tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7233464003793085562024-02-29T01:52:16.480-05:00As T:ime Goes ByJoin sisters Christina and Victoria in their journey of home and familyChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664673474528230532noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-43750712240209154542012-03-27T14:51:00.000-04:002012-03-27T14:56:35.263-04:00Renewing Grandpa's Table<div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><b>Several weeks ago Chloe and I were at Marshalls and she commented on a cute table. We both agreed that something like it would be perfect for her bedside table.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The color was a little too much of a dusky blue and honestly the $80.00 price tag didn't entice us either. We needed something brighter. I mentioned to her that we had the perfect table at home that we could renew for her room. Another plus is that it had drawers which would be even better for a bedside table. </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fast forward to a few days later and we got to work. This table has always been "Grandpa's table." </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The table is special because my husband's grandfather made it. It has a date and his signature on the bottom. My mil gave it to us many years ago and it has moved from room to room just like everything around here.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It was painted white but was very gunky from years of being repainted. We stripped the old paint off and of course I didn't think to take a before picture until that was almost done (see picture at the bottom of this post). We sanded it down and then added some paint. It still has imperfections, but we are ok with that.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Now painted a bright pop of aqua, it is perfect for all the things a girl needs at her finger tips.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hobby Lobby came through with the knobs. They just happened to be 50% off that week, which makes it all the more rewarding.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sti</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ll in the midst of finding the perfect lamp (honestly we threw the lava lamp on for the picture) and some other things for this reincarnation of Chloe's room. She is so creative has a definite style of her own. Mom doesn't get to make all of those decisions anymore and that is fine by me!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now it has a new home beside Chloe's bed. It makes me happy that anothe</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">r generation gets to enjoy the fruits of Grandpa's labor.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Enjoy your Tuesday. Here in GA it is bright, sunny and 73 degrees.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Christina</span></div>
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<u></u>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664673474528230532noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-3533898451637450952012-02-09T13:16:00.007-05:002012-02-09T13:23:11.466-05:00LOVE banner<span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Thought we needed a little Love around our house so I whipped up this banner out of left over fabrics and book pages.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hsOk2ZtLyDdhstNFl-yOytPM8D9hBbypa0n9imUjfTurSVRH8QimGlGCOZ87KWoQZoZwI7k2IhXTmwsvtRlyuOHZTqw39IlU0tCAiN3NRx5itXWNh8uwNKMFzy85WbtSPSf-pWWISto/s1600/LOVE+banner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hsOk2ZtLyDdhstNFl-yOytPM8D9hBbypa0n9imUjfTurSVRH8QimGlGCOZ87KWoQZoZwI7k2IhXTmwsvtRlyuOHZTqw39IlU0tCAiN3NRx5itXWNh8uwNKMFzy85WbtSPSf-pWWISto/s400/LOVE+banner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707201626792507618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I enjoy seeing my banner on my </span><a style="font-family: lucida grande;" href="http://christinaandvictoria.blogspot.com/2011/07/china-cabinet-redo.html">china cabinet which I made over</a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> last year. It's one of my favorite spots in my house right now.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXarfU9MjLrg_IkU0KTd4dHPyo06Wpj3epKuyu_2cmytmM1W5F76s6NSpVlgRhcUD5vOIs3d5g1MVvrVRoUJcxyewqIm8tJR-hwbdglXLNAfGl90Q508dTbx2jqejqXoWSGUJ2-tGvejY/s1600/Love+cabinet.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXarfU9MjLrg_IkU0KTd4dHPyo06Wpj3epKuyu_2cmytmM1W5F76s6NSpVlgRhcUD5vOIs3d5g1MVvrVRoUJcxyewqIm8tJR-hwbdglXLNAfGl90Q508dTbx2jqejqXoWSGUJ2-tGvejY/s400/Love+cabinet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707201703643156466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">~Victoria~</span></span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-16055240216281659672012-02-06T09:10:00.003-05:002012-02-06T09:19:32.611-05:00I heart breakfastIt's that time of year again! <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Love </span></span>and all things hearts.<br /><br />I am digging this heart shaped breakfast Christina made for her kids. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmkf49uCCl3MROGRGvGL7HaAdSyYeW_G7WhZpx6AtG6BUaNbwGLGBU32JxVTMxKhHvUGoJaQNXz0OHEHUO0Ps3099ArfYAuAABRk5mIo6esoq7N9FyZZ3r_vj6BCuYEWJLC1BEXt3E70/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 405px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmkf49uCCl3MROGRGvGL7HaAdSyYeW_G7WhZpx6AtG6BUaNbwGLGBU32JxVTMxKhHvUGoJaQNXz0OHEHUO0Ps3099ArfYAuAABRk5mIo6esoq7N9FyZZ3r_vj6BCuYEWJLC1BEXt3E70/s640/016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301614908521154498" border="0" /></a>Egg in a heart shaped nest of toast and the middle toasted up with butter and cinnamon sugar.<br /><br />My Sweet Girl loves things special things like this too!<br /><br />Do you have any fun breakfast ideas for Valentine's Day?<br /><br />~Victoria~Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-36131853702806876312011-11-30T11:34:00.005-05:002011-11-30T12:10:10.387-05:00A Favorite Christmas Cookie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlfAF_edFSGptrQzWNZ2qCxp2YxA4ZJsvqoM2xg4T57FnZ-vB_j6KkVhjhdMyeRvDkzXds7xzMCmd0NYlhfgE_hREKliucsgL1EEztjJw7L3UgDrQjN9TI7A4NAnnIC0G1aFv2TNMBxc/s1600/berrysagethumbprints.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlfAF_edFSGptrQzWNZ2qCxp2YxA4ZJsvqoM2xg4T57FnZ-vB_j6KkVhjhdMyeRvDkzXds7xzMCmd0NYlhfgE_hREKliucsgL1EEztjJw7L3UgDrQjN9TI7A4NAnnIC0G1aFv2TNMBxc/s400/berrysagethumbprints.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680831677227251650" border="0" /></a><br /><span>Berry sage thumbprints have become a must have on the cookie platter around our house. This is my husband's favorite Christmas cookie so I especially enjoy making them. The fresh lemon zest paired with sage, tart blackberry and the slight crunch of yellow cornmeal is delicious and refreshingly different.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Berry Sage Thumbprints</span><br /><br />2 cups all purpose flour<br />2/3 cup yellow corn meal (not self-rising mix)<br />1 1/2 tsp. dried sage, crushed (mine is a powder)<br />1/4 tsp. baking powder<br />1 cup butter, softened<br />1 cup packed brown sugar<br />2 egg yolks<br />2 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel<br />1 1/2 tsp. vanilla<br />3/4 cup blackberry preserves (I use b. berry jelly because I don't like the seeds)<br /><br />preheat oven to 350 degrees<br /><br />combine flour, cornmeal, sage and baking powder. Set aside.<br /><br />Beat butter for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar and beat until combined, scraping sides occasionally. Beat in egg yolks, lemon peel, and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much flour mixture as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour.<br /><br />Shape dough into 3/4 inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Lightly press the tip of your thumb into the center of each ball. Fill the centers with about 1/4 tsp. of the blackberry preserves. bake about 10 minutes or until the bottoms are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool completely. Makes about 60.<br />From Better Homes and Garden's December 2001<br /><br /><br />Hope you enjoy. Maybe this will become a new favorite in your family too.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664673474528230532noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-56005376055191425162011-11-11T15:28:00.009-05:002011-11-13T14:26:23.609-05:00Turkey Handprint Shirt<div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Reposted from 11-2009</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">A few days ago I went to <a href="http://eoberrys.blogspot.com/">Made with Love and Glue </a>and pulled up <span >Rachel's</span> archives from 2008. I remembered that she made 4 of her 5 kids <a href="http://eoberrys.blogspot.com/2008/11/happy-thanksgiving.html">Turkey Hand Print </a>shirts last year (see picture below) and wanted to make my Sweet Girl one this year. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHg42pc0RMgVZSEw_CtkhQu8m55ZN4rW-3xo1OI40s-bo86IqYh3058a817IRnsT8uhfLVpFaid6T05q1Mao_4JO-_DK_3Dt5rtDPCNrdMTK3CXdSl_YlR02uCkDIwvKOZJ0LQW1cVUQ/s1600-h/Rachel+Berry+Turkey+Shirts.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 308px; height: 195px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402637311039331186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHg42pc0RMgVZSEw_CtkhQu8m55ZN4rW-3xo1OI40s-bo86IqYh3058a817IRnsT8uhfLVpFaid6T05q1Mao_4JO-_DK_3Dt5rtDPCNrdMTK3CXdSl_YlR02uCkDIwvKOZJ0LQW1cVUQ/s320/Rachel+Berry+Turkey+Shirts.jpg" /></a><span ><span >(Picture courtesy of Rachel at </span><span >Made with Love and Glue)</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span ><br /><span >Aren't these <span >adorable</span>??? Love the little one below...</span><br /><a title="Rachel turkey shirt 2 by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4095330171/"><img alt="Rachel turkey shirt 2" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4095330171_8c6dc8fd35_o.jpg" width="400" height="600" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div>I followed the link she provided to <a href="http://morganmoore.typepad.com/one_more_moore/2008/11/a-turkey-for-me-and-a-turkey-for-you.html">One More Moore</a> and followed the tutorial she listed. I also googled <span >reverse applique</span> and came across this <a href="http://darnkat.wordpress.com/">blog</a> and <a href="http://darnkat.wordpress.com/reverse-applique-tutorial/">tutorial</a> that was very easy for me to follow.