tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85858540575881150432024-03-12T22:59:39.176-04:00happy go simpleWriting to help remind myself to live simply and enjoy the simplicities in life.
Just live "happy go simple"!Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-50564887729391958252012-05-16T21:08:00.000-04:002012-05-14T21:09:34.689-04:00dream job...This question has been on my mind a lot lately. Maybe it's because I'll be turning 30 in a few short months and feel as though I should be doing what I love for a living. Maybe it's because I'm unhappy at my current job and I want my next job to involve something that I love. Or is it because I'm trying to figure out what it is that I love to do so that I can do that for a living. Notice a trend? Love. How many people love what they do? Is it too much to want to love what you do to make a living in life? <br />
So what would my dream job be? I think I'm still trying to answer that for myself. I love to cook. I love to bake. I love to garden. I love to dilly dally here and there. Putts around and back again. Collect chicken eggs and stop to watch the bees tickle flowers. I love to be in the sun. I love the feel a rain drop on my cheek. I'll decorate a corner with a found object, then move the object to another room a few weeks later. I love to pick flowers. I love to pick weeds. Pick up sticks and dig in the dirt. Dance. Yoga. Walk. Bike. Explore. Eat. Read a magazine. Peruse Pinterest. Admire. <br />
I suppose I'll figure it out one day. But until then, I suppose that I'll continue doing what I love in my spare time and enjoying the simple pleasures of that love.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-72105051628658815022012-05-14T20:31:00.002-04:002012-05-14T20:31:57.121-04:00...And here I am again...randomly. I'm not good at journaling (yep, made that word up, I like it and I think it makes sense, please don't judge me) or more specifically, blogging. I've tried journaling before. I've had a wide range of pretty covered journals. But I've just never been able to stick with it even though I really enjoy writing out my thoughts or ideas. I think of things that I could journal/write/blog about all day long. I even jot down my ideas on posty notes. But I just never take the time to sit down and write it all out. I think it, I just don't pen it. Maybe I should record it...like, old school tape record it. Yes, I know they have digital recorders now and heck, I have Siri, I bet she could do it for me..but it seems like cheating. And besides, writing is simple...right? I just have to make time for it.<br />
I will say, things are calming down on the home front. I don't feel as hectic as I had been feeling. I've lately had a sense of calm beginning to creep in to my moods. I hope this calm stays and that I am able to pick up this blog because I believe in it, I believe that I can do this and it will be a good thing.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-55192604301733582172011-07-21T20:16:00.000-04:002011-07-21T20:16:55.455-04:00Where the heck have you been....I know. That's probably what you're saying as you're reading this post. <br />
Yes. It's been awhile.<br />
My last post was Dec. 30th. Usually people are busy around the holidays and I'm sure blogs get pushed to the side. I think that I managed to do pretty well with writing for my little blog in December. And then I would think, come the new year, most people who do have blogs would make it a resolution to post more often. <br />
Well I obviously didn't make THAT New Years resolution. <br />
I've honestly thought about this blog a lot over the past 7 months. I've come up with lots of subjects to write about. I had a lot going on that made me happy. <br />
The problem...well....I had a lot going on and never made enough time to sit, write, publish, and post. <br />
But, in a little nutshell, I was busy....<br />
Getting Married!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyjjMRcX0eLzXzhCFaWhSGCoLeAPo5RI2Xqj8NKXOaj8pSzQg_Z1eFOHLZnH_RL8SI4pY4FtpQY8jyL1D3duauFhFZWN2LwTQRVFgnlsMf1rvwbLLiiSOxcfdGM18FLNETM377IWAmt9a/s1600/IMG_2302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyjjMRcX0eLzXzhCFaWhSGCoLeAPo5RI2Xqj8NKXOaj8pSzQg_Z1eFOHLZnH_RL8SI4pY4FtpQY8jyL1D3duauFhFZWN2LwTQRVFgnlsMf1rvwbLLiiSOxcfdGM18FLNETM377IWAmt9a/s200/IMG_2302.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you to our fabulous photographer Annie Gannon found <a href="http://photobygannon.com/">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>And then we got these little girls<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaIw3MK4hq85KyrgsYWH_Lw7MgEIsUj2CaaDNq2syfwFH-sIAYyJU3sZfBogC3tQkHx2RTVcwJ2Puy7O2wLVSNvDd8zALutU4eP_d-qP_v91GLegQ3_E4ANNtwMtCMYmYpxKus3g5mX92/s1600/140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaIw3MK4hq85KyrgsYWH_Lw7MgEIsUj2CaaDNq2syfwFH-sIAYyJU3sZfBogC3tQkHx2RTVcwJ2Puy7O2wLVSNvDd8zALutU4eP_d-qP_v91GLegQ3_E4ANNtwMtCMYmYpxKus3g5mX92/s320/140.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I actually got these gals when they were just days old about 2 weeks before the wedding (this picture was taken when they were a few months old)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And while we were planning our wedding, we were taking a beekeeping class and preparing to get our very own hives (I'll have to take a pic and do a post about them later)<br />
<br />
So yes...I've been busy...and I know other bloggers out there have busy lives too but I will try to make a better effort to post. After all, you have no idea how funny a simple chicken can be. Or, how fascinating honey bees can be. And I want to share it all with you guys.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-22367690365096000662010-12-30T17:44:00.001-05:002010-12-30T17:44:00.295-05:00as for those magazines...So a few days ago I was going through my old magazines and I thought I could do something else with them other then actually taking them to the recycling facility...and so I did a little research and apparently there is quite a bit that you can do with old magazines (my google search came up with over 250,000 results...who knew)...<br />
<br />
There are tables that you can make like these...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.re-nest.com/uimages/re-nest/magvert2081808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.re-nest.com/uimages/re-nest/magvert2081808.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.re-nest.com/uimages/re-nest/magvert2081808.jpg">Find DIY here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Or you can make a paper basket as described in this video from YouTube!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/qXnJJ0vDhiI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>You can make jewelry like this...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.craftstylish.com/assets/uploads/posts/39212/magazine_pendant18_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://www.craftstylish.com/assets/uploads/posts/39212/magazine_pendant18_lg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.craftstylish.com/item/39212/how-to-recycle-magazines-into-jewelry"> courtesy of craftstylish</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>You could make your own postcards like this...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGm0Ys0YUVbF4HdGWo2Gipn-QDw01-Mq_G43w62Ol5Ud-yd7JX0VzXich7lbM0xz9iwlczeUkdLTx-3oF4jWS6pGQS4Xd7YHF9BAJuNSjioZOT769ga6kE0PcRy1ICUUGCrPEIUPBsvv6/s320/DSC00233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGm0Ys0YUVbF4HdGWo2Gipn-QDw01-Mq_G43w62Ol5Ud-yd7JX0VzXich7lbM0xz9iwlczeUkdLTx-3oF4jWS6pGQS4Xd7YHF9BAJuNSjioZOT769ga6kE0PcRy1ICUUGCrPEIUPBsvv6/s320/DSC00233.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thenewnew.blogspot.com/2008/06/handmade-postcards-let-your-crafts-do.html">{courtesy of the newnew}</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And there were all sorts of ideas here...</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/f/lg/a148.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://0.tqn.com/f/lg/a148.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/od/magazineandcatalogcrafts/Magazine_and_Catalog_Crafts.htm">{click here to see all the projects}</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>And <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/83785/6_ways_to_recycle_old_magazines_pg2.html?cat=25">here</a> you will find an article with 6 other ideas besides just taking them to the recycling center but not necessarily using them for crafts.<br />
