ moves between my husband and myself in the past 10 years, which not only includes our own personal moves but also helping different friends, two sets of grandparents, and a friend of ours' grandparents, the process of moving always sends us into a rage to purge. As we pack and pack (and continue packing in the case of grandparents who have an entire lifetime's worth of belongings), we start examining our own home and asking ourselves what is "extra," what can we unload because we aren't using it, or we just don't like it any more, or we don't want our kids to go through all of this stuff later on and ask "why did she keep old, used kitchen sponges, broken lamps, and Mormon pamphlets?" When we get like this, the trash bag finds itself full of papers, old bills and receipts and holiday cards that somehow made it to the bottom of the filing cabinet unfiled, and boxes get stuffed with all kinds of things like clothes and those random figurines and plushies that somehow end up lying about even though we don't have kids. But now it's time to get serious, which leads us to goal 2.<br />
<br />
Goal 2: Settle Our New Home<br />
Along with moving out of the apartment, we have also collected the last items that were spread among various family member's houses, so finally all of our belongings are consolidated under one roof. Now it's time to go through it all and ask the hard questions. Do we need boxes of every stuffed animal we ever had growing up? Do I need my college graduation memorabilia bears and "2008" balloons? Will my children really want my original Power Ranger and Barney & Friends VHS tapes? These are the hard questions, dear friends. And the truth is simple: "no and probably not." With every move made these past three years we have managed to lessen the load, but as life happens, stuff happens, and with it comes more stuff.<br />
<br />
"Home" has weighed heavy on my mind this month; so much change happened in the course of two months, with my husband's great-grandmother moving, working over time, finals, us moving, and school starting up again, things have been in such a state of upheaval that my routine has crumbled. My goals for 2014 simply surround the home and settling in so we can pick up where we were and make it even better!<br />
<br />
Goal 3: Develop Our New *Homestead* !<br />
With a backyard and a much larger kitchen than I've had lately, James and I are looking forward to turning this little place into our own sort of urban homestead. We hope to be able to take this lot of earth we have been blessed with and see if we can't turn it into something workable and beautiful.<br />
<br />
Goal 4: Keep Blogging!<br />
And with all of these things, I want to keep writing and sharing on this blog our achievements and trials, tests and home runs. My goals are to share more recipes in <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/p/kimberlys-kitchen.html" target="_blank">Kimberly's Kitchen</a>, learn how to take better photographs, and create a new section to chronicle our homesteading venture.<br />
<br />
And most importantly,<br />
<br />
Goal <i>Always</i>: <span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><b>"</b></span></span><span class="text Mark-12-30" id="en-NASB-24704" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength</span>.’</span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Mark-12-31" id="en-NASB-24705" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">The second is this, ‘<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-24705B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">You shall love your neighbor as yourself</span>.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31 NASB)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Mark-12-31" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Mark-12-31" style="background-color: white;"><span class="woj">I pray that 2014 is another year to continue to follow the Lord's plan for our lives, which is better than any we could ever plan for ourselves, and to grow in our walk of love with Him. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
Always,<br />
Kimberly<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-61442531474240029852014-01-06T11:08:00.000-05:002014-01-06T11:08:49.569-05:00A Frosty New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutfr6bNJEmWmzXz1DrgNpBbZm09dH77Z5mVuuTrs-Ml36CwkkQV0sKQO6AgaleTZxzeQlFarvpoD75rvj3XDLjxGYclSr984grs7yW9osmh-ItE1xInzrhR8d9zygMlRb2p9wyo5vNhxU/s640/IMG_20140106_093045_891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutfr6bNJEmWmzXz1DrgNpBbZm09dH77Z5mVuuTrs-Ml36CwkkQV0sKQO6AgaleTZxzeQlFarvpoD75rvj3XDLjxGYclSr984grs7yW9osmh-ItE1xInzrhR8d9zygMlRb2p9wyo5vNhxU/s640/IMG_20140106_093045_891.jpg" /></a>I hope that everyone has had a good start to the New Year thus far! Over here at the Meyers' we are in the middle of major changes, so please bear with me as I may be a little light on posts the next couple of weeks. We are in the process of moving out of our apartment and into the lovely house that my husband's great-grandmother used to live in. So 2014 for us has pretty much started at a run - there's just so much to do! And I admit I have been a bit overwhelmed with the idea of moving again. Upon reflection, I realized that over the past 10 years my belongings and I have moved 9 times, and three of those moves were across the country. And now, in the middle of all this, temperatures here in the U.S. are reaching <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2014/01/06/polar-vortex-pushes-subzero-temps-into-midwest/4335777/" target="_blank">record level lows</a> in what's being called a "polar vortex." Southern states, like Tennessee, are seeing single digit lows, which hasn't happened in over a decade. <i>Alas</i>, there's a lot going on. Despite the challenges, I can't help but be amazed at just how very blessed we are to move into this new home; it's the most square footage we've ever lived in together, there's a yard for <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/search/label/fiona" target="_blank">Fiona</a>, space to grow herbs, fruits, and vegetables, a garage for a workshop and craft room, and a beautiful atrium for a new <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/07/flowers-of-deck.html" target="_blank">flower garden</a>. I am <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/p/hcsb-large-print-compact-burgundy.html" target="_blank">currently reading</a> <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Urban-Homestead-Expanded-Revised-Edition/dp/1934170100" target="_blank">The Urban Homestead</a></u> by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen, imagining all of the things we can do with this property, and I admit I am very excited. One of my goals for 2014 is to try my hand at canning and wouldn't it be neat for the produce to come from our own garden? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm really looking forward to seeing what 2014 brings, excited to settle our new home and start a homesteading venture with the love of my life, and Lord willing it will be a year of growing, production, and productivity.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Always,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kimberly</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutfr6bNJEmWmzXz1DrgNpBbZm09dH77Z5mVuuTrs-Ml36CwkkQV0sKQO6AgaleTZxzeQlFarvpoD75rvj3XDLjxGYclSr984grs7yW9osmh-ItE1xInzrhR8d9zygMlRb2p9wyo5vNhxU/s640/IMG_20140106_093045_891.jpg" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutfr6bNJEmWmzXz1DrgNpBbZm09dH77Z5mVuuTrs-Ml36CwkkQV0sKQO6AgaleTZxzeQlFarvpoD75rvj3XDLjxGYclSr984grs7yW9osmh-ItE1xInzrhR8d9zygMlRb2p9wyo5vNhxU/s640/IMG_20140106_093045_891.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Flh5.ggpht.com%2F-bXCIzYROSzk%2FUsq-aL9OTQI%2FAAAAAAAAA4M%2FFQEQIvzzdyY%2Fs640%2FIMG_20140106_093045_891.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutfr6bNJEmWmzXz1DrgNpBbZm09dH77Z5mVuuTrs-Ml36CwkkQV0sKQO6AgaleTZxzeQlFarvpoD75rvj3XDLjxGYclSr984grs7yW9osmh-ItE1xInzrhR8d9zygMlRb2p9wyo5vNhxU/s640/IMG_20140106_093045_891.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-9970974222169409142013-12-24T15:45:00.002-05:002013-12-24T15:45:19.439-05:00Happy Christmas Eve!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Joy and good tidings! Christmas is tomorrow!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVRCjiL2nARt14Zm6HrDBuSDZh9Wn-Gy1Yz2cO-cmZWZpLkZTaBWXugbgsL9HjbKNFLVKfFJgtDBM4_M8AKxGM8VaH8MbhMeYv5zUfy1X9Gqq5tu_wslgSFKjdkIt9Hj_ZtQCyvXQj8z-/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVRCjiL2nARt14Zm6HrDBuSDZh9Wn-Gy1Yz2cO-cmZWZpLkZTaBWXugbgsL9HjbKNFLVKfFJgtDBM4_M8AKxGM8VaH8MbhMeYv5zUfy1X9Gqq5tu_wslgSFKjdkIt9Hj_ZtQCyvXQj8z-/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" height="381" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Isn't this nativity scene cute? It's a throwback to the vintage wooden Christmas figure ornaments that I remember from my parents' tree, and I just love it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
I'm glad to say that all of the Christmas cards went out in the mail yesterday (hopefully some local addresses were delivered today??). They're a little late, I know, but things have been so busy these past several weeks with helping our great-grandmother, who's ninety-seven, move into her new apartment and working every day that I'm just happy I found time to write them this year. I love Christmas cards and sending them out is a tradition I try to keep up. This year the card theme could be called "in-the-nick-of-time mishmash;" after digging through the Christmas bins in the garage, I managed to pull out what I could find, which resulted in three very different card designs - classic Christmas stockings, turtledoves, and Japanese winter scenes - making it out to family and friends. Oh well! Just wait for next year! And besides, the scripture written inside is the best part anyway (Isaiah 9:6-7).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Speaking of Christmas cards, I received a letter in the mail from the Women's Ministry at church, and I wanted to share it with you:</div>
<br />
<blockquote>
Dear Friend,</blockquote>
<blockquote>
We just want to say how great it was to see you at <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/12/ladies-christmas-tea-2013-decorating.html" target="_blank">Silverdale Baptist Church's 2013 Candlelight Christmas Tea</a>. This event would not have been the same without you. Meeting new people and smiling faces has always been one of our favorite things about the Tea. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
So, have you thought about <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/12/make-room.html" target="_blank">Making Room</a> for Christ in your life? If you have given your life to Christ, then consider if you have allowed the world's demands to squeeze Him out. Of course, we know that once we have become a follower of Christ, we can't lose our salvation. However, we can drift into living daily with little or no thought of Him! It happens quietly. The world gets louder and all of a sudden, we don't hear God anymore. He WANTS to give us direction, comfort, wisdom, and hope. Once we realize our hearts and minds are full of the clutter of this world, we simply need to intentionally turn our focus back onto the only One worthy of our focus. The One who died on our behalf, paying the penalty for our sin, Jesus Christ. It is a weighty thing! </blockquote>
<blockquote>
Plant yourself in a church where you can grow and serve. From today forward, make up your mind to allow God the room to move in your heart.</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Merry Christmas,<br />
Silverdale Women's Ministry </blockquote>
<blockquote>
"Christ came that you might have life abundantly!"<br />
John 10:10</blockquote>
<br />
Isn't that just a lovely letter?<br />
<br />
Tonight, the church will hold their annual candlelight service, which is always one of my favorite times of the year, because we get to sing Christmas carols and hear the nativity story. I remember my first Christmas as a new believer a couple of years ago and just how different it was. What used to be just a day to see what presents I got under the tree, to eat and watch R-rated movies (basically a day all about me) was transformed into a day of celebration because our "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6) was born to save!<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas one and all! I hope it's fantastic!<br />
<br />
Always,<br />
KimberlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-7327827947470907612013-12-23T14:54:00.000-05:002013-12-23T14:54:53.420-05:00Homemade Gifts: Origami Christmas Tree Ornament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Two years ago, James and I gave handcrafted <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2011/12/a-holiday-engagement-party.html" target="_blank">origami crane ornaments</a> to the guests of our engagement party, and we were excited to get to do something like it again this year! So our small token of appreciation for each of the lovely women who joined me at this year's <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/12/ladies-christmas-tea-2013-decorating.html" target="_blank">Ladies Christmas Tea</a> were these beautiful origami Christmas tree ornaments.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea8Kbuq_9OP-5GenfpwT1I5096l1Gyejglw3MUtRKuWtmuDB80RfXCMjFDqymGk6Qs4Od8Um0uX2cYqTE_7tqdm2Kng6yB5ajCOrIBub8h9-ZklBJxVFwM7u6p-v2C4T8kek2shAS6UmZ/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea8Kbuq_9OP-5GenfpwT1I5096l1Gyejglw3MUtRKuWtmuDB80RfXCMjFDqymGk6Qs4Od8Um0uX2cYqTE_7tqdm2Kng6yB5ajCOrIBub8h9-ZklBJxVFwM7u6p-v2C4T8kek2shAS6UmZ/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I folded the fantastic geometric Christmas trees based on <a href="http://www.shakespeare-w.com/japanese_lessons/how-to-make-origami-christmas-tree/1210/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> and used my favorite beads by <a href="http://www.swarovski-elements.com/home/index.en.html" target="_blank">Swarovski Elements</a> to create the sparkly star detail at the top. I hope you enjoy! If you have any questions on how to make these yourselves, please leave a comment. I'd be happy to help!<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Origami Christmas Tree Ornament</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<i>Materials:</i><br />
Origami paper 6"x6"<br />
Sewing needle<br />
Black twine<br />
Swarovski Elements Faceted Beads (assorted colors)<br />
Swarovski Elements Rondelle Crystals<br />
Scissors<br />
Elmer's rubber cement<br />
Paper clip<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<i>Time:</i> 20 minutes<br />
<br />
<i>Directions:</i><br />
Fold the origami tree. String needle with twine. Tie string ends into a knot and pierce needle through top of tree, gently pulling until the knot is secured inside. String beads, then add glue to each piece to secure them to together and to the tree. Cut twine and knot the string to create your ornament loop. To make the ornament more "sturdy," carefully add glue to the inside creases of the tree base. Use a paper clip to clip it together, wait about five minutes, then remove the clip and gently unfold.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVqhc5lhVxjUlbW4CQHlWjAXE63ymWmKRnK4RzdL5pda6LEuNbaQKmLdD1_42x9lN5D7tlE-DyAlwfI5I0Yz7Tg2JQUhHuqt2EOlgqqHFR3TLlCMwdob-IIID1QTN5flOIAH5zaiUM2Gl/s1600/IMG_0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVqhc5lhVxjUlbW4CQHlWjAXE63ymWmKRnK4RzdL5pda6LEuNbaQKmLdD1_42x9lN5D7tlE-DyAlwfI5I0Yz7Tg2JQUhHuqt2EOlgqqHFR3TLlCMwdob-IIID1QTN5flOIAH5zaiUM2Gl/s1600/IMG_0998.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEgZqH1fi3wSXE2hTEi05olJAUUP2RniUVWAhM5EQlnk7YeGYbXt9CnIYvxV4mJfc69kD5k3-I7oQu9zRpU2Wi435wXKn2VRN43T0yLdGlvIDbpTHWiSEOrozPjv8AjLdPn6lxqOMiXBsM7x/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqH1fi3wSXE2hTEi05olJAUUP2RniUVWAhM5EQlnk7YeGYbXt9CnIYvxV4mJfc69kD5k3-I7oQu9zRpU2Wi435wXKn2VRN43T0yLdGlvIDbpTHWiSEOrozPjv8AjLdPn6lxqOMiXBsM7x/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEh3aEYLgIkIlDMplOAx_kJg6FzaWj_M6FqJGbss9wREmCcQKWtcHmZurIIPYJmKOk1fOsfrCo6ffSnPf-_Sd3cqc17_Fg_GdgcQ2Fp1rnA2bWiuK63NYm0p9lQUnEXCEPfRWa4J5KmQAO45/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aEYLgIkIlDMplOAx_kJg6FzaWj_M6FqJGbss9wREmCcQKWtcHmZurIIPYJmKOk1fOsfrCo6ffSnPf-_Sd3cqc17_Fg_GdgcQ2Fp1rnA2bWiuK63NYm0p9lQUnEXCEPfRWa4J5KmQAO45/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEjPCXjOtY2ytGO5r5S826Y8b_vFGZspSOdvHaDB_aJNm1RLJWnqHDPqSZNOlD3XASfx6SsxZwklbQBvdoXyf_doT2e4kMIwpVzcBbEEPMl6oaEeiqBHu1pz0wXF5fdyeltFGnQz3y2241ub/s1600/IMG_1022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCXjOtY2ytGO5r5S826Y8b_vFGZspSOdvHaDB_aJNm1RLJWnqHDPqSZNOlD3XASfx6SsxZwklbQBvdoXyf_doT2e4kMIwpVzcBbEEPMl6oaEeiqBHu1pz0wXF5fdyeltFGnQz3y2241ub/s1600/IMG_1022.