<br /><br />First I turned the tshirt inside out. Then I pinned the right side of the fabric scrap to the shirt<br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfaT8VCyAps9lfaXAqJtTbnYhUwhOn9l-B5CDiYkjQ7FVQ-Xcg0nolBdQov-TQXVc03IpmngjNT0dHG7aFsxLts7iaKnRb3cXu4OVN9JJZdkkButE4xEQ7Rv4JsfJS9AfGumwELq5iWo/s1600-h/IMG_4848.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402598061857780594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfaT8VCyAps9lfaXAqJtTbnYhUwhOn9l-B5CDiYkjQ7FVQ-Xcg0nolBdQov-TQXVc03IpmngjNT0dHG7aFsxLts7iaKnRb3cXu4OVN9JJZdkkButE4xEQ7Rv4JsfJS9AfGumwELq5iWo/s320/IMG_4848.JPG" /></a>I turned the shirt right side out, traced Sweet Girl's hand on paper, cut it out and pinned it to the front of her shirt.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fJexuHapfNkxaZ9Y0NiySoUucspn7jcCNPMkl6wgc_Czeno8wc_W5Vf8KErymYxFl94UKALUQ7RGIFfyGmuMemy62CyV7mtKH1kSeW-tgYLDRmcawPRidLTtQYmkQSJ28fXmyDysP-w/s1600-h/IMG_4849.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402598596982602514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5fJexuHapfNkxaZ9Y0NiySoUucspn7jcCNPMkl6wgc_Czeno8wc_W5Vf8KErymYxFl94UKALUQ7RGIFfyGmuMemy62CyV7mtKH1kSeW-tgYLDRmcawPRidLTtQYmkQSJ28fXmyDysP-w/s320/IMG_4849.JPG" /></a><br />I sewed around the outline of her hand print.<br /><br /><a title="cutout by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4095465621/"><img alt="cutout" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2589/4095465621_a58d1c542a_b.jpg" width="683" height="1024" /></a><br /><br /><br />Yes, my turkey legs are a bit small compared to the body. :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsXWNO-RiCNHDeMxlzyQfWjqmVVsutF25S3t7I9vqbWd2XjOZy2PekQTdWLQ2hAH0L9vSkBpU5ti8MN9orfi3rDKTt507ECJxrimJxVr-I8Vj0k6glKYBE1C29Ljd3yv0PpS5xj4ldsQ/s1600-h/IMG_4853.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600409849938866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsXWNO-RiCNHDeMxlzyQfWjqmVVsutF25S3t7I9vqbWd2XjOZy2PekQTdWLQ2hAH0L9vSkBpU5ti8MN9orfi3rDKTt507ECJxrimJxVr-I8Vj0k6glKYBE1C29Ljd3yv0PpS5xj4ldsQ/s320/IMG_4853.JPG" /></a><br />Being very careful, cut a slit in the t-shirt...then cut out the design.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_x2BNEOj48Q-M2b2f0KbppSKVm1C8Rrc0telZ-HcT169NpT3sZW0aggi0rOBrz28ewAzPby2CLivyoxPa1nN6J6g8QkmooDvZQh-pB9FZRG_xNhxK6y5HS_Igb7A6OY_aFQUocdzgTXQ/s1600-h/IMG_4854.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402600680694335730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_x2BNEOj48Q-M2b2f0KbppSKVm1C8Rrc0telZ-HcT169NpT3sZW0aggi0rOBrz28ewAzPby2CLivyoxPa1nN6J6g8QkmooDvZQh-pB9FZRG_xNhxK6y5HS_Igb7A6OY_aFQUocdzgTXQ/s320/IMG_4854.JPG" /></a><br />Sew a button on...<br /><a title="buttonturkey by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4096200336/"><img alt="buttonturkey" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/4096200336_22c1873838_b.jpg" width="683" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />and voila (well 30 min later) you have a <span >Turkey</span> Handprint Shirt!<br /><br /><a title="largeturkeyshirt by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4095446239/"><img alt="largeturkeyshirt" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4095446239_8fb4f3d7d5_b.jpg" width="683" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />The sick girl modeling her shirt...<br /><a title="agsturkeyshirt by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4095330327/"><img alt="agsturkeyshirt" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/4095330327_09b70d47b9_b.jpg" width="683" height="1024" /></a><br /></p><p>Have a wonderful weekend!<br /><br />~Victoria~</p></div></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-66276380031764762962011-10-28T13:14:00.007-04:002011-10-28T13:39:20.139-04:00Yes, I'm "bats"Bats, bats, bats. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsczgum1eQs7frExhg-8qabp_MMSBexs0J2uVSRZkJmWOdvwF3wUxDwG2399PDTkz45NwgOF3GcA_7H1eZSQshEWfgC3SkU1nMDZmVVAXZ9dtymqwy8tuhpZI7l0kkZGxGbfzGLqAeKw/s1600/Bats+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 575px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsczgum1eQs7frExhg-8qabp_MMSBexs0J2uVSRZkJmWOdvwF3wUxDwG2399PDTkz45NwgOF3GcA_7H1eZSQshEWfgC3SkU1nMDZmVVAXZ9dtymqwy8tuhpZI7l0kkZGxGbfzGLqAeKw/s400/Bats+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668595177019686466" border="0" /></a><br />We don't normally decorate for Halloween but recently I saw <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/247683835/">this</a> picture on Pinterest and loved the bats on the wall. We decided to cut some out and my husband had the idea of them coming out of the fireplace.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNTZ2mYKGnVe6F6tvIkO0vk03xQsCv_jWQgfzpnCYRM9jYSH2DuItDAfptH86D2WUep6hQ_kJFYQLMymm0bjxXmjGni01Bn9-Kz5wILyY3cMN4eoO56n55-Y684kQpRZ0gmA_qiiHZzI/s1600/Bats+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 534px; height: 357px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNTZ2mYKGnVe6F6tvIkO0vk03xQsCv_jWQgfzpnCYRM9jYSH2DuItDAfptH86D2WUep6hQ_kJFYQLMymm0bjxXmjGni01Bn9-Kz5wILyY3cMN4eoO56n55-Y684kQpRZ0gmA_qiiHZzI/s400/Bats+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668595769640719938" border="0" /></a>His first idea was to have me stand against the wall and have them coming out of my ears but I wouldn't stand still long enough. ;)<br /><br />Just having a little fun with my family and enjoying this beautiful Fall season!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">~Victoria~</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-57076168657199987452011-09-21T09:43:00.002-04:002011-09-21T09:52:45.048-04:00Take HeartSorry about the earlier unfinished post...I am using a laptop and it does things all on it's own. ;)<br /><br />This morning I read the blog<a href="http://www.danielleburkleo.com/"> Take Heart</a> and read about her <a href="http://www.danielleburkleo.com/2011/09/our-adoption-fundraiser-one-sweet-love.html">adoption fundraiser</a>. What a wonderful opportunity to support this family on their road to adoption AND have a chance to win some incredible items. Seriously, you have to see these <span style="font-size:180%;">bundles</span>! There are FIVE so be sure to look at them all!<br /><a href="http://www.danielleburkleo.com/2011/09/our-adoption-fundraiser-one-sweet-love.html"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCosbYqAtH08pLd-M8HV5T5mB_PmO3XblL5mbECSmqgMaDmacpfuP6rUiv5eVxXoFqM2lTrKsJ0xrHsZj6pP365m3Mb6IDNe9wvkXwJXkyl8wJ1ublkGJkSRYAUDOCz2pUUDYrYqHuFJI/s400/Onse+sweet+love.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654809935787167202" border="0" /></a><br />Go on over and check it out - hurry though, today is the <span style="font-size:180%;">last day</span> to take part!<br /><br />~Victoria~Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-66061337370907982952011-07-24T15:10:00.001-04:002011-07-24T18:06:26.765-04:00Corn Jumble<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPC19gxO1zd0aj7FM1fLgO7co69j53rv-XWFiGcfltEqhUTFEfCSrqQ3Xg_ofKkhWrBI1GQcyIMEt5PraPDjX4aK0mSWQql68psF-OoldSD_NKTCzNEGoC-lnlvWFzett_XYXPuxng2o/s1600/5782699135_8415cbe558_z.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPC19gxO1zd0aj7FM1fLgO7co69j53rv-XWFiGcfltEqhUTFEfCSrqQ3Xg_ofKkhWrBI1GQcyIMEt5PraPDjX4aK0mSWQql68psF-OoldSD_NKTCzNEGoC-lnlvWFzett_XYXPuxng2o/s400/5782699135_8415cbe558_z.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633041171702899026" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left; ">Looking for a new summer side dish to try? This family favorite is sure to hit the spot. </div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><b>Corn Jumble</b></div><div style="text-align: left; ">24 oz. frozen whole kernal corn, thawed and drained</div><div style="text-align: left; ">3/4 cup diced cucumber</div><div style="text-align: left; ">1/4 cup finely diced sweet or red onion </div><div style="text-align: left; ">2 small tomatoes, chopped</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">Dressing:</div><div style="text-align: left; ">1/4 cup sour cream</div><div style="text-align: left; ">2 T. mayo</div><div style="text-align: left; ">1 T. apple cider vinegar</div><div style="text-align: left; ">1/2 tsp. salt</div><div style="text-align: left; ">1/4 tsp. dry mustard<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "> </span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; ">1</span>4/tsp. celery seed</div><div style="text-align: left; ">a grind or two of black pepper</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">Combine corn, cucumber, onion and tomatoes. Mix dressing ingredients together and pour over vegetables. Taste to see if the seasonings need correction. We like extra celery seed, dry mustard and often salt. Chill for several hours or overnight. 6 servings</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; ">It's like summer in a bowl. Yum!</div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Christina</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664673474528230532noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-59737022794273223522011-07-01T08:10:00.001-04:002011-07-01T08:11:28.366-04:00China Cabinet Redo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLG7IUw5ozIuGHIgcrMZuaeLSSacdYz_GyMv3iBQhY8L-wmt6BpPKVs_NWxeADS_q8LxiPUf3tnKrYhQPYxQP-LVfkK5kuk8rql3uhbmx8T-cPpxswbBQTEHM1ZAo5qYB5DCSOK_mNTXk/s1600/IMG_5774.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLG7IUw5ozIuGHIgcrMZuaeLSSacdYz_GyMv3iBQhY8L-wmt6BpPKVs_NWxeADS_q8LxiPUf3tnKrYhQPYxQP-LVfkK5kuk8rql3uhbmx8T-cPpxswbBQTEHM1ZAo5qYB5DCSOK_mNTXk/s400/IMG_5774.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623019736720096962" border="0" /></a>Ever since moving to my new home last year I wanted a china cabinet in which to put all the ironstone and other random pieces of china/glassware I pick up along the way. I knew I needed a skinny cabinet to fit the area in which I planned to place the cabinet. For months I carried my measurements around and finally found a perfect cabinet at a yard sale. They took $30 for the cabinet and I loaded it up and took it home.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLCe_HXqyEQ5WJ5ro9w7VQAoNbn-rxYegfVvTa6KRXPjkJAE4CGH_9z49nYNfEJJnbKSk4rQca-VhH42qWvwqYDExuLDmSZ_Nixn0G5NGf5HmfRIS2cu2wi7Qu0NB6ebH5bp9P_ZSAjs/s1600/IMG_6015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLCe_HXqyEQ5WJ5ro9w7VQAoNbn-rxYegfVvTa6KRXPjkJAE4CGH_9z49nYNfEJJnbKSk4rQca-VhH42qWvwqYDExuLDmSZ_Nixn0G5NGf5HmfRIS2cu2wi7Qu0NB6ebH5bp9P_ZSAjs/s400/IMG_6015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622990630591282450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(Forgot to take a picture while the doors were still on)</span><br /><br /></div>My husband claimed that the cabinet "looks and smells like the 70's" and it did!