<br />
And just for the record...I don't actually subscribe to all these magazines in this pic...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweyxILhbeUnGVajl4cNBCmWWAWGqSVeZHlG05QFpxBsMdV2ouvgsuG5COt1-JCht4UHmIQQYcrt-lhkjB_JrbR0ZTqPmVGywfr9Dn1_WJTCbZ-c0CLh5AZiuD35Ivgs61kxvoi6lgLW3E/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweyxILhbeUnGVajl4cNBCmWWAWGqSVeZHlG05QFpxBsMdV2ouvgsuG5COt1-JCht4UHmIQQYcrt-lhkjB_JrbR0ZTqPmVGywfr9Dn1_WJTCbZ-c0CLh5AZiuD35Ivgs61kxvoi6lgLW3E/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>but I do have a subscription to Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Living...and the rest are recycled to me from my mom...which she finds at her local recycling facility, reads, and then passes to me. I guess it's like a big ol' recycling wheel!<br />
Let me know if you want to join in the fun and go through my mags! :)Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-43608692352211935092010-12-29T17:25:00.000-05:002010-12-29T17:25:00.130-05:00and in the new year....Before the sun decides to stay and play long into the evening. <br />
Just before the ground thaws.<br />
And while we're all craving the bright green shades of spring. <br />
I should have flowers a'bloomin!<br />
<br />
I planted a few bulbs a few weeks ago and just last week I saw this...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMHDlDUfHmZrLM80plWbSVvQLJe59MYDXrw4r_LzNWsojuqdAk1aDzp7lUa6x1TARcfMbV4Q4bJ2M58HAi-At1sHVxRUrd80BpoqXzJ2_FwOOhEkL1xV4s0fMIxNvYT_Na0-9SqPL71ER/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMHDlDUfHmZrLM80plWbSVvQLJe59MYDXrw4r_LzNWsojuqdAk1aDzp7lUa6x1TARcfMbV4Q4bJ2M58HAi-At1sHVxRUrd80BpoqXzJ2_FwOOhEkL1xV4s0fMIxNvYT_Na0-9SqPL71ER/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{top view}</td></tr>
</tbody></table> They had just started to peak and rise through the dirt. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrTOkGan6uPHO0AiGZafL_7RSU9af4XB27IysWmr5Nq1M7XZiGMtqbM6sy_RRyjOT1KOa4Ka1iQn6_O45ggXGK673SplT1MCddUQfw5HZmzJXHNlWBzANQUKTvT9BpRGpyXh0hti91P1q/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrTOkGan6uPHO0AiGZafL_7RSU9af4XB27IysWmr5Nq1M7XZiGMtqbM6sy_RRyjOT1KOa4Ka1iQn6_O45ggXGK673SplT1MCddUQfw5HZmzJXHNlWBzANQUKTvT9BpRGpyXh0hti91P1q/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{side view}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>and now...just today...I saw this...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZG3CXSgX9v1lNGMpBqkAIf7IEmEb2Xq8tJyPQ4y7w681U40UqlweQfa2HYE5BzOaTQIz9OXi__6stQ-2OEjhFN4gdsXsZlM7mIYMR_ecpy6xoB6x_rRVqxyLu6voahp_Qqsmo_uNu6jw/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZG3CXSgX9v1lNGMpBqkAIf7IEmEb2Xq8tJyPQ4y7w681U40UqlweQfa2HYE5BzOaTQIz9OXi__6stQ-2OEjhFN4gdsXsZlM7mIYMR_ecpy6xoB6x_rRVqxyLu6voahp_Qqsmo_uNu6jw/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{todays side view}</td></tr>
</tbody></table> A few more have popped up and they've grown at least 1/2 an inch!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgLMYRpiW9y3lDPPYw9jHEM-o0FAGeHp_t1uItS9Fa6c1W1jqM7nkviDACuUxirnP42X7EdwsupApMLbart5V9aoV0WJzw5DyN4wLy-Km6nr3Qh5VdUW3Iz6dxhx6aJrL4LiRtcfO7bFm/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgLMYRpiW9y3lDPPYw9jHEM-o0FAGeHp_t1uItS9Fa6c1W1jqM7nkviDACuUxirnP42X7EdwsupApMLbart5V9aoV0WJzw5DyN4wLy-Km6nr3Qh5VdUW3Iz6dxhx6aJrL4LiRtcfO7bFm/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{todays top view}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I didn't add anything special other than dirt from my garden and I just placed the bulbs right below the surface of the dirt. <br />
<br />
I'm not exactly sure what kind of flowers they'll be - I found the bulbs in a box of iris rhizomes that my mom had brought to me when she visited for the Thanksgiving holiday - but that makes their reveal all the more exciting!<br />
It'll be like Christmas all over again when these guys bloom, except, it should be around February! There is just something about watching flowers grow and bloom - especially before they're supposed to.Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-53558623587701117742010-12-28T19:25:00.000-05:002010-12-28T19:25:20.458-05:00it's almost time.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...time to countdown 2010 that is and I've already got a head start on my "to do" list for the new year! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hey, go me! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got home from work and started laundry...</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4AtsloXh3vc4lL06sA5fcxHYlV8W0gAI7galeoo-_eD940UwMvWXMAM8h2loVSvwaEjUxRGkqmajSf5ja4oSfhyJ-FqcwnpBupTL1DOqBBYHCR182q1MCZavB8mFT1uHtlIrh50HHp6a/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4AtsloXh3vc4lL06sA5fcxHYlV8W0gAI7galeoo-_eD940UwMvWXMAM8h2loVSvwaEjUxRGkqmajSf5ja4oSfhyJ-FqcwnpBupTL1DOqBBYHCR182q1MCZavB8mFT1uHtlIrh50HHp6a/s320/015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{see...empty hamper}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> I started gathering items for one last Goodwill donation...</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWneT3l_U7Hpa1dLoaLGEM9T-PHNq_3fRttXftJjGmCw9Pnh7Ajt0z-68n-NHhQj9ByzkWpmNsfh0qPzlLCrDJTgmPv7m5hCnIV3-WNe38OEunDz6EaYHYLXz118tUW-32awlLnFx_aXd/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWneT3l_U7Hpa1dLoaLGEM9T-PHNq_3fRttXftJjGmCw9Pnh7Ajt0z-68n-NHhQj9ByzkWpmNsfh0qPzlLCrDJTgmPv7m5hCnIV3-WNe38OEunDz6EaYHYLXz118tUW-32awlLnFx_aXd/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{2 bags filled already...I know I can do better}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I went through the mail...</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP3Yo_rM3I7bNh4FEqarmy15j1Fm4_irk7hMnLittsd7oCa9U-dXbtxyDb_2y5ZPfDX3fKFSyvh7uABOsJXeBz30oUkiHGjrI-OvMDYr9woxh12D3DTZEaZTRaDk0wlM76rL2tqxOJC4Z/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuP3Yo_rM3I7bNh4FEqarmy15j1Fm4_irk7hMnLittsd7oCa9U-dXbtxyDb_2y5ZPfDX3fKFSyvh7uABOsJXeBz30oUkiHGjrI-OvMDYr9woxh12D3DTZEaZTRaDk0wlM76rL2tqxOJC4Z/s320/020.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{woo hoo...a few coupons worth saving <br />