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyeHYw7OA9YmXh_t7ghEy7n24JSMn7vckWChHMDfAzBMQEBWNb_f_1fqHqgsgJ7iklKKdq0n60-PUA0FBb1o_-9nbcBHHyqZyDRn7L7VSOla3PQoEMBakon5Pl_P2pGIzxFBjSgiU3hMs/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyeHYw7OA9YmXh_t7ghEy7n24JSMn7vckWChHMDfAzBMQEBWNb_f_1fqHqgsgJ7iklKKdq0n60-PUA0FBb1o_-9nbcBHHyqZyDRn7L7VSOla3PQoEMBakon5Pl_P2pGIzxFBjSgiU3hMs/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuiWuG6bzaM0VzmGu6Q5oOE5pxJyAEfxx2SM1rM7nw0XDaMfhE-ZHnDx6K42hthad5nKiENWQt3Z2J59wX1yJri0TD0bZZYsnLQ406NOGPsQvJryKRLR6ZA6NbRVQF2iU5pv7omYaJFTr/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuiWuG6bzaM0VzmGu6Q5oOE5pxJyAEfxx2SM1rM7nw0XDaMfhE-ZHnDx6K42hthad5nKiENWQt3Z2J59wX1yJri0TD0bZZYsnLQ406NOGPsQvJryKRLR6ZA6NbRVQF2iU5pv7omYaJFTr/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaxU6iac98eH3fcLybKxhrzwJ8mVMdnn3qDD4xnCr-v1NsB8YfOi2ikrMC4-cu7f5_ZFRU0ey-1njiitbfKqa3-Zvquo0iOGKmfZ9o2wlBTlK2wOalMUYG1jchT-bWeap8hsoYTHA176Y/s1600/IMG_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaxU6iac98eH3fcLybKxhrzwJ8mVMdnn3qDD4xnCr-v1NsB8YfOi2ikrMC4-cu7f5_ZFRU0ey-1njiitbfKqa3-Zvquo0iOGKmfZ9o2wlBTlK2wOalMUYG1jchT-bWeap8hsoYTHA176Y/s1600/IMG_1006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-VDe-HFw6sOP6nfjrirKeU5Bxn9nmnOP_C6eL6ZW2HFP7IpflDyJQ588Ax76cBMAD6eDUSUBhXmbap7ZZFV1YjGG09-oP_1y9FzGksexJMtkdAWo4WNN1sNfts-hE7u8bn65NWKld8Ph/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-VDe-HFw6sOP6nfjrirKeU5Bxn9nmnOP_C6eL6ZW2HFP7IpflDyJQ588Ax76cBMAD6eDUSUBhXmbap7ZZFV1YjGG09-oP_1y9FzGksexJMtkdAWo4WNN1sNfts-hE7u8bn65NWKld8Ph/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR8Xznl2ro3piHtn9nmNDlb_yMFJw_p4VTH-YEpxfTAc9Ixd4fsayXNpMGxWD70HkRIExxRtQDkPMW6vbif1npsm_rnJteu3YxfwWs3gndnAFSrwf1UkeSL3Xg1O2B5GGks0EC3iHZF2q/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR8Xznl2ro3piHtn9nmNDlb_yMFJw_p4VTH-YEpxfTAc9Ixd4fsayXNpMGxWD70HkRIExxRtQDkPMW6vbif1npsm_rnJteu3YxfwWs3gndnAFSrwf1UkeSL3Xg1O2B5GGks0EC3iHZF2q/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCw3zTFG9ygvNvmN65T1LKKxur7RoOuzS07xbh-92SYSYOkW2kn42JI8_iw38VgkUwaVNqcD8O17WynjIBH4POYl5LA8maGLX-torNpBXqKkac8-vKFKtJRYedmFkWxg4sA2snPXkcFLX/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCw3zTFG9ygvNvmN65T1LKKxur7RoOuzS07xbh-92SYSYOkW2kn42JI8_iw38VgkUwaVNqcD8O17WynjIBH4POYl5LA8maGLX-torNpBXqKkac8-vKFKtJRYedmFkWxg4sA2snPXkcFLX/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZQ828PGYeFhGxA53rY8xFpsXzipYe47WmySTElZANfKIwWchJrJBTCeP4Y2cARzg8_RFzfG-c3MoGDxZIsqBUmSjXRHvBGCRSSRl44g28hMalutvw8HwCgD5kfZQXrzXdfYZiepRZApE/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZQ828PGYeFhGxA53rY8xFpsXzipYe47WmySTElZANfKIwWchJrJBTCeP4Y2cARzg8_RFzfG-c3MoGDxZIsqBUmSjXRHvBGCRSSRl44g28hMalutvw8HwCgD5kfZQXrzXdfYZiepRZApE/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1qqIFLAHrhjvU-IVg3tv6ePmiSZNRsvxNJ0U3OABCjLN5vTlqnDN6HFOcZe2RmAR2S9MKnvcejMY7loTnQ0pE3d-f7wOFFFfvaBXp5VKDBDVIbk2toXOlx6XvGlY8xqhlbeIvo0QFqCB/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1qqIFLAHrhjvU-IVg3tv6ePmiSZNRsvxNJ0U3OABCjLN5vTlqnDN6HFOcZe2RmAR2S9MKnvcejMY7loTnQ0pE3d-f7wOFFFfvaBXp5VKDBDVIbk2toXOlx6XvGlY8xqhlbeIvo0QFqCB/s1600/IMG_1011.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<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/AVvXsEiBk57uFwTMLFhAUx7bcSxxcYEaAAEbKvVajw5yEKZpEnU53i08AVPZIzqSqkWKPdStH42W3f9jYScruw5cQLS0hyphenhyphen8qJ1TBTk4XoLVevyPmCkUTkD9yfCVENTJHkwGK0XgM7hI2PDkivSqA/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBk57uFwTMLFhAUx7bcSxxcYEaAAEbKvVajw5yEKZpEnU53i08AVPZIzqSqkWKPdStH42W3f9jYScruw5cQLS0hyphenhyphen8qJ1TBTk4XoLVevyPmCkUTkD9yfCVENTJHkwGK0XgM7hI2PDkivSqA/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8WXY7yy5a6aPpIXtuqr1U2bYtVw9B74jiqTd1gwiEOZ2Yc8pOj7mds1B7wq6YpYCQ2MhjeF9wo9t95u6NTk9khLyrxUi51doSTyqdAch78peoQOPEG9mdWrkcvfhSudGsiJ4JBgceDLb/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8WXY7yy5a6aPpIXtuqr1U2bYtVw9B74jiqTd1gwiEOZ2Yc8pOj7mds1B7wq6YpYCQ2MhjeF9wo9t95u6NTk9khLyrxUi51doSTyqdAch78peoQOPEG9mdWrkcvfhSudGsiJ4JBgceDLb/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuoAHEwTyM_hNjzMuSHVaiFhvdaP_nQgI1CjE2J3P_ETpDy9fYj3uHkXNoUDKDJyGQsYOl6cBkFQmL_kSIB5HWpxuIuKTO9QuaskOF7o1xrR-AaeFGS8cMOHtZp0HHhvnveGfiTrOFLLk/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuoAHEwTyM_hNjzMuSHVaiFhvdaP_nQgI1CjE2J3P_ETpDy9fYj3uHkXNoUDKDJyGQsYOl6cBkFQmL_kSIB5HWpxuIuKTO9QuaskOF7o1xrR-AaeFGS8cMOHtZp0HHhvnveGfiTrOFLLk/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uZcxvOGe07MnC9ShL5uNf32qosJ_uFXfVxzOBbn4O18_q4iHhhugzlcSMwNNlOWzgjx2OqOKcjKvo-JzWAvUckBgyFSAKqV2nLv2AqDw9ZjovGzG2rK4ROAgNe8XsFDZwjiCkRpsyVRP/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uZcxvOGe07MnC9ShL5uNf32qosJ_uFXfVxzOBbn4O18_q4iHhhugzlcSMwNNlOWzgjx2OqOKcjKvo-JzWAvUckBgyFSAKqV2nLv2AqDw9ZjovGzG2rK4ROAgNe8XsFDZwjiCkRpsyVRP/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
<br />
Always,<br />
KimberlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-48821578706658032642013-12-18T14:25:00.000-05:002013-12-18T14:25:03.449-05:00Korean-Style Braised Mackerel (Godeungeo Jorim)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxyjDNun4hU3wkEUewg1KOFMKSWEuOQcg52PLG9lwWg7gzajD9USwxTjJ8ubtyoc4qBAmsDP2InhM-SAaBLubN1wmKSsziQOxpBHu1xZ4CyljP8x8eVBr5H0ytRis3UmQDpv9Cra_9Dc5/s1600/IMG_1092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxyjDNun4hU3wkEUewg1KOFMKSWEuOQcg52PLG9lwWg7gzajD9USwxTjJ8ubtyoc4qBAmsDP2InhM-SAaBLubN1wmKSsziQOxpBHu1xZ4CyljP8x8eVBr5H0ytRis3UmQDpv9Cra_9Dc5/s1600/IMG_1092.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To me, there is nothing on Earth more delicious to eat than Korean cuisine. It's what I think of when I think "comfort food." Full of hot spices, sour flavors, and a savoriness
that cannot be outdone, it's really a <i>Seoul</i>-ful style of food. Being half Korean, I spent a lot of time in my youth eating the delicious dishes my
"<i>halmoni</i>," grandmother, would prepare: <i>kimchi </i>(spicy fermented cabbage), <i>mandu</i> (dumplings),
<i>gimbap</i> (Korean sushi), <i>n</i><span style="background: white;"><i>aengmyeon</i> (cold noodle
soup), <i>yukaejang</i> (spicy beef and vegetable soup), <i>pajeon</i> (green onion pancakes)... </span>If I were to pick my last meal, it would be, hands down, Korean food the way my <i>halmoni</i> made it. <span style="background: white;">And today I would like to share with you one of my favorites: </span><i>godeungeo jorim</i> AKA braised mackerel. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mackerel is a fishy fish - very oily, but that makes it a
great source of omega-3 fatty acids. This braised mackerel is a very healthful
dish, and the spiciness will clear out your sinuses stat. On a 1-5 scale of spiciness, I would put this at a 4.5. It's belly-warming, mouth-burning good. Serve it with steamed rice and either steamed cabbage leaves (as I've done here) or fresh red leaf lettuce to cut some of the heat. You don't have to remove the fish bones, as they come fully cooked in the can and add a satisfying, crunchy texture (but feel free to remove them if you'd like).</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now if you're new to Korean food, </span>don't be intimidated by what I just said about the fish bones or by the ingredients on this list - fish bones are full of nutritious calcium, and the ingredients should be easy to find at your local Asian market. And <span style="font-family: inherit;">you can easily lessen the spice level by cutting back on the peppers and red chili flakes.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here we go!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Chop chop!</span></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/AVvXsEjWfFroIVfapqK3yJVCjuCgq3T53Zlv1cOIXj1_e2td9HFu6vYl-mbGHVBQuBkbOAI0aIEdE-kQJYCQfLXHvdP1SIjMXe1PNGtkguoiAxAWoDeTWwBNlzQ7qzDZ3-puJgcjABZBdF95mozk/s1600/IMG_1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfFroIVfapqK3yJVCjuCgq3T53Zlv1cOIXj1_e2td9HFu6vYl-mbGHVBQuBkbOAI0aIEdE-kQJYCQfLXHvdP1SIjMXe1PNGtkguoiAxAWoDeTWwBNlzQ7qzDZ3-puJgcjABZBdF95mozk/s1600/IMG_1082.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Strain!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHYrQwgmYE5Zf3L-HfmKLZEhB7MzBtO-V8Nv844JX3Sh6sYjiTc2Ri4Y4IsG6CqYGcP2iGYQFN4bvUbHo4VosOZp-lMS9BwChTbuI_mI_IXsV4lpGizxRpiAsnBwMnzV_hqkL_ePNOjQw/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHYrQwgmYE5Zf3L-HfmKLZEhB7MzBtO-V8Nv844JX3Sh6sYjiTc2Ri4Y4IsG6CqYGcP2iGYQFN4bvUbHo4VosOZp-lMS9BwChTbuI_mI_IXsV4lpGizxRpiAsnBwMnzV_hqkL_ePNOjQw/s1600/IMG_1084.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Combine!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS_wy_jspMzG7lnlqbzycIaj77ZJmFQY_aYR3DZ7P5HIeMobYfjRgScb-A2mDUrjuDSph6qAB38mQMQRh8MZ8Ae1E1E1a8-nmPYokghfPDadTX5XsmqhzAg4wTs8u8nKie1wYtFrpnGnC/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaS_wy_jspMzG7lnlqbzycIaj77ZJmFQY_aYR3DZ7P5HIeMobYfjRgScb-A2mDUrjuDSph6qAB38mQMQRh8MZ8Ae1E1E1a8-nmPYokghfPDadTX5XsmqhzAg4wTs8u8nKie1wYtFrpnGnC/s1600/IMG_1085.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Make sauce!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju7kSheOc0buMR5oL0aP8n-mCF0jO_dlGfnjTaHyhjpRWaJ3INBBxeqHdtYvLN2u8XoLGRCJKzCw4VI6z7IJcE6UVymfMCO6-FhNvg2MCpH9vYrd_QxCTfNsVrCp0gFn5Ky-v9pQ_B_Rx/s1600/IMG_1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhju7kSheOc0buMR5oL0aP8n-mCF0jO_dlGfnjTaHyhjpRWaJ3INBBxeqHdtYvLN2u8XoLGRCJKzCw4VI6z7IJcE6UVymfMCO6-FhNvg2MCpH9vYrd_QxCTfNsVrCp0gFn5Ky-v9pQ_B_Rx/s1600/IMG_1086.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Pour!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm-AmFCF2JlRNThl-IKVb29qX9S4FMePPHIbh9QZsL6N8lTCXMVpjvzbOe63H5S3UNLmPbLf_Sh2RKqHpo1HBExJJEZLiLDMNfrRhmA6rr2I9uz5xeeXNZCGHr2QdeVEtgtHqp93bH_5T/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm-AmFCF2JlRNThl-IKVb29qX9S4FMePPHIbh9QZsL6N8lTCXMVpjvzbOe63H5S3UNLmPbLf_Sh2RKqHpo1HBExJJEZLiLDMNfrRhmA6rr2I9uz5xeeXNZCGHr2QdeVEtgtHqp93bH_5T/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Drench!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIv9vfmeFLdLWRMtNRFTCKDjo6udz3Ebou48TUKlk0ti6Qa8HhY8Qvpt-j53cvh2DBYqwE4IRKRUuh2LCmrl6YXhKw47SC-KR_sY7jTAqlXgsQkrmNK2z5h2X6S2M-Qgfe57yKeCClUaZi/s1600/IMG_1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIv9vfmeFLdLWRMtNRFTCKDjo6udz3Ebou48TUKlk0ti6Qa8HhY8Qvpt-j53cvh2DBYqwE4IRKRUuh2LCmrl6YXhKw47SC-KR_sY7jTAqlXgsQkrmNK2z5h2X6S2M-Qgfe57yKeCClUaZi/s1600/IMG_1091.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="clear: left; color: black; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Boil!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6kgdZkGLL33WKuDBtKdF4Zp6wK9It25YAnmTfg8pi_1fIT0tRmbWzJ7tfNcnt87DEcxljwEWeqazvXs-c54yjr-3pV_V0hb1A3DYhUrFJ6oOM4vw0c8Zv49M-o0YbQVJ5ulE3qZ984BI/s1600/IMG_1092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6kgdZkGLL33WKuDBtKdF4Zp6wK9It25YAnmTfg8pi_1fIT0tRmbWzJ7tfNcnt87DEcxljwEWeqazvXs-c54yjr-3pV_V0hb1A3DYhUrFJ6oOM4vw0c8Zv49M-o0YbQVJ5ulE3qZ984BI/s1600/IMG_1092.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Steam!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdz5Mk10xnzfwiBFhE18zdpIqBIIFY-iRxlCbW0xp2bS6h7-Q4BflTjr2AH8vddenx-3FMCo0zjkXtOQk1mP5QeBGvPWAb90w9w0YedFwtd1cgRsRakNziQ4YsEAhXVg_I-6YK_Ne-0yGT/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdz5Mk10xnzfwiBFhE18zdpIqBIIFY-iRxlCbW0xp2bS6h7-Q4BflTjr2AH8vddenx-3FMCo0zjkXtOQk1mP5QeBGvPWAb90w9w0YedFwtd1cgRsRakNziQ4YsEAhXVg_I-6YK_Ne-0yGT/s1600/IMG_1095.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Serve! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpY9ypmVLg2sx9COpb6uT8vilVGMM7i4JKluT-u6qrprAtpkueTqyywS5RdantH9mmvW4CI-FmEp81WTXXWuke3wTNJ1fseD2wtvb8ypZtduhT8BDvRS9_glRcCp_H3wc-p7nGU8-Z7B9/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH951Fb0fou_4vNK1iE-Ia0T3wrnx685X-hSbSY7OHfMKIE-RXM6Adw4hh2v6PDgrM6zaoTEfyZJMcl6pPsKkxxxYLWbRdLu8qYOyK2s08nl4cSF6xR0DweLtCTEIumXSXdUE5GKDzIvwq/s1600/IMG_1119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH951Fb0fou_4vNK1iE-Ia0T3wrnx685X-hSbSY7OHfMKIE-RXM6Adw4hh2v6PDgrM6zaoTEfyZJMcl6pPsKkxxxYLWbRdLu8qYOyK2s08nl4cSF6xR0DweLtCTEIumXSXdUE5GKDzIvwq/s1600/IMG_1119.JPG" height="480" width="640" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpY9ypmVLg2sx9COpb6uT8vilVGMM7i4JKluT-u6qrprAtpkueTqyywS5RdantH9mmvW4CI-FmEp81WTXXWuke3wTNJ1fseD2wtvb8ypZtduhT8BDvRS9_glRcCp_H3wc-p7nGU8-Z7B9/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG" height="480" style="text-align: left;" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZi47Wa58XEwQfZbtK-4-3Uo0dO0AGrl1VPeBDL0u8j2Dw7qXvMn-9XmrxGX0dxe_SYzKuOaP60rXohGs9gQxkT4HaoydOp5_2IBI1OKDWFXvn9HCEIDYofHxbdZeRA-h8ygoZw5CTnYc/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZi47Wa58XEwQfZbtK-4-3Uo0dO0AGrl1VPeBDL0u8j2Dw7qXvMn-9XmrxGX0dxe_SYzKuOaP60rXohGs9gQxkT4HaoydOp5_2IBI1OKDWFXvn9HCEIDYofHxbdZeRA-h8ygoZw5CTnYc/s1600/IMG_1116.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Wrap!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7bAbQSDE1ohtZcZJFNZ9AYkQcNvr470l2fmsjiJwbUkXJeYRNUpMVAxAc6BerghtIDXmP1nMr1giAKOLVRQxqOr8MnKPLi3O_nCINr1_EdJkALz7oGEPDGDzwAuii4DpHQ71ZJ2-cUFh/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi7bAbQSDE1ohtZcZJFNZ9AYkQcNvr470l2fmsjiJwbUkXJeYRNUpMVAxAc6BerghtIDXmP1nMr1giAKOLVRQxqOr8MnKPLi3O_nCINr1_EdJkALz7oGEPDGDzwAuii4DpHQ71ZJ2-cUFh/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nom nom nom nom!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPN6TaerlGPLbwOimkENuGLLD2dtDfal5ryP3Teoh-lu0aA6M7MTI0u3udQFZeP9b2upMnI-PpRaeazeSmEXd95nD_UBLrrdIlcqSKlk9OuhjzCD4RkDgJzSLvoQbWAUisqCdP48ym3yQb/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPN6TaerlGPLbwOimkENuGLLD2dtDfal5ryP3Teoh-lu0aA6M7MTI0u3udQFZeP9b2upMnI-PpRaeazeSmEXd95nD_UBLrrdIlcqSKlk9OuhjzCD4RkDgJzSLvoQbWAUisqCdP48ym3yQb/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">As always, this recipe is tried and true from my kitchen to yours,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Kimberly</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: start;">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Korean-Style Braised Mackerel</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <b>(Godeungeo Jorim) </b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recipe by: Kimberly Meyers</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.jandkalways.blogspot.com/" style="color: #bb5421; text-decoration: none;">www.jandkalways.blogspot.com</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Serving size: 4 Prep Time: 5-10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">As always, this recipe is tried and true from my kitchen to yours.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6846d3a0-974b-40bb-f62b-83065ecc8b83">(<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iVwyoff-moGtafL3H4oeWFYrj1vyLrBEEPCm2Y1dcdI/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">The Printable</a>)<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 14oz. can boiled Mackerel, strained with juices reserved</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1/2 lb. Korean radish (or daikon), sliced in 1/2" slices</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1/2 onion, sliced</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 large garlic clove, finely chopped</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 tsp. finely chopped ginger</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3 Tbl soy sauce</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Tbl. Mirin (rice wine)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 Tbl. Korean chili flakes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1-3 Birds Eye Thai chilis, sliced (optional - omit to lessen the heat if desired)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cabbage leaves for wrapping, steamed, or uncooked red leaf lettuce</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boiled white rice for serving</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Directions:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Boil white rice according to package directions. In a separate heavy bottom, non-stick pot, turn heat to medium and add radish and onion slices (no need to add oil). Add strained Mackerel pieces on top. In a small bowl, combine reserved Mackerel juices with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, Mirin, Korean chili flakes, and Thai chilis. Pour sauce over fish, turn heat to high and bring contents to a boil, then set heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the radish becomes tender (the fish and radish will render additional juices during cooking). Halfway through cooking, use a spoon to carefully baste fish and veggies with juices, being careful not to break up fish. Meanwhile, in another pot, place cabbage leaves in a strainer and steam over boiling water for 5 minutes until tender. Serve with chopsticks and enjoy!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH951Fb0fou_4vNK1iE-Ia0T3wrnx685X-hSbSY7OHfMKIE-RXM6Adw4hh2v6PDgrM6zaoTEfyZJMcl6pPsKkxxxYLWbRdLu8qYOyK2s08nl4cSF6xR0DweLtCTEIumXSXdUE5GKDzIvwq/s1600/IMG_1119.JPG" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH951Fb0fou_4vNK1iE-Ia0T3wrnx685X-hSbSY7OHfMKIE-RXM6Adw4hh2v6PDgrM6zaoTEfyZJMcl6pPsKkxxxYLWbRdLu8qYOyK2s08nl4cSF6xR0DweLtCTEIumXSXdUE5GKDzIvwq/s1600/IMG_1119.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-fbjhTDnoT_Q%2FUrDF9PSO17I%2FAAAAAAAAA2U%2F4KJzYjwFwAM%2Fs1600%2FIMG_1119.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH951Fb0fou_4vNK1iE-Ia0T3wrnx685X-hSbSY7OHfMKIE-RXM6Adw4hh2v6PDgrM6zaoTEfyZJMcl6pPsKkxxxYLWbRdLu8qYOyK2s08nl4cSF6xR0DweLtCTEIumXSXdUE5GKDzIvwq/s1600/IMG_1119.JPG" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-9652225583879478432013-12-16T19:50:00.000-05:002013-12-16T19:50:15.431-05:00Make Room<div class="tr_bq" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB6mG4uqHG9H4ypgj0ddWH8OTR-Pe5DMpbVHL4kzkCSItmG4gbhk1_0e4lxWeVTJpi6gJPjcBZomLybczinQVOnV6BjiQtn3eEOnV-6DXi7KRlEhIsqhFzMM11Ut49_TIRmp5Mtu4i1Ih/s1600/No_Room_At_The_Inn%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlB6mG4uqHG9H4ypgj0ddWH8OTR-Pe5DMpbVHL4kzkCSItmG4gbhk1_0e4lxWeVTJpi6gJPjcBZomLybczinQVOnV6BjiQtn3eEOnV-6DXi7KRlEhIsqhFzMM11Ut49_TIRmp5Mtu4i1Ih/s1600/No_Room_At_The_Inn%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a>Do we make room for Jesus? Or are we like the innkeeper in Bethlehem, telling Mary and Joseph there's no room at the inn (Luke 2:7)? Are our houses so cluttered with "stuff" that we have no room to invite Him in, much less offer Him a place to stay? Are our schedules so full with work, housework, and other responsibilities that we don't make time for prayer and Bible study? Are our hearts so cluttered with worldly longings and occupations with other people that we push Him out? I admit I am guilty of all of these things at times. And it's on those days, when I haven't made room for Jesus, that the hours hit hardest and life seems dark. Jesus bore the cross so that He could prepare a place for us in His Father's house (John 14:1-6), shouldn't we likewise make room for Him when He's done so much for us? </div>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white;">"<span style="color: #cc0000;">'Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. You know the way where I am going.'</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;"> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white;">'Lord,' Thomas said, 'we don't know where You're going. How can we know the way?'</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white;">Jesus told him, <span style="color: #cc0000;">'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'</span>" (John 14:1-6 HCSB)</span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