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0s6Dbqp4KfN2G59V9Of318RV0qW3bWp2tuhKTGNS-2KS01tWhFQo9F-AGN9x76fgBYArvIJHNqKVdHeDNylf0YuRRHvw-caMjLM__YSeWCAdP5Q5xSYx3tGBBk2YUiXI0Rb5ZMA5VmVA/s1600/IMG_6016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0s6Dbqp4KfN2G59V9Of318RV0qW3bWp2tuhKTGNS-2KS01tWhFQo9F-AGN9x76fgBYArvIJHNqKVdHeDNylf0YuRRHvw-caMjLM__YSeWCAdP5Q5xSYx3tGBBk2YUiXI0Rb5ZMA5VmVA/s400/IMG_6016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622990759571685234" border="0" /></a>I took all doors and hinges off and my Father-in-law pried off the decorative piece at the top.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NBZZL5nDEtIGlH6l2yQ4EbfdaNeljh8mr7QRywLASmEi8Cu9uJimiu0xVKs4MSaGH7suvR9rlCEnnNfzu2hpr1LpvG-78o9jfgqWHPw8A677nrJNu0yVfFwocfTpPAOxh2RH7Wp9l3k/s1600/IMG_6014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NBZZL5nDEtIGlH6l2yQ4EbfdaNeljh8mr7QRywLASmEi8Cu9uJimiu0xVKs4MSaGH7suvR9rlCEnnNfzu2hpr1LpvG-78o9jfgqWHPw8A677nrJNu0yVfFwocfTpPAOxh2RH7Wp9l3k/s400/IMG_6014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622990475193355442" border="0" /></a> I cleaned it, primed it with Kilz spray paint, then my sister-in-law brought her paint sprayer over and we painted the cabinet with two cans of Oops paint mixed together. After painting, I distressed the cabinet and decided to paint the back of the cabinet blue.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oqOpDLWHDR8OO6GsrxX-ZXL9cdOgxyoO_lx8Nr3uUEUj9JWVXzXyY1v7VQJYs6WmmVq9ION-A8rseigYxXKnu9DfUzcJyyowlsEVuVPMgITFf7actGaTxUotZFsFuklcxJEkiMXEjPs/s1600/IMG_5781.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oqOpDLWHDR8OO6GsrxX-ZXL9cdOgxyoO_lx8Nr3uUEUj9JWVXzXyY1v7VQJYs6WmmVq9ION-A8rseigYxXKnu9DfUzcJyyowlsEVuVPMgITFf7actGaTxUotZFsFuklcxJEkiMXEjPs/s400/IMG_5781.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624167689637479378" border="0" /></a>The cabinet originally had glass shelves; however I really wanted more of a shabby chic look than a curio look so I went to Lowes and had them cut a board in half for me. I have never used power tools but in March, my husband was out of town and with much fear and trepidation, I used two of his saws to rip the board then cut it to fit (go girl power).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApGlBHBS0aJKcH5ancpfZfNGGnodLWFfHresxVFmFsmObLHt_8JusW9qqbtOz0vA_ULCpiizi8vAxZ76Ru3DgVjU0DULar0kEu4_-o4AR67NbG7X58_VQeW0Tpspldyry0RuvbmABMK8/s1600/IMG_5777.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApGlBHBS0aJKcH5ancpfZfNGGnodLWFfHresxVFmFsmObLHt_8JusW9qqbtOz0vA_ULCpiizi8vAxZ76Ru3DgVjU0DULar0kEu4_-o4AR67NbG7X58_VQeW0Tpspldyry0RuvbmABMK8/s400/IMG_5777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624167885250532626" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUUdrwgz1bfLdbQlgbSu60dRiULojOQfNvN2BpFIdxnjQI486yF2ckPVpIm5gHG4k2xVHxhoKl-W9YrwOb5A2MH9Ax6ORKsOZQhZWNjiVk9aw5SvKcx-mN39OqEQrbF-e_75z1jKcK_Q/s1600/IMG_5782.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUUdrwgz1bfLdbQlgbSu60dRiULojOQfNvN2BpFIdxnjQI486yF2ckPVpIm5gHG4k2xVHxhoKl-W9YrwOb5A2MH9Ax6ORKsOZQhZWNjiVk9aw5SvKcx-mN39OqEQrbF-e_75z1jKcK_Q/s400/IMG_5782.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624169202961460786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Liking the bamboo detail</span><br /></div><br />I bought knobs 40% off at Hobby Lobby and replaced the doors.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR1vMznyJpsrfGh6IyxZVwCKtoBsGClJEN8qxq5CHyonEwU9cChsn9NsHgA5A8uPTb_NSV4WsisHKHvZbEAvg_ouVsmMrYQYqPyM72-FkSM1xZ1yIP2jYGsxaL4fyyUaa5SUhghuPlvo/s1600/IMG_5783.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR1vMznyJpsrfGh6IyxZVwCKtoBsGClJEN8qxq5CHyonEwU9cChsn9NsHgA5A8uPTb_NSV4WsisHKHvZbEAvg_ouVsmMrYQYqPyM72-FkSM1xZ1yIP2jYGsxaL4fyyUaa5SUhghuPlvo/s400/IMG_5783.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624169753666683026" border="0" /></a> Tada...I now have an updated china cabinet that I love!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLG7IUw5ozIuGHIgcrMZuaeLSSacdYz_GyMv3iBQhY8L-wmt6BpPKVs_NWxeADS_q8LxiPUf3tnKrYhQPYxQP-LVfkK5kuk8rql3uhbmx8T-cPpxswbBQTEHM1ZAo5qYB5DCSOK_mNTXk/s1600/IMG_5774.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLG7IUw5ozIuGHIgcrMZuaeLSSacdYz_GyMv3iBQhY8L-wmt6BpPKVs_NWxeADS_q8LxiPUf3tnKrYhQPYxQP-LVfkK5kuk8rql3uhbmx8T-cPpxswbBQTEHM1ZAo5qYB5DCSOK_mNTXk/s400/IMG_5774.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623019736720096962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Click to make the pictures larger</span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAfVdiUn7Rl9JzNT3ezni7bW2oup8HyJv7rvyIu3_8ATrNKVNpVBQj858BKL0MTgbuvYXkU5NI62PM-O8eMAmIdJtHvGcUFpBToxRgaXlAuumzEl_Eh-IC66zGGLrZc8_end-tw_W9IQ/s1600/IMG_5761.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAfVdiUn7Rl9JzNT3ezni7bW2oup8HyJv7rvyIu3_8ATrNKVNpVBQj858BKL0MTgbuvYXkU5NI62PM-O8eMAmIdJtHvGcUFpBToxRgaXlAuumzEl_Eh-IC66zGGLrZc8_end-tw_W9IQ/s400/IMG_5761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623020849000937698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm linking up to <a href="http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/">The Shabby Nest's</a> Frugal Friday. Hop on over there and see what other great projects everyone has been working on!<br /><br />~Victoria~Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-12650140199184898062011-06-19T21:30:00.001-04:002011-06-19T21:36:34.208-04:00Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664673474528230532noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-1325457967088324282011-03-09T14:19:00.016-05:002011-03-09T21:30:25.102-05:00Rainy Day Misc.<span class="Apple-style-span">Relentless rain is coming down here in our little corner of GA. So in the midst of cooking and cleaning, here I am blogging. It has been way too long. My blog reader is a mess. With numbers like "25" unread beside some blogs. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><b>Misc. #1</b><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span">A steamy pot of boiling water is on the stove awaiting some spaghetti that will turn into sesame noodles for tonight's supper. It sounded comforting and the loads of veggies sound so delicious. Try it girls. If you don't think you will like it, open a bottle of sesame oil and smell. If that doesn't make you want to try it, I don't know what will.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/5513038037/" title="001 copy by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5513038037_ff0b6a5efc_z.jpg" width="640" height="409" alt="001 copy" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Sesame Noodles</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1 lb. Spaghetti or Japanese noodles (I prefer Vita-spelt spaghetti-yum)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Shredded Cooked Chicken-optional</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Sugar Snap peas or Snow Peas cut on the diagonal </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1-2 red or yellow bell pepper cut into thin strips (I adore red in this)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">2-4 carrots cut into matchsticks</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">thinly sliced cabbage (any kind of green)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Any veggies that hit the spot would be fine. You can also add more or less of any of the veggies above. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Sauce</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1/2 cup smooth <a href="http://sunbutter.com/">Sun butter</a> (substitute peanut butter if preferred)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1-2 cloves of garlic</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1 jalapeño pepper-optional (remove seeds for less heat)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1/4 cup soy sauce</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1/2 cup rice vinegar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1-2 tsp. of sugar-optional (we always blend and taste without the sugar and then add if needed)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">peanut butter is sweeter than sunbutter, so you may not need or want the added touch of sweet.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">1/4 tsp. salt<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Place these ingredients in a blender and mix until well blended.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Pour sauce over noodles and veggies. Serve immediately or chill. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">If you are not familiar with these ingredients, the sauce may seem strong. Once you add to the veggies, the flavors mellow out. I think it tastes better if made ahead and chilled, but don't let that keep you from making it if you don't have time to chill.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b>Misc. #2</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Painted the hall bath a couple of months ago. Still working on some accessories and a few updates. It looks teal, but it is a smoky gray--a little blueish. The color is one I mixed myself from several that we had. Unless something changes I am using my yellow tree photograph in there.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/5513142045/" title="037 copy by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/5513142045_1cce5b2ec5_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="037 copy" /></a><br /><br />This heavenly candle from Target is for the hall bath. Loved the yellow pattern with the tin. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/5513137571/" title="012 by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5255/5513137571_a51d4fb6d2_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="012" /></a><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Hope to come by and visit some of you. I have missed visiting and blogging. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Christina</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div> </div><div><br /></div></div>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664673474528230532noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-32970957347890767912011-02-14T15:34:00.008-05:002011-02-14T15:54:08.054-05:00I ♥ Mantel<span style="font-size:130%;">Sweet Girl and I shopped the house at the end of January to come up with our mantel for the month full of </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);font-size:180%;" >pink</span> and </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:180%;">♥'s</span>.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhLw4r4WvBQnSL5q90104rDIsWBeAeMVPs1dlnLi0SOdYkG6HDoRBUES5AuzQ1Qt6z52opto7I3qhVFmnvsdyI60hhGWi3Jg0Ndu-nQ05kSLbz2dftc-EQsclqDWAZfWJZRyKPYkrZtc/s1600/Valetines+Mantel.