placed conveniently next to the door}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> And my next to do that I'll be working on this evening...sorting through my magazines, tearing out things that inspire me,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Qm6GUp3A3luGweIz_Nhn04aG34UA3EHLf2b_206gfAGs9Psz-ID2f2TEYMuBZguXUGxWVJHwVmToowHIVFhZqXnf5MvMy1Frli0aM6ojfOfYxRZM_ccyJXSDw1VcBFksw41buQRjsyk/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Qm6GUp3A3luGweIz_Nhn04aG34UA3EHLf2b_206gfAGs9Psz-ID2f2TEYMuBZguXUGxWVJHwVmToowHIVFhZqXnf5MvMy1Frli0aM6ojfOfYxRZM_ccyJXSDw1VcBFksw41buQRjsyk/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...and placing them in "style files" (hehe...style files are where I separate and organize all my magazine tear-outs into categories like decor, gardening, living rooms, kitchens, etc.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji96kaJWd0DWbpHVnINS2svs9OUBRyS72Dd6SSqK25lx7RVsxR1LC5m4dB3cYKn38gXh_u_1NgixJ49SyUdNcYPKtEzibV2eBNzpmm38qFISjjcm8vnHaaBDjqWhZmciW1yOXD8RujPWQk/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji96kaJWd0DWbpHVnINS2svs9OUBRyS72Dd6SSqK25lx7RVsxR1LC5m4dB3cYKn38gXh_u_1NgixJ49SyUdNcYPKtEzibV2eBNzpmm38qFISjjcm8vnHaaBDjqWhZmciW1yOXD8RujPWQk/s320/028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> ...and then recycling the old magazines. I don't need these hanging around creating clutter in the new year (although I will be saving a few newer ones...because I do love to curl up and read a good mag)!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hmm...I wonder what kind of projects are out there for used magazines???</div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-63589572049409927992010-12-20T20:17:00.000-05:002010-12-20T20:17:43.576-05:00i'm dreaming of a white christmas<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';">A lot of the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> has been blanketed with snow this year. It's been unusually chilly just about everywhere. But I haven't seen snow this year. Not one flake. Living in the Carolinas we just don't see snow very often. Maybe twice a year. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';">Last year we had more than a white Christmas. What is that you may ask? It was a white-out Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';">We drove from <st1:city w:st="on">Charlotte</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">NC</st1:state> to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Auburn</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">NY</st1:state></st1:place> with our 2 large dogs. Typically a 12 hour drive. But the problem was we didn't have typical weather. Nope...we were caught in blizzard like conditions from the time we left <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Charlotte</st1:place></st1:city> til the time we hit the NY border (yea, go figure...it actually stopped snowing the minute we hit NY). So, instead of taking 12 hours...we got to NY in 30 hours. Yes, 30 hours- although we did manage to find a hotel on the top of a mountain that had a few rooms available (probably due to the fact that it was on top of a mountain and not many vehicles could make it up the unplowed driveway that was covered in approximately 2 feet of snow) so we did sleep for about 5 of those 30 hours. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1oZ-hR9WvKjO0-Emrc5Pas12I6PoE69ICajXBMvWI8gZbw_EZUNcW6BIo3SjWiqR2wqZ9cjMATX1Qu4J6zsqHy_gWVfa4FfhxP2RIMZf5tAAmmpk6UsdMqIEjP7W267-op1clre8FUCP/s1600/IMG00040-20091219-0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1oZ-hR9WvKjO0-Emrc5Pas12I6PoE69ICajXBMvWI8gZbw_EZUNcW6BIo3SjWiqR2wqZ9cjMATX1Qu4J6zsqHy_gWVfa4FfhxP2RIMZf5tAAmmpk6UsdMqIEjP7W267-op1clre8FUCP/s320/IMG00040-20091219-0246.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{the view from our hotel room}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';">Looking back, it was gorgeous. Absolutely amazing. At the time, my heart was racing with the constant thought that we would be one of the dozens stuck along the side of the road. But our Jeep kept on pulling through. It loved this weather. Thats what they're made for right. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LqY7wglEshhEwg_0B98VjU06nDfD7IQWDXWcUapkqCKembjMGP57XOdHwLY63xQMU5hy6LBuatsJQTm0_-xJivb7tIPC1NFvMJo0IAyOnILMyzme_G6bBfvHdXqyHYkw5W14jasG_y52/s1600/IMG00041-20091219-0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LqY7wglEshhEwg_0B98VjU06nDfD7IQWDXWcUapkqCKembjMGP57XOdHwLY63xQMU5hy6LBuatsJQTm0_-xJivb7tIPC1NFvMJo0IAyOnILMyzme_G6bBfvHdXqyHYkw5W14jasG_y52/s320/IMG00041-20091219-0246.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{our Jeep that carried us to the top of the mtn. to our hotel so we could get some sleep}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qx2TlGhZDWTzsDQSms_lEXZZnOnikAm3SK3gL-Q9dQ-hJZWgP7pVN6iPc6zfv6PNXtNzSjiJ4CFqjppsS5z8aawoXq-IV5tOiA0phyphenhyphens4vGQr59P2sa5GA70CCg2A2zmaywaWH9X1R-qC/s1600/IMG00049-20091219-1234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qx2TlGhZDWTzsDQSms_lEXZZnOnikAm3SK3gL-Q9dQ-hJZWgP7pVN6iPc6zfv6PNXtNzSjiJ4CFqjppsS5z8aawoXq-IV5tOiA0phyphenhyphens4vGQr59P2sa5GA70CCg2A2zmaywaWH9X1R-qC/s320/IMG00049-20091219-1234.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{plows running 5 trucks deep}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';">So for those of you that have snow and have had enough snow for the season...take a moment to enjoy the simplicity of it and then send it my way! I</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';">would love to see those big fluffy lacey flakes fluttering through the sky. But, since I know that this is one wish Santa probably won't be able to fulfill, I'll stare at these pictures and pull the vivid images from my mind of that fluffy white stuff. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';"> The snowflake - a simple ice structure that can conjure up excitement for snow days, skiing, sledding and the pure white beauty of the season.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Snowily yours, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Carrie</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-2833795231964234562010-12-16T19:59:00.000-05:002010-12-16T19:59:50.439-05:00guess who this is....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYhqeMWsN9RODkkgKyeCoih6BcT5Vov301srqbrgyzgS4h5EqdRe6ou74PQPFp5cyDtJkWKivBXvITqE4DiO_w4O_7gvAweDyKpCX7xg3uKZrWo66Y30RMNc0NVcCHlP6pob3EnQKSxzu/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYhqeMWsN9RODkkgKyeCoih6BcT5Vov301srqbrgyzgS4h5EqdRe6ou74PQPFp5cyDtJkWKivBXvITqE4DiO_w4O_7gvAweDyKpCX7xg3uKZrWo66Y30RMNc0NVcCHlP6pob3EnQKSxzu/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">Yes…those are my feet, my shins, and my knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh I’m so embarrassed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">It all happened a bit like this…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">This morning I was bit rougher than normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was sleepy…oh so sleepy. Even several cups of coffee couldn't seem to shake me from my sleepiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">Ya see,I had a work holiday dinner to attend here last night…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRgHxpM6kB-VDD91YybvGldS7z2K5KdW1WX83Yh46cq4HM_vFb-" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRgHxpM6kB-VDD91YybvGldS7z2K5KdW1WX83Yh46cq4HM_vFb-" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";"><o:p> <a href="http://www.customshopfood.com/index.html">CUSTOMSHOP</a></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">The food was excellent (probably about the best I've ever had).