And what a wonderful Life He has to offer if only we give Him the room to make it happen!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
"Make Room" was the theme of the program at the <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/12/ladies-christmas-tea-2013-decorating.html" target="_blank">Ladies Christmas Tea</a> this year, and ever since I have been thinking about what needs to be done and what needs to change so that Jesus always has room. I have begun to pinpoint a few areas of my life, and I know that with God I can overcome so that I may become a better follower of Him. For He is what really matters most. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Always,</div>
KimberlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-34418663966776443032013-12-11T10:01:00.000-05:002013-12-11T13:16:03.818-05:00Christmas at the Hampton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Following our <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/10/halloween-at-hampton.html" target="_blank">Halloween</a> makeover at the hotel, I was excited to dress it up in celebration of Christmas. The GM ordered the tree, and we were tasked to decorate it. Here's what it looked like in the box.</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/AVvXsEh2WziBUWjdS__lrvIoJXobEvZ3R-XNCqTtCyQp9J91xdvAD3KrPpg-_Wshsone7jyNBHIlOXLGoEqW9SaZcApyZkKXKcN9e-7gfWMlwRKw7gnbgCTkFjD-OAwtlzXVqlvlieIDgUC33ufG/s1600/IMG_20131130_151114_808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WziBUWjdS__lrvIoJXobEvZ3R-XNCqTtCyQp9J91xdvAD3KrPpg-_Wshsone7jyNBHIlOXLGoEqW9SaZcApyZkKXKcN9e-7gfWMlwRKw7gnbgCTkFjD-OAwtlzXVqlvlieIDgUC33ufG/s1600/IMG_20131130_151114_808.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A 7 1/2 foot artificial in "snowy white." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xSht3mAUrZCv7to5hnDbuibxlbYKmgsMz9ZAz18FF2eTQ6suyeR5aBGGcaApeAMINdJ0ZWWV7pYatkLF04Ggl46PkNS5wgC1ubv7jgUlGTzie_TrV7KkTlmuLdbwNgO_Sintxwbgz3me/s1600/IMG_20131130_152237_541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xSht3mAUrZCv7to5hnDbuibxlbYKmgsMz9ZAz18FF2eTQ6suyeR5aBGGcaApeAMINdJ0ZWWV7pYatkLF04Ggl46PkNS5wgC1ubv7jgUlGTzie_TrV7KkTlmuLdbwNgO_Sintxwbgz3me/s1600/IMG_20131130_152237_541.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The decorations we chose embrace contemporary colors: midnight blue, chartreuse green, silver, and charcoal grey. Mixed with the tree's red berries and brown pine cones, the look is bright and gorgeous, capturing a sense of the rainbow without being gimmicky.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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/AVvXsEgI0KCcxzTNmjeF5RRHi_gkdqwRi6mMtlnl04u8uyBpHlI84_fvyg8WX-sAQX6s14mywkbI14N8E35uhmUAFhY4nz0EjExaCjCXNKERtNL0LBehsD78LzJ7xekVaeypga2frQqE1tg2AnaI/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0KCcxzTNmjeF5RRHi_gkdqwRi6mMtlnl04u8uyBpHlI84_fvyg8WX-sAQX6s14mywkbI14N8E35uhmUAFhY4nz0EjExaCjCXNKERtNL0LBehsD78LzJ7xekVaeypga2frQqE1tg2AnaI/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEjDNNw75V1ab35JmbAYFJHH8oCPVp3r9vmPwf5nN7QZ3GYLjp_aYZcwfTIpaLpUvUJweFEbcXaU9g52YOmkG6geAKf3_iKs9cayPrr6p8bh4BmKyiJh84-Lfxf4IW6G1iiO67yFuyPRwmpN/s1600/IMG_1028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNNw75V1ab35JmbAYFJHH8oCPVp3r9vmPwf5nN7QZ3GYLjp_aYZcwfTIpaLpUvUJweFEbcXaU9g52YOmkG6geAKf3_iKs9cayPrr6p8bh4BmKyiJh84-Lfxf4IW6G1iiO67yFuyPRwmpN/s1600/IMG_1028.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9vxsPr6wzKtlhDRD8d8CriovoDNualvc5iOj0R_lR6WoPpHezZFrMVNyddv8gNF5NS6xqkCRau29xFudtI9pqheFGzfG2neeKyzEXPMRFy5ZASACZxBBKgIeBwdUlu4S_b-0JmpfrVhK/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9vxsPr6wzKtlhDRD8d8CriovoDNualvc5iOj0R_lR6WoPpHezZFrMVNyddv8gNF5NS6xqkCRau29xFudtI9pqheFGzfG2neeKyzEXPMRFy5ZASACZxBBKgIeBwdUlu4S_b-0JmpfrVhK/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br />
The ornaments are a combination of plastic and glass baubles in two different sizes to add variety, four white ceramic ornaments in the shapes of holidays characters, a dozen whimsical silver and green mushrooms, snowflakes, a glass dome church, large silver garland and coordinating beads that loop the entire tree. When a tree is heavily flocked like this one, it can begin to look a bit two-dimensional; the addition of 300 blue lights provides a much needed sense of depth, enhancing visual interest. And the addition of wrapped gifts with ribbon around the base of the tree finishes the look (if you find yourself decorating an office or other business, wrapping the boxes that the ornaments came in is both easy and practical).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-cBBewhH5F0VE3M5Xo_3YHX2TM7DHbg5y4hoIPqYGhFh6abekdE92l5P_l-FoUbR_nA4LsGBTnCdrhy7vvTT2cpr4plKLrJ7AYk7atNmfs9xGp8Ik5kwh4a0zqhMsy7Ram8go7fZmdo3/s1600/IMG_1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw-cBBewhH5F0VE3M5Xo_3YHX2TM7DHbg5y4hoIPqYGhFh6abekdE92l5P_l-FoUbR_nA4LsGBTnCdrhy7vvTT2cpr4plKLrJ7AYk7atNmfs9xGp8Ik5kwh4a0zqhMsy7Ram8go7fZmdo3/s1600/IMG_1032.JPG" height="482" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYCccw9LfQam2agLSqiSWZ22FnWozWkqTxxMhTpW3JE4lfZhGPj3ZFiHfX3DocOtNwlYbWZXIjiUSTC0ydXxR90CkFT7_LDBsFjcJlGnnBGNYG9th8c4EcHKYRhKU4h7eKgi3sH_ydNrQ/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYCccw9LfQam2agLSqiSWZ22FnWozWkqTxxMhTpW3JE4lfZhGPj3ZFiHfX3DocOtNwlYbWZXIjiUSTC0ydXxR90CkFT7_LDBsFjcJlGnnBGNYG9th8c4EcHKYRhKU4h7eKgi3sH_ydNrQ/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" height="482" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEhgNJYTrFhYQoew8nlflKdLcd24uZexaq9qnnkzSfA6l8WgZq9Y40qVNRU8bBFAnS9vCOy3J9w4HgDGUnkNMWXoCzhsHcW1gZ2xyrI2VHQOY4Q0asg7SkybEIqs2n3mi7Z2qmF9yOrF6_Ub/s1600/IMG_1036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNJYTrFhYQoew8nlflKdLcd24uZexaq9qnnkzSfA6l8WgZq9Y40qVNRU8bBFAnS9vCOy3J9w4HgDGUnkNMWXoCzhsHcW1gZ2xyrI2VHQOY4Q0asg7SkybEIqs2n3mi7Z2qmF9yOrF6_Ub/s1600/IMG_1036.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEgWYRCaZa3r9D272tvi7Ri6okY2wYqg8y83kW35aPxap_hPN8KRQmbIgPz599Rd28MaZnhY4keBcASvqsLndnqPm2tZKgd09CHZRKMkc3Jq3wPTh4yko1LiYtViDxL2wvi3BESbQ5ffqtRD/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYRCaZa3r9D272tvi7Ri6okY2wYqg8y83kW35aPxap_hPN8KRQmbIgPz599Rd28MaZnhY4keBcASvqsLndnqPm2tZKgd09CHZRKMkc3Jq3wPTh4yko1LiYtViDxL2wvi3BESbQ5ffqtRD/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrT7Kdfh4NUIYC85k__nF-aTbQYyF8fovrE-TFslJ953BFU02VEjqEnb0oY0HuBWMuknQ3PN2YBJ2DaaEfE1Io-AVlP6uLPxUgS3ZnJdCf4h_SphzHoEQJrTn4sDL51BQvaq2DFPIh5E8/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrT7Kdfh4NUIYC85k__nF-aTbQYyF8fovrE-TFslJ953BFU02VEjqEnb0oY0HuBWMuknQ3PN2YBJ2DaaEfE1Io-AVlP6uLPxUgS3ZnJdCf4h_SphzHoEQJrTn4sDL51BQvaq2DFPIh5E8/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEhhCYgAlQYbOWb_Da5YbcQEDIJ_HpwHZe7MYxySUj52sq4-ZVgvC_esFaMDCNJFWsLAO2ZLASRvswWYh1S9GJIFoJnfB1fVoPtJHFiIFKWXApeGHPc-E2pTm-BHVzLnv3foXdf_xqyvZcUK/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCYgAlQYbOWb_Da5YbcQEDIJ_HpwHZe7MYxySUj52sq4-ZVgvC_esFaMDCNJFWsLAO2ZLASRvswWYh1S9GJIFoJnfB1fVoPtJHFiIFKWXApeGHPc-E2pTm-BHVzLnv3foXdf_xqyvZcUK/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8FDwehGfQmCLloTpCx25WKCbyxcUZASY1NmPDdpNFvM1jJuXB3kIh6FXrlEq1o_Z5CidNTrek_NLC9m7ETOUoqLYxlrrmjgR1NcOoY7K6vYJfLTXVIsmkuWjAA3CbLBHY3SrUcq12fjM/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8FDwehGfQmCLloTpCx25WKCbyxcUZASY1NmPDdpNFvM1jJuXB3kIh6FXrlEq1o_Z5CidNTrek_NLC9m7ETOUoqLYxlrrmjgR1NcOoY7K6vYJfLTXVIsmkuWjAA3CbLBHY3SrUcq12fjM/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We set up the tree in the middle of the night, and it was so neat to hear about the guests' reactions the next morning when they came down for breakfast. Christmas trees, quite simply, rock.<br />
<br />
(Like it? <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/474918723176863455/" target="_blank">Pin</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/474918723176863454/" target="_blank">it</a>!)<br />
<br />
Always,<br />
KimberlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-49636415564576313102013-12-08T21:27:00.004-05:002013-12-08T22:37:45.933-05:00Ladies Christmas Tea 2013 - Decorating the Table<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Upon hearing an announcement after church service one day back in September, my husband encouraged me to host a table at this year's Ladies Christmas Tea. Never having attended the tea before, I was a bit nervous, but the thought of sharing a time of fellowship with family and friends plus the opportunity to decorate a table with the help of my wonderful husband is hardly something I could pass on, so I signed up. What I came to learn is that the Christmas Tea is among the biggest events the church organizes each year; it has been held by the women's ministry for 17 years in a row, and this year they were expecting over 2,000 women to attend!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After sending invitations and receiving commitments, we were ready to start thinking about decorating. In the hostess packet I received, there was a page listing the parameters for the table: a) The centerpiece must include lighting, as the event hall would be dimmed at dinner to create a more intimate feel. b) There could be no open flames ie. no candelabras. c) The caterers preset the salads and desserts, so there needs to be room for them. d) The table is a 60" round and has to fit 10 people. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sixty inch round tables generally seat 8, so I knew 10 was going to be a bit of a tight squeeze, especially with the silverware and all of the accouterments needed for a properly "set" table. And with preset desserts vertical of the dinner plate, the centerpiece couldn't be huge or it would be sitting in cheesecake!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was the challenge we faced.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We used our dining table to play around with the centerpiece and place setting. This summer, for our one-year wedding anniversary, James surprised me with a beautiful 12 piece set of china by Silverie, which he had seen on one of our random trips to a local antique store. He said it made him think of our <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2011/11/our-wedding-colors.html" target="_blank">wedding colors</a>, and I just love them! In my family growing up, we never had anything like china; we didn't even have real place-mats, using kitchen towels in lieu of them on those special occassions like Thanksgiving and Christmas when we ate dinner together. So finding myself the owner of a whole set of delicate china made me feel like I had arrived as an adult in many ways.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The china has a beautiful floral filigree pattern in silver, grey, pink. blue, and yellow. I insisted on using it for the table, although the color scheme did prove challenging at first. Arguably a more spring-time color palette, we had to figure out how to include pink and yellow in a wintry tablescape. After visiting seven different home goods stores for ideas, we came up kind of scarce, although we did find some fantastic round, silver place-mats with a geometric snowflake design. They serve a dual purpose, working as a place-mat while having the illusion of a charger (adding a real charger to the table would have left no room for the silverware - remember, 10 people here!).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just as we wondered what we were going to do for a centerpiece, we went to the craft store <a href="http://www.michaels.com/" target="_blank">Michaels</a> and came across the <i>perfect</i> decoration that suddenly made the vision come together: little decorative Christmas berries in greyish blue, pink, and yellow. They were the perfect thing to go with our china. The Lord is amazing to have led us to these. And what does one do with Christmas berries sticks? Put them in a wreath, of course! (Well, actually decorating wreaths wasn't something I did growing up either, but I've since learned from my husband's mother, aunt, and grandmother that everything can be more "Christmas-fied.") So we picked out a lightly "snow dusted" wreath with pine cones, sparkly sprigs in pink and blue, pastel glass ornaments, and these fantastic rhinestone votive candle holders. A perfect balance of greenery, light, and sparkle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7oxoyPZjo57NarxIGS1W44QVX5qV0gDv1ps7oqrXs7mPpKN1rAv7OaV8qAubkkG9kpSK63DcSpKBaVu8BQtnyANwhJLYRe5Xc6Kiyv1LYn4nBnYZRs6xRKsVyYcHjXm1X4RllAN9Nvy_/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga7oxoyPZjo57NarxIGS1W44QVX5qV0gDv1ps7oqrXs7mPpKN1rAv7OaV8qAubkkG9kpSK63DcSpKBaVu8BQtnyANwhJLYRe5Xc6Kiyv1LYn4nBnYZRs6xRKsVyYcHjXm1X4RllAN9Nvy_/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAFglqn36-ZH48LSxsZbTriUKzFqZ1FGN_oXqk3hm0EWlV0FhPhg_3tFjfVljKVZiP7AcLuWZ9ytm71AAgdWqBkQrkWo4busvwW9FIJnVrr1f3t5aPEZQ4lDXjKHCMcxdLto3y4N0DBsE/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAFglqn36-ZH48LSxsZbTriUKzFqZ1FGN_oXqk3hm0EWlV0FhPhg_3tFjfVljKVZiP7AcLuWZ9ytm71AAgdWqBkQrkWo4busvwW9FIJnVrr1f3t5aPEZQ4lDXjKHCMcxdLto3y4N0DBsE/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEnOHNXJpdq28cUW_MWeidPGZ-J08q-tXM0a3OKKBSYFmLzXJRoVr18dD277jKStMy_ZGI71fggeIx9sxlBq14AgcxzU4xKhnMa6MwSwXfBreTVNISIyrqH0EOrGEX8hT_dhR3BpbRjuu/s1600/IMG_0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEnOHNXJpdq28cUW_MWeidPGZ-J08q-tXM0a3OKKBSYFmLzXJRoVr18dD277jKStMy_ZGI71fggeIx9sxlBq14AgcxzU4xKhnMa6MwSwXfBreTVNISIyrqH0EOrGEX8hT_dhR3BpbRjuu/s1600/IMG_0988.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
To add height to the table, as well as incorporate even more light, we purchased a large, footed, clear glass vase. Although it is somewhat tall, its being clear made it easy for guests to talk across the table without feeling obstructed. We nestled inside a large candle, which we decorated with sparkly stickers, and added some clear "confetti" crystals to fill the bottom.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCY1wpYoimwk970Tx76GUiMIpcUarS7aFBlG9J7DzJdu_VC3NK1WaZcLtzMonKskq2D07iJO7HNLLwvwjgxNirzVMYQNMrLqg8Mn4ZZc71PpqV1kcFYSQsMOaKH-pdz3pJpX4FXI_hv2hG/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCY1wpYoimwk970Tx76GUiMIpcUarS7aFBlG9J7DzJdu_VC3NK1WaZcLtzMonKskq2D07iJO7HNLLwvwjgxNirzVMYQNMrLqg8Mn4ZZc71PpqV1kcFYSQsMOaKH-pdz3pJpX4FXI_hv2hG/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxn6RRQDawS7x_ET3dMite7H6kM_J7pTE1aAyu2VEdubR4lBRzwujokMTUkI3Idc8LTlLmyV0KoTIP4rqIhj4h1Ad7WcN289-OVgrNNmBsNMU6zcvQYsjh9u3LaNStsTtFYJcFhxW0mFC/s1600/IMG_1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxn6RRQDawS7x_ET3dMite7H6kM_J7pTE1aAyu2VEdubR4lBRzwujokMTUkI3Idc8LTlLmyV0KoTIP4rqIhj4h1Ad7WcN289-OVgrNNmBsNMU6zcvQYsjh9u3LaNStsTtFYJcFhxW0mFC/s1600/IMG_1048.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo pre-"confetti" crystals.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A large rhinestone band, along with blue and white snowflakes and silver crystal scrolls give a lot of texture and interest to a plain white candle. If attempting a similar project, be sure to use a hot glue gun to adhere the stickers after you've figured out placement, as they have a tendency not to stick to the wax.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMW2Gw7vELCApliNZ-Kj-fK5JeVd0sRowLYqksHhYhJ9q2ksVyKthGTm8hyphenhyphen2seQI8JPc9zcJdcKI3Ma7AyPhTlZeP_2lhAViK842x-ykTrT9X4hs75hKUNoInPJhys6mp_0VmyBMcF6TLf/s1600/IMG_1052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMW2Gw7vELCApliNZ-Kj-fK5JeVd0sRowLYqksHhYhJ9q2ksVyKthGTm8hyphenhyphen2seQI8JPc9zcJdcKI3Ma7AyPhTlZeP_2lhAViK842x-ykTrT9X4hs75hKUNoInPJhys6mp_0VmyBMcF6TLf/s1600/IMG_1052.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Not having enough of our own every day glassware for the table, we found gorgeous, mouth blown amber goblets and tall teal tumblers at <a href="http://www.pier1.com/" target="_blank">Pier 1</a>. The effect you see called "crackle glass" is believed to have been invented by Venetian glassblowers during the 16th century. Filled with drinks, the delightful effect looked almost as if the table were so cold as to have "cracked" the glasses, perfect for our wintry tablescape. (And isn't it wonderful how the foot of the goblet sits perfectly in the center of that snowflake?)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AILd5eipVBV8Tvh9nFaXwKnL4t6zsiuIo9TgTXpPzrJXiutxknA2OsjKY6slKze6kx4jX5qvNCms8V0Eo-z4OsOHixKBchu1rnW8R1lnsQBScQJ-5yT8W_pbKFhwAZWPlDmUzAdvSxeU/s1600/IMG_0983.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Something we realized while playing around with the table is that the silver place-mats, with the transparent snowflake design, takes on a lot of the color of whatever is underneath it. Placed on a darker surface, like my shawl for example (see above LOL), it looks fantastic; I mean the design just pops! But placing them on white (which is the color tablecloth the venue was providing) completely dulls them out and the pattern becomes indistinguishable. So we went online and ordered a 90" round polyester tablecloth and matching dinner napkins in charcoal from <a href="http://www.brightsettings.com/" target="_blank">Bright Settings</a>.<br />
<br />
With all of the pieces in place, our mock up table was really coming together just in time for the big night!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
------------------------------------------------------------</div>
<br />