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhLw4r4WvBQnSL5q90104rDIsWBeAeMVPs1dlnLi0SOdYkG6HDoRBUES5AuzQ1Qt6z52opto7I3qhVFmnvsdyI60hhGWi3Jg0Ndu-nQ05kSLbz2dftc-EQsclqDWAZfWJZRyKPYkrZtc/s400/Valetines+Mantel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573648144144565602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">Apothecary Jar<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;">filled with old lace and pink yarn in front of one of my chippy old mirrors. I ♥</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"> chippy old mirrors. ;)</span></span></span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWLAt-jdL9ICS2AuyVPLI5LE0OQqST2-j1D5v4vJksB2S7Dhxlwf9Ef-54SbhhCQoJspa9m4JrzF4XJH19bUc1KBBvIMp9Uq1gGHuWtsvPD1pszvU3FRsdj-lKNC_FooiS_AWt9DImwU/s1600/IMG_5794.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWLAt-jdL9ICS2AuyVPLI5LE0OQqST2-j1D5v4vJksB2S7Dhxlwf9Ef-54SbhhCQoJspa9m4JrzF4XJH19bUc1KBBvIMp9Uq1gGHuWtsvPD1pszvU3FRsdj-lKNC_FooiS_AWt9DImwU/s400/IMG_5794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573647692022721330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Apothecary jar filled with </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:180%;">pink</span> </span>and silver ornaments (Sweet Girl ♥'s <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">pink</span>.)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdL1gD__7Qm5amcz-PiTJ9Dt3-_oCaYVcjHD58H-ZJHJYzhdzHbTgClImwgSmt6MMa0zHheMdvN-zutG8xp-09O6jiTZl96YT9FhxsmlWW1r2hFAi0Sm-Yn-yrbjYxFpOfhaBerlMpUQ/s1600/IMG_5793.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdL1gD__7Qm5amcz-PiTJ9Dt3-_oCaYVcjHD58H-ZJHJYzhdzHbTgClImwgSmt6MMa0zHheMdvN-zutG8xp-09O6jiTZl96YT9FhxsmlWW1r2hFAi0Sm-Yn-yrbjYxFpOfhaBerlMpUQ/s400/IMG_5793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573647366146683010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Pictures by my<span style="font-size:180%;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);font-size:180%;" >favorite</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> photographer (Christina) clipped to a piece of string inside a frame.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6b6F_x3vkIBrJgj5MniZOq07Q7OrMCTGbjWxVm508V-mCioeUdObnHDWd4nq9abuzECFiUNJ9uTN9hurqq_eALVLyNtMvB6GOd9UeCcG5uKOY7sOKDZWPFNAnrpAfoPt3lixPsbGhoM/s1600/IMG_5795.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6b6F_x3vkIBrJgj5MniZOq07Q7OrMCTGbjWxVm508V-mCioeUdObnHDWd4nq9abuzECFiUNJ9uTN9hurqq_eALVLyNtMvB6GOd9UeCcG5uKOY7sOKDZWPFNAnrpAfoPt3lixPsbGhoM/s400/IMG_5795.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573647036936361442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Oh and see "valentine" spelled out with scrabble tiles? We did several of those throughout the house. Gave Sweet Girl something fun to do while Mom was doing the heavy lifting. ;)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);font-size:180%;" >Valentine's</span> to you and yours today!</span><br /><br />~Victoria~<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><br /></span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-6278777767665779332011-01-24T21:37:00.008-05:002011-01-26T16:11:11.547-05:00Score 1 for Mommy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9xV4VLCVadS5vQqutgW_GOoi_cABADGDf_4gqdqL9NWzlg8HfhIfyPi_PnCpVSbwfxEo2OPU3eH3FKs5nB_eWqs1XzeMNJ1mcoaaQXxHqZW_TtKS0p0qhuvHK16EybFxXdgbee40JxY/s1600/cookbooks-deceptively_delicious-01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9xV4VLCVadS5vQqutgW_GOoi_cABADGDf_4gqdqL9NWzlg8HfhIfyPi_PnCpVSbwfxEo2OPU3eH3FKs5nB_eWqs1XzeMNJ1mcoaaQXxHqZW_TtKS0p0qhuvHK16EybFxXdgbee40JxY/s400/cookbooks-deceptively_delicious-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565950749417131506" border="0" /></a><br />Recently I found a copy of <a href="http://www.doitdelicious.com/">Deceptively Delicious</a>, the cookbook by Jessica Seinfield, at the GW and picked it up for $2.50. I have poured over this baby and have enjoyed looking at the recipes, tips from Jessica, etc. It is actually a very interesting read for a cookbook.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwtEXW1k_4yVoW4mdGgrEgonARCMk2UrEFqw6jQcDzObCatDf0hHzI2sWsBGYxhMCEtwSKs9bDf1knxCBQTXwE0h4vsAICAHhYTnVwoQ4Fy-V6yys4Wac5rLNnWBb6AAfgD76GXrRxUM/s1600/IMG_5779.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwtEXW1k_4yVoW4mdGgrEgonARCMk2UrEFqw6jQcDzObCatDf0hHzI2sWsBGYxhMCEtwSKs9bDf1knxCBQTXwE0h4vsAICAHhYTnVwoQ4Fy-V6yys4Wac5rLNnWBb6AAfgD76GXrRxUM/s400/IMG_5779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566603987566074658" border="0" /></a><br />Tonight I tried my first real recipe from the book and made <span style="font-size:180%;">Lasagna</span>. This recipe calls for cauliflower and sweet potato puree and neither are veggies my husband will eat and I don't particularly care for cauliflower myself. Too, this is a somewhat easy way to add in extra veggies vs me preparing several sides.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9CZl3WZMeqbcNvjjMim8M4YeDit_VZr6g5BtA2_3cfG6x3w0QbYkc_X7Hu6ULbEwWGgpfpGtNH8dgxhs9CmuAHoZ4faJlUVaKoQHwzIF7ECplDhpF5p-y4XqlgTSYVu57zSa28feuz8/s1600/IMG_5774.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9CZl3WZMeqbcNvjjMim8M4YeDit_VZr6g5BtA2_3cfG6x3w0QbYkc_X7Hu6ULbEwWGgpfpGtNH8dgxhs9CmuAHoZ4faJlUVaKoQHwzIF7ECplDhpF5p-y4XqlgTSYVu57zSa28feuz8/s400/IMG_5774.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566602006767809186" border="0" /></a><br />I don't make lasagna in our home for a couple of reasons. First, my Sis always made lasagna growing up and made it well, so I just ask her to make it for my birthdays and occasionally a family get-together. Secondly, my father-in-law makes what my daughter calls "Grumpy's world famous lasagna" and they have us over for lasagna so I get my second lasagna fix that way. Pretty <span style="font-size:180%;">smart</span> girl, eh?<br /><br />Tonight I told Sweet Girl and Sweet Man "hey guys, this is a new recipe, used <span style="font-size:180%;">ground turkey</span>, we all may hate it and I might never make it again". My parents happened by about the time I took it out of the oven and I gave them the same spill as I invited them to stay for dinner.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QJjhPtq74-xo1Aaf8zehY0oqgX0FIbjVnGOdnQCRmF5AU9WCqvwwtCSAPFAtmb7lvquzIFrplNjEg-60BjpgxeQ8Cy0Xx7Og7Z-HagjcHxmFJeKTCksbkH0-vPnKJmVzLkbLtvJdpdI/s1600/IMG_5776.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QJjhPtq74-xo1Aaf8zehY0oqgX0FIbjVnGOdnQCRmF5AU9WCqvwwtCSAPFAtmb7lvquzIFrplNjEg-60BjpgxeQ8Cy0Xx7Og7Z-HagjcHxmFJeKTCksbkH0-vPnKJmVzLkbLtvJdpdI/s400/IMG_5776.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566602328036580690" border="0" /></a><br />Fast forward 30 min and pan is practically <span style="font-size:180%;">empty</span>. No one notices cauliflower or sweet potato! Woohoo! SCORE 1 for Mommy!<br /><br />I'll let you know when I try the brownies made with <span style="font-size:180%;">spinach</span> puree. ;)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsOdy-8vTviSE9XnRjy3pPD_wE5NTBHA8Pa0lHmzRY79zKhskQMRhPQXOehDFNP4ZAp0VCkebGhm0M7emTi_ab4l0izmZ7S88mH4rHLCOElNx09BHZHF9egwBGcMFbfv12d2LYrKGtSk/s1600/IMG_5778.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsOdy-8vTviSE9XnRjy3pPD_wE5NTBHA8Pa0lHmzRY79zKhskQMRhPQXOehDFNP4ZAp0VCkebGhm0M7emTi_ab4l0izmZ7S88mH4rHLCOElNx09BHZHF9egwBGcMFbfv12d2LYrKGtSk/s400/IMG_5778.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566602678549395426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">~Victoria~</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-35856861686673114342011-01-21T14:00:00.002-05:002011-01-21T14:22:15.691-05:00Favorite Things FridayPaperwhites.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa9c0bBmZ-okfxcD5x15TNehRjblke7lG4IcpKwLxBxXK8ubRYGTUs2IKgws-mj12JTs73Q10jl_y4o1V-LqENuhDqtdCX9ue2kUfNxWICOq4eusayo8wWgysSYHlHQqYlwlKKko9OhQ/s1600/IMG_5764.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa9c0bBmZ-okfxcD5x15TNehRjblke7lG4IcpKwLxBxXK8ubRYGTUs2IKgws-mj12JTs73Q10jl_y4o1V-LqENuhDqtdCX9ue2kUfNxWICOq4eusayo8wWgysSYHlHQqYlwlKKko9OhQ/s400/IMG_5764.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564719739769077858" border="0" /></a>planted in a few of my milk glass containers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1HW8hx4Z96_nN6sGf2GvdHXq78qlUqI-UvvFo5363VuiYh7C9ByrH6ozlo5p3kek3JRzKstYGjyodju6_mYj1E2xYPkT55z5HveU3n8fwCAnh2QsaHIxYeyS_VVfbUzsr_JAqbqN7Xw/s1600/IMG_5763.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1HW8hx4Z96_nN6sGf2GvdHXq78qlUqI-UvvFo5363VuiYh7C9ByrH6ozlo5p3kek3JRzKstYGjyodju6_mYj1E2xYPkT55z5HveU3n8fwCAnh2QsaHIxYeyS_VVfbUzsr_JAqbqN7Xw/s400/IMG_5763.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564720478747789874" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaWE5azQBJuz0J7p0Z2Cn0Hj7TlX8S81hEVveClIb00h-I5seq5ONIDp81eVrSUJSwfO6lOxpvVJfESpdMYtGwq5NRPNCNoPfUVO5UscqzCVGDglvrYB5FaLHb99dvFOVwN4WGeBB3Z0/s1600/IMG_5759.JPG"><br /></a>My husband and Sweet Girl don't like the smell but they don't bother me at all. :)<br /><br />Happy Friday people!<br /><br />~Victoria~Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-2273172150953847422010-12-23T10:16:00.011-05:002010-12-23T11:19:31.867-05:00Tis the Season...for colorful gingerbread houses....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJK92A8ekUxXFg_1TKyeTejg7qTbNAnXpD64ElXe-a5ju-oh4poPFQNIpG9vh7ukqubbMi5R5_2GpCAgCYAUoq8_ZPHzU0Vaosw-i2nfLISEHvmqbzQnBaPBCozMgWaJJ5Au35CUcXS3A/s1600/IMG_5750.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJK92A8ekUxXFg_1TKyeTejg7qTbNAnXpD64ElXe-a5ju-oh4poPFQNIpG9vh7ukqubbMi5R5_2GpCAgCYAUoq8_ZPHzU0Vaosw-i2nfLISEHvmqbzQnBaPBCozMgWaJJ5Au35CUcXS3A/s320/IMG_5750.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553911035324537746" border="0" /></a><br />fun snowman's for the Sweet Girl...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswTA0wQLiSC2nEL8XjX9kkdwdP4TiceQ9wnTKsRRJU7vKXXFMzfEygCnclUwaJhLJ8_-pqQ6p7h-vu87iy9XapMOsG6G0j1BCphBhKhc4qmPgguvmjGphfmWp9DNu2ekbozhl3-edimw/s1600/IMG_5749.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswTA0wQLiSC2nEL8XjX9kkdwdP4TiceQ9wnTKsRRJU7vKXXFMzfEygCnclUwaJhLJ8_-pqQ6p7h-vu87iy9XapMOsG6G0j1BCphBhKhc4qmPgguvmjGphfmWp9DNu2ekbozhl3-edimw/s320/IMG_5749.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553910770693857634" border="0" /></a><br />all things glittery....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQrZNa08i4Wj80vja_OH6pg79wzsil5lagNVQ8TXZthkWSDouVpWfbHZdw-2DAx7JT9ltTqaAOhEOc-o6rUIbTlKrA17dVFDVCF6aaa7WCkyM7-r9ZbRw_2LMmJYG1LjYqvoKAWab3qg/s1600/IMG_5747.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQrZNa08i4Wj80vja_OH6pg79wzsil5lagNVQ8TXZthkWSDouVpWfbHZdw-2DAx7JT9ltTqaAOhEOc-o6rUIbTlKrA17dVFDVCF6aaa7WCkyM7-r9ZbRw_2LMmJYG1LjYqvoKAWab3qg/s320/IMG_5747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553910420588064434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmuzHyveAMgia7ft69LeIhBxtx_379roo4WOjJbLHqX5Y0ybnoKrSebqB3nuODpfVRKvv5_tEB87rQD_QedZdCCAjBFOGTbfXHFmrsHGw1ALpbDq-uolLvv9M8XbK5glKG-clX_vq7hs/s1600/IMG_5746.