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The company was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was a bit late by the time we got home and settled into bed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">So this morning I was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">NOT</b> digging the simple act of getting dressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to be comfortable and I’m extremely fortunate to work in a place where there is hardly a dress code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed to groggily pull together a velour workout suit completed with a black tee decorated with a bit of ruffle for a bit a pizzazz. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';">It was getting down to the last hour of work and I happened to bend over in my chair to snap up a piece of paper that had glided off my desk.</span><span style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';">While bent over, I happened to glance at my self…and that’s when it happened.</span><span style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';">I lost all control. Uncontrollable laughing. Tears strolling down my face. My stomach about to burst. Yea, it was that kind of hysterics that had overcome me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The velour pants that had rode up a bit and now looked like high waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Christmas socks with no pink whatsoever in them, beaming bright against the bright pink pants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The thin slice of white, dry leg skin trying to poke out in between the top of my socks and bottom of my pants. The position of my legs, feet turned slightly outwards. </span>The black and lighter pink shoes that tried to pull the bright pink and black tee together but some how didn’t quite pull off the job.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">Oh I was a hot mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">And it made me laugh and I couldn’t help but share this new “look” with the rest of the office…and the world wide web now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">So my point…I make a vow to take a harder look at myself and the way I'm dressed before leaving my house.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">I suppose if you can’t laugh at yourself, what fun is life (especially in my world because I find myself very hilarious)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "MA Sexy";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Simply Laughing,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "MA Sexy";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Carrie</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-75545359416870435402010-12-14T20:53:00.000-05:002010-12-14T20:53:57.567-05:00a recipe....<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">A simple recipe. The ingredients and directions are all laid out for you. It should be simple...right?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">Well...a very lovely friend asked <b><u>ME</u></b> for a recipe today...for my mac-n-cheese </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';">(yes, me...wow...cool...someone really likes my food, enough to make it themselves for others)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';">. Of course I said of course, no problem...I'll email it to ya. So I sat down to write an email for a simple recipe that I've made countless times and then I realized...crap...I don't really have a recipe for my mac-n-cheese. I mean, I did at one time. But that recipe just gave me the basics and since then I usually just wing it. A dash of this, a pound of this kind of cheese, but it never is really the same. One time I'll use 3 different cheddar cheeses, and the next time I'll use 3 completely different cheeses. I never measure anything. I never add the exact same ingredients that I've used the time before. It just always looks similar to this:</span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TOH/Images/Photos/37/exps42450_HC1442843D66B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TOH/Images/Photos/37/exps42450_HC1442843D66B.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Makeover-Creamy-Macaroni-and-Cheese">recipe courtesy of taste of home...mmm</a>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">The recipe from the photo above is similar to my recipe but after searching and searching (and I could only search so much due to the fact that I started craving some good ol' mac-n-cheese and its getting late so that would<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>not</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>be healthy) I still couldn't find the one that I originally used. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">I didn't use Martha's recipe,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/tv/martha_stewart_show/show_photos/cooking_school/xd103293_cookschool_macchee_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/tv/martha_stewart_show/show_photos/cooking_school/xd103293_cookschool_macchee_l.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/macaroni-and-cheese-cooking-school">{nope...mine wasn't baked like this one}</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">And it wasn't Paula's,</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2007/03/13/pa0912_macandcheese_med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2007/03/13/pa0912_macandcheese_med.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/creamy-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/index.html">{nope...mine didn't have all those ingredients}</a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">It wasn't even Rachel's</span></span><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2007/09/17/TM1509_Mac_Cheese_Lorraine_med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.foodnetwork.com/FOOD/2007/09/17/TM1509_Mac_Cheese_Lorraine_med.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/mac-and-cheese-lorraine-recipe/index.html">{nope...my recipe was more simple than this one}</a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">And while they all look and sound delicious...I realized...I don't really love or make an effort to follow recipes. I like to get the basics and make my own recipe but then I don't keep record of my own creation. Woops...I guess that's bad news for anyone that would like my recipe for something. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">I think this lends to my simple philosophy in that I like to combine simple ingredients but I also keep it simple by only remembering the basics and use recipes as a guideline. I guess it helps that I do have a bit of sense in the kitchen because while I may understand the simplicities in cooking, and not over-think a recipe or over analyze a cooking process, it can be difficult for some to just boil water. But, my simplicities are my own. Others have their own simplicities. I think it all may just be relative. And this just applies to cooking stuff...not baking...that's a whole other chemistry set.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">hm..I hope my lovely friend's version turns out ok!