Before revealing the finished table, I want to share pictures of a few of my favorite tables from the dinner (alas, this is before all of the decorative Christmas lights were turned on and the candles were lit - they were even prettier that way).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINj-0plY6etxwmwjbky487m89kZP8ZVpNOaevLXOjRq5WsyNj4oEdI7dGHAhu3PEH6lC2ORTvfH3Lk9dtgrffTY38IahfGgMA_NjXnV9T_mxKaGuUwEFkCmziVRH76j9cG4lUzpxcNP7r/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINj-0plY6etxwmwjbky487m89kZP8ZVpNOaevLXOjRq5WsyNj4oEdI7dGHAhu3PEH6lC2ORTvfH3Lk9dtgrffTY38IahfGgMA_NjXnV9T_mxKaGuUwEFkCmziVRH76j9cG4lUzpxcNP7r/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was glad to see this Santa Table. We also have a large Santa collection, so I was pleased to see someone else with more than just a few of their own. And the napkin rings of Santa riding a reindeer are adorable.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vRpHpwkP7LU89OC4FEG58sevT1z-b1dEE4LPlZcpDt3xSGZtry1V3xsVCgIokAjkd7Zv2oKooB0SNypY7a2Sq6shlbq6zKibxC6gZa8ClPv2qDPNT_aTEAhI1sI1szhYbiNKziONnemf/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vRpHpwkP7LU89OC4FEG58sevT1z-b1dEE4LPlZcpDt3xSGZtry1V3xsVCgIokAjkd7Zv2oKooB0SNypY7a2Sq6shlbq6zKibxC6gZa8ClPv2qDPNT_aTEAhI1sI1szhYbiNKziONnemf/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was impressed with the centerpiece on this table. When the lights were dimmed, a beautiful green glow came from the snowflakes, lighting up the white reindeer from below. This was probably the tallest centerpiece of the evening.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iZWIQw6J8rsLdpSB1sjy26vHTVOHfu3dZiUqNTHftXN92uAMVuzf7_rPx9spF6CM1As5dwktc9_uKaqTf-k_Le_xzrCEV35oQfQQAuK3Y_peOwPJzLrR2sN-7DRz15ecyRbX_pdTxmsj/s1600/IMG_1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iZWIQw6J8rsLdpSB1sjy26vHTVOHfu3dZiUqNTHftXN92uAMVuzf7_rPx9spF6CM1As5dwktc9_uKaqTf-k_Le_xzrCEV35oQfQQAuK3Y_peOwPJzLrR2sN-7DRz15ecyRbX_pdTxmsj/s1600/IMG_1041.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This table sat right behind us. The jewel tones of the centerpiece and tablecloth were gorgeous. Lots of textures going on here with the rhinestone Christmas trees, the metal embellishment on the cross, the shine of the cloth, and the feathers. Very pretty.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDfICa3N_t7H6kMAvqCJyu8kuPE8Pt36y-xocXpdJ-AfmXVnpdM6NEvLI9C3Et84P1MPpSu7yeyetW2UAKxA8d5aFOfC9HllvMm7L5tl2bqXXg84HDOsB5mnxZmA07xxhT7yBaAXIbThM/s1600/IMG_1042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDfICa3N_t7H6kMAvqCJyu8kuPE8Pt36y-xocXpdJ-AfmXVnpdM6NEvLI9C3Et84P1MPpSu7yeyetW2UAKxA8d5aFOfC9HllvMm7L5tl2bqXXg84HDOsB5mnxZmA07xxhT7yBaAXIbThM/s1600/IMG_1042.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I saw this table, my face lit up. What a delightfully Christmas-y candy house. It looks like it comes right out of Dr. Seuss. And the colors are so bright, like summer, yet very fitting to the festivity of the season. Well done!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVEhrAoOWXoVglYwSavky3xhfSoEaO6nz7CDyKKGMPpMgkO7I-LrrAr59iISDXXnV5L2JWn45hoiYtEe7Ss1PMJNWjPKAZ6lt6lmRT-fOJK05AEiB-g8LoJTMxYr6DLYFjOwVdt-nXtPv/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVEhrAoOWXoVglYwSavky3xhfSoEaO6nz7CDyKKGMPpMgkO7I-LrrAr59iISDXXnV5L2JWn45hoiYtEe7Ss1PMJNWjPKAZ6lt6lmRT-fOJK05AEiB-g8LoJTMxYr6DLYFjOwVdt-nXtPv/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Can you look at this table and not think it's just fun? Although I've never decorated using a candy cane theme, I have always liked them, and this table is as cute and fun as the little elf who looks like he's gorged himself on candy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdZWkSNL4vj3h5OmZLQAfbTtvHpdF1lBmU8qPzrhUyuurG7WWV1Eaqz70NrOeeoFpqfgeuOGretInNQ1RdsWzcl5tXdLKYL8gw5mKK4NkHiJNSRNu7KZq0P-7Vvos6wSfw94g9jGFyL7a/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdZWkSNL4vj3h5OmZLQAfbTtvHpdF1lBmU8qPzrhUyuurG7WWV1Eaqz70NrOeeoFpqfgeuOGretInNQ1RdsWzcl5tXdLKYL8gw5mKK4NkHiJNSRNu7KZq0P-7Vvos6wSfw94g9jGFyL7a/s1600/IMG_1044.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not only has this reindeer taken Santa's seat, but she (see the tutu?) is surrounded by a bunch of girlfriend reindeers wearing Christmas tree skirts. Too cute. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf2DvZaIrz1hkpQTIs86EyJyLpvZ1EXugTqEl_zaV97I9hJaSiRrTSbOpi7ZcwvoOootO05L8moA6mGi1pS2-hIIQiVmkBH7JCUsxcNJvlOhPN0rcSuDmjw5oPZ5tO8qcQHme9ZnIdYp9/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf2DvZaIrz1hkpQTIs86EyJyLpvZ1EXugTqEl_zaV97I9hJaSiRrTSbOpi7ZcwvoOootO05L8moA6mGi1pS2-hIIQiVmkBH7JCUsxcNJvlOhPN0rcSuDmjw5oPZ5tO8qcQHme9ZnIdYp9/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This table had one of the prettiest nativities I've seen. Simply elegant.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAPzpf7nfrsHx_UGSh2QlJzF8llBRE_cKP2uxLVJSRzKhF5HTaMkXIcoyL2A0sHo47goZ3m8JFcxHJngXNW7nGBPSGMJ-bwKI5Na6Ey6S9ghBcBp_unGD5YW2XDJCwSiOV-ZATyOlk_66/s1600/IMG_1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibAPzpf7nfrsHx_UGSh2QlJzF8llBRE_cKP2uxLVJSRzKhF5HTaMkXIcoyL2A0sHo47goZ3m8JFcxHJngXNW7nGBPSGMJ-bwKI5Na6Ey6S9ghBcBp_unGD5YW2XDJCwSiOV-ZATyOlk_66/s1600/IMG_1046.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I just loved this table. Grandma has a set of carolers that take their position every year on the mantle place, and it reminded me of them. I walked around this one, and there wasn't a bad side to sit, because each character faces a different direction. The burlap, gold, green, red, and black was just gorgeous. And when the lights dimmed, the street lamps turned on. So pretty!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
------------------------------------------------------------</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And here's how our table turned out! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrM-_ZqgufpR9orBQvJVtOzkRtAGGf48v6fKrvv_NSYsORGemijrNDdHz8-Rb2-KO4rzE42NochPid4qDt5qPl7UETnU5qvcQhCbJbP_IKlYAWqb3E6ijWWz99-mgJ5TW0-z2khLJpPrh/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkrM-_ZqgufpR9orBQvJVtOzkRtAGGf48v6fKrvv_NSYsORGemijrNDdHz8-Rb2-KO4rzE42NochPid4qDt5qPl7UETnU5qvcQhCbJbP_IKlYAWqb3E6ijWWz99-mgJ5TW0-z2khLJpPrh/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcE8ThCPlIgUjMeDcWr8wzMm1Iv3xYPZaHLa07xE4UzOIGR_3S7OT6M7Nj3hH82lGjevLZGWQSqHTKx0Qx3kssaffMIWPNw7HEpjlhJpGRkTIUs_pVKLLxRyVXBKz4G06bOgPCi_eafyZ/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcE8ThCPlIgUjMeDcWr8wzMm1Iv3xYPZaHLa07xE4UzOIGR_3S7OT6M7Nj3hH82lGjevLZGWQSqHTKx0Qx3kssaffMIWPNw7HEpjlhJpGRkTIUs_pVKLLxRyVXBKz4G06bOgPCi_eafyZ/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<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/AVvXsEisRHBcTNyX8JDy-QYomU_MxMzdyYpyYQ5B4SWMG-zhUX5LqI06CJvT4ijqsAa61iYpmoDnvNYe7T4F8-r5xR77B0x-FDCwWWO_JRxiZyI7uhQztmr4oEteqcJ0b7rhAYrnQzB2KhFVZicO/s1600/IMG_1063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRHBcTNyX8JDy-QYomU_MxMzdyYpyYQ5B4SWMG-zhUX5LqI06CJvT4ijqsAa61iYpmoDnvNYe7T4F8-r5xR77B0x-FDCwWWO_JRxiZyI7uhQztmr4oEteqcJ0b7rhAYrnQzB2KhFVZicO/s1600/IMG_1063.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Full of color and mixed with sparkle and glass, it captures many of the elements that I love about a Christmas tree, without being too literal. From the ribbons and wrapping on the gifts to the large rimmed goblets to the glass baubles in the wreath, the table captured the euphoria of whimsy mixed with the excitement of a party combined with the class of a finely set table.<br />
<br />
We had to cut the teal tumblers because of space (10 people!), but we managed to get our coffee cups and saucers on the table by placing the plastic dessert plate on top of the saucer and nestling the coffee cups next to the cheesecake, which I think "filled" out the plate very nicely since the slices were long and narrow.If the salads didn't have to be preset, I would have like the table to look like this, with our guests' presents, which also served as place cards, sitting on top of the dinner plates. But instead we simply put each gift in a seat with the night's program.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZbmSlK5OxjCINW7BDDzVDgwCH5xGJcczPvE6j6RmM_FKgzzmCSaaR-ye5tK5Hz5iKv90_GISTD4uIlPhfiCs5iinqtyIGoiYDZiNUC5WjifO-CVczmRZCCb-E3ExlO5Ih-OJsLxMfGD1/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZbmSlK5OxjCINW7BDDzVDgwCH5xGJcczPvE6j6RmM_FKgzzmCSaaR-ye5tK5Hz5iKv90_GISTD4uIlPhfiCs5iinqtyIGoiYDZiNUC5WjifO-CVczmRZCCb-E3ExlO5Ih-OJsLxMfGD1/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxqSh9oQVcaWNRLLVpY8CTsHVVffwIqXRtVcFYzV7LUjHhRDAj3I3Iug7T8U9lDdvRIPCmDxLZv797Dvv-hvz4WX31LOsAMfbL9QPq8kOBbcDX3w8j5ASjAbWMKl2mMUvDrnbPvMaTt3W/s1600/IMG_1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxqSh9oQVcaWNRLLVpY8CTsHVVffwIqXRtVcFYzV7LUjHhRDAj3I3Iug7T8U9lDdvRIPCmDxLZv797Dvv-hvz4WX31LOsAMfbL9QPq8kOBbcDX3w8j5ASjAbWMKl2mMUvDrnbPvMaTt3W/s1600/IMG_1054.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I just love searching the bins and picking out pretty gift wrapping paper. My husband says I'm particularly good at it, which I attribute to the fact that growing up we only ever used the same five mega rolls year after year. I love taking the time to look at the different designs, walking away with a roll in hand only after I find a gorgeous pattern like this one from <a href="http://www.target.com/" target="_blank">Target</a>. I added a simple name tag, which I designed on the computer and printed on heavy paper (some kind of cardstock or picture paper is good to have on hand for these kinds of projects). No need to get overwhelmed if you're not a graphic designer; just pick a template on Microsoft Publisher, and you can customize it from there. For these, I searched the pre-loaded Clip Art files until I found a set of 10 coordinating Christmas trees, added names, and after printing and cutting they were ready to go! (I'll post about the contents of the gifts in the next few days!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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/AVvXsEi-9CK0IfvWAsp5lYJLVZMpHW1t_O4Ygdc3CUHFsFw9Hh2HlCCJs25wpNb24bye4rhlXnXQhx3SFLBNfhHICKi661RY7oQ90o3FWtR1u7u3q3DzS7H5ZoXA9ydSsxOmVizO86cvI1zS6tNP/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9CK0IfvWAsp5lYJLVZMpHW1t_O4Ygdc3CUHFsFw9Hh2HlCCJs25wpNb24bye4rhlXnXQhx3SFLBNfhHICKi661RY7oQ90o3FWtR1u7u3q3DzS7H5ZoXA9ydSsxOmVizO86cvI1zS6tNP/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9baERJERcRxqwfSJ_jzz-M5allcA5o8bmU7N7e3w338NbmSSstKzFPVAKWqE6XPxZv-XGgvlR3TzBIjK6aLaAASjzZqTMS-WuDO-T1dbyaQf2svOcgDgQOSRlg6OxDJNJWbwLQAu7TV2_/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9baERJERcRxqwfSJ_jzz-M5allcA5o8bmU7N7e3w338NbmSSstKzFPVAKWqE6XPxZv-XGgvlR3TzBIjK6aLaAASjzZqTMS-WuDO-T1dbyaQf2svOcgDgQOSRlg6OxDJNJWbwLQAu7TV2_/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
For the night's attire, I thought it would be fun to coordinate with the table by wearing a grey, one shouldered dress with a sparkly strap from <a href="http://www.belk.com/" target="_blank">Belk</a>. James looked sharp in a black suit with a blue, black, and white striped tie as he helped serve the ladies at our table (so sweet!).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqrX-_B2k58aw9W25GC_fPJJ5MXv5E9Qoetps-O09HmfglaOFXBYgoeSqMSqLHmn9zKWucx8K0ART8hwZpXIpQQWZMnZPzaAejCyX-r_PzRK2zlmaHBQAb2_fSA1oBdkEM8bDTAGJvucE/s1600/IMG_10681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqrX-_B2k58aw9W25GC_fPJJ5MXv5E9Qoetps-O09HmfglaOFXBYgoeSqMSqLHmn9zKWucx8K0ART8hwZpXIpQQWZMnZPzaAejCyX-r_PzRK2zlmaHBQAb2_fSA1oBdkEM8bDTAGJvucE/s1600/IMG_10681.JPG" height="640" width="441" /></a></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/AVvXsEgelspXtmm11Uve3rlKVqarF3IaI27JUf8WcJI3rpmuh3wCnOq0crNrT8-oClh3OFf5_BAzwKhiA73J5I5sUSdnibriGVKd9LQHTPnhYQ0GLsFOMuZGWFkJ0nzeykOPWf8MDAj7a3ZmrqfI/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelspXtmm11Uve3rlKVqarF3IaI27JUf8WcJI3rpmuh3wCnOq0crNrT8-oClh3OFf5_BAzwKhiA73J5I5sUSdnibriGVKd9LQHTPnhYQ0GLsFOMuZGWFkJ0nzeykOPWf8MDAj7a3ZmrqfI/s1600/IMG_1064.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
(Like it? <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/474918723176843627/" target="_blank">Pin</a> <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/474918723176843655/" target="_blank">it</a>!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Always,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
J&K</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-67685446939562072492013-11-29T12:00:00.000-05:002013-11-30T12:37:19.835-05:00J&K Always Designs: Pumpkin Carriage <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The goal: design a centerpiece for a <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-storybook-bridal-shower.html" target="_blank">storybook-inspired bridal shower</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The inspiration:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJViVlVsAt6qTtCWanuRu3Zq1Y0A_8GSfVdja_dfPrJZUm0vwXSJ592Gzn7A6Jzdr-Wi9d4NPSk7300y6p7IILQCFgJSVhmKbz3ZpKrk_HjSXTnA4a9Z0Fx1LEB3zMEs_f3UvlmpvbHmVn/s1600/IMG_20131128_201747_262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJViVlVsAt6qTtCWanuRu3Zq1Y0A_8GSfVdja_dfPrJZUm0vwXSJ592Gzn7A6Jzdr-Wi9d4NPSk7300y6p7IILQCFgJSVhmKbz3ZpKrk_HjSXTnA4a9Z0Fx1LEB3zMEs_f3UvlmpvbHmVn/s640/IMG_20131128_201747_262.jpg" /> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The preliminary sketch drawing.</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/AVvXsEjWJkbn0qM9mPV5yB9x82FdPapMpuJ7UpHK1LQAJsvJ81SlUPu_oARqEgIHJN0Y2XTBZ16Tj-OpEErTx9u-xwhyePk7-PK7T3B_B5j_0Vg_R4wt0rCpMPlRIwbfqDxx4QzyKNh8RmY6Ueqn/s1600/IMG_0860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJkbn0qM9mPV5yB9x82FdPapMpuJ7UpHK1LQAJsvJ81SlUPu_oARqEgIHJN0Y2XTBZ16Tj-OpEErTx9u-xwhyePk7-PK7T3B_B5j_0Vg_R4wt0rCpMPlRIwbfqDxx4QzyKNh8RmY6Ueqn/s1600/IMG_0860.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The medium, the tool, and the fuel.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIkPNUIGFtoXEQ5wzEJYJjcN42tzxG8JXxECtvtSil9DyuohoI5KaARxKrbiImQMZuHUrJi10_iksq7POhqNScwIquculRhaO5BXwC_OF4hMNoGTFWmGTVurHawItcB64UkQZQHvLZn1d/s1600/IMG_0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIkPNUIGFtoXEQ5wzEJYJjcN42tzxG8JXxECtvtSil9DyuohoI5KaARxKrbiImQMZuHUrJi10_iksq7POhqNScwIquculRhaO5BXwC_OF4hMNoGTFWmGTVurHawItcB64UkQZQHvLZn1d/s1600/IMG_0861.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The gutting.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx-UrDV6uMh1O5ns2H0wicLW-viQo22GrB2XN2E1GAFzu-aU911XDC_L7IG6npnfK5A2sIrVZP2133LNg1m5qNEY4cB_MQClc2XkfrkWGlHhVYo1GdNlCm3xU_JEB_tZ4uj5Tm6zP6mPC/s1600/IMG_0862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx-UrDV6uMh1O5ns2H0wicLW-viQo22GrB2XN2E1GAFzu-aU911XDC_L7IG6npnfK5A2sIrVZP2133LNg1m5qNEY4cB_MQClc2XkfrkWGlHhVYo1GdNlCm3xU_JEB_tZ4uj5Tm6zP6mPC/s1600/IMG_0862.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The winding and wrapping.</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/AVvXsEiU6yAmHnjugYSt_gtLIL2wCMclEwoFalYiGE_Gt-4amhAwrYsN2rnhIqBDY4_w_WeZOEDd9xAOXjxVTN5FUAHQaUrKdbYAao_0OKMHA9wJQHHXYyqK-_NcQuBMfW1VnRkp764S0AAmW25E/s1600/IMG_20131128_133749_829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6yAmHnjugYSt_gtLIL2wCMclEwoFalYiGE_Gt-4amhAwrYsN2rnhIqBDY4_w_WeZOEDd9xAOXjxVTN5FUAHQaUrKdbYAao_0OKMHA9wJQHHXYyqK-_NcQuBMfW1VnRkp764S0AAmW25E/s1600/IMG_20131128_133749_829.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The wheels and window, baby.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxP52lfmbHljNKW2D52k8y7MUqUIpkeGIIHV0dIvxEerYExCqEXjjK6XM3zpJyFSzftF7JNuNtevDdn0xFG8-Rq-a_5rD63JrI2ZTnhNgvetekB11heTpoykgtH5W41dDYu-xFW_jgGwV/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxP52lfmbHljNKW2D52k8y7MUqUIpkeGIIHV0dIvxEerYExCqEXjjK6XM3zpJyFSzftF7JNuNtevDdn0xFG8-Rq-a_5rD63JrI2ZTnhNgvetekB11heTpoykgtH5W41dDYu-xFW_jgGwV/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The finished product.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT-Dc6v7r4LWsJEzqo6PzZEXN2f9DAq0bq14uNVcPRyE0km29FvCxS2RVwZ9__2lhc_hd-t47YMgDEnZ2d0fsYg4X_7yOCIeDn3GWxvbZEQsryx-O7Efi0kMHIpnuri0DMQhduCUb5T7a/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT-Dc6v7r4LWsJEzqo6PzZEXN2f9DAq0bq14uNVcPRyE0km29FvCxS2RVwZ9__2lhc_hd-t47YMgDEnZ2d0fsYg4X_7yOCIeDn3GWxvbZEQsryx-O7Efi0kMHIpnuri0DMQhduCUb5T7a/s1600/IMG_0883.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The bling.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguHudMmU6AAf9boIoRbDdVL9Nf-0qJyu1LiClab2mr3DLYtkfpTQugaC2saP7PEAW8TjK8n9-73pzt5FuKQb9ITba04OT5LYOi4zmYytKThBOtHIf78xjk2qgrwC-3LA7JM4qfDCe_YWN/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguHudMmU6AAf9boIoRbDdVL9Nf-0qJyu1LiClab2mr3DLYtkfpTQugaC2saP7PEAW8TjK8n9-73pzt5FuKQb9ITba04OT5LYOi4zmYytKThBOtHIf78xjk2qgrwC-3LA7JM4qfDCe_YWN/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Pumpkin Carriage.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Brought to you by J&K Always.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
(Like it? <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/474918723176771917/" target="_blank">Pin</a> it!)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-9483087754131172792013-11-28T23:41:00.001-05:002013-11-28T23:41:27.295-05:00Remembering Thanksgiving<div class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white;">
When the weather turns cold outside, I admit that I can start to feel a little down. Cold weather means the holidays are around the corner, and then before you know it here we are at Thanksgiving, and my heart begins to freeze around the edges a little from longing for people from whom I stand on opposite shores across that wide expanse of an icy Lake called Hurts and Sorrows. Days like Thanksgiving and Christmas are "supposed" to be about getting together, "supposed" to be about creating new memories. But what happens when people can't get past the old memories? What happens when things become so cold that it burns and everything that once was, or maybe it never really was, but all of it either way goes up in smoke? It's so easy in moments like these to forget what we have to be thankful for. After all, this thing we call life can become awfully messy.</div>