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmuzHyveAMgia7ft69LeIhBxtx_379roo4WOjJbLHqX5Y0ybnoKrSebqB3nuODpfVRKvv5_tEB87rQD_QedZdCCAjBFOGTbfXHFmrsHGw1ALpbDq-uolLvv9M8XbK5glKG-clX_vq7hs/s320/IMG_5746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553910065492034162" border="0" /></a><br />whites and greens...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4uXvZ2kjBvwcbyPuTw-Vk8DIc8PsAQRmCFmBsKNVZKRWpYVK-Kxl-Z9CSVUvpNuL8qCvu7u14cACc_C9iCsRmupSo8ZRN912-nEQBHrDFqSkqNmgwA8Nxa0K_UtZCB-tMtie9AJJrvc/s1600/IMG_5744.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4uXvZ2kjBvwcbyPuTw-Vk8DIc8PsAQRmCFmBsKNVZKRWpYVK-Kxl-Z9CSVUvpNuL8qCvu7u14cACc_C9iCsRmupSo8ZRN912-nEQBHrDFqSkqNmgwA8Nxa0K_UtZCB-tMtie9AJJrvc/s320/IMG_5744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553909369152254018" border="0" /></a><br />and most importantly to celebrate the birth of our Lord...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgPm1gFEdGf0rl2zfbkBEG4nxWJexs6jdw4YAUDSf3X5ZoDk59rDTimsA4WYvH-jRwrBP7LaUFIOruoUS3RN7GCdxhFjOQSlSpP2bctmXvl1ZkQyvFJpy5I_sJEIuZJmkqQ83OGqWupA/s1600/IMG_5736.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 351px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgPm1gFEdGf0rl2zfbkBEG4nxWJexs6jdw4YAUDSf3X5ZoDk59rDTimsA4WYvH-jRwrBP7LaUFIOruoUS3RN7GCdxhFjOQSlSpP2bctmXvl1ZkQyvFJpy5I_sJEIuZJmkqQ83OGqWupA/s320/IMG_5736.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553903392184203682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Merry Christmas!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">~Victoria~</span><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1ieQxogm7cFR51xS5_cr6sDhZs0ViN-DONevlOlkqYVgN9b7XtF-sLv-0au6msHGIBAYiLFW9LAJRAIbc1pxsdEJ4AUJBpWIdODTvQl_HdhOqLJx9RR5fcO1UvRx2TlNMSfhMSJnBW0/s1600/IMG_5735.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyAPRj4hsvcwtNqDsF3eG0zZR1jk39J8ebLUhBCzHO2iBet5HqSdRP27wOdB7xOli93MngpZwig1yLPOUe5fn8yf5FVV6mxtA56XonfXDWSPF6iaAlw9GW7nB-9WfX-Hd-VnWYM2c82BU/s1600/IMG_5739.JPG"><br /></a>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-25935708697759322512010-11-15T14:49:00.011-05:002010-11-15T15:24:22.243-05:00Gobbly Good IdeasMy Sweet Girl would do crafts every day, all day, if her Momma had nothing else to do. :) Cutting, pasting, sewing, painting, cooking, you name it, she would do it!<br /><br />This afternoon we made Pilgrim Hats (as shown <a href="http://www.examiner.com/stay-at-home-moms-in-austin/easy-thanksgiving-crafts-for-kids-pilgrim-hat-cookie-recipe">here</a>) for snack time at the Academy she attends.<br /><br />First, we took Fudge Stripe shortbread cookies and placed them fudge stripes down on wax paper. Then we melted chocolate chips and shortening and coated large marshmallows. She placed the coated marshmallows on the cookies, then we let them harden in the fridge for about 10 minutes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbt1NBLalPDTMGfr3wch_A5X6Y04ZrtToVUlVKD-cneqSwnN5MRmZ8QMiE2aCCu7H1cD3RgjIjDl1vdfdqavHt-5YGKiH9fL9Rp-5X6yZDVmob3ao_5u4hTvfItf3x0D3VWLpVqS9fQlU/s1600/IMG_8909.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbt1NBLalPDTMGfr3wch_A5X6Y04ZrtToVUlVKD-cneqSwnN5MRmZ8QMiE2aCCu7H1cD3RgjIjDl1vdfdqavHt-5YGKiH9fL9Rp-5X6yZDVmob3ao_5u4hTvfItf3x0D3VWLpVqS9fQlU/s320/IMG_8909.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539869131324329154" border="0" /></a><br />After that we took some yellow icing and SHE piped buckles on the hats.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVFipb5l5iKpqPfsgMdiBsisLe9KtYPzgcy2YwHID80wCSDpX0FkgOYrBZL2Viaq9IcC-olQKn7Vwe0c-HBcAKM7YwQRDxUscLqzwJ1eeA4Ocn7JVeWJdPQNSYCgp5B6gufQO20KJ02A/s1600/IMG_8912.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVFipb5l5iKpqPfsgMdiBsisLe9KtYPzgcy2YwHID80wCSDpX0FkgOYrBZL2Viaq9IcC-olQKn7Vwe0c-HBcAKM7YwQRDxUscLqzwJ1eeA4Ocn7JVeWJdPQNSYCgp5B6gufQO20KJ02A/s320/IMG_8912.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539869399457231234" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC2lTBYnI_YGhlQrld2z9WoOUuKqc6rmx6pAh07jlUrMpmZwjosmTRH7Obz0GequaGOb6XQwokoFmrpMeGV4dHcDlzjyxHzEYljRzymmOfE0d1czuEta2PzgDx0e8DexEu5pRVKnNmQ0/s1600/IMG_8913.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC2lTBYnI_YGhlQrld2z9WoOUuKqc6rmx6pAh07jlUrMpmZwjosmTRH7Obz0GequaGOb6XQwokoFmrpMeGV4dHcDlzjyxHzEYljRzymmOfE0d1czuEta2PzgDx0e8DexEu5pRVKnNmQ0/s320/IMG_8913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539868803553003634" border="0" /></a><br />They are imperfectly perfect and the best part is it gave Sweet Girl something to do! ;)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAkuAeQc66Un62lx5sTLmNeT-m5Sx2r1Lybk_gVCvOCMA61EmM6Iymc3aMYOEZ6D-lRcJWsGh5IHEINySg-H7QmY_hR6j-CMc_NhrVy3rW4Qz5S2cwuwaD1Fp8PLA86qCDKPkHMfE84w/s1600/IMG_8915.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAkuAeQc66Un62lx5sTLmNeT-m5Sx2r1Lybk_gVCvOCMA61EmM6Iymc3aMYOEZ6D-lRcJWsGh5IHEINySg-H7QmY_hR6j-CMc_NhrVy3rW4Qz5S2cwuwaD1Fp8PLA86qCDKPkHMfE84w/s320/IMG_8915.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539870965654903042" border="0" /></a><br />Doing this while listening to rain fall and Christmas music. Seeing this view outside our back windows.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRnvxiZO7OuG60n18sOe5d5rKTwUAouPK3Lt7PWTwsw5cE3OWBDlwVmxqf19ngp1tp6QWHkxGkbYKtXn4e_DUQlv4r7uQALPKbgi1IwEjAmdZEpIBCKDFjQU-47inIprCRu3-P1pduu8/s1600/IMG_8910.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRnvxiZO7OuG60n18sOe5d5rKTwUAouPK3Lt7PWTwsw5cE3OWBDlwVmxqf19ngp1tp6QWHkxGkbYKtXn4e_DUQlv4r7uQALPKbgi1IwEjAmdZEpIBCKDFjQU-47inIprCRu3-P1pduu8/s320/IMG_8910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539871904740952546" border="0" /></a><br />Since it's a rainy cool day, and we have Sweet Girl's Thanksgiving Program tonight, I have soup bubbling on the stove. Not sure if I've shared the recipe here before or not but here is the easy-peasy Taco Soup that I make. I'm not sure where the recipe ultimately came from but my Mother-in-law shared it with me.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Taco Soup</span><br />1 can tomato soup<br />1 can whole kernel corn (do not drain)<br />1 can chili beans (do not drain)<br />1 pack taco seasoning<br />1 lb ground beef<br />1 can/cup water<br /><br />Mix all together and put in crockpot or on stove. We eat with sour cream, tortilla chips and cheese. My family loves it, so I always make extra for leftovers. Hello supper for Wed night. ;)<br /><br />Hope you are enjoying your Fall as much as I am! The leaves here are gorgeous and every morning as I drive to work and school I think of this verse:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.<br />Ps 19:1</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />~Victoria~</span><br /></div></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-3583343928777154362010-11-02T14:03:00.000-04:002010-11-03T17:11:37.638-04:00Fall in the North Georgia MountainsFall is slowly creeping its way to us in GA. We were in the north Georgia mountains last week and all around us we saw the in-between of the fall beauty to come.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/5143934900/" title="024 copy 4 by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1096/5143934900_b2302188c0_b.jpg" alt="024 copy 4" width="1024" height="681" /></a><br />My photo-lookout point Ft. Mountain<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/5143933892/" title="122 copy 4 by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1438/5143933892_1c5b279b8a_b.jpg" alt="122 copy 4" width="1024" height="681" /></a><br />My Photo-Warm colors of fall.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/5143326339/" title="128 copy by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1370/5143326339_6ca2c611d2_b.jpg" alt="128 copy" width="1024" height="681" /></a><br />My Photo-Golden Delight<br /><br />My favorite picture may be this one below and I didn't even take it.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25596435@N08/">Photo credit: from my husband's Flickr photostream</a><br /></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/25596435@N08/5143386431/" title="DSC_0447 by Les duLunch, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/5143386431_154ac90281_b.jpg" alt="DSC_0447" width="1024" height="681" /></a><br /><br />My husband noticed this shelled nut laying on a rock. I can just see a little squirrel nibbling away and leaving the evidence of his visit behind.<br /><br />We also picked up a variety of apples. Mostly Winesaps for Apple Butter and a few other goodies.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyperbolation/5129282385/">Photo credit: Karen Brugman's Flickr photostream</a></span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyperbolation/5129282385/" title="winesaps by kara brugman, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5129282385_b65791bafb_b.jpg" alt="winesaps" width="1024" height="768" /></a><br /><br />If you are looking for a wonderful and easy apple butter recipe, check out <a href="http://thepleasuresofhomemaking.blogspot.com/2010/07/simple-pleasure.html">this one out on Manuela's blog.</a> Victoria picked some apples in September and made this. It was delish and she shared the rest of her apples with me and I gave it a try. Yum! My family loved it, so we picked up another supply of apples.<br /><br />And for another treat, try this old fashioned apple cake. So quick and easy. No sifting or adding the wet and then dry ingredients. Just add it all in and pop it into the oven.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Apple Cake</span><br /><br />3 eggs<br />2 cups sugar<br />1 cup oil<br />2 tsp. vanilla<br />3 cups self-rising flour<br />3 cups diced apple<br />1 cup chopped nuts (optional)<br />1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon (The original recipe did not call for cinnamon, but I find that it is a perfect addition)<br /><br />Mix all ingredients and pour into a greased and floured bundt pan. Bake 1 hour and 25 min.<br />325 degrees.<br /><br /><br />And last but not least, a joke. What is worse than finding a worm in your apple?................................<br />Finding half a worm.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Christina</span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664673474528230532noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-35574392458590090702010-10-05T18:17:00.002-04:002010-10-05T20:10:35.678-04:00A Touch of FallA few bits and pieces of fall decor are making their way into the house.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/5055118471/" title="104 by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/5055118471_498b9be244_b.jpg" alt="104" width="1024" height="681" /></a><br /><br />Chloe and I made this banner a few days ago. This was suppose to be my "under $10 under an hour" project for <a href="http://www.granvillehouse.blogspot.com/">Melissa's</a> party last week, but it didn't happen. There are lots of great ideas over there, so make sure you stop by.