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'MA Sexy';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'MA Sexy';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cook Simply,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: 'MA Sexy';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Carrie</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-26767284030184804302010-12-09T22:01:00.000-05:002010-12-09T22:01:41.085-05:00i've been framed<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: 15px;">Actually, it should be more like "i've been inspired by frames" but you get it right?</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"> </span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I used to have this little dilemma, a very small dilemma actually, but one that was sort of affecting the way that I enjoyed my living room. I had a big, plain ol' wall empty wall. Now I know...you're probably thinking (with a sarcastic tone) "oh yea, huge dilemma"...but I did warn you that it was very small. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';"> <div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I believe that you can make your life a bit happier by simply surrounding yourself with things that you love. For example, I think your house should have decor that you love and that makes you smile. And it shouldn't be limited to your house but your friends, your family, your environment, whatever it is that makes you happy, why wouldn't you want to be surrounded by it. I think it's a fairly simple philosophy. Even if you think your life is crappy, there has to be a picture, a trinket, an animal, something that makes you smile (I bet there are a lot of things that make you smile but maybe you're just pessimistic or put too much emphasis on the crap).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 11.0pt;">ok...i went off on a tangent...back to the frames.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 11.0pt;">A few months ago,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #b6d7a8;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Young House Love</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: 11pt;">- </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: 11pt;">which is only the best blog ever, house crashed a sweet little home whose decor was fresh, fun and unique (<a href="http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/10/house-crashing-inspired-inexpensive/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">see for yourself here</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 11.0pt;">It was here that I found this simple, chic, very inexpensive solution to my big ol' plain empty wall!<o:p></o:p></span></div></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.younghouselove.com.s3.amazonaws.com/2010/10/jordan-guest-room-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://images.younghouselove.com.s3.amazonaws.com/2010/10/jordan-guest-room-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Yes, a wall of plain ol' simple frames for a plain ol' wall. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The color in this bedroom was very similar to the color of my living room + I had a bunch of frames hanging around that I wasn't using so I painted my frames that I had and added a few more that I got for $1.00 courtesy of a yard sale and this is what I got...<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_mGqMRJuX-3PSSnXW6FIRPYIl5tsgK1w8Zrgz4_6orKdRn6kZgZ1qUQUpHG4sb0LNcHCh-3qAYAlFzIo7buUVAOQlS3lh-FhQUuu6s0ez__UonWwm_OEjDMMpDzKH0bYEPnGMiBvoKqv/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_mGqMRJuX-3PSSnXW6FIRPYIl5tsgK1w8Zrgz4_6orKdRn6kZgZ1qUQUpHG4sb0LNcHCh-3qAYAlFzIo7buUVAOQlS3lh-FhQUuu6s0ez__UonWwm_OEjDMMpDzKH0bYEPnGMiBvoKqv/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>woops...<br />
I forgot to get the ceiling fan cords out of the pic<br />
and those black blobs are pine cones :)</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 11.0pt;">And now that Christmas is here...I decided to add a little Christmas fun to my frames...<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcI0gJjt1zi7D5TPapxM4yp_DKmc4059AJ4FWltTuhZAfWv3wyNEO_4GWsJ5H69oq3jZApFH52E0nkRCvlQ905QYmXKyCjBgqn7g2xhDPx7DEOZbHh8OY9v6edC2sELDbUSqdOLFEek7WA/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcI0gJjt1zi7D5TPapxM4yp_DKmc4059AJ4FWltTuhZAfWv3wyNEO_4GWsJ5H69oq3jZApFH52E0nkRCvlQ905QYmXKyCjBgqn7g2xhDPx7DEOZbHh8OY9v6edC2sELDbUSqdOLFEek7WA/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: 11pt;">Ta Da.... I wrapped them all up with all kinds of different ribbon that I had in my Christmas ribbon box.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: 11pt;">I think it’s festive, fun and simple. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: 11pt;">Hey, it makes me happy!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "MA Sexy"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Live simple, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "MA Sexy"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Carrie</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-72756484061960205362010-12-07T22:29:00.000-05:002010-12-07T22:29:35.564-05:00pine cone a plenty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">So I didn’t realize how popular the pine cone was…did you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean look at just a few of the sites that I found that sell pine cones…decorated or straight up freshly dropped from the tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who has that job…I think I might like to do that...add that to the bucket list, hehe.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">But they do evoke a certain feeling especially around this time of year…for me anyways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I don’t discriminate...I love them all…big ones, tall ones, small ones, tiny ones, broken ones, fat ones, decorated ones, simple ones, single ones, clustered ones (but I don’t love the fake ones). Why do I become so amazed at mother nature's simple little designs?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">And who hasn’t made a bird feeder using them? I think I’m gonna make a few for my cardinals that have been chirping about in this chilly weather.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zgallerie.com/images/Product/large/160928673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.zgallerie.com/images/Product/large/160928673.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zgallerie.com/p-8353-glitter-pinecone-ornament-copper.aspx">fun la la la la...ZGallerie</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westelm.com/weimgs/rk/images/wcm/products/201038/0004/img48l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.westelm.com/weimgs/rk/images/wcm/products/201038/0004/img48l.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/decorative-pinecone-a907/?pkey=gall-free-shipping">USA found pine cones at west elm</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onthegroundenterprises.net/members/420948/site_pics/norwayspruce.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://www.onthegroundenterprises.net/members/420948/site_pics/norwayspruce.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onthegroundenterprises.net/List.html">pine cone dis</a><a href="http://www.onthegroundenterprises.net/List.html">tributor!?!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wmishops.com/magento/skin/frontend/wmishops/gotpinecones/images/logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.wmishops.com/magento/skin/frontend/wmishops/gotpinecones/images/logo.