<div class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="chapter-2">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span class="text 1Chr-29-1">"Then King David said to the entire assembly, 'My son Solomon, whom alone God has chosen, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-11166A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span>is still young and inexperienced and the work is great; for <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-11166B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span>the temple is not for man, but for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> God.</span> <span class="text 1Chr-29-2" id="en-NASB-11167">Now <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-11167C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span>with all my ability I have provided for the house of my God the gold for the things of gold, and the silver for the things of silver, and the bronze for the things of bronze, the iron for the things of iron, and wood for the things of wood, onyx stones and inlaid stones, stones of antimony and stones of various colors, and all kinds of precious stones and alabaster in abundance.</span> <span class="text 1Chr-29-3" id="en-NASB-11168">Moreover, in my delight in the house of my God, the treasure I have of gold and silver, I give to the house of my God, over and above all that I have already provided for the holy<b> </b>temple...'</span>" (1 Chronicles 29:1-3 NASB).</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white;">
<span class="text 1Chr-29-5"><span style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div>
<div class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span class="text 1Chr-29-5"><br /></span></div>
<div class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white;">
<span class="text 1Chr-29-5">And then I remember God. During these moments when I find myself sinking into the icy water, I remember the commitment I made to Him two years ago to put my faith in His son Jesus Christ, whose great love saves me. He pulls me out of the freezing water, no matter how deep in I may be - no matter how long I have been there or how numb I may feel. He saves me from me now and me later, from a me that deserves to drown. He has redeemed me from so many worldly mistakes, when I, too, was young and inexperienced. And still the work is great - still there are so many obstacles to work through, but the attempt, like the temple, is not for man, but for our Lord God. Two years ago I was drowning in my own sin, not realizing that I was homeless and dying, but since that day I have tried to build an inner house for my God - tried to learn how to give Him the soft things, the hard things, the warm things, the cold things, the precious things, the big and small things, and the treasured things; tried to learn how to cast iron for those things that must be forged with iron, how to cultivate gold for those things that must shine...and how to rejoice in Him so that I may have life in abundance. </span></div>
<div class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white;">
<span class="text 1Chr-29-5"><br /></span></div>
<div class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white;">
<span class="text 1Chr-29-5"><span style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span></div>
<div class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span class="text 1Chr-29-5"><br /></span></div>
<div class="chapter-2">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span class="text 1Chr-29-10" style="font-family: inherit;">"So David blessed the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, 'Blessed are You, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> God of Israel our father, forever and ever.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="text 1Chr-29-11" id="en-NASB-11176" style="font-family: inherit;">Yours, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="text 1Chr-29-12" id="en-NASB-11177" style="font-family: inherit;">Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-11177M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></span>in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="text 1Chr-29-13" id="en-NASB-11178" style="font-family: inherit;">Now therefore, our God, <b><i>we thank You</i></b>, and praise Your glorious name'" </span>(1 Chronicles 29:10-13 NASB).</span></div>
</div>
<span class="text 1Chr-29-13" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span class="text 1Chr-29-13" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><br />
<br />
I don't know if I will ever be able to walk over the icy surface of the Lake of Hurts and Sorrows without falling completely in, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). Jesus walked upon water and invited Peter to follow Him (Matthew 14); should He too tell me to "come" I pray that my faith will overcome my fear. God knows how the story ends. All I know right here right now is that there are things one cannot hold inside for too long without shattering from the inside out - it is better to give it to Him - to allow for His will to be done. All we can do is continue to build and continue to give and continue to praise His glorious name. And for the hope of Jesus, of having His hand to hold onto when I sink, I am so thankful.<br />
<br />
Always,<br />
Kimberly<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-14-22"><b>"</b>Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.</span> <span class="text Matt-14-23" id="en-NASB-23621">After He had sent the crowds away, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-23621B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span>He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.</span> <span class="text Matt-14-24" id="en-NASB-23622">But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was<b> </b>contrary.</span> <span class="text Matt-14-25" id="en-NASB-23623">And in <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-23623D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span>the<b> </b>fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.</span><span class="text Matt-14-26" id="en-NASB-23624"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-23624E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></span>a ghost!' And they cried out in fear.</span> <span class="text Matt-14-27" id="en-NASB-23625">But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, <span style="color: #660000;">'<span class="woj">Take courage, it is I; <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-23625G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></span>do not be afraid.'</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-14-28" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-14-28" id="en-NASB-23626" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Peter said to Him, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.'</span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"> </span><span class="text Matt-14-29" id="en-NASB-23627"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">And He said, <span style="color: #660000;">'<span class="woj">Come!'</span></span> And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.</span></span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"> </span><span class="text Matt-14-30" id="en-NASB-23628" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'</span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"> </span><span class="text Matt-14-31" id="en-NASB-23629" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, <span style="color: #660000;">'Y<span class="woj">ou of little faith, why did you doubt?'</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"> </span><span class="text Matt-14-32" id="en-NASB-23630" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">When they got into the boat, the wind stopped.</span><span class="text Matt-14-33" id="en-NASB-23631" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, 'You are certainly <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-23631I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></span>God’s Son!'" (Matthew 14:22-33 NASB).</span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-18703103904383488952013-11-24T22:08:00.001-05:002013-11-24T22:11:50.674-05:00Three-day Weekend Success<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
It's day 3 of what has been a most wonderful and much needed <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/11/three-day-weekend.html">long weekend</a>. The weather here has dropped down to a cold 34°F with lots of wind, but the sun has been out during the day for which I am grateful. It's now time for wearing layers; you can find me wearing my favorite alma mater hoodie underneath one of my husband's bulky and warm jackets, wrapped up with a scarf. I have enjoyed wearing my recently finished <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/09/granny-squares-and-parties.html">granny square scarf</a>. 17 squares of 5 rounds each makes this a wonderfully long scarf. I've received a number of compliments on it, which I think is due to the "just right" mix of feminine and masculine colors.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9NxyXbXcY-cnV8KJworkbI9wRxB9U1oYAHNATlQ0j2OQzPEOZL1voIWX-TlfVyVW4ydQ3EKf3sG0xcdp2ZdqoVKX4oUs4PSSKE5Vqd5Ffr9l2S8MB5rAVY8eTfdlqVS0BgkYQzyqcx3f/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9NxyXbXcY-cnV8KJworkbI9wRxB9U1oYAHNATlQ0j2OQzPEOZL1voIWX-TlfVyVW4ydQ3EKf3sG0xcdp2ZdqoVKX4oUs4PSSKE5Vqd5Ffr9l2S8MB5rAVY8eTfdlqVS0BgkYQzyqcx3f/s1600/IMG_0960.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_J4DYY__aggK0P9PwmuO5WbuDhslRUzoQnuo55IhDG6ptuW__xgb_zFLJp4szG_xh6Is4iXvIwOzk2FRcdl7dYf1AONZSU5lcR64rGcTIAplffbySQUGyAc6w04z-f7XCgI8Zes8FwlM4/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_J4DYY__aggK0P9PwmuO5WbuDhslRUzoQnuo55IhDG6ptuW__xgb_zFLJp4szG_xh6Is4iXvIwOzk2FRcdl7dYf1AONZSU5lcR64rGcTIAplffbySQUGyAc6w04z-f7XCgI8Zes8FwlM4/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
With the scarf finished, I decided to switch things up a bit and am now attempting my first non-scarf crochet project, and I'm pretty excited about it. Our round, wooden kitchen table was passed down from a family member over a year ago, and the only placemats we ever had for it were rectangular and made out of plastic, which warped over time. So I've decided to try my hand at making our own, using <a href="http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/oval-placemat-coaster" target="_blank">this oval placemat pattern</a> from Red Heart.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uBVs_2H1UPGkIUKPOSmuTQAbR5alkiIGqTrbIsdvSmr6m-W5d-H98CGnFrwzY2r6NyFAwFgqjucASUOWjal520PFEPSfaAsBXXiWJs-mve3wTE4NuJRWFO644s4Xp2BH3TEYHgKcvbMK/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uBVs_2H1UPGkIUKPOSmuTQAbR5alkiIGqTrbIsdvSmr6m-W5d-H98CGnFrwzY2r6NyFAwFgqjucASUOWjal520PFEPSfaAsBXXiWJs-mve3wTE4NuJRWFO644s4Xp2BH3TEYHgKcvbMK/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uBVs_2H1UPGkIUKPOSmuTQAbR5alkiIGqTrbIsdvSmr6m-W5d-H98CGnFrwzY2r6NyFAwFgqjucASUOWjal520PFEPSfaAsBXXiWJs-mve3wTE4NuJRWFO644s4Xp2BH3TEYHgKcvbMK/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEgCdI-uNG2r8osf2Hgh4_6tdLA22x8JS7lDNc7UbRQ_n53U9Iq71k4WEktgDO2nA1e9DGgRbxfX61_2PAHvMdeGPfONZ1JckWHV1PguDGJvOCZzCk42vH4j8Q_QTNywQAT0z6zSRRuGHhxM/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdI-uNG2r8osf2Hgh4_6tdLA22x8JS7lDNc7UbRQ_n53U9Iq71k4WEktgDO2nA1e9DGgRbxfX61_2PAHvMdeGPfONZ1JckWHV1PguDGJvOCZzCk42vH4j8Q_QTNywQAT0z6zSRRuGHhxM/s1600/IMG_0977.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is the first completed one - not perfect but I'm pretty happy with it for my first try. The colors are quite lovely with our china, warm but not seasonal, so I am hoping to use them throughout the year. Three more to go!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LuZPsQtl8hHjJiPOS3E8lyM_YnJvMG22qZp8pYgFwoKNbWvmdhRhuBwSb9X7hfzCyrLCScSIKMdNz0FtiwWau3ug3uPoy7M1lhkhlalIj19-kylM1XYOCEqF87btDUCuJkxYfHGFPoDP/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LuZPsQtl8hHjJiPOS3E8lyM_YnJvMG22qZp8pYgFwoKNbWvmdhRhuBwSb9X7hfzCyrLCScSIKMdNz0FtiwWau3ug3uPoy7M1lhkhlalIj19-kylM1XYOCEqF87btDUCuJkxYfHGFPoDP/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Again I say that this weekend was perfectly timed, as I am scheduled to work the next 14 days straight. And since I find myself working on Thanksgiving, I decided to surprise my husband on Saturday with an early celebration. I prepared a beautiful roasted chicken, stuffed with aromatics like lemon, rosemary, and thyme, along with roasted red potatoes, onions, and broccoli, smothered with giblet gravy, served with homemade milk bread rolls, and for dessert a pumpkin pie made from scratch. Not too fussy, since it was just the two of us, but it turned out to be quite special.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CdKLhSVYDIFtuZzJo_aRm2Z1ggv91yLOoH7Ieq3gIab3z9sD3UZ6JLMxbxzEqdavPGxGjyEmj7nfD5GJjAG2ymF3sRWlIMdmcxCK-azEUdsyxNNYIoVsvmO2akN9jZUaQuqDzvWuYnrI/s1600/IMG_20131123_163910_750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CdKLhSVYDIFtuZzJo_aRm2Z1ggv91yLOoH7Ieq3gIab3z9sD3UZ6JLMxbxzEqdavPGxGjyEmj7nfD5GJjAG2ymF3sRWlIMdmcxCK-azEUdsyxNNYIoVsvmO2akN9jZUaQuqDzvWuYnrI/s1600/IMG_20131123_163910_750.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEjzGrYnxlP8JOVkRwFHl0UbX0IehZhyphenhyphenAKAXzIP-3iNzG9TuLStSz8p1aET9dKZhEV1t080m_rOMFQaP-tBzveRuDDQQXWToc2w3fOU_0JQykOPE7BET73KfstMFZP1o_BYHIjI3u-l-4vya/s1600/IMG_20131123_221252_337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGrYnxlP8JOVkRwFHl0UbX0IehZhyphenhyphenAKAXzIP-3iNzG9TuLStSz8p1aET9dKZhEV1t080m_rOMFQaP-tBzveRuDDQQXWToc2w3fOU_0JQykOPE7BET73KfstMFZP1o_BYHIjI3u-l-4vya/s640/IMG_20131123_221252_337.jpg" /> </a> </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
We feasted after watching the much anticipated simulcast airing of the 50th anniversary episode of <a href="http://www.doctorwho.tv/" target="_blank">Doctor Who</a>. Epic, as always. "Allonsy!"</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKXg5lkgidoHy3fV6siIUk83rxKJcgChQh_RzcMLO6yEO13QK0Ro-uHBwKKBMC03PHmnGhEXwzFdhn1SgdDlUraa2BJHVx1BDafyqzaqh10wHO3hP_hcMiKxidxlALuPo5t-0kgGuEqVY/s1600/1393702_588800124508016_111317146_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKXg5lkgidoHy3fV6siIUk83rxKJcgChQh_RzcMLO6yEO13QK0Ro-uHBwKKBMC03PHmnGhEXwzFdhn1SgdDlUraa2BJHVx1BDafyqzaqh10wHO3hP_hcMiKxidxlALuPo5t-0kgGuEqVY/s1600/1393702_588800124508016_111317146_n.jpg" height="320" width="292" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm happy to say it's been a very successful three-day weekend. There's food in the fridge for the upcoming week, laundry has been washed, folded, and put away, my Doctor Who fix has been satisfied (for now, at least), had some playtime with our dog, joked around with family, crocheted one placemat, dusted, kitchen's clean, and I even got a work out in! And the best part is that I got to spend much of the time with my wonderful husband. Three-day weekend <b><i>success</i></b>!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Always,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kimberly</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-81611551005229118982013-11-20T22:04:00.000-05:002013-11-20T22:04:10.311-05:00Three-Day WeekendWith one more day of work ahead of me and a very welcomed three-day weekend, I find myself thinking on <i>possibilities</i>. Three whole days to fill at my leisure - to fill with possible new crochet projects and recipes, a good book, maybe a work out or two, definitely some play time with the dog. There aren't any plans set yet, I'm just enjoying the <i>idea</i> of boundless options. As I get older, I appreciate moments of leisure far more than I did in my youth, when time was a frivolous thing. And now I recognize the importance of spending it in the pursuit of building my relationship with the Lord, creating art, developing the mind, and bettering our home - all more worthwhile than time spent in recklessness. There's not a plan yet, for I know God has the plans, and I'm just along for the ride!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXzX3xnjOA4X8VjQMnA6sR1pWwYKIs2YtxWrYd2ZlOPDEJBa-cToTtRkHfDODJk6jKqnx6r068kFGd-gmOMSIbUvrVStY2YH98p96ltMzfW0IfoOJxbukpdxos77QCGj12tlDdH0C6pl1/s1600/plansjeremiah2911-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuXzX3xnjOA4X8VjQMnA6sR1pWwYKIs2YtxWrYd2ZlOPDEJBa-cToTtRkHfDODJk6jKqnx6r068kFGd-gmOMSIbUvrVStY2YH98p96ltMzfW0IfoOJxbukpdxos77QCGj12tlDdH0C6pl1/s1600/plansjeremiah2911-1.jpg" height="320" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image found on Google Images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Always,<br />
KimberlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-19873938198673375652013-11-17T16:24:00.000-05:002013-11-17T16:25:50.297-05:00Birthday Date at Rock City Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For my birthday a couple of weeks ago, my husband and I took a wonderful drive up Lookout Mountain to visit <a href="http://seerockcity.com/" target="_blank">Rock City Gardens</a> in Georgia. The trees had just started to turn, and the sights were, in a word, glorious.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0u09cixPBFR28EBailuOpkDNmLccPXOLTDWX8dKr3Bjq9RciC72BN4QDxsFsao1Y3mH03OBR9S3f1M3mo_bXt9-EfAs6IV8m5TF1loOEnOiekTgAnHKArT6CBDlfViujsXNUpSRPJB1nk/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0u09cixPBFR28EBailuOpkDNmLccPXOLTDWX8dKr3Bjq9RciC72BN4QDxsFsao1Y3mH03OBR9S3f1M3mo_bXt9-EfAs6IV8m5TF1loOEnOiekTgAnHKArT6CBDlfViujsXNUpSRPJB1nk/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5sqSCuzCxWNEgOMPHCyQC_xRtSIsvbJ_tyMJxXP11mCszlrn4mWqUXlPbfgzQlymSYw-Vd0EMglganQ-O9-PTZaFoO8fqKnSvoMJUFUG-UnULEPS4udLxgtzpdFrhUd1GCzTZkmfnaeI/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5sqSCuzCxWNEgOMPHCyQC_xRtSIsvbJ_tyMJxXP11mCszlrn4mWqUXlPbfgzQlymSYw-Vd0EMglganQ-O9-PTZaFoO8fqKnSvoMJUFUG-UnULEPS4udLxgtzpdFrhUd1GCzTZkmfnaeI/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcew8mp-9wKsrUni4jPovhxswWfXYzSLrOf4t229wyZ6XqeZULJppvx8xSZ37wB7k3dwEp-hxSPp58JWKRMRGh9pQPL3LmWxhS8tDJeftp7HdgziaatwqN-f3ms3surCy29tt95iUd2C3/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcew8mp-9wKsrUni4jPovhxswWfXYzSLrOf4t229wyZ6XqeZULJppvx8xSZ37wB7k3dwEp-hxSPp58JWKRMRGh9pQPL3LmWxhS8tDJeftp7HdgziaatwqN-f3ms3surCy29tt95iUd2C3/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The weather was chilly but the sky was blue with just enough sun, the wind was blowing but not icy. I had been to the attraction three times previously, always at Christmas time when they have their famous <a href="http://seerockcity.com/pages/Enchanted-Garden-of-Lights/" target="_blank">Rock City Enchanted Garden of Lights</a>. A night time attraction with thousands of Christmas lights ablaze, it's truly a magical place. But I have always wanted to see the actual gardens during the day time, and I was not disappointed.</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/AVvXsEis0nUXVJvSoWHeEp5zCngjjgjkDnt8gQ9P6DtAhMmmMUtoRqzrwzz_Yfzcc9ilE_vaet5uS335uuZLQtjtXt9bdHxwCd5Fclowh36v7Yk7DitOYlXHetc9iMhj1TyBSNq0et0YZ7uEomI-/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0nUXVJvSoWHeEp5zCngjjgjkDnt8gQ9P6DtAhMmmMUtoRqzrwzz_Yfzcc9ilE_vaet5uS335uuZLQtjtXt9bdHxwCd5Fclowh36v7Yk7DitOYlXHetc9iMhj1TyBSNq0et0YZ7uEomI-/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-U_QwwD4yaI9FhGN7vKN1gek3DP1uhYfb_hXiX-WpH4ram9mAbLPNlep2Xna3R0S3jk_29h2kqsdjbZEIR1OSUy8AkU7EYXT8FEZ138GdR9Bsk0t_a7ccyADbRWg5KFB6tDV6UO4iqCD/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-U_QwwD4yaI9FhGN7vKN1gek3DP1uhYfb_hXiX-WpH4ram9mAbLPNlep2Xna3R0S3jk_29h2kqsdjbZEIR1OSUy8AkU7EYXT8FEZ138GdR9Bsk0t_a7ccyADbRWg5KFB6tDV6UO4iqCD/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The place is famous for many reasons, and gnomes is one of them. There are dozens of little gnome statues that populate the gardens, each one hard at work.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRW6Z3tmJAwwYKfNV254E04Bt3835Apqjkvvo0DTGZ8l16R724lwl-ktVXJP9qAsTKcJzKa8ixCyKqv7aNVme7CvFqLHpxF1grkpcUDVA2rrb6p8bAJBYf506ozwM6R478_pgJQ2YcIhp/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRW6Z3tmJAwwYKfNV254E04Bt3835Apqjkvvo0DTGZ8l16R724lwl-ktVXJP9qAsTKcJzKa8ixCyKqv7aNVme7CvFqLHpxF1grkpcUDVA2rrb6p8bAJBYf506ozwM6R478_pgJQ2YcIhp/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The second thing it is famous for are the iconic red and black barns painted with the phrase "See Rock City." Used in an advertising campaign starting in 1935, the now-famous slogan could be found painted on barns all the way from Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. And though the barns are disappearing, the iconic painted slogan continues to grace birdhouses and Christmas ornaments (we've even got one for our Christmas tree!). (You can learn more about the Rock City Barn History <a href="http://seerockcity.com/pages/Barn-History/" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjPej1MUnXiWmj3Xvk-lgQtvIFX-2GwMOqo6g6agYCSo0GGbMn6CZ4PquDILZfnec-lw2i1O87Yi_UUkrBoqQ5SkUIuWbrcRk0bF9967SXaHZ9gm0IL7VJ5mkh_44DuvKdCeXk13v01lF/s1600/IMG_0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHjPej1MUnXiWmj3Xvk-lgQtvIFX-2GwMOqo6g6agYCSo0GGbMn6CZ4PquDILZfnec-lw2i1O87Yi_UUkrBoqQ5SkUIuWbrcRk0bF9967SXaHZ9gm0IL7VJ5mkh_44DuvKdCeXk13v01lF/s1600/IMG_0898.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-FvvdmmD3uwtocg6g0jxQZBdmbvWZblSqG-MYM4OmqzYI-6vcXl4wGsAyq16NHQGalOqrnHo-Hqk8UA7pTjnHDQEpq1Q1rz4Zf8A1QuOwQiBKnqLsuwkqmRROYmFd24R5-gsnQDNXvhd/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-FvvdmmD3uwtocg6g0jxQZBdmbvWZblSqG-MYM4OmqzYI-6vcXl4wGsAyq16NHQGalOqrnHo-Hqk8UA7pTjnHDQEpq1Q1rz4Zf8A1QuOwQiBKnqLsuwkqmRROYmFd24R5-gsnQDNXvhd/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1uc3dYwLxXca-SogNHPWVeQ82R48l9c1zpBlwnS7HFQpKI5hXcbyTzUTGAMQsb-bbRX_ARqeWdXqSzCfNpqSCpUxnhEq1rhhR43DxMurHjCNy3hPF_Ov-cbGT4_6IZyfDuXbA0Fcl9jq/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1uc3dYwLxXca-SogNHPWVeQ82R48l9c1zpBlwnS7HFQpKI5hXcbyTzUTGAMQsb-bbRX_ARqeWdXqSzCfNpqSCpUxnhEq1rhhR43DxMurHjCNy3hPF_Ov-cbGT4_6IZyfDuXbA0Fcl9jq/s1600/IMG_0909.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Ain't my husband a tall glass of water? ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKYY07KJBE6h4L0MKJL8IyNVallmu1q_-oaCSFJq2kwl8Lf1Aj4JswLzd20CMZk2DyxCsg8sCPhLLCMvXCq7NsQH9KKv6MuwMLUpsQ_GhTIQ0Gbjb7qyDXjLf0assAs_ntllBj8o6nMhE/s1600/IMG_0912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKYY07KJBE6h4L0MKJL8IyNVallmu1q_-oaCSFJq2kwl8Lf1Aj4JswLzd20CMZk2DyxCsg8sCPhLLCMvXCq7NsQH9KKv6MuwMLUpsQ_GhTIQ0Gbjb7qyDXjLf0assAs_ntllBj8o6nMhE/s1600/IMG_0912.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqvk4pESZvdVfXnCQvTNmVDkzP4LQHO0uQYHeokhUw77D1_ci5wDHfjE2D79_8BE5B3KXtdWXXQ5ZD6smOUktU6SFgKZ_YpHnngxNayvq4QeTIQnFU6GindmJRQHtBRiw5iByQPw7DzNa/s1600/IMG_0913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqvk4pESZvdVfXnCQvTNmVDkzP4LQHO0uQYHeokhUw77D1_ci5wDHfjE2D79_8BE5B3KXtdWXXQ5ZD6smOUktU6SFgKZ_YpHnngxNayvq4QeTIQnFU6GindmJRQHtBRiw5iByQPw7DzNa/s1600/IMG_0913.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilc7i0J4HChL7M-gWoNlhBrKu24_JHu3l6f1-8cn4kl2QBf8LyacQ9MAwKZKzJRlTboBFmqQIKdCH9FWNtw4kGxEtzv1DL6IWgR4PmfkG2Meoey9QN_N8igRsDifqaSrZuHmGDSFCKxPPL/s1600/IMG_0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilc7i0J4HChL7M-gWoNlhBrKu24_JHu3l6f1-8cn4kl2QBf8LyacQ9MAwKZKzJRlTboBFmqQIKdCH9FWNtw4kGxEtzv1DL6IWgR4PmfkG2Meoey9QN_N8igRsDifqaSrZuHmGDSFCKxPPL/s1600/IMG_0914.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></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/AVvXsEjbVoEPIRclqq67Hcib3SXtdsfrdOdGfxYN-Cjyw0ZamzDbqhwbxvjBMOpjU8SsiR1JiyKwEN50dkq8fSAs0afdPA2uW0HTq7tJENcNfWnXodpaYukr9xzagFmsbFrIbPdqFJ-oP4vpPO9U/s1600/IMG_0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVoEPIRclqq67Hcib3SXtdsfrdOdGfxYN-Cjyw0ZamzDbqhwbxvjBMOpjU8SsiR1JiyKwEN50dkq8fSAs0afdPA2uW0HTq7tJENcNfWnXodpaYukr9xzagFmsbFrIbPdqFJ-oP4vpPO9U/s1600/IMG_0915.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></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/AVvXsEi-4l5EdCG43-_dTESMssqbpUAOs-TsF9nyqFWSglpldPp62tZ51mIVusbQ3MwEjLvmhYOLLi4owylsXgd-x9MtdNx_q1xZZ78omiaXGwcUpmvJMqku9LwMXQ1fj8_OsZuW9y0bsB0EnWof/s1600/IMG_0918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4l5EdCG43-_dTESMssqbpUAOs-TsF9nyqFWSglpldPp62tZ51mIVusbQ3MwEjLvmhYOLLi4owylsXgd-x9MtdNx_q1xZZ78omiaXGwcUpmvJMqku9LwMXQ1fj8_OsZuW9y0bsB0EnWof/s1600/IMG_0918.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The most famous thing Rock City is known for are its incredible views. It is said that one can "See 7 States" from the top of the overlook.<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/AVvXsEjzqJeGLW6kSNh6mx5rG2pQSsTm-sm5KTceRzq_sPr8bPTlaV2GkpgXj-iPQFGoMoxgdC7iG_X9zKK_eXkjdaOCymKhRGKicb7NQrCC4d7yTliR9d1qQFwr0mlNFv3li3PgvO1rM9uy87s9/s1600/IMG_0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqJeGLW6kSNh6mx5rG2pQSsTm-sm5KTceRzq_sPr8bPTlaV2GkpgXj-iPQFGoMoxgdC7iG_X9zKK_eXkjdaOCymKhRGKicb7NQrCC4d7yTliR9d1qQFwr0mlNFv3li3PgvO1rM9uy87s9/s1600/IMG_0917.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwWkdu_qzB_SRyHPuDXXd3Cub82qqrsCD3hmT-8ifooBoNgUtPij0PfIOBWZsMXqkZfyHP6Q4YSs4-eqXG45Ac77l5llx3Go35-tXCNDJkLOQPoXKSsbLeKEhjAWxWK6bW0Cwmtlzsrf1/s1600/IMG_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWwWkdu_qzB_SRyHPuDXXd3Cub82qqrsCD3hmT-8ifooBoNgUtPij0PfIOBWZsMXqkZfyHP6Q4YSs4-eqXG45Ac77l5llx3Go35-tXCNDJkLOQPoXKSsbLeKEhjAWxWK6bW0Cwmtlzsrf1/s1600/IMG_0919.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JkCbTCrdf5Njxt7zT1jt50vaQei5XATN8dc1X4tqN13CT_waiqMiGRg9YXikqkN7IwW-julwahTbZSMuc8QrcbLbMqeshbN48I4vn62MG2Njp5Ed2RsRkqAI5QKZLG2ktUUPZ-rSBK6J/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JkCbTCrdf5Njxt7zT1jt50vaQei5XATN8dc1X4tqN13CT_waiqMiGRg9YXikqkN7IwW-julwahTbZSMuc8QrcbLbMqeshbN48I4vn62MG2Njp5Ed2RsRkqAI5QKZLG2ktUUPZ-rSBK6J/s1600/IMG_0920.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<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/AVvXsEho0mF_rkhcXjVHO6NKUdARnbn8nXWsngxBDrZu43_CFtcv7A99Q7IZ1ycvTXwKLfp-ToKrxAJZvyZvIZMCRWWi1gmm2-7EGp5G9GOEdz2chNUakqYwI5d2m2OUfT4xioe0IxhSKSz2FRF5/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0mF_rkhcXjVHO6NKUdARnbn8nXWsngxBDrZu43_CFtcv7A99Q7IZ1ycvTXwKLfp-ToKrxAJZvyZvIZMCRWWi1gmm2-7EGp5G9GOEdz2chNUakqYwI5d2m2OUfT4xioe0IxhSKSz2FRF5/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A rainbow found in the trees. The beauty of God's creation took our breath away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjet9lW7N66FFsY49HZw0f5w8fAqvm3KPCLyaHET-IGRnRV9w7TqdSJ6M0C0Hi9IfOvjP_XO_afDWTpY31RT-7OwOJP_1_I36t-r66ARhUvDQeNNquNwyMvw_68VjQRHTqwL2ZhvdHxEfX9/s1600/IMG_0923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjet9lW7N66FFsY49HZw0f5w8fAqvm3KPCLyaHET-IGRnRV9w7TqdSJ6M0C0Hi9IfOvjP_XO_afDWTpY31RT-7OwOJP_1_I36t-r66ARhUvDQeNNquNwyMvw_68VjQRHTqwL2ZhvdHxEfX9/s1600/IMG_0923.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9uhq8SG8EljOr_Q0yNpbWacqeIkYPqrQPadxTiLM4dvVTJp0vy6_8e1SGJIKqf6LgEgBPIngt1JDR9j26-UUg5HBmdxPIIFNhaMIxYGmS0OMcMQ4hqdATgqT1HWWh9e1-u7bgpRnTQTY/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9uhq8SG8EljOr_Q0yNpbWacqeIkYPqrQPadxTiLM4dvVTJp0vy6_8e1SGJIKqf6LgEgBPIngt1JDR9j26-UUg5HBmdxPIIFNhaMIxYGmS0OMcMQ4hqdATgqT1HWWh9e1-u7bgpRnTQTY/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsvO2vpscIx_816FEqnr0a1f48twjaZuwKalaQEDcuNxY4pJiv8qRalDfPBcRJtUifpYhHu5cnaeOpbWlRxUkg7A7K1E0_Gs2wX4P1jMBVgFB4ze8CyPPEnzZSg5HxdoacST_DP0wRpyv/s1600/IMG_0925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsvO2vpscIx_816FEqnr0a1f48twjaZuwKalaQEDcuNxY4pJiv8qRalDfPBcRJtUifpYhHu5cnaeOpbWlRxUkg7A7K1E0_Gs2wX4P1jMBVgFB4ze8CyPPEnzZSg5HxdoacST_DP0wRpyv/s1600/IMG_0925.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Gnome!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiod0g718yW1z4EDJn02sIN3wQoVkbIGHRrcXmwsNaETQ1b05UuhRDweV6G736SMk8o8_qja7ShVYmWBv6VGzDfO0UTHB_qJ6z1_OV8UHAynE8TpHJnEcr3_d5oaQDskQdnppErf0ThCbOq/s1600/IMG_0926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiod0g718yW1z4EDJn02sIN3wQoVkbIGHRrcXmwsNaETQ1b05UuhRDweV6G736SMk8o8_qja7ShVYmWBv6VGzDfO0UTHB_qJ6z1_OV8UHAynE8TpHJnEcr3_d5oaQDskQdnppErf0ThCbOq/s1600/IMG_0926.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgffRlnlnifUXyyiKtQLRbHNqjLx0Fn9fq1c8ZxqMAirgV5X3jR2YckbS71b0OzRjxAxFVtpz-mKqJXR9wY9Ma7WNvpQ4fRYGt77ncQ69v-MJDWHBA6SczMKXcYDVP-FEEiQSAWDozaKp/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgffRlnlnifUXyyiKtQLRbHNqjLx0Fn9fq1c8ZxqMAirgV5X3jR2YckbS71b0OzRjxAxFVtpz-mKqJXR9wY9Ma7WNvpQ4fRYGt77ncQ69v-MJDWHBA6SczMKXcYDVP-FEEiQSAWDozaKp/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vvLCb00EoxcYPagKZNcS_dZpcZPpIV_7B8_BE3OROitpJNo0p77mZRMMqnIIo7UaFNXwD4oQQlnuvJig8mynkAUzZNxBk2HtxoKq1_XGwF9kxIRt_Fu3i_-AoXaxF1Wb0GdV-ICgan0M/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vvLCb00EoxcYPagKZNcS_dZpcZPpIV_7B8_BE3OROitpJNo0p77mZRMMqnIIo7UaFNXwD4oQQlnuvJig8mynkAUzZNxBk2HtxoKq1_XGwF9kxIRt_Fu3i_-AoXaxF1Wb0GdV-ICgan0M/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5ocbcCEDJZGqTCqgyq6V_eAx3UOJ6nX-aZhqutyzXzdHIbdSEiRTGrLL9tM6B5SZp681QuSErFNzB9Npu1DJlMbSYK5jD_aW3KPp3ZQtCNOLZZjvDosNPExLF60BRV1J0Vtw2pFHXpXh/s1600/IMG_0931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5ocbcCEDJZGqTCqgyq6V_eAx3UOJ6nX-aZhqutyzXzdHIbdSEiRTGrLL9tM6B5SZp681QuSErFNzB9Npu1DJlMbSYK5jD_aW3KPp3ZQtCNOLZZjvDosNPExLF60BRV1J0Vtw2pFHXpXh/s1600/IMG_0931.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rY-JHZCxErftHFgwRbkhEzHk3Ot_jUz-1mlTzpnEYzlBa313fKyM2yfJdY6TcpJsppmhEt96FUADv73eCf8v5Bk2vHmimBP_ujdvRMZ7C84wEuJ4KNEnbddrXKWjv1Q_ESnP1oUmxsPE/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rY-JHZCxErftHFgwRbkhEzHk3Ot_jUz-1mlTzpnEYzlBa313fKyM2yfJdY6TcpJsppmhEt96FUADv73eCf8v5Bk2vHmimBP_ujdvRMZ7C84wEuJ4KNEnbddrXKWjv1Q_ESnP1oUmxsPE/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I have to say, you've got a pretty awesome view, little gnome fella.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOXhxvCp9ittNe2E4fWEt6LTffqOtjJi7GotT9qZDme4aO1uM_65BzQ9hDdWHASmPR5_H0j_fYcv0tGbh6zLj_6fURLPp-j6ehvCYPPj5PXjQRu8YpeCcLNPN8j5f9e8Bo6pB_BvMOOKe/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOXhxvCp9ittNe2E4fWEt6LTffqOtjJi7GotT9qZDme4aO1uM_65BzQ9hDdWHASmPR5_H0j_fYcv0tGbh6zLj_6fURLPp-j6ehvCYPPj5PXjQRu8YpeCcLNPN8j5f9e8Bo6pB_BvMOOKe/s1600/IMG_0933.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD311L7fqpLEPanHHMzIY3jy9A4zLud6xyMbVJHpC1WTkaLgYiUxjzQECMmgwpGvn_wjbLSnhgzD2yH2A2LnPeZZelIvtLptXOqP5p9hYTm-BayUTel30osdhhWhyUsUBVJwD26oG1di0G/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD311L7fqpLEPanHHMzIY3jy9A4zLud6xyMbVJHpC1WTkaLgYiUxjzQECMmgwpGvn_wjbLSnhgzD2yH2A2LnPeZZelIvtLptXOqP5p9hYTm-BayUTel30osdhhWhyUsUBVJwD26oG1di0G/s1600/IMG_0938.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18wWYbxbSRwoDBE1wqSmJ4nJPAr04H8XIBwRN8kHfPF8hmWRGuSZDTKZZ1nBVozRK0u0tsFhptNqRMSi9PyKqgWO2pTShWjVzH5phINhYZKpji3yqFKpMDyBshEyfCXoqqoKu2dBnC_29/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18wWYbxbSRwoDBE1wqSmJ4nJPAr04H8XIBwRN8kHfPF8hmWRGuSZDTKZZ1nBVozRK0u0tsFhptNqRMSi9PyKqgWO2pTShWjVzH5phINhYZKpji3yqFKpMDyBshEyfCXoqqoKu2dBnC_29/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdnztC1Fb2MGGXH8Q2pVIQU3rEAnO411Os1IO3Bd7yyY2IaKMQjbyDdkGU5tOWyJjLGEj7AtI03u4tMfak3-DYXzv9v3PXXupuKBymPVOIw5_nyomWSGNn50fkFMtZV4JqfBkpE3aqjnv/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdnztC1Fb2MGGXH8Q2pVIQU3rEAnO411Os1IO3Bd7yyY2IaKMQjbyDdkGU5tOWyJjLGEj7AtI03u4tMfak3-DYXzv9v3PXXupuKBymPVOIw5_nyomWSGNn50fkFMtZV4JqfBkpE3aqjnv/s1600/IMG_0940.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The view of downtown Chattanooga, TN is jaw dropping.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomFDzNVsgSYDX7fTdGzFj-TlUsYfdPQYZ448mAGVxpsZSxH8r1PfXjSxJNYkUI2wyGk0pvzRs8G8-5fZAEi8lOIRy5rFDZfQ0DNf_sp_hnIvqDrZYtKlXpQeG5wtCCSO3hvn1fhCzxL5F/s1600/IMG_0942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomFDzNVsgSYDX7fTdGzFj-TlUsYfdPQYZ448mAGVxpsZSxH8r1PfXjSxJNYkUI2wyGk0pvzRs8G8-5fZAEi8lOIRy5rFDZfQ0DNf_sp_hnIvqDrZYtKlXpQeG5wtCCSO3hvn1fhCzxL5F/s1600/IMG_0942.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgID3fCuyCtgHhODRFc-5UzaC7JRNcF7SjgdQALDhisVxs2csUkTThfvIY9A6Mwmrv6eqaoBH2mBq5iRpNrn-6PY6gJ6wKpFRbP40RusDd7XZzOozcoZjQQvID0AdOnARR66nMd4ZJxf3zS/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgID3fCuyCtgHhODRFc-5UzaC7JRNcF7SjgdQALDhisVxs2csUkTThfvIY9A6Mwmrv6eqaoBH2mBq5iRpNrn-6PY6gJ6wKpFRbP40RusDd7XZzOozcoZjQQvID0AdOnARR66nMd4ZJxf3zS/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vGcUa_UuCJMA0I-vrby8r7mOjDPzPLEhFzN9g1y7-4If0rrTiA3BvDGgVad8Sr9DY56Bx_oxy-FN0HRuHTMrM77GfSuZwXXy604hXkJ9MFiG3sxqWjIb-8KsON6fNaz1g0QoNofvXoD6/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vGcUa_UuCJMA0I-vrby8r7mOjDPzPLEhFzN9g1y7-4If0rrTiA3BvDGgVad8Sr9DY56Bx_oxy-FN0HRuHTMrM77GfSuZwXXy604hXkJ9MFiG3sxqWjIb-8KsON6fNaz1g0QoNofvXoD6/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgB6Up7DyuQfbo6UXjromK3BU920gbLGvCAKOvV2ZLFNkgPvRsdw1gFzye2hs4mR00WUjvyZek_KNxe8yfrHvUDC76ZtCclf0ZxEhwB2t9T7VzDrgNglxt9Pul4ZWefWD_sHFbdWlQMVU/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgB6Up7DyuQfbo6UXjromK3BU920gbLGvCAKOvV2ZLFNkgPvRsdw1gFzye2hs4mR00WUjvyZek_KNxe8yfrHvUDC76ZtCclf0ZxEhwB2t9T7VzDrgNglxt9Pul4ZWefWD_sHFbdWlQMVU/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Inside one of the caverns, there's an homage to dozens of fairy tales, done in neon. So cute!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UiyYFGQA52hKwQrCWQV5RL9SJMCLVJ-bm9rFAFx6c_0ItCgMYDlKLKHwbPJWmJiEuQugqZ3gtJlGcEciOFAf-zhRs8_0EoDpVh943ax1RGoituTzg-lWUN7bTNu9bSINKu7vpK6kNpVo/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UiyYFGQA52hKwQrCWQV5RL9SJMCLVJ-bm9rFAFx6c_0ItCgMYDlKLKHwbPJWmJiEuQugqZ3gtJlGcEciOFAf-zhRs8_0EoDpVh943ax1RGoituTzg-lWUN7bTNu9bSINKu7vpK6kNpVo/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6Y1UaPzI4-hsUc5u7f53WALPCU7fwOtiCU9q1kh1np6q3kux1EpKDu4klimyyDyTU630eR_Zioyta_d0PBoC5QAVS_aDslkCPwrPeBzBKVUytVDv1HV3quZMV0mVoYbJGpC6EZ5WADKN/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6Y1UaPzI4-hsUc5u7f53WALPCU7fwOtiCU9q1kh1np6q3kux1EpKDu4klimyyDyTU630eR_Zioyta_d0PBoC5QAVS_aDslkCPwrPeBzBKVUytVDv1HV3quZMV0mVoYbJGpC6EZ5WADKN/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibygKFkPAv4fmJA7DYuOUVT2p78X7-uQj68Gk2X2NcG2BySmOMgNL9shmXJ2LfthQnp9vt1jjrvsXwSKuHEWxFJZXmGL1pxfpomBZA0qvuYh3ZazgzRylMVH2cl7WHvSh249dalX8dJ2AM/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibygKFkPAv4fmJA7DYuOUVT2p78X7-uQj68Gk2X2NcG2BySmOMgNL9shmXJ2LfthQnp9vt1jjrvsXwSKuHEWxFJZXmGL1pxfpomBZA0qvuYh3ZazgzRylMVH2cl7WHvSh249dalX8dJ2AM/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After our delightful walk around Rock City, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at a local restaurant that specializes in Southern-style cuisine. With a bottle of white wine, it was a perfect end of a perfect day spent with the love of my life.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-46429783845616025312013-11-03T22:44:00.001-05:002013-11-28T20:43:20.226-05:00A Storybook Bridal Shower<span style="text-align: left;">Well, as much as I wanted to throw my dear sister-in-law, Merri, an </span><a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/10/i-am-woman-hear-me-roar-lingerie-shower.html" style="text-align: left;">"I am Woman Hear Me Roar" lingerie shower</a><span style="text-align: left;">, especially after learning that she does not like animal print anything, I (to her great relief) did not. But I admit, I couldn't help but to gag her a little - a fun laugh to get the jitters out the night before her big day (I am married to her big brother, after all)! </span><br />
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">Inspired by her "faery tale" wedding theme, I went with a "storybook" theme for her bridal shower. Taking advantage of the October harvest, we found some beautiful "storybook" <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/10/october-pumpkins.html">pumpkins</a> in tones of orange, grey, white, green, and black, and used them to help set the scene.</span><br />
<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/AVvXsEgQUWCqGymJTocBwiOlgQRQ9KduSXel-aJVwKcugir4x6XgGcMcFOfFcK_73hvE7uf90oMY9P_EKQnTTWOZhdTpti5Nr2m4M6u6QIJ0rE5D5sV_8ViGcVxS6vT9ROS_99osupSIY2zSWeBQ/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUWCqGymJTocBwiOlgQRQ9KduSXel-aJVwKcugir4x6XgGcMcFOfFcK_73hvE7uf90oMY9P_EKQnTTWOZhdTpti5Nr2m4M6u6QIJ0rE5D5sV_8ViGcVxS6vT9ROS_99osupSIY2zSWeBQ/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Her favorite flower is the tulip, but since it isn't the right season for them, we found a gorgeous tulip print for the napkins and cups at the party store.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-bwEakwtfL9bPt9qy2XK6K2GH8GOktIBNJVEg5qgHFwLQug0X0rN5ol4F2bR1bfqm-_-ZAp1dqdXdkk8Yppaew55kpPOdwddDc3oZVBo6qOeZxkQDTQ2W0m4pWK20phKHN78g-RSf8f7/s1600/IMG_0859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-bwEakwtfL9bPt9qy2XK6K2GH8GOktIBNJVEg5qgHFwLQug0X0rN5ol4F2bR1bfqm-_-ZAp1dqdXdkk8Yppaew55kpPOdwddDc3oZVBo6qOeZxkQDTQ2W0m4pWK20phKHN78g-RSf8f7/s1600/IMG_0859.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Because I love feeding people, I just had to cook up some finger foods for our guests.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's the menu I came up with:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Gus's Cheese Ball with Pita Pan Chips</li>