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/5055028037/" title="090 copy by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5055028037_c958144ed3_b.jpg" alt="090 copy" width="1024" height="512" /></a><br /><br />We used bamboo from a bundle of ten bought a few years ago for $9.99 at Michael's. I don't want them for a vase arrangement anymore, so I'm finding uses for them individually. Burlap, which is actually buckram, bought at Hancock Fabrics. It has a plastic backing and is a little stiffer than just burlap would be. I believe it was $2.99 a yard, and this project only took a small amount. Muslin, from an unknown origin, was found in the craft bag and torn into strips. Stamp it, glue it, hang it. Done.<br /><br />Mr. Crow has seen better days, but is still hanging around. His bill is about to fall off and he is missing some tail feathers, but hey, he can't resist a vase full of acorns.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/5055026859/" title="098 copy by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5055026859_b907ded6b2_b.jpg" alt="098 copy" width="1024" height="657" /></a><br /><br />Alongside is a Kabocha squash, that was bought to eat, but acts as decor until it makes it to the oven.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Christina</span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664673474528230532noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-66508123580857224902010-08-27T00:25:00.021-04:002010-08-27T09:14:11.943-04:00Pizza Pie<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4932090730/" title="021 copy by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4932090730_964a3ff32d_z.jpg" alt="021 copy" width="512" height="640" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5jCWxW006R8etD2nB-L7nizY5DK9CHNy0zE9CNcvWQ9ds5_N1vk60BacqFZIO7b2B_AipXo0Uu9p2GKFfq4TvH36NnElLpBugOCyXp5QfctbtY2F8Id_ExziEFCTxJnIeeOHd0MwPmM/s1600/021+copy.jpg"><br /></a> Who doesn't enjoy ordering a pizza from time to time? It's fun. It's good. It's convenient after a hard week. A local pizza joint with good pizza and a must have Greek salad or occasionally even Papa John's comes to call. You put your feet up, turn on a movie and not the oven.<br /><br />But, for those other times we turn our kitchen into a pizzeria. I thought you all might enjoy the recipe.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Make. this. pizza.</span> <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.com/our_products/recipesearch/recipedetail.jsp?recipeId=9680"> Three Cheese Garden Pizza.</a> Really. Guys, my kiddos beg for this pizza. In fact Chloe thinks this might be her birthday dinner choice.<br /><br />This is a Pampered Chef recipe. I love some of their things and some I can do without. Kitchen items that come into this house have to help me and not hinder or just make more clean up. We all have good knife skills, so I don't need every little gadget known to man to get the job done. Their stones are one thing that I adore and have invested in. Not all of them, but enough. They also stand behind their warranty. Wonder how I know that? More than once...<br /><br />At the PC party we used the refrigerated pizza crust (that the recipe calls for) and the pizza was delicious, but Chloe and I love to work with yeast dough, so we make our own crust. It is like the smell of a gourmet pizza shop in your kitchen.. A quick pizza crust version can be found <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quick-and-Easy-Pizza-Crust/Detail.aspx">here</a>. Make sure that you add the right amount of salt. I'm not a careful measurer, but with this dough it is crucial.<br /><br />Here is our wonderful partially baked pizza crust brushed with olive oil and fresh garlic.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4931496997/" title="008 copy by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4931496997_be517054d1_z.jpg" alt="008 copy" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCz6B9epagWIiFrgX-s_mC-96rlV2QfpLb0r31_dr0BVukCwASAPwWwXXzMBaU_nQNledRKUC6vxwRTYffifZ-H5SUdjs72wecFnmAe0jNW0Cc-qz8g1wufoqubozS0Ws4K_-Bvv5WiY/s1600/008+copy.jpg"><br /></a><br />Start layering.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4932090378/" title="013 copy by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4932090378_e800eef78f_z.jpg" alt="013 copy" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOYuJLeBh9WCjDgXO21b9IGYCNJzX3LaARwe-NBGOHutqCru7AaxsGe0VxMsLo6GUrW1nETvDJHw7RyndRUpLesu-wy7ycgQWoQffR1t68hIOHG20lDmHUmnxXC3L_3-YIWLLS2J6XQU/s1600/013+copy.jpg"><br /></a><br />Ready for the oven.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4931497333/" title="018 copy by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4931497333_7369383680_z.jpg" alt="018 copy" width="640" height="426" /></a><br /><br />My son is not a super picky eater, but sliced onions and tomatoes would not be on his list of favorites. Mine either, and we both love this pizza. I don't love mushrooms on pizza, but this is another exception. They are not slimy if cut fresh.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A few tweak notes</span>: We usually add spinach and/or bell peppers between the veggies layers. We also use olive oil to brush on the pizza crust instead of vegetable oil.<br /><br />Oops, I almost didn't get a picture. Only one piece left when I thought of the camera.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4931497611/" title="020 copy by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4931497611_1fcdfe5ab9_z.jpg" alt="020 copy" width="640" height="422" /></a><br /><br />When I went to run my dishwasher tonight <span style="font-style: italic;">it</span> even smelled like a pizzeria.<br /><br />p.s. I am in no way affiliated with Pampered Chef, nor was I paid to mention their baking stones.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >Christina</span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664673474528230532noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-52404048760755435022010-08-11T11:36:00.004-04:002010-08-17T23:11:21.152-04:00A touch of my home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5T1rutUPm_nnCVEgnts0ezdw8zCIyb3bW5BE5Iut_0vUxF4LE_5XpHc18JlYHw64fLnPonWoV5koeZg4ajHQpj6AG-K7CUG8CzrhB3qNpzZb1hAvgB5vOqD3le_qv4vb2KlmfHpdk-0/s1600/021.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 540px; height: 377px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5T1rutUPm_nnCVEgnts0ezdw8zCIyb3bW5BE5Iut_0vUxF4LE_5XpHc18JlYHw64fLnPonWoV5koeZg4ajHQpj6AG-K7CUG8CzrhB3qNpzZb1hAvgB5vOqD3le_qv4vb2KlmfHpdk-0/s400/021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470781514152631810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8A2lOEVXp7hxO8LG1LmYFJ0MXFOsDfjUy5d9PWOz22O5jckmQhEmMYlbceDstvX9tVLM2N-V1ugrxX-lRzhtgERtYdqHZ48LmcgJ3lPv2SemScFnWQqmnGxZ2ZZVYk3H6sCnOh81plo/s1600/008.JPG"><br /></a>I found these pictures today that Christina took one day earlier this year when she ran by my house to visit. It was in the midst of us having just moved, selling our old house, end of school, sick little girl, etc and I was feeling very overwhelmed! Christina spent a few minutes making a couple areas pretty for me while I did the mundane tasks of moving boxes from one room to another and making dinner.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WiNIoXnnDKfqkZwavw5BRb2g_JI9b5zLFUcntOOjzIMDY5AEjumb2M5F3jyj53bv-5Yb9yvKuu_JzTi-_EJQ0SZqN5VU_RsmJhl5eGjz30KdPhaQuuzy845dN2cPM1_1kFGnCCGckwg/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 665px; height: 466px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WiNIoXnnDKfqkZwavw5BRb2g_JI9b5zLFUcntOOjzIMDY5AEjumb2M5F3jyj53bv-5Yb9yvKuu_JzTi-_EJQ0SZqN5VU_RsmJhl5eGjz30KdPhaQuuzy845dN2cPM1_1kFGnCCGckwg/s400/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470781188536199074" border="0" /></a>I am so excited to finally have a fireplace and mantle! Of course in this horrid Georgia heat and humidity, it being cool enough to light a fire sounds like light years away...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8A2lOEVXp7hxO8LG1LmYFJ0MXFOsDfjUy5d9PWOz22O5jckmQhEmMYlbceDstvX9tVLM2N-V1ugrxX-lRzhtgERtYdqHZ48LmcgJ3lPv2SemScFnWQqmnGxZ2ZZVYk3H6sCnOh81plo/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 662px; height: 463px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8A2lOEVXp7hxO8LG1LmYFJ0MXFOsDfjUy5d9PWOz22O5jckmQhEmMYlbceDstvX9tVLM2N-V1ugrxX-lRzhtgERtYdqHZ48LmcgJ3lPv2SemScFnWQqmnGxZ2ZZVYk3H6sCnOh81plo/s400/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470781054486593042" border="0" /></a>I love how she mixed the rustic with the glass and mirrors. One of these days I am going to be as talented as my sisters. ;) Until then, well I just have her over to do these things for me!<br /><br />~Victoria~Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664673474528230532noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-90958648180079414682010-07-06T19:50:00.018-04:002010-07-14T21:26:18.511-04:00Tomatoes and a LampWhat do tomatoes and a lamp have in common? Nothing at all. I just couldn't think of a better title for this post.<br /><br />I haven't been around blogland much lately visiting or posting so I told myself to get over here and post something so Victoria won't find a new blogging partner.<br /><br />Recently we picked up this lamp for $5.00 at a garage sale. I need another lamp like I need a hole in my head but somehow that didn't stop me.<br /><br /><br />Before:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4769760630/" title="126 by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4769760630_e91e7e1f66_b.jpg" alt="126" width="649" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />I decided to add a drum shade for a fresher look.<br /><br />After:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4769761060/" title="163 by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4769761060_ef87560b68_b.jpg" alt="163" width="1024" height="723" /></a><br /><br />We have been enjoying tomatoes from Chloe's garden. She has done all of the work for these tomatoes and we and she are very happy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4769142817/" title="178 by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4769142817_d733840d53_b.jpg" alt="178" width="719" height="1024" /></a><br /><br />Add cucumber, red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. We can't get enough.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinaesteshullphotography/4769783368/" title="187 by christina estes hull photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4769783368_dce79efb78_b.jpg" alt="187" width="1024" height="681" /></a><br /><br />Hope you are enjoying you summer.