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gotpinecones.com/">all kinds of pine cones</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";">And talk about simple décor…<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9U5WI-xstRZWq8lxp32xHmzslRKVO49lj2EdDGpBcstP5p2yX2sNogrN2KozZQO3WqUrDy2pY1kyMX9SGX7eeUrU1XwubEZ10lxCYjprsn9VgzcQyIRDT3FGgiuM6TudPJwXESx9DETr/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9U5WI-xstRZWq8lxp32xHmzslRKVO49lj2EdDGpBcstP5p2yX2sNogrN2KozZQO3WqUrDy2pY1kyMX9SGX7eeUrU1XwubEZ10lxCYjprsn9VgzcQyIRDT3FGgiuM6TudPJwXESx9DETr/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{simple glass bowl}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeN4qvYfypaRXcmqSnIp7zZtph8qTbAIx5umd7yAmiVWQUykQdgE4mb9z8eCm5JNVrjvkQZIoFh-wLa6ZlXIUqTc7Rx37w7EjbrOcs8fjcu7Jx2T9g-btSxgmhZ4Pzf6ueEPOBZIs5qg6/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeN4qvYfypaRXcmqSnIp7zZtph8qTbAIx5umd7yAmiVWQUykQdgE4mb9z8eCm5JNVrjvkQZIoFh-wLa6ZlXIUqTc7Rx37w7EjbrOcs8fjcu7Jx2T9g-btSxgmhZ4Pzf6ueEPOBZIs5qg6/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{simple glass bowl + simple pine cones}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_7txDXos9Y_7R_yC1Lj8ORBHS07LAoky8_MDYMT6Ko6Jsvtu_RfHuqOLEfil2X-QRIpqUXCU2SvFCBPu0680cOc8hVf0dhqEUm4a_ZkX6r67yvG9VF6VcmqbAWfJOKjGa-tJqTKuQjVr/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_7txDXos9Y_7R_yC1Lj8ORBHS07LAoky8_MDYMT6Ko6Jsvtu_RfHuqOLEfil2X-QRIpqUXCU2SvFCBPu0680cOc8hVf0dhqEUm4a_ZkX6r67yvG9VF6VcmqbAWfJOKjGa-tJqTKuQjVr/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{simple glass bowl + simple pine cones + simple red bulbs}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo";"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "MA Sexy"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Live simply, Carrie<o:p></o:p></span></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-40473177997366556072010-12-06T20:43:00.000-05:002010-12-06T20:43:49.977-05:00Good Day Sunshine!<div style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">Oh boy...Monday! It got here too fast. Way too fast! <u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo'; font-size: medium;"> <div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">And it was cold.<u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">Unusually cold. <u1:p></u1:p></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">But at least this morning I was greeted by Mr. Sunshine, and combined with the Christmas songs being played on the radio, it made driving to work a little more enjoyable! </span></span></div></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Prw8dzouDj5L2eFSvylrSueG2roWgZgAhR1TqB8kKyLsDwsFyunnxsMNllYa0Xo_KvbjRR9YZNHpYrnGvqkjBLyjivC3GR-xe12nPM9FPO7m91YnELjwdPDpUG1K1OmFsaGP8SH7lhd2/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Prw8dzouDj5L2eFSvylrSueG2roWgZgAhR1TqB8kKyLsDwsFyunnxsMNllYa0Xo_KvbjRR9YZNHpYrnGvqkjBLyjivC3GR-xe12nPM9FPO7m91YnELjwdPDpUG1K1OmFsaGP8SH7lhd2/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';">Good day sunshine</span></i></b></span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';">Good day sunshine</span></i></b></span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';">Good day sunshine </span></i></b></span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';">I need to laugh, and when the sun is out </span></i></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';">I've got something I can laugh about </span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';">I feel good, in a special way </span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';">I'm in love and it's a sunny day </span></i></b><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: 'MA Sexy';">~The Beatles</span></i></b><b style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "MA Sexy"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div></i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(Are you singing along yet?)</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt;">And after the work day was over, Mr. Sun led me home...</span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTNukiz77uucmSnlyR4QcHXDY4CjDyK5oAA1bQyGfyoqiMXTNJU-gaDhpjkgsLnvOIiG8M44vqD2oobeF28GbUqDxZaf0oHlRORye6AIqCSra-30nokRBYGaAeETXezTZxG60KvJ_CTbe/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTNukiz77uucmSnlyR4QcHXDY4CjDyK5oAA1bQyGfyoqiMXTNJU-gaDhpjkgsLnvOIiG8M44vqD2oobeF28GbUqDxZaf0oHlRORye6AIqCSra-30nokRBYGaAeETXezTZxG60KvJ_CTbe/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">And I love the colors that glow across the sky when the sun finally rests beneath the horizon...</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2yBX5h4jlikLaquTbTeXHeTlAEblbs6OvUpY2CqxO0Vfr3bRgsL8ol0p3hQt3ttOO4P-aHr-pGJb6RiQbS7oyfvxrkXAgCKgK5mFX959uQziSBMSDMV0ZT985t8r3HrvPFuZqWN4upAq/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2yBX5h4jlikLaquTbTeXHeTlAEblbs6OvUpY2CqxO0Vfr3bRgsL8ol0p3hQt3ttOO4P-aHr-pGJb6RiQbS7oyfvxrkXAgCKgK5mFX959uQziSBMSDMV0ZT985t8r3HrvPFuZqWN4upAq/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt;">So while it was a Monday...I looked past that and simply focused on the healing powers of the sun.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt;">and yay...I even had a bit of daylight to collect some pine cones and magnolia seed bud things </span></div><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Swanky and Moo Moo';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">(since I didn't have the chance to collect them this weekend)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Swanky and Moo Moo"; font-size: 10.0pt;">...projects coming soon!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ryiHRiPCo9oyjP1VlpJY_49qLPmNeYAE9gg2MN2S-jj09Tom8NYgGyzyW-Swa7CP2QjYVSf0JhFO3s_ACgX6tlrVZajuuhAoa_fP_aF49VmLXOoDKIF9dc5YY9VpT-0LTHa5TOucaLGn/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ryiHRiPCo9oyjP1VlpJY_49qLPmNeYAE9gg2MN2S-jj09Tom8NYgGyzyW-Swa7CP2QjYVSf0JhFO3s_ACgX6tlrVZajuuhAoa_fP_aF49VmLXOoDKIF9dc5YY9VpT-0LTHa5TOucaLGn/s200/015.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "MA Sexy"; font-size: 22.0pt;">Enjoy the Simple, </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-family: "MA Sexy"; font-size: 22.0pt;">Carrie <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-84071626377515298962010-12-03T18:00:00.003-05:002010-12-06T21:37:13.172-05:00Get out your Christmas sweaters!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Yes...Christmas sweaters!!! To some, they're stylish. To others, they're tacky. <br />
To me, they're hilarious!<br />
How can they not make you smile? They're so happy and cheerful and bright and even jingly! They're fun and festive and sparkly and jazzy! When you see someone wearing one...smile and applaud them...they're just rockin' their own style and enjoying the Christmas season!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXBaizZdrxtuYb0hyphenhyphenXsXN8lTaXHo8KWIpCxoSeSH6ZyDvw-_RR2lev8QFjop9w0kUz09CMOyidPPz7XWKBtLje0_BVPJAHpYZTtMIylqTo4usi0z6Hd-sSm5whHTuOTS-LFlM4pIAvTds/s1600/Christmas+%252709+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXBaizZdrxtuYb0hyphenhyphenXsXN8lTaXHo8KWIpCxoSeSH6ZyDvw-_RR2lev8QFjop9w0kUz09CMOyidPPz7XWKBtLje0_BVPJAHpYZTtMIylqTo4usi0z6Hd-sSm5whHTuOTS-LFlM4pIAvTds/s320/Christmas+%252709+042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Bill and I in our "festive" sweaters last year}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I'm totally psyched for our friend's 2nd annual Christmas sweater party on Saturday!<br />