<li>Three Little Pigs in a Blanket with honey mustard dip</li>
<li>Chicken Little Sandwiches</li>
<li>McGregor's Garden Salad with ranch and homemade honey vinaigrette dressings</li>
<li>Peter Pumpkin Seed Eaters</li>
<li>Briar Rose Cake</li>
<li>The Queen's Poisoned Apple Cider</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't tell you how much fun I had coming up with these themed hors d' oeuvres! I cooked all of the savory items, and my husband baked a five (5!) layer cake for the occasion, boasting three layers of <a href="http://www.coca-colacompany.com/food/coca-cola-cake-recipe" target="_blank">Coca-Cola Cake</a> (her favorite beverage) and two layers of White Cake with a Coca-Cola frosting in the middle and white sugar frosting around the outside. This cake could've fed an army, it was so big! But what kind of storybook isn't bigger and grander than average? (At least that's what we told ourselves at three in the morning, when we decided to bake the thing LOL.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All week I had worked to prep for the big day: folding the napkins with plastic ware, cleaning the pumpkins, organizing the grocery list, shopping, making name cards for the food...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q2RbEk12CXu3-kAgBN_0zzZsfX9HonTKWbiM8ugwpfSYVip8I09flNyrEMyAH2EFUzuVxn73SjMVhLAij5jYEXDgftkBPLUHByXBntz5YQ4HS6r-mRyyxXa0igoCnDh-stV7q2xLLZsx/s1600/IMG_20131022_184605_170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8q2RbEk12CXu3-kAgBN_0zzZsfX9HonTKWbiM8ugwpfSYVip8I09flNyrEMyAH2EFUzuVxn73SjMVhLAij5jYEXDgftkBPLUHByXBntz5YQ4HS6r-mRyyxXa0igoCnDh-stV7q2xLLZsx/s1600/IMG_20131022_184605_170.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWn58lJXtlFic4R5j1ge2NcW0r46XYnze-ESyMwMMTCdFoGrG8GbjH_0inUVP3KBVsljC_d2kAp_nVMPfu0o1HlWaEaPp4T6cDc4CQFpXWq2O2rgNt3sk45hnkZ1apEJOYvog-mhnUB3Vb/s1600/IMG_20131022_190456_679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWn58lJXtlFic4R5j1ge2NcW0r46XYnze-ESyMwMMTCdFoGrG8GbjH_0inUVP3KBVsljC_d2kAp_nVMPfu0o1HlWaEaPp4T6cDc4CQFpXWq2O2rgNt3sk45hnkZ1apEJOYvog-mhnUB3Vb/s1600/IMG_20131022_190456_679.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But I will say that my favorite part was carving our grand centerpiece for the food table: a Cinderella-inspired pumpkin carriage!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3GTwlZMw0XHlXWUgKXkQyGPbePc4BNkrPMh-cwdxuGeuRXVCndYr2vf3bEeuAG-gfHGqmx_pvK2e-z_4GvPfsD-oRLkftyvakFuiavI2fh9tDHxmQ6iF9Utw94MV8p6NhO7tC7bXW-hA/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3GTwlZMw0XHlXWUgKXkQyGPbePc4BNkrPMh-cwdxuGeuRXVCndYr2vf3bEeuAG-gfHGqmx_pvK2e-z_4GvPfsD-oRLkftyvakFuiavI2fh9tDHxmQ6iF9Utw94MV8p6NhO7tC7bXW-hA/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With the help of my wonderful husband and grandma, as well as the helping hands of his aunt, here's how the whole thing looked when it came together.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55WpnXmdLe0-NHHCULtSY0Rwhu-xeBJoZ-3nf0DmNM_ed8yq0T8Qi1Dnd7UgZE4tfJ6KhJbEI0GHzJRDm-UkzPuSgFtvnUZupg4sBU3hUAZWXP78UbFwuXUKFcFyi-wvTTqK26YO_5TcY/s1600/IMG_0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55WpnXmdLe0-NHHCULtSY0Rwhu-xeBJoZ-3nf0DmNM_ed8yq0T8Qi1Dnd7UgZE4tfJ6KhJbEI0GHzJRDm-UkzPuSgFtvnUZupg4sBU3hUAZWXP78UbFwuXUKFcFyi-wvTTqK26YO_5TcY/s1600/IMG_0874.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3xxV9wSQQpcsuSd47CGwHOj3583GeQRairfxztfTLt_m1eOc_VUclbyPluUWozLSsRTonbrdVpFnEHBAy7YDpXqICWMa4Hl7TYuvQ_VizoEV0y6wSaiTucNR6hQSiMQMQaxP5bSIjC0k/s1600/IMG_0873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sprinkled throughout are some of my beloved Golden Books, which I have had since childhood, as well as some cute white mice that my mother-in-law found.</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/AVvXsEjboM-Gs6u1-HPsYWfimS2qiSWklBtSiGECgxGMbgl-Fp6DsvgrPmMelKPwsxtasYI4NZlU4A_E0zBF2pweXzDLyBEqDf96xcS-9UhdLw_BZQ7JEi9oVyl1U3LGyqPOO5z6wibrkY_bwMWa/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboM-Gs6u1-HPsYWfimS2qiSWklBtSiGECgxGMbgl-Fp6DsvgrPmMelKPwsxtasYI4NZlU4A_E0zBF2pweXzDLyBEqDf96xcS-9UhdLw_BZQ7JEi9oVyl1U3LGyqPOO5z6wibrkY_bwMWa/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3xxV9wSQQpcsuSd47CGwHOj3583GeQRairfxztfTLt_m1eOc_VUclbyPluUWozLSsRTonbrdVpFnEHBAy7YDpXqICWMa4Hl7TYuvQ_VizoEV0y6wSaiTucNR6hQSiMQMQaxP5bSIjC0k/s1600/IMG_0873.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></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/AVvXsEgrw5rcsLaf1E6gX498OhVjnBitOeFOmN6QgW16pDNaGmk3MM_9OLyiSGKMsCxHd8zcy6lVMcYukAlZtZfe6mPrDxGTvS8X2Ssai6CkwntzvOKUM0daCUdunR8RNVdTnbjOZs7XE8lTbFWb/s1600/IMG_0879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrw5rcsLaf1E6gX498OhVjnBitOeFOmN6QgW16pDNaGmk3MM_9OLyiSGKMsCxHd8zcy6lVMcYukAlZtZfe6mPrDxGTvS8X2Ssai6CkwntzvOKUM0daCUdunR8RNVdTnbjOZs7XE8lTbFWb/s1600/IMG_0879.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkV2Cq0_maOAKLKnqZxEaJoBc2hjnLgkCbS5HJx76wIjnrSo66PLak5211N52eZdUtGMchpHab-YqIwcD17eHF4WGE5O0x3aEyjLOUFIbo4gsX3Pq522qPKOLynVfyiGAvHFFPKJT1nr1b/s1600/1385356_10153380318155125_2005173726_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkV2Cq0_maOAKLKnqZxEaJoBc2hjnLgkCbS5HJx76wIjnrSo66PLak5211N52eZdUtGMchpHab-YqIwcD17eHF4WGE5O0x3aEyjLOUFIbo4gsX3Pq522qPKOLynVfyiGAvHFFPKJT1nr1b/s1600/1385356_10153380318155125_2005173726_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijusI_TpgMXhCrLyzSUFADUYNETDkvLQalmcGu7JhrC8EKZwwBj1JZ0Ry3JjPqxbXLG_QrCHRuZDsyMEC8toYqABwwMuYnNSjNaMzMl5FxQPdtTIMNZyLXktq4Q6Q6VlEo7_AB4o7r6X7m/s1600/1377076_10153380318355125_1115836206_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijusI_TpgMXhCrLyzSUFADUYNETDkvLQalmcGu7JhrC8EKZwwBj1JZ0Ry3JjPqxbXLG_QrCHRuZDsyMEC8toYqABwwMuYnNSjNaMzMl5FxQPdtTIMNZyLXktq4Q6Q6VlEo7_AB4o7r6X7m/s1600/1377076_10153380318355125_1115836206_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1U96VfwFLAs4kichr1zyctgwHC7uXT_pv2tvvyOX3ie4NmdBLJFSW0FDI5r8tv3aXkdjWS77lzdXccVzsLijNtvS6iDuIf1wy4fSk-6UZoeoAjr84Svh-hnV89SciWwGgfDjxtknBDBS/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1U96VfwFLAs4kichr1zyctgwHC7uXT_pv2tvvyOX3ie4NmdBLJFSW0FDI5r8tv3aXkdjWS77lzdXccVzsLijNtvS6iDuIf1wy4fSk-6UZoeoAjr84Svh-hnV89SciWwGgfDjxtknBDBS/s1600/IMG_0877.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQrlKpk8P2plB4H1nIBi-wiZUOFtw2-847UZAGRWh3aKGx-iR33__NJfOslJ3rucWg_5JktakpfZ7z3JbZ_zvuvdY6kgopc-KukrS-hy3hVxDoAfa3GZTRXHmVQ0Mpj-B2Br5032C_LXd/s1600/IMG_0878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQrlKpk8P2plB4H1nIBi-wiZUOFtw2-847UZAGRWh3aKGx-iR33__NJfOslJ3rucWg_5JktakpfZ7z3JbZ_zvuvdY6kgopc-KukrS-hy3hVxDoAfa3GZTRXHmVQ0Mpj-B2Br5032C_LXd/s1600/IMG_0878.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL1SfaOCibaIQG4yn-ZSOth2Xx7R6YO0EXLPCCVUuDk4yMBbzOuPUdABy3wav7gsij-18zrXkj_jZv3zJuw_G_kRw89HKFuzd8EbPJBc5guhnPfw78Ee3D2gq35dd3MZ58Oh7jIAY2e8n/s1600/1381405_10153380317760125_741737669_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVL1SfaOCibaIQG4yn-ZSOth2Xx7R6YO0EXLPCCVUuDk4yMBbzOuPUdABy3wav7gsij-18zrXkj_jZv3zJuw_G_kRw89HKFuzd8EbPJBc5guhnPfw78Ee3D2gq35dd3MZ58Oh7jIAY2e8n/s1600/1381405_10153380317760125_741737669_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My co-host, our cousin Cassie, provided the bridal shower activities, including a "How Well Do You Know the Bride" quiz game (I won!) and a "What Did He Say" game where the bride had to guess what her fiance's answers were to a huge list of questions (and for every one she missed, she had to pop a stick of Dubble Bubble - now that was hilarious). Cassie also had a very special gift idea for the bride, which was to ask all of the ladies to write a word of advice on a piece of paper and place it in a glass mason jar wrapped with a bow for her to keep and read throughout her time as a newlywed (I just loved that idea!)<br />
<br />
Then came the lingerie gifts. No pictures of that, folks, but I did manage to bring my <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/10/i-am-woman-hear-me-roar-lingerie-shower.html" target="_blank">gag</a> full circle by putting her gift into this bag.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwke0B4gN3d5V39CwL1xf7Jx29NiSa7u9sP55j6C7egACslWxlA4ljHc1EAoH629CvLy0YyGFQHCxmZq6x_QtiSGhLRIf3EswfgaHpgi5QpDlEzeAk0mn1FkrdNnyZQeibcZLh6BWLZNR/s1600/IMG_20131020_132448_271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwke0B4gN3d5V39CwL1xf7Jx29NiSa7u9sP55j6C7egACslWxlA4ljHc1EAoH629CvLy0YyGFQHCxmZq6x_QtiSGhLRIf3EswfgaHpgi5QpDlEzeAk0mn1FkrdNnyZQeibcZLh6BWLZNR/s1600/IMG_20131020_132448_271.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I have known this girl since she was fifteen, and now she's a grown up, beautiful, married woman, and it brings my heart great joy. It was a pleasure to throw a party just for her. We love you, sweetie, and pray that your marriage is one full of God and love.<br />
<br />
Always,<br />
J&KAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-53212499896840537652013-10-23T19:42:00.000-04:002013-12-08T21:47:25.241-05:00October Pumpkins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Going pumpkin pickin' in October - one of life's small pleasures.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqP5cg1R6kQklhsaDRnKVJrYTpjw17VknvpBpMCA7L6EYYUZMpxU6Rt_VtxTKgW9-1gTGGJZtDSibYsll2sV_NUTcJSG9lq_l1ngWM6RPwbW5saLWeSjvS40-jkdJ3v1SMghhA9y8FzJNg/s1600/IMG_0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqP5cg1R6kQklhsaDRnKVJrYTpjw17VknvpBpMCA7L6EYYUZMpxU6Rt_VtxTKgW9-1gTGGJZtDSibYsll2sV_NUTcJSG9lq_l1ngWM6RPwbW5saLWeSjvS40-jkdJ3v1SMghhA9y8FzJNg/s1600/IMG_0805.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
It's like going shopping for a pair of high heels. With so many colors and choices...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUcr7Ya88MsFdtUg3Is8ukESk-ZYez2fYWJ7ecGWxFdbsav_i_n-MIoRTZG7Hdh78XHSLHq5ssiNXEm4OgWhWgnJ9fm17oz4Pj7MAvgBazGcrtQVZ2p3vBw0tqNHCjzC768KE-JeGZITW/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUcr7Ya88MsFdtUg3Is8ukESk-ZYez2fYWJ7ecGWxFdbsav_i_n-MIoRTZG7Hdh78XHSLHq5ssiNXEm4OgWhWgnJ9fm17oz4Pj7MAvgBazGcrtQVZ2p3vBw0tqNHCjzC768KE-JeGZITW/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...it's, like, hard to pick just one...so why not get, like, a few, just so you know you're covered.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtJexHenocgm3tApI1cxpURGdSk_gZ8aFonYhPJslO6exEJ_6MgcG4nS9EWS3KQgEGUVS45plH8OaWZMWI1dIgHzRlbrLucvuoUXQhKlnTmLOxX57Qo2B-swh3kM-CihzjkMkoozT8iwI/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtJexHenocgm3tApI1cxpURGdSk_gZ8aFonYhPJslO6exEJ_6MgcG4nS9EWS3KQgEGUVS45plH8OaWZMWI1dIgHzRlbrLucvuoUXQhKlnTmLOxX57Qo2B-swh3kM-CihzjkMkoozT8iwI/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Happy Fall! </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn4XuZyO1XXjrXT4vmFE0s-zuv8sGKL9XbRKXAQgHD7YHZSctjhIFBb38sY51o_QqwbFcoECS2omVynSELXTKygiskaB8gl0iyLTtgbaxN6-_pw57Uho_ZYwvT_0mpRLofq1g0MTz_5oZ/s1600/IMG_0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHn4XuZyO1XXjrXT4vmFE0s-zuv8sGKL9XbRKXAQgHD7YHZSctjhIFBb38sY51o_QqwbFcoECS2omVynSELXTKygiskaB8gl0iyLTtgbaxN6-_pw57Uho_ZYwvT_0mpRLofq1g0MTz_5oZ/s1600/IMG_0807.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Always,<br />
KimberlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-66834066681537779012013-10-22T16:56:00.000-04:002013-11-03T22:01:30.401-05:00"I Am Woman Hear Me Roar" Lingerie Shower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-OxYXaAeaKYVDPkTnUZm7n2EKQUBi8PctC2ENcfZZK-tjskIWGOqNVPiSALox28MimK9X_QMKhMG5NaWFAhWjYXx0VZpZ8IOotjDkbPwC2wo5x4fOTKKZqgsolDKfK4L9m9GT-s5g-Mo/s1600/IMG_20131020_134040_881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Shhh...here's a sneak peek of my sister-in-law's lingerie shower decorations.</span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-OxYXaAeaKYVDPkTnUZm7n2EKQUBi8PctC2ENcfZZK-tjskIWGOqNVPiSALox28MimK9X_QMKhMG5NaWFAhWjYXx0VZpZ8IOotjDkbPwC2wo5x4fOTKKZqgsolDKfK4L9m9GT-s5g-Mo/s1600/IMG_20131020_134040_881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-OxYXaAeaKYVDPkTnUZm7n2EKQUBi8PctC2ENcfZZK-tjskIWGOqNVPiSALox28MimK9X_QMKhMG5NaWFAhWjYXx0VZpZ8IOotjDkbPwC2wo5x4fOTKKZqgsolDKfK4L9m9GT-s5g-Mo/s1600/IMG_20131020_134040_881.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyp7-hA-sAHNSFUWXbEfzlJF1bnqMPVxmKWI8shyILMmN1_eWJO9OZVL3BcajWmXndy7FYKT9bv03XsTgba1gPj5YsaqiqagZrCkXxTnER0pFA8HtXtMirBFeRBLNllrUlZqa6e_WJnJrB/s1600/IMG_20131020_141422_054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyp7-hA-sAHNSFUWXbEfzlJF1bnqMPVxmKWI8shyILMmN1_eWJO9OZVL3BcajWmXndy7FYKT9bv03XsTgba1gPj5YsaqiqagZrCkXxTnER0pFA8HtXtMirBFeRBLNllrUlZqa6e_WJnJrB/s1600/IMG_20131020_141422_054.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZA7e-TAeItPBbMglVS6CQdQOIN_bjPcij3KZJTZ7q0bCv6GBqzrKryYnx0JWYsgeuTLtNdQvwywTlvIEV7d7jlGhLqeuBuqukY-FcCCTXXi-e7qvAU9C7XACfB4O6P9wS4dre0k0xe0S/s1600/IMG_20131020_133605_578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZA7e-TAeItPBbMglVS6CQdQOIN_bjPcij3KZJTZ7q0bCv6GBqzrKryYnx0JWYsgeuTLtNdQvwywTlvIEV7d7jlGhLqeuBuqukY-FcCCTXXi-e7qvAU9C7XACfB4O6P9wS4dre0k0xe0S/s1600/IMG_20131020_133605_578.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwke0B4gN3d5V39CwL1xf7Jx29NiSa7u9sP55j6C7egACslWxlA4ljHc1EAoH629CvLy0YyGFQHCxmZq6x_QtiSGhLRIf3EswfgaHpgi5QpDlEzeAk0mn1FkrdNnyZQeibcZLh6BWLZNR/s1600/IMG_20131020_132448_271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwke0B4gN3d5V39CwL1xf7Jx29NiSa7u9sP55j6C7egACslWxlA4ljHc1EAoH629CvLy0YyGFQHCxmZq6x_QtiSGhLRIf3EswfgaHpgi5QpDlEzeAk0mn1FkrdNnyZQeibcZLh6BWLZNR/s1600/IMG_20131020_132448_271.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></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/AVvXsEgfSO8a5LKOCrUwMGy9gFzvd-OlPkH35ksAUZUXBG_ZBmnRWIVP_zWwO9v-7kZhtVXuCks8KUkZYEe3lh1hGHmdwqdnA3IzoHQwhE_2HZ4MxP9MOGibffo0bX27tycF1ppGfeaWaq_HB6lH/s1600/IMG_20131020_132425_111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSO8a5LKOCrUwMGy9gFzvd-OlPkH35ksAUZUXBG_ZBmnRWIVP_zWwO9v-7kZhtVXuCks8KUkZYEe3lh1hGHmdwqdnA3IzoHQwhE_2HZ4MxP9MOGibffo0bX27tycF1ppGfeaWaq_HB6lH/s1600/IMG_20131020_132425_111.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
80's retro meets jungle lioness queen. I think she's going to <b>love </b>it!<br />
<br />
Always,<br />
KimberlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-22779412999817658352013-10-21T20:22:00.003-04:002013-10-21T20:23:04.673-04:00Cook for a Day, Eat for a Week!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiloOvk1-nnFGdbhIF4yatt8gPTYsU6eCSgMlBHFi0ycslTg1puQbtlA6CNTSl0-EQKtPBHqUb9yy842yK5vBx_r3WB2Q-BRwitmVUnhVjqyWLFAllnAQMa5mRpI6J4LhyDL-aq3_9yp3P/s1600/IMG_0831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiloOvk1-nnFGdbhIF4yatt8gPTYsU6eCSgMlBHFi0ycslTg1puQbtlA6CNTSl0-EQKtPBHqUb9yy842yK5vBx_r3WB2Q-BRwitmVUnhVjqyWLFAllnAQMa5mRpI6J4LhyDL-aq3_9yp3P/s1600/IMG_0831.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My weekly cooking adventure led me on a two day journey. The first day I was in bakery-land, immersed in a world of white flour puffs and sugary grains, chopped apples, and savory nuts. The second day was stove-top land, where pot is King (the kind you boil water in, of course!). At the end of my journey, I returned to my husband with great riches:<br />
<br />
<b>Main Dishes:</b><br />
Chili con Carne<br />
Fettucine with Sausage and Peppers<br />
White Navy Bean Soup<br />
<br />
<b>Sides:</b><br />
Cornbread Muffins<br />
Milk Bread Rolls<br />
Honey and Peanut Oatmeal Bars<br />
<br />
<b>Dessert:</b><br />
Brown Sugar Apple Cake<br />
<br />
Until the next adventure...<br />
<br />
Always,<br />
KimberlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-52606130961653211582013-10-15T18:43:00.001-04:002013-10-15T18:43:35.162-04:00Lasagna Pinwheels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34OKBrRINGzuKDAcxN-tY6rc014CK8PRfQQj-yQK8_aWnleHv4qwi4v4RFYjcJptrdcNfa7VEz4hIPUzA4Rzat4Q23dhcyXs1KsHlAgVWQmo5FFJ1ZqIo9_Jadjpq4DQvsBTKYaygOjtv/s1600/IMG_0799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34OKBrRINGzuKDAcxN-tY6rc014CK8PRfQQj-yQK8_aWnleHv4qwi4v4RFYjcJptrdcNfa7VEz4hIPUzA4Rzat4Q23dhcyXs1KsHlAgVWQmo5FFJ1ZqIo9_Jadjpq4DQvsBTKYaygOjtv/s1600/IMG_0799.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There is a simple truth in life: Lasagna is comfort food, and comfort food is lasagna. Oooey, gooey cheesy mceasy lasagna. It's pastalicious. It's tomato...icious. And best of all, it can be very easy to make (and even easier to eat)!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQA_yA9kxbuYc7aQaL3l5ZGXn1EhCpoCGHV5fzrJ9y2gdLaXVsy__DI9VdR9mDsRmFDsrHk6FC69_21LMrMXcQxte_ojMFXqXk4bRR_rTTH6b_IzCc09-Fahv0lZtyxy-Xmg7266AhvpQb/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQA_yA9kxbuYc7aQaL3l5ZGXn1EhCpoCGHV5fzrJ9y2gdLaXVsy__DI9VdR9mDsRmFDsrHk6FC69_21LMrMXcQxte_ojMFXqXk4bRR_rTTH6b_IzCc09-Fahv0lZtyxy-Xmg7266AhvpQb/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This recipe is so flexible - you can make it as easy or complex as you'd like. You can go to great (and commendable lengths) and make your own pasta sauce, ricotta cheese, and lasagna noodles from scratch, or you can go the easier route with grab and go items from the grocery store. With this recipe I split the difference, choosing to shred myself a block of parmesan cheese and cut up fresh mozzarella slices. I also go with an organic, bottled tomato basil sauce. My feeling toward food is the less preservatives the better, and just by taking a few of these extra steps to buy "whole" foods I find that our meals are a lot healthier and the process virtually similar (I find there's always time while waiting for the water to boil or the oven to heat to get some cheese grating done). Just be sure to season the cheese mixture well with salt and pepper before rolling, and don't hesitate to add fresh basil or minced onion or whatever else you may have available. Also, you could easily add browned ground beef to the pasta sauce. Oh the options - the endless <i>pasta</i>-bilities!!<br />