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Christina</span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13664673474528230532noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-39087763086363582182010-06-23T20:37:00.019-04:002010-06-28T19:41:40.721-04:00Sweet Girl's 5th Birthday PartySweet Girl had so much fun planning and <span style="font-size:180%;">decorating </span>for her party this year. I think she enjoyed the planning and decorating just as much as the actual party! She wanted a Hello Kitty Party but it became a Hello Kitty-Dress-Up-Tea-Party instead. :)<br /><br />First we made <span style="font-size:180%;">invitations</span> with paper, stamps and ribbon we had on hand. She had the idea of having every girl bring their favorite stuffed animal or doll.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WJED9t0TgRMGcnaMZ-QFxjBMLn_063UUuNMB6IHXypEkqGKM7rhn4WmVmcxVj4LK0Vd7m23BFEIWSl_v1s-Yrjc-p04vqg3UOWxc5xanxbPOVJJOnH5RPQ-jX2IM9XpOnX2eoNPR5gE/s1600/IMG_5292.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WJED9t0TgRMGcnaMZ-QFxjBMLn_063UUuNMB6IHXypEkqGKM7rhn4WmVmcxVj4LK0Vd7m23BFEIWSl_v1s-Yrjc-p04vqg3UOWxc5xanxbPOVJJOnH5RPQ-jX2IM9XpOnX2eoNPR5gE/s320/IMG_5292.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486140764978247282" border="0" /></a>She LOVED every minute of <span style="font-size:180%;">making </span>these!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5JffDexz4A22mhpqCi4mM2CKCXPT3zfJrPuv_rtt51fqhbgRaGB5ejcwNLciYJB9ikTbdUdrQovK0vwxT_piuweFiQmRwA3mvY5e8MdzAF2Z4pJiPN1MAMFQIdQhY0WIYeBz2nvqjjQ/s1600/IMG_5290.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5JffDexz4A22mhpqCi4mM2CKCXPT3zfJrPuv_rtt51fqhbgRaGB5ejcwNLciYJB9ikTbdUdrQovK0vwxT_piuweFiQmRwA3mvY5e8MdzAF2Z4pJiPN1MAMFQIdQhY0WIYeBz2nvqjjQ/s320/IMG_5290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486140471659179538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZcxkuwHF31vvnSdyUia_Vj91xDHJMt2MCRoYcpM4-FXm_z868V16K4Z48sgxBU7zftiXT8bzVy_O9GdxEnlaXXVPzSiNjHsXwLwH4VfTnv3i35PAqNKMW4Bxu56FOQ9H7gjn55JBMkY/s1600/IMG_5279.JPG"><br /></a>All of our decorating was made from things we had on hand and I think that made it even more fun! I used the <span style="font-size:180%;">Pink</span> Ironstone dishes, a platter bought from GW in the center with two tea cups and a creamer filled with flowers left over from her Ballet Recital.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UE5csoABRaRTN4rncukjKdZIcCxvt3kS7s6wc1L_Y1qJXUkkCloRJw8sT6lwSZiDuAWESCYwoq3v8yDSnPYqb3aXGSZaGD8VCPtfmS4cBK0JmmURvHQSsY2_DZYXgo4x6TMhb0l5hiw/s1600/IMG_8191.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UE5csoABRaRTN4rncukjKdZIcCxvt3kS7s6wc1L_Y1qJXUkkCloRJw8sT6lwSZiDuAWESCYwoq3v8yDSnPYqb3aXGSZaGD8VCPtfmS4cBK0JmmURvHQSsY2_DZYXgo4x6TMhb0l5hiw/s320/IMG_8191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486134157172701250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">(she set the table all by herself!)</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeR97qQXfKLb0MqFvGoYUdK6uDZ6dThDKFMBAzsTU-f7stWvuNsrCoojr_BVr0GrfrwF5EivS5b-PC5d0V59qa3Ykjggoi1psNra6X6MhGATotMdLcWgtbpVOREFCkYzJWgghIOiO7Ss/s1600/IMG_8185.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeR97qQXfKLb0MqFvGoYUdK6uDZ6dThDKFMBAzsTU-f7stWvuNsrCoojr_BVr0GrfrwF5EivS5b-PC5d0V59qa3Ykjggoi1psNra6X6MhGATotMdLcWgtbpVOREFCkYzJWgghIOiO7Ss/s320/IMG_8185.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486133736526637346" border="0" /></a>I cut the <span style="font-size:180%;">paper flowers</span> and she glued the centers on and then we hung them from the chandelier. We swagged a little tulle from my fabric stash around the bottom of the chandy as well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTnntnKLaYHKMdPX9Pb-vOoM_cs5kDiSwtTM4_8lhHjjYuyjw513sImJ7hMQhCZBHmB0SNbZum2ncPcrIxVgWHrrXFTT2ZMC2lcIv-u7V5C03EqSbO3A5cDPK0icaixgBUby-qKE6tLU/s1600/IMG_8222.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTnntnKLaYHKMdPX9Pb-vOoM_cs5kDiSwtTM4_8lhHjjYuyjw513sImJ7hMQhCZBHmB0SNbZum2ncPcrIxVgWHrrXFTT2ZMC2lcIv-u7V5C03EqSbO3A5cDPK0icaixgBUby-qKE6tLU/s320/IMG_8222.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486135921976646386" border="0" /></a><br />I cut out Hello Kitty faces for the <span style="font-size:180%;">place cards</span> and she drew the whiskers, eyes, nose, etc and then she wrote each girl's name on it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRW3mI-xqwuj94D2b641pWK95W1fPy2mgdsugmgiPdNdi1JxmQClpuqbTA3a162Atl7BIDGhHxMzQM3axtWm7N8pLuKIjvt_t8QjCl0LEsFy-_vOu8uKQ-PJCu_z3sx_VpYiw1JGmpnw/s1600/IMG_8189.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRW3mI-xqwuj94D2b641pWK95W1fPy2mgdsugmgiPdNdi1JxmQClpuqbTA3a162Atl7BIDGhHxMzQM3axtWm7N8pLuKIjvt_t8QjCl0LEsFy-_vOu8uKQ-PJCu_z3sx_VpYiw1JGmpnw/s320/IMG_8189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486134560454142306" border="0" /></a>Every year she tells us what she wants on her cake. I bake and ice the cake then her <span style="font-size:180%;">Daddy</span> decorates it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTh2_llky4TsTwvbuwBw2RVCFA-9KWgh6Dlc5khBfL1Wo2rMUno_lvMhLelZpDOqEOHOrgn9v6kxPVKkIlQFL7zYbTuvKxcJlBWaaYHsc4iMJJGEg9H3qKrH_B11TcLTJlWSG7URS9TEY/s1600/IMG_8216.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTh2_llky4TsTwvbuwBw2RVCFA-9KWgh6Dlc5khBfL1Wo2rMUno_lvMhLelZpDOqEOHOrgn9v6kxPVKkIlQFL7zYbTuvKxcJlBWaaYHsc4iMJJGEg9H3qKrH_B11TcLTJlWSG7URS9TEY/s320/IMG_8216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486135069188297138" border="0" /></a>It has been so much fun to see Daddy get into the decorating (I can't draw stick figures) and then to see her <span style="font-size:180%;"> face</span> light up when she sees what Daddy has done for her.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtUOheWsaIymLsa90nHToP6ZH38cTmpgwzrMVmANeNQQSJXzomediXBimPXucaW2edHPY3hkhn0JSepj0EzfpYTi687PPBEgYPl1GScBkeDASg_FQS_3H2uX6MGAYUZDFUiDR7Jl9l_8/s1600/IMG_8218.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtUOheWsaIymLsa90nHToP6ZH38cTmpgwzrMVmANeNQQSJXzomediXBimPXucaW2edHPY3hkhn0JSepj0EzfpYTi687PPBEgYPl1GScBkeDASg_FQS_3H2uX6MGAYUZDFUiDR7Jl9l_8/s320/IMG_8218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486136500052448658" border="0" /></a>The only money I spent on this party was for the food! We had "<span style="font-size:180%;">butterfly</span>" sandwiches, carrots and dip, fruit and cheese shaped like flowers and cake. At this age, most little ones are going to pick at their food anyway and this menu worked out really well!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqV2IOBL47EuGqeu0XPzuDAXU254582k0erBI3m5otKJwkHV4fI_Qy_7Fn1XvCXEGCbhJLxpCHVnPgPdTjM-dSzZiWN9PFeioSiGfvcNqfHMAVav2Jfs3uS3mLND1wTZId5f2vcWFIVI/s1600/IMG_8195.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqV2IOBL47EuGqeu0XPzuDAXU254582k0erBI3m5otKJwkHV4fI_Qy_7Fn1XvCXEGCbhJLxpCHVnPgPdTjM-dSzZiWN9PFeioSiGfvcNqfHMAVav2Jfs3uS3mLND1wTZId5f2vcWFIVI/s320/IMG_8195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486138335293597282" border="0" /></a>The Mommies had spinach and bacon pinwheels, cucumbers sandwiches, cheese cubes, veggies, and fruit.<br /><br />I think about the money end of things like this a lot of times...it's not that we do not have the money to spend on things like a party but somehow I think Sweet Girl will remember making decorations versus me running to Party City and buying every Hello Kitty item they sell. I want to instill in her the value of money and also <span style="font-size:180%;">creativity</span>. Who's to say that next year we won't be at a bouncy place living it up but this year, at this time in my life, it was easy to have her party in my home and to spend time making decorations with her.<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br />~Victoria~</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-72302305106837043632010-06-21T11:15:00.013-04:002010-06-21T11:51:14.674-04:00My delightful finds!I love to shop yard sales. Give me an old neighborhood any day over a new one and it's even better if the people have a <span style="font-size:180%;">barn</span> or outbuilding that they are dragging stuff out of. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EW4Wtwd_tozNCFK1eVInBoJJZzLt8zE515QhyFjk1JHRYQe-1aybbFEs-Qa2cNQzjeA5-Z3HgklNgwwLlf_7eQpTR69N9G3UK4bIx7cG8dhSneEPN0uSNbDkxGDtZf6Q9aajzdcMkbU/s1600/IMG_8307.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EW4Wtwd_tozNCFK1eVInBoJJZzLt8zE515QhyFjk1JHRYQe-1aybbFEs-Qa2cNQzjeA5-Z3HgklNgwwLlf_7eQpTR69N9G3UK4bIx7cG8dhSneEPN0uSNbDkxGDtZf6Q9aajzdcMkbU/s320/IMG_8307.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485246556002713746" border="0" /></a>Friday I stopped by a yard sale and over in the spider webbed corner of their outbuilding were dishes covered in dust! <span style="font-size:180%;">Ironstone</span> and all manner of old dishes. :) I was in hog heaven.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZrfrJmPyE0oH_txjwWs9vccIFtsi015Rtk3uGB5XerH_38HWxr6KEjwqY4IWwF6Cr8xc3sp44YLbzOWdZKKuAcJM9drXEDh0zAdPtH6UC0tF3kD2P1sunWg0M6u3DPtmY1GXJeT84Ps/s1600/IMG_8310.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZrfrJmPyE0oH_txjwWs9vccIFtsi015Rtk3uGB5XerH_38HWxr6KEjwqY4IWwF6Cr8xc3sp44YLbzOWdZKKuAcJM9drXEDh0zAdPtH6UC0tF3kD2P1sunWg0M6u3DPtmY1GXJeT84Ps/s320/IMG_8310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485247090780512722" border="0" /></a>I picked up all the Ironstone and a few other things and asked how much the dishes were. "Ummm...how about<span style="font-size:180%;"> 10 cents</span> each" was the reply! I nonchalantly replied "okay, I think I might get a couple other pieces". Boy did I have fun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsHUpHbAAGpviCaUQr74tWewUSc2oCVdzAiDNY2i0cubKfB890LT1-zwunnzMkpCo6KKI3yKaQNJIP26hyOo9O6ZYlcEBsrWhG7POotdmVot1xtYg9WbBfH6UoKGO0qHoonITTw0D_pM/s1600/IMG_8313.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsHUpHbAAGpviCaUQr74tWewUSc2oCVdzAiDNY2i0cubKfB890LT1-zwunnzMkpCo6KKI3yKaQNJIP26hyOo9O6ZYlcEBsrWhG7POotdmVot1xtYg9WbBfH6UoKGO0qHoonITTw0D_pM/s320/IMG_8313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485250133799084594" border="0" /></a><br />This heavy white <span style="font-size:180%;">pitcher</span> set me back a whole 50 cents!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWgKAXl3i-wFkY5gNJUdrx6UlPyeQHU0YLMayqX1W7KkccOk8fQ2X_vk42s2u-onPXMSFcrebbVbwYjjbWdCsQbsDMc3IKLGYTwYET15e6mVVTjX8SMlf7Q2Xpm08Mxgz-zTOBAEzYp4/s1600/IMG_8312.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWgKAXl3i-wFkY5gNJUdrx6UlPyeQHU0YLMayqX1W7KkccOk8fQ2X_vk42s2u-onPXMSFcrebbVbwYjjbWdCsQbsDMc3IKLGYTwYET15e6mVVTjX8SMlf7Q2Xpm08Mxgz-zTOBAEzYp4/s320/IMG_8312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485248063316687490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSMP6P0njvRzXwsDVeVZWbWyrDxXxWtkbxpUAJ-6DNUtW-ZCu2_X28BK2t3sWAmXRLswfgjrphEoMxQaQCTIIDAjmC2nyhoy5QzgSsmlJv4e7SwsAEFVbSpesZZXenrRAv9wvsl42Q00/s1600/IMG_8311.