<br />
UPDATE....UPDATE....UPDATE!!!<br />
And here's the pic of all of us in our festive sweaters from 2010!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfNotnENNHyiqnyaXSi6p_32O9azGxhQfJTlSZoGbPrlmj-cKGQJ8Zv8V9s5HGiCY6UArz4MSxXEtFtBQWW4-R-SdEFJFXU5oEAy44dWeD3c8bDvaeDhCwgwZVm7wMSg_ki2MeCIp7Naa/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfNotnENNHyiqnyaXSi6p_32O9azGxhQfJTlSZoGbPrlmj-cKGQJ8Zv8V9s5HGiCY6UArz4MSxXEtFtBQWW4-R-SdEFJFXU5oEAy44dWeD3c8bDvaeDhCwgwZVm7wMSg_ki2MeCIp7Naa/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-8220362050303992782010-12-02T22:16:00.000-05:002010-12-02T22:16:17.063-05:00tag your it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yes, it was chilly tonight, somewhere in the thirties, but what else was I supposed to do? I had way too much energy...I didn't feel like walking around the neighborhood in the dark...but I needed to do something. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I took my boys outside and played tag with them around the yard. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sam especially LOVES this game. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I chase him. He chases me. It's great! </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIRovSUaM8vskXQ4sM3mcELLiKmMsr6ZLsFnViHx88jJHPJrnEUPq0BiO1byvb4eKK-21XbeXOyhHYg0aH-ykUzo4SoBUlWZXh3h2XFiEK5ZIW3u7l4y2ak5dgb4yvSv7-P03bERuEqbl/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIRovSUaM8vskXQ4sM3mcELLiKmMsr6ZLsFnViHx88jJHPJrnEUPq0BiO1byvb4eKK-21XbeXOyhHYg0aH-ykUzo4SoBUlWZXh3h2XFiEK5ZIW3u7l4y2ak5dgb4yvSv7-P03bERuEqbl/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Sam getting ready to be chased}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We ran and ran and ran. My heart was racing. Zipping through leaves. My lungs were burning from the cold air that I was inhaling. Occasionally catching a branch in the eye, after all it was pretty dark and a bit difficult to see.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5k3_IT2y4YMsG2MHXOBW0Ay7zmnSQRoLZkm8SneYiDEVSpSBx0wqdDexfRrdleUnwe6_qJGJpE6q1KW3i9Zy0_LfchfV2cJo_Snw-oyyOb205lZQVChJ5s1utqvs-T60vWVeNe29Gs79/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5k3_IT2y4YMsG2MHXOBW0Ay7zmnSQRoLZkm8SneYiDEVSpSBx0wqdDexfRrdleUnwe6_qJGJpE6q1KW3i9Zy0_LfchfV2cJo_Snw-oyyOb205lZQVChJ5s1utqvs-T60vWVeNe29Gs79/s320/004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Even Dusty wants to play}</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Who needs a gym?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR4PEPTBiXIQWgVTBPHOqggxGaiZUehrYMG2DiP79UC3mfjn_SyRKXuBdGt9fnjTWn7jyCSEppu5Z1-t0cO-OSIEsfycQJYn1rtaPnRN3TvIK4pFi4y8_Clfl1AJ7zhima8exLbGy8wKh/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMR4PEPTBiXIQWgVTBPHOqggxGaiZUehrYMG2DiP79UC3mfjn_SyRKXuBdGt9fnjTWn7jyCSEppu5Z1-t0cO-OSIEsfycQJYn1rtaPnRN3TvIK4pFi4y8_Clfl1AJ7zhima8exLbGy8wKh/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{"<i>Oh, wait mom, I smell something</i>"}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp4zY6vd7Xr5zMaE2NSYb5lDCdYTL9qLgn8_6B2LnBj3Xgnp-D44VuSvq3ySCyvAYYTTX4Jlnm8sqrdDBpUuM9p8W-TpXPiQq73NUvfMjkFSaqv0Qewk9g5IQXYaL3RLbJu3oYR-ti-j9/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp4zY6vd7Xr5zMaE2NSYb5lDCdYTL9qLgn8_6B2LnBj3Xgnp-D44VuSvq3ySCyvAYYTTX4Jlnm8sqrdDBpUuM9p8W-TpXPiQq73NUvfMjkFSaqv0Qewk9g5IQXYaL3RLbJu3oYR-ti-j9/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Sam chasing me}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>What a great, simple workout!<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It costs nothing.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I don't have to drive anywhere.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The dogs get their exercise.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And you wouldn't believe how FUN it is.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78AW7j3K97L-OTy2pb7muHHoCHw4N72x6pdKQoD0yWKWVBmwlxb62L5d7ecJAQ2vKJ0T1iJUrOpGIhgrUUkI-CHraVB-pyTrONihBe7W8mtIxWuHoFfmlH0evGQwXfQULCHMtEq-fFKmA/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78AW7j3K97L-OTy2pb7muHHoCHw4N72x6pdKQoD0yWKWVBmwlxb62L5d7ecJAQ2vKJ0T1iJUrOpGIhgrUUkI-CHraVB-pyTrONihBe7W8mtIxWuHoFfmlH0evGQwXfQULCHMtEq-fFKmA/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<i>"hey mom, come get me"</i>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I felt like an energetic kid with no worries in the world. <br />
The stars above twinkling. The quiet calmness of night.<br />
My boys zipping past me with delight in their eyes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sW0Bgo9q8kfhJv5of623y8vzewR9IfmWfDfuV0fwvMab5VFNLPnrG1k5bBKQ_Ty6uG8IcPDdwxfWKzCB0kVJCWG5LBlUPbUBCSv5wMvCJFaRDO75OxJlbuOoiYFYYtZnls_11VAd269j/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sW0Bgo9q8kfhJv5of623y8vzewR9IfmWfDfuV0fwvMab5VFNLPnrG1k5bBKQ_Ty6uG8IcPDdwxfWKzCB0kVJCWG5LBlUPbUBCSv5wMvCJFaRDO75OxJlbuOoiYFYYtZnls_11VAd269j/s320/009.JPG" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Super dog...."<i>here I come!</i>' - and the "smoke" is actually my breath ...I told you it was chilly}</td></tr>
</tbody></table> I will definitely be doing this more often. I can't believe I haven't been doing this. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlyMvXxG0jXvytsbZ_lcJe0_a3LR8Jm8LtKnSIjuL7HZBq-faFsjW7EB12eI8flDIvhn8YsbbiI6sxpmn9eUzT6dqas_rmTGBXQ6EkmofjER4oUHOpvvxq60tPb7pRRUCSlivIK8t2fjh/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlyMvXxG0jXvytsbZ_lcJe0_a3LR8Jm8LtKnSIjuL7HZBq-faFsjW7EB12eI8flDIvhn8YsbbiI6sxpmn9eUzT6dqas_rmTGBXQ6EkmofjER4oUHOpvvxq60tPb7pRRUCSlivIK8t2fjh/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Jasper was much more interested in sniffing around the yard}</td></tr>
</tbody></table> It's way more fun than jogging on a treadmill or walking around the block again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTqpXQGEAWJw8E9FhdF-J-ICh2Ma8iBpLS6Vu4GYq0-1Od4kcq6HhaX94C6GGHcTOGX8m4WXWPaV2-479c32F2mTrPR4jT3sJVWC1w_nTewpXwRLWzUlpCsR6V3kc8TWLeHy_S8WHofWr/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTqpXQGEAWJw8E9FhdF-J-ICh2Ma8iBpLS6Vu4GYq0-1Od4kcq6HhaX94C6GGHcTOGX8m4WXWPaV2-479c32F2mTrPR4jT3sJVWC1w_nTewpXwRLWzUlpCsR6V3kc8TWLeHy_S8WHofWr/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{<i>"woops...I didn't mean to crash into the camera"</i>}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span></div><div class="quotes" style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 16px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px;"><i>Our task must be to free ourselves... by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. -Albert Einstein</i></div><div class="quotes" style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 16px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px;"><i>Each species is a masterpiece, a creation assembled with extreme care and genius. </i><i>-Edward O. Wilson</i></div><div class="quotes" style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 16px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;"></span></i></div><div class="quotes" style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; margin-top: 16px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px;"><i><br />
</i></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-43941885316395919902010-12-02T17:30:00.001-05:002010-12-02T17:30:00.633-05:00so much to think aboutAhhhh....<br />
so many ideas.<br />
so many projects.<br />