<br />
As with most lasagna dishes, this one is better the next day (but don't let that stop you if you're hungry!) Heat up one pinwheel for a easy, quick lunch, or pair two or three with buttered, toasted cheese bread and a bright green salad for a wonderfully filling dinner.<br />
<br />
As always, this recipe is tried and true from my kitchen to yours,<br />
Kimberly<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</span><br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lasagna Pinwheels </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Serving size: approximately 12 "Pinwheels"</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recipe by: Kimberly Meyers</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://www.jandkalways.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.jandkalways.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-263a0e07-afee-f10f-1def-ac649b4edd75"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As always, this recipe is tried and true from my kitchen to yours.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-6846d3a0-974b-40bb-f62b-83065ecc8b83">(<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/14XUcAB1eVgJEghHxfSjSkGn1UXFnzkLkm6ivIhikqy4/edit">The Printable</a>)<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8 oz. box lasagna noodles, cooked and drained</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 15 oz. jar spaghetti tomato sauce (your favorite brand)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 10 oz. package frozen spinach, dethawed, minced</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 15 oz. carton Ricotta cheese</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">8 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">4 oz. Mozzarella cheese, sliced or grated</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 egg, beaten</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 tsp. dried oregano leaves</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 tsp red chili flakes</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15.199999809265137px; line-height: 13.600000381469727px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Salt and black pepper to taste</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Directions:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. To a pot of salted, boiling water, add lasagna noodles and cook until "al dente" 8-10 minutes; drain and let cool. Into a 13x9 inch baking dish, pour 1/4 jar of sauce and evenly coat the bottom. Combine in a bowl the minced spinach, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, beaten egg, dried oregano, red chili flakes, plenty of salt and black pepper to taste. Mix well. Spoon about 1 Tablespoon or more of the mixture onto each noodle and roll into a pinwheel. Place pinwheels, seam side down, into sauce. If there is any mixture leftover, combine with remaining spaghetti sauce and pour on top of noodles. Top with mozarella cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 50 minutes. Once done, broil the top for 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15.199999809265137px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yummy now, but best served the next day or two.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-85778562785695303022013-10-12T21:29:00.003-04:002013-12-08T21:47:40.781-05:00Halloween at the HamptonAs I <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/09/granny-squares-and-parties.html">mentioned</a> before, my general manager at the Hampton Inn where I work asked me to decorate the lobby for the upcoming holidays - a request that delighted me to no end. I might as well declare it: my favorite, <i>favorite</i> thing about fall and winter is decorating for the holidays. It's a chance to celebrate the changing seasons - a reason to welcome the cold. That one task, spanning Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, captures wonder and joy. It is like wrapping a fur jacket around a snowman - it just makes everything so cozy and cute!<br />
<br />
Recruiting my husband's help, we put our decorating "skill<i>z</i>" to task. Decorating a hotel for a holiday like Halloween is a fun challenge, as it requires capturing the spookiness of Halloween in a very family friendly way. And being a brand new hotel, I knew the decorations had to be spot on in order to coordinate with the clean, contemporary design of the space. Keeping to an allotted budget, I wanted to highlight key areas, like the front desk and the dining area.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWrS34I89qSDet-ggz87iXdalvS1u8JbxwKv5CbUO1Mi3FQzH7Cojuo6JbFqXfH_wVxFv3LdHrmQR9hVm6Utixs7Nfq35r2MBVR05o3uu7pM9sMsznm6pEpjvgVTN7YoHXAa2a0NFRCX5/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWrS34I89qSDet-ggz87iXdalvS1u8JbxwKv5CbUO1Mi3FQzH7Cojuo6JbFqXfH_wVxFv3LdHrmQR9hVm6Utixs7Nfq35r2MBVR05o3uu7pM9sMsznm6pEpjvgVTN7YoHXAa2a0NFRCX5/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQGhQfdYBhZR0dzhM_2iLJ5mbs5ISMCMfL8f9stDfFuguEeAOBSktWsAp4LN40XT_gujz3dE4ovlbyspE6n5VgqW5acdsSNbFUPcRIbbyxujxYoWka8TIsNyq1TAxtMNJ6_LwTOJi64zA/s1600/IMG_0788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQGhQfdYBhZR0dzhM_2iLJ5mbs5ISMCMfL8f9stDfFuguEeAOBSktWsAp4LN40XT_gujz3dE4ovlbyspE6n5VgqW5acdsSNbFUPcRIbbyxujxYoWka8TIsNyq1TAxtMNJ6_LwTOJi64zA/s1600/IMG_0788.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Our "jackpot!" find this season, <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/10/little-dude.html">"Little Dude,"</a> has found his calling in the hotel business! Meet the hotel's new doorman! When guests walk through the sliding glass doors, he greets them at the front counter, donning a very Hampton name badge. Along with his new occupation comes a new name - <i><b>CONRAD</b></i>! I'll leave it up to, dear reader, to figure out the reference... ;) As well as greeting guests, Conrad also holds the HHonors Diamond & Gold Member Welcome Snacks.<br />
<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/AVvXsEiF9wbB-Fxtvua-eByvsfM5IfbQJKiTTYIvj3qsaUsly_DJwClzmLguoVvuR8c0M8tPyPWTauyuIT9d9qZhdZCrYscEM2pKjZ9Hlfm4-X4DZgk9tOe4gyKmUXFcce3DylZkHpVZ9HKFDRFT/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9wbB-Fxtvua-eByvsfM5IfbQJKiTTYIvj3qsaUsly_DJwClzmLguoVvuR8c0M8tPyPWTauyuIT9d9qZhdZCrYscEM2pKjZ9Hlfm4-X4DZgk9tOe4gyKmUXFcce3DylZkHpVZ9HKFDRFT/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This fringe and lace lampshade cover was a favorite find as well. So classy with the black roses, so eerie with the skull and cross bones - it's a perfect blending of elegance and spookiness for the front desk.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSD09Lz8li0gFPvxT76s4uG7yeOaUMAz8rB7Y__bnn5vEeVwzKmLV2LGdA_jMlUEAoEFAxRJInw1_Nr3V0rZk85YDQAbxZEGeXxz8VAu8bqZlsS9P-9F3u78vnqINN_Ci4MHNqwgzhIqL/s1600/IMG_0787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSD09Lz8li0gFPvxT76s4uG7yeOaUMAz8rB7Y__bnn5vEeVwzKmLV2LGdA_jMlUEAoEFAxRJInw1_Nr3V0rZk85YDQAbxZEGeXxz8VAu8bqZlsS9P-9F3u78vnqINN_Ci4MHNqwgzhIqL/s1600/IMG_0787.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
A lot of our shopping was done at our local <a href="http://www.halloweenexpress.com/">Halloween Express</a> store. While we looked through all of the racks of severed, bloody limbs, maniacal, toothy rats, hairy, leggy spiders, zombie babies, oozing brains, and screaming poltergeists bound with chains, I found myself asking aloud, "Where's the '<u>Happy</u>' Halloween section?" After some searching, I found it, and this little marshmallow ghost was just what the snacks and candy store needed. So this is Marsh, the Suite Shop ghost.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESHhkaiV2ycalO3-rzP4C3-rt3dHO-qyq4gWfx71AoJvbAFhBwoLz2_1e8XIQCevfdA6AckMYhbysCB9h-r2KhJYyWip476QIKZkQAhg9YMWUCfQ6byEMfMbTONoorKJFlJYI1XwTSdoX/s1600/IMG_0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESHhkaiV2ycalO3-rzP4C3-rt3dHO-qyq4gWfx71AoJvbAFhBwoLz2_1e8XIQCevfdA6AckMYhbysCB9h-r2KhJYyWip476QIKZkQAhg9YMWUCfQ6byEMfMbTONoorKJFlJYI1XwTSdoX/s1600/IMG_0793.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Moving to the dining room, there's a communal dining table right in the center. Without springing for a new centerpiece to fill the large table, we simply added a lovely table runner (which can do double duty for Thanksgiving) and added black roses and a sparkly black and orange pumpkin to the already existing arrangement, which mirrors the lampshade cover in its spooky elegance.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoi2gNohvtqMOQY0RbLcBRvuOsbuBrQ-JutRH0jmXVyOECTPLnbY3tTpDJ9KazgQqeUbhew0XFyvqMh8KUwWGJQEgBCkHNpAXwDrF6FgJWJDFoaT2SA1PMf7nsf3cQBTWxsI_khSoQWBV/s1600/IMG_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoi2gNohvtqMOQY0RbLcBRvuOsbuBrQ-JutRH0jmXVyOECTPLnbY3tTpDJ9KazgQqeUbhew0XFyvqMh8KUwWGJQEgBCkHNpAXwDrF6FgJWJDFoaT2SA1PMf7nsf3cQBTWxsI_khSoQWBV/s1600/IMG_0792.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And last but not least, meet the "Ladies Who Dine." With such a large dining room in the lobby area, we looked specifically for something that would have big impact. We were very happy to find these spooky wall decals. They are meant to spread across one large wall, but with a bit of craftiness we were able to cut the vinyl to fit each panel of the sliding glass door. In the morning, the doors slide back to serve the hot and fresh breakfast buffet, and once breakfast is over, these "polter-spooks" are revealed!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHZMyTaHydyiiINkg57rGlK9kti-yyM78xJtFwzZg0x09xD50aTHGiqgR4wv2uYttd1c0NCtZvOWvU4G77Z5NgknOwY2bDYvB1TiFRMLZqS77WyHIlfq_J5P4IOJN_LFo91zNZk2OOpgP/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHZMyTaHydyiiINkg57rGlK9kti-yyM78xJtFwzZg0x09xD50aTHGiqgR4wv2uYttd1c0NCtZvOWvU4G77Z5NgknOwY2bDYvB1TiFRMLZqS77WyHIlfq_J5P4IOJN_LFo91zNZk2OOpgP/s1600/IMG_0794.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Better than the joy of decorating has been hearing the comments from our guests who have taken delight in the decorations as well. And one of my co-workers told me that he was present when a couple of guests took souvenir pictures with Conrad before hitting the road back home! Now that's just the best!<br />
<br />
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!<br />
<br />
Always,<br />
KimberlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-68671042508836002172013-10-07T21:50:00.000-04:002013-12-08T21:48:04.797-05:00Little Dude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KFr_Y3K9GIWTmArDDkhK1S4KnQDrNlX4q6ZLz_ukUkAD1gk5eb08TOTmcT_4pViv1VvvpjuPhF1QH3dkZE2AGO6RY2e2iwZpUmJFqWQgHBB3xIITGY01QJ0mdRnT2zE5uN8eHySdGtzd/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KFr_Y3K9GIWTmArDDkhK1S4KnQDrNlX4q6ZLz_ukUkAD1gk5eb08TOTmcT_4pViv1VvvpjuPhF1QH3dkZE2AGO6RY2e2iwZpUmJFqWQgHBB3xIITGY01QJ0mdRnT2zE5uN8eHySdGtzd/s1600/IMG_0768.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Meet Little Dude. At least, that's what I've been calling him for the moment. He is the little "jewel" my husband and I found during our trip to the Halloween store. Having been asked to decorate the hotel where I work for the holiday, I went shopping with the best intentions. But it is surprisingly difficult to find entirely "work friendly" Halloween decorations, what with all of the blood and brains and chains and clowns and deceased baby dolls that litter these places. Yikes! I found myself asking "where is the 'Happy' Halloween section of this store?" LOL. And then I came across this little guy, sitting on the floor, holding a bowl of candy by the register. I think he will make the perfect little "bell man" to sit at the front desk. I just love the fact that he can hold something, and the disgruntled look on his face keeps making me laugh. Of course we tested him out at home; he's holding two loaves of milk bread, a new recipe I was trying (which turned out to be absolutely delicious!).<br />
<br />
Yeah, Little Dude, I think you're going to be a star.<br />
<br />
Always,<br />
KimberlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-39482582118917770382013-09-28T22:57:00.000-04:002013-10-01T23:27:00.126-04:00Cook for Half a Day, Eat for Half A Week Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIESi3S7Xqpr1yA8a1pFTeUQEfXaeQfEHA10Ia_SHed2dhCRU8eKzXEW-ZRxZpc5b-MZgZt3ZJFiw_YSuSgUTeG4yvLiRvH-ifB5IZYFxNddvKe_UV9NY_F_FwezPVfwHVWKP6CtGmwyDI/s1600/IMG_0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIESi3S7Xqpr1yA8a1pFTeUQEfXaeQfEHA10Ia_SHed2dhCRU8eKzXEW-ZRxZpc5b-MZgZt3ZJFiw_YSuSgUTeG4yvLiRvH-ifB5IZYFxNddvKe_UV9NY_F_FwezPVfwHVWKP6CtGmwyDI/s1600/IMG_0762.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I am happy to say that Part 2 of my <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/09/today-in-kimberlys-kitchen-cook-for.html">Cook for Half a Day, Eat for Half a Week</a> week was another great success! This time, my cooking schedule started in the evening, after getting home from work. With all of the proteins defrosted and ready to go in the fridge, and a bowl of dry navy beans soaking in water since the morning, I whipped together:<br />
<br />
<b>Main Dishes:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Pot Roast with Vegetables</li>
<li>Navy Bean Soup</li>
<li>Spaghetti with Bolognese Sauce</li>
</ul>
<br />
That picture is just a <i>sampling</i> of how much food this turned out to be! This is just our portion - we also took 2 servings of each item over to my husband's great-grandmother's house (she's 97 years young!), so she'd be set for the week as well - it's good to share the food love. :)<br />
<br />
Always,<br />
KimberlyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7896064839844325849.post-11155303965723148052013-09-24T18:38:00.000-04:002013-09-24T23:20:58.528-04:00Today in Kimberly's Kitchen - Cook for Half a Day, Eat for Half a Week!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdzRecTwol-8kFETXzaV99oapQpuMYvg8etY3pq30zU0VS9SiD_RB3Jh1zym57Ulf2eq8QQlxgMujXmiRH4_8C9u2IJrldWQwT14h9iEOynXUn4gVGGeWNIwD2SgUrnbBlk0PkVN1Tt_a/s1600/IMG_0754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdzRecTwol-8kFETXzaV99oapQpuMYvg8etY3pq30zU0VS9SiD_RB3Jh1zym57Ulf2eq8QQlxgMujXmiRH4_8C9u2IJrldWQwT14h9iEOynXUn4gVGGeWNIwD2SgUrnbBlk0PkVN1Tt_a/s1600/IMG_0754.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ever since I was introduced to Cook for a Day, Eat for a Week cooking, I've been hooked to the idea (I'm pretty sure I can thank <a href="http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/shows/rachael-rays-week-in-a-day.html" target="_blank">Rachel Ray</a> for that one). In exchange for a few hours on my feet in the kitchen, I can call it a week with a refrigerator full of ready-to-go homemade meals? Yes please! Today was one of those days - well, kind of. With work at 4pm, I started at ten this morning and got half a day of cooking in (with another half to go later this week). But all-in-all, I was pretty pleased with what I got accomplished.</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/AVvXsEgojIeAYlaTGEZegW-MnaLA33E16K_mDaarkCuoagfdl3ytAbAb2PZcvBxbJyBbhRnEWu5uw7r2U6I3lef-SVx3epr_tDyGzISpaOU62iNqpkspSs14Xu0JkZrk99pWBh1s6k1FoZfneHKN/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojIeAYlaTGEZegW-MnaLA33E16K_mDaarkCuoagfdl3ytAbAb2PZcvBxbJyBbhRnEWu5uw7r2U6I3lef-SVx3epr_tDyGzISpaOU62iNqpkspSs14Xu0JkZrk99pWBh1s6k1FoZfneHKN/s1600/IMG_0758.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b>Main Dishes:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Beef Curry with Apples and Peanuts</li>
<li>Macaroni and Cheese Casserole with Bacon and Green Peppers</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Sides:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>2 Loaves of Homemade White Bread</li>
<li>White Rice</li>
<li>Oven Baked Tortilla Chips</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Snacks:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Honey Oatmeal Bars with Peanuts (a variation of <a href="http://jandkalways.blogspot.com/2013/08/oatmeal-energy-bars-with-fruits-and-nuts.html">this recipe</a>)</li>
</ul>
</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/AVvXsEh6mZEOhNk9rKsX40dj0lqp_t9nPVNynh_bjACaZBHaylgo1EBaTSMuJpwOnRnM2Hj1gddmU4vOsLM2xeJhvn-iwnKTYSdfX-Xg6ihGApZNIoSYEm48oxm8e1j9BoJtsHbUs9EGa0ZOWdlX/s1600/IMG_0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mZEOhNk9rKsX40dj0lqp_t9nPVNynh_bjACaZBHaylgo1EBaTSMuJpwOnRnM2Hj1gddmU4vOsLM2xeJhvn-iwnKTYSdfX-Xg6ihGApZNIoSYEm48oxm8e1j9BoJtsHbUs9EGa0ZOWdlX/s1600/IMG_0748.JPG" height="640" width="482" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKGB7zbmL87XHgRipW_zlFyf-H1Q_JNmjnqntt19oTFizAt5pgOFTQ1FpG3AmtpeqilTtg5SjBiFNK3guu4Vr_PF6Pt2jYrtZXzjd8rfxXb9P0t7_q5ExX2nNQtLybrAcjG4ZJGizUJ8i/s1600/IMG_0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKGB7zbmL87XHgRipW_zlFyf-H1Q_JNmjnqntt19oTFizAt5pgOFTQ1FpG3AmtpeqilTtg5SjBiFNK3guu4Vr_PF6Pt2jYrtZXzjd8rfxXb9P0t7_q5ExX2nNQtLybrAcjG4ZJGizUJ8i/s1600/IMG_0751.JPG" height="640" width="482" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0PQihbcfRd8RyYJUQYyuC_cW9JE7-f8S-dRc0JukTg2YuNOKMBB8dB43MK_MR_sfP3r1H_zZnhN0aPqmnmMZLIW54VKU-wQlL4xbu6PmR2YasUHuDi8JmpACgs0_IqOXidw1T0xpQAOC/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0PQihbcfRd8RyYJUQYyuC_cW9JE7-f8S-dRc0JukTg2YuNOKMBB8dB43MK_MR_sfP3r1H_zZnhN0aPqmnmMZLIW54VKU-wQlL4xbu6PmR2YasUHuDi8JmpACgs0_IqOXidw1T0xpQAOC/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG" height="482" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzddcgOOdS4jU2Ha9Q7fNfc4UOnxUX1X36BxCiJPp00ObhAuW-kGH-zSNhG62Kez0zBIQZflr8bFMSE8dS7dbEM2U7mh0hlV3ThZUB-qqvWB1X32WGWv2HNqdqM68UArVWtpPw2-vrcYQ/s1600/IMG_0750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzddcgOOdS4jU2Ha9Q7fNfc4UOnxUX1X36BxCiJPp00ObhAuW-kGH-zSNhG62Kez0zBIQZflr8bFMSE8dS7dbEM2U7mh0hlV3ThZUB-qqvWB1X32WGWv2HNqdqM68UArVWtpPw2-vrcYQ/s1600/IMG_0750.JPG" height="482" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And guess what I'm having for dinner??? Leftovers from Sunday's trip to the diner!! LOLOLOL. ;)<br />
<br />
Always,<br />
Kimberly<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14257497790942714689noreply@blogger.com2