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSMP6P0njvRzXwsDVeVZWbWyrDxXxWtkbxpUAJ-6DNUtW-ZCu2_X28BK2t3sWAmXRLswfgjrphEoMxQaQCTIIDAjmC2nyhoy5QzgSsmlJv4e7SwsAEFVbSpesZZXenrRAv9wvsl42Q00/s320/IMG_8311.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485247600113442034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZrfrJmPyE0oH_txjwWs9vccIFtsi015Rtk3uGB5XerH_38HWxr6KEjwqY4IWwF6Cr8xc3sp44YLbzOWdZKKuAcJM9drXEDh0zAdPtH6UC0tF3kD2P1sunWg0M6u3DPtmY1GXJeT84Ps/s1600/IMG_8310.JPG"><br /></a>Love the stack of 7<span style="font-size:180%;"> dessert </span>plates ...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqsubFuqHG5HR4tG2QWYIQyEQz2xkBonj19BX1V3Eg06TKz7vcVCMsHwPSbr18dihN0bEeGHlZnJ3PuHRCI0qx9OwY1_E4wE-3tHJoORKDyYFNhoy5u8rydPRabMwzxuLoxi1zQbX30A/s1600/IMG_8308.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqsubFuqHG5HR4tG2QWYIQyEQz2xkBonj19BX1V3Eg06TKz7vcVCMsHwPSbr18dihN0bEeGHlZnJ3PuHRCI0qx9OwY1_E4wE-3tHJoORKDyYFNhoy5u8rydPRabMwzxuLoxi1zQbX30A/s320/IMG_8308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485246778675407218" border="0" /></a>Most everything has markings on the back of it and they are old pieces. I don't really look for any particular dishes ... just ones that I like!<br /><br />If you aren't into white dishes, I also picked up this piece for the director of my daughter's school since she collects green <span style="font-size:180%;">glassware.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90woDW0r11MqoKqQZJhl3Y7ODQirlqq2dd4Y7fHu-X7vmeYdFn9cbj9sKfCdkf75AUFqDQe5298qdUiWMAmOnmb2a1Kto9NZ7HUZ5HBsX-9lHx9oX2MqH9PQQpNJ6VqOBJ3QzRIXRbJc/s1600/IMG_8314.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90woDW0r11MqoKqQZJhl3Y7ODQirlqq2dd4Y7fHu-X7vmeYdFn9cbj9sKfCdkf75AUFqDQe5298qdUiWMAmOnmb2a1Kto9NZ7HUZ5HBsX-9lHx9oX2MqH9PQQpNJ6VqOBJ3QzRIXRbJc/s320/IMG_8314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485252357633084210" border="0" /></a>and this bowl with a <span style="font-size:180%;">poppy</span> painted on it...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLva7EN9adOy3zsMzZUnVesc9B17STMARXvvynXGb02uNhUm7EVWANZrXfh4ZbRpc-eHOmMMoOkmLDwA9m-vR_kPXcgUiM5P8sX0sim0RZWO1GFEMM-RWH1SNgvuas4HlJhLg8_jD6zs/s1600/IMG_8315.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLva7EN9adOy3zsMzZUnVesc9B17STMARXvvynXGb02uNhUm7EVWANZrXfh4ZbRpc-eHOmMMoOkmLDwA9m-vR_kPXcgUiM5P8sX0sim0RZWO1GFEMM-RWH1SNgvuas4HlJhLg8_jD6zs/s320/IMG_8315.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485252618996593810" border="0" /></a>For now most of my finds are <span style="font-size:180%;">stacked</span> in my corner cabinet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpjSWc13y-q8GHfyg-MyDFw7LBHC7zqNyuc7O5Ury9Aq-qTiDOHSUCaY4L03G1n6OhE2yrn2yoCYmWzMdBzOxjC6OoNAfFkQrvPZWfi05_mwj-sMmUgj7E3QNtgXN-kw7lZ33uqOwFsg/s1600/IMG_8317.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpjSWc13y-q8GHfyg-MyDFw7LBHC7zqNyuc7O5Ury9Aq-qTiDOHSUCaY4L03G1n6OhE2yrn2yoCYmWzMdBzOxjC6OoNAfFkQrvPZWfi05_mwj-sMmUgj7E3QNtgXN-kw7lZ33uqOwFsg/s320/IMG_8317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485254095525366146" border="0" /></a><br />I am looking for a small <span style="font-size:180%;">china cabinet</span> that I can paint and distress and then load with my random dishes!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijml8TrvXbhIpdIYknnt0hRj8UDpDD-8VnaPOWLVphbyy9BM93mKRE3aMwzqQN2kRRjw-VQe4WiMROeAODXSGDr2wm3siUnDWXvNr6IkP6yVw_P16omhcqBomZjjEou4IZSQFbds9McqU/s1600/IMG_8319.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijml8TrvXbhIpdIYknnt0hRj8UDpDD-8VnaPOWLVphbyy9BM93mKRE3aMwzqQN2kRRjw-VQe4WiMROeAODXSGDr2wm3siUnDWXvNr6IkP6yVw_P16omhcqBomZjjEou4IZSQFbds9McqU/s320/IMG_8319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485254339494416978" border="0" /></a>I do use the <span style="font-size:180%;">platters </span>and plates. In fact, for my Sweet Girl's birthday party I put all of the food on various sized and colored platters and plates.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">~Victoria~</span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-10978820573054225122010-06-17T21:09:00.017-04:002010-06-18T19:51:30.735-04:00Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!My Sweet Girl turned <span style="font-size:180%;">five </span>today! Wow time flies....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwH-N0hAe3_VuFW82ysWyd_SWhYNC-E29T4otwiJnJNXb88KOZjt97ZboY7iXC-Y-ftDOM_72dd9TPUIPaQI5HljFYg4Jojn-Ej69a5MnM_27GUbck6eP0gW-bQ8C4tpHdMfxr-PFWIo/s1600/millie_bw.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidwH-N0hAe3_VuFW82ysWyd_SWhYNC-E29T4otwiJnJNXb88KOZjt97ZboY7iXC-Y-ftDOM_72dd9TPUIPaQI5HljFYg4Jojn-Ej69a5MnM_27GUbck6eP0gW-bQ8C4tpHdMfxr-PFWIo/s320/millie_bw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483923807503480850" border="0" /></a><br />She asked me last night before bed if she would need <span style="font-size:180%;">bigger</span> socks in the morning. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUWWLkO_SjWDIbgI11vMBhI6u5LwxxmiNp4x7oWw-ulfmGeJEvlXqOWXbhyphenhyphen-rppnKyj7P_QWeFXbA2IidHjhEuUJJSj6gOf-dLgRw4caNiIYEjMAVY54K51Hs2M_kfZdp4gYHC0ojayk/s1600/IMG_3307bw.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUWWLkO_SjWDIbgI11vMBhI6u5LwxxmiNp4x7oWw-ulfmGeJEvlXqOWXbhyphenhyphen-rppnKyj7P_QWeFXbA2IidHjhEuUJJSj6gOf-dLgRw4caNiIYEjMAVY54K51Hs2M_kfZdp4gYHC0ojayk/s320/IMG_3307bw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483923561205402130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />She is really a <span style="font-size:180%;">precious</span>, tender-hearted little girl. She always wants to please Mommy and Daddy and she loves to use her manners! She is a little lady, loves to dress up, loves to draw and make crafts, loves wearing dresses or skirts and really, really fights Mommy on wearing shorts or pants. :) She is definitely ALL GIRL!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgV_hpau_KVwA2VSwM7dcDL0v4MDlYJckgY7Pv0xM2uw68dcccLMPmx1hlOWi5l8YPn9IFeyPkOVxeYjyvVX2dPFzCL4XeT6gpzd1D8iaJOy6ez3D4Ab5E1fLQhRwxvJjr4qQiNQLKKQ/s1600/Beach+black+and+white.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgV_hpau_KVwA2VSwM7dcDL0v4MDlYJckgY7Pv0xM2uw68dcccLMPmx1hlOWi5l8YPn9IFeyPkOVxeYjyvVX2dPFzCL4XeT6gpzd1D8iaJOy6ez3D4Ab5E1fLQhRwxvJjr4qQiNQLKKQ/s320/Beach+black+and+white.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483937375980243874" border="0" /></a>Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! Your Mommy loves you more than you could ever know.<br /><br />~Victoria~Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-723346400379308556.post-43052339703945482072010-06-16T16:21:00.012-04:002010-06-16T16:43:02.706-04:00Pink IronstoneYep, you read that right! <span style="font-size:180%;">PINK</span> Ironstone is what I found last summer at a yard sale. I snatched up the whole box for $8! I knew it would be hit or miss on what exactly was in the box but from what I could see I was in love!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhoz-NOp6oD7WDi9MAQaE5JMj3i95Ji-Tghzjb3Jp29EwAOWvQAVZKPfR3gIEFo30Ng1HUj9m3QpdROBCq2YgUzFnumyT3YONlRTcKWYRGOiFt8purJUedt3P0ME4wgT_pDxaoEn8FZQ/s1600/IMG_8276.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvhoz-NOp6oD7WDi9MAQaE5JMj3i95Ji-Tghzjb3Jp29EwAOWvQAVZKPfR3gIEFo30Ng1HUj9m3QpdROBCq2YgUzFnumyT3YONlRTcKWYRGOiFt8purJUedt3P0ME4wgT_pDxaoEn8FZQ/s320/IMG_8276.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483471042564101202" border="0" /></a><br />Don't you just love the detail and the pretty pink <span style="font-size:180%;">flowers</span>?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQfhtB4qFlgNqxiTdjqrd9bgV5HhM_FhKbyolfm4Xs452Bh3_0LqqOXfwm7P4qUtaCen-4nAA1tGPAMVeRlCRerbJn19aDepmC3C8ZlvKHuyPyujry6oQpBPJRzxz26UQMN1MwyGIDtc/s1600/IMG_8284.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQfhtB4qFlgNqxiTdjqrd9bgV5HhM_FhKbyolfm4Xs452Bh3_0LqqOXfwm7P4qUtaCen-4nAA1tGPAMVeRlCRerbJn19aDepmC3C8ZlvKHuyPyujry6oQpBPJRzxz26UQMN1MwyGIDtc/s320/IMG_8284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483472309509521826" border="0" /></a>I ended up with 5 good <span style="font-size:180%;">cups</span> (the 6th has a hairline crack),<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivb332GKIP3R1w0_1VSdCYq2XNZWQqeg1kp2iByZg0A4YWZ5-tx5U0LNj_hI-j3GYSElg7oo_1TJjmaB8Mum-wUo1Tr-1lTK1UJ6YKzrwrxiag5psFvDXckK20TgDIZkUB3Ha4u0IgAGI/s1600/IMG_8278.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivb332GKIP3R1w0_1VSdCYq2XNZWQqeg1kp2iByZg0A4YWZ5-tx5U0LNj_hI-j3GYSElg7oo_1TJjmaB8Mum-wUo1Tr-1lTK1UJ6YKzrwrxiag5psFvDXckK20TgDIZkUB3Ha4u0IgAGI/s320/IMG_8278.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483471896517406466" border="0" /></a>8 saucers, 2 dessert/salad plates and 7 dinner <span style="font-size:180%;">plates</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_k2U13pGfes2xz0Eq0pWpJp1k8HeR53ERYMBq2xSKMVhVZUUFkfli5MCu0-ZMGSpr5fidi_SG_9DOnxSxtKfLT-LJ43g4L6lPGJPshXQIKoCuh-Bg921m84mVpNTCAKi5uCh90MT8tUc/s1600/IMG_8277.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_k2U13pGfes2xz0Eq0pWpJp1k8HeR53ERYMBq2xSKMVhVZUUFkfli5MCu0-ZMGSpr5fidi_SG_9DOnxSxtKfLT-LJ43g4L6lPGJPshXQIKoCuh-Bg921m84mVpNTCAKi5uCh90MT8tUc/s320/IMG_8277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483471615457732194" border="0" /></a>Love the <span style="font-size:180%;">shape</span> of the cups...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOZ7cAGVqyVSbWD2Z8tEhepTah1wdHHqn6DDBjhHoVc8jmklUgxa700GcAVWJ9iHkHEolQ5bpKkEl7O56vDzPEW64wNrzGNftEzNNDVHH8Z2dmmgTZU5wSquxnULzsJdz6hV2Ir5v5uk/s1600/IMG_8285.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOZ7cAGVqyVSbWD2Z8tEhepTah1wdHHqn6DDBjhHoVc8jmklUgxa700GcAVWJ9iHkHEolQ5bpKkEl7O56vDzPEW64wNrzGNftEzNNDVHH8Z2dmmgTZU5wSquxnULzsJdz6hV2Ir5v5uk/s320/IMG_8285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483471383024085218" border="0" /></a><br />I am more of a white ironstone kind of gal but I have a Sweet Girl whose <span style="font-size:180%;">favorite </span>color is PINK so I figured this would be perfect for parties in the future.<br /><br />What about <span style="font-size:180%;">you</span>? What color ironstone pieces have you come across?<br /><br />Also, if you find white ironstone that you pick up at yard sales and Goodwill and pass up pieces with dark spots and <span style="font-size:180%;">discoloration</span>, I read a blog post over at <a href="http://reddoorhome.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-to-whiten-ironstone.html"><span style="font-size:180%;">Red Door Home</span></a> that gives you step by step instructions for getting the discoloration out.<br /><br /><br />~Victoria~Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355490512757848795noreply@blogger.com7