so much happiness to spread.<br />
How do I keep track of it all?<br />
How do I get all my words from my busy mind to this blog?<br />
<br />
Part of the problem is that I do my best thinking at work. Why is that? I'm supposed to be focused on work and I actually have been pretty busy but my mind still likes to wonder off into random distant worlds. <br />
For example...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I wonder what everyone else is blogging about?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I bet I could hand make this or that</div><div style="text-align: center;">oh hey, what kind of chickens am I going to get this spring? </div><div style="text-align: center;">(<i>yes, I do say "oh hey" to myself in my mind)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">hmm what plants should I plant in my front yard on that bare slope?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh I wonder if my transplanted rootings took to their new home yet?</div><div style="text-align: center;">oh yea, i saw curtains the other day that I liked I wonder if I can find similar material and make them? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(and</i> <i>yes, I do say "oh yea" to myself in my mind)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wonder if my Camilla is still blooming? I need to remember to look and cut the flowers if it is.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(and again, yes, I do say "I wonder" to myself)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">whats for dinner?</div><div style="text-align: center;">honeymoon?</div><div style="text-align: center;">wedding invitiations?</div><div style="text-align: center;">new couch?</div><div style="text-align: center;">yadda... yadda... yadda...</div>I could go on and on.<br />
I try to be simple...I really do...I try to think simple thoughts and focus on the task at hand but have you ever tried to completely focus on 1 thing for more than 10 minutes?...whew...it's tough. (and don't tell me I have adult a.d.d. - I'm convinced that focus is a rare talent...a god given gift.)<br />
Not to mention, for some reason I write much better in my mind while I'm at work and when I get home it's like I have a mild case of writers block. I actually wrote this entire blog while taking a break at work. Lengthy isn't it?<br />
So my solution....a good ol' notebook to keep with me at all times.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMOmbx4rZb3l2MT-jief29yR8fzNFNffC5Rad2Sd8QLFilpnygnKG7qSRuySsM0FLCNsvnDMv2JZkrbehcIZXNtDbFPRaqImWaU16RTqLqmwy1zacsiIE7IaEz8e3poTtOArRe7Doq5xp/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMOmbx4rZb3l2MT-jief29yR8fzNFNffC5Rad2Sd8QLFilpnygnKG7qSRuySsM0FLCNsvnDMv2JZkrbehcIZXNtDbFPRaqImWaU16RTqLqmwy1zacsiIE7IaEz8e3poTtOArRe7Doq5xp/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{I received this one from my dear friend Liz - Thanks again Liz!}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I can organize my thoughts in here. I can write posts that I want to publish in here. I could even doodle in here. It's not very big so it'll fit in my purse and don't you just love the G! I know, I know...I don't have a G in my name...not YET! My fiancées last name begins with a G so in a few short months my name will have a G in it. <br />
So hears to good thoughts that will never be forgotten because they'll be in my notebook! <i>(I wonder how long it'll take me to fill it up? - any guesses?)</i>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-39549278912457366072010-12-01T19:11:00.000-05:002010-12-01T19:11:36.904-05:00It's too dark to see pine cones!My plan for this evening was to come home from work, collect pine cones from my front yard and work them into my Christmas decor but I didn't realize how difficult it was going to be to collect pine cones in the dark. Even with my trusty headlamp it was difficult. Bummer dude! So, I guess my pine cone projects will have to wait 'til the weekend when I can collect my simple pine cones during the daylight hours. Maybe I'll go to a park or somewhere off the beaten path and make it a pine cone adventure - who wants to join me? :)<br />
<br />
So instead of my pine cone projects...I decided to take a few pics of my inside Christmas decorations all lit up...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAG2i2c7CYNgflawzcj-Rr7uuQxpuYmqZcez25StMip04xcO7X0K15wHlcOFk3tDB9CZvzsN4CIgshsw3c_fBvPyxbb2zzPf0HMQQns6uUMubeNMvV6ZG8DTzqjeBYLqOZCXvtVxqrlXA/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAG2i2c7CYNgflawzcj-Rr7uuQxpuYmqZcez25StMip04xcO7X0K15wHlcOFk3tDB9CZvzsN4CIgshsw3c_fBvPyxbb2zzPf0HMQQns6uUMubeNMvV6ZG8DTzqjeBYLqOZCXvtVxqrlXA/s320/005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{I decided to go simple on my mantle this year- 3 little trees strung with white lights and a plaid scarf}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS3GnsRB3qmvErKvr-bntyFd-R3kOtsL5DIB4EttdA7WOOKDxgbu0wKXCW0Y09nyzPC541Wlsf-2Of2UvYOi3HZNwR6As0-8LhGwGnnj1eUU45n3PBTZYqWzAgxWaE5Ph38ocaQIPhBFT/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguS3GnsRB3qmvErKvr-bntyFd-R3kOtsL5DIB4EttdA7WOOKDxgbu0wKXCW0Y09nyzPC541Wlsf-2Of2UvYOi3HZNwR6As0-8LhGwGnnj1eUU45n3PBTZYqWzAgxWaE5Ph38ocaQIPhBFT/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{I love the glow of white lights - Would the world be a happier place if it were lit up entirely with little white lights?}</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>And the outside (even thought its not finished)...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-rs22LTcafafxA6UmETRTuDzPwbGCjmKVJHSesSPKUHwG5a1ob59mDBYB4Ol7ZV2QyDGEe29UvFEc8XBJ0576_JXdTy4_t7hQn7GvbLUZae0RkVE7VV9DFcBdwnuUiQWzop6vQG9ctjg/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-rs22LTcafafxA6UmETRTuDzPwbGCjmKVJHSesSPKUHwG5a1ob59mDBYB4Ol7ZV2QyDGEe29UvFEc8XBJ0576_JXdTy4_t7hQn7GvbLUZae0RkVE7VV9DFcBdwnuUiQWzop6vQG9ctjg/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-31191906300862639142010-11-30T20:24:00.002-05:002010-11-30T20:24:53.764-05:00coming next...Simple Pinecones<i>I love to decorate with free foliage from my yard!</i>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-85372809799804997002010-11-30T19:52:00.000-05:002010-11-30T19:52:00.359-05:00Oh fudge...Peanut Butter Fudge that is!<br />
I brought some leftover peanut butter fudge in to work with me that my mom whipped up while visiting me last week. My co-worker, Jamie, requested that I snag this recipe from my mom (which I already had) and give it to her immediately because she absolutely loved it. So I said "Hey, I'll blog it for ya!"<br />
So Jamie...this one's for you kid!<br />
<br />
It's really a fairly simple recipe, using only a few simple ingredients.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsWxkfu0SEVv64980aojZQWUsytArbTj3jPrHJM_02dmWMTPJkwAG5lf-GU9UoTZ-vZKLqTTr8dbTdlaRTnUiDpL5azGdJMgELuxSrQ6lscJeA_aI8olsIRWD8WttIUr0oyPmP4MzI7gA/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsWxkfu0SEVv64980aojZQWUsytArbTj3jPrHJM_02dmWMTPJkwAG5lf-GU9UoTZ-vZKLqTTr8dbTdlaRTnUiDpL5azGdJMgELuxSrQ6lscJeA_aI8olsIRWD8WttIUr0oyPmP4MzI7gA/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{these are most of the needed ingredients}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>*1 box (= 1 lb) powdered (confectioners) sugar<br />
*1/2 stick margarine or butter<br />
*1/2 cup milk<br />
*12 oz creamy peanut butter (<i>most jars are 17.3-18 oz...I buy the regular because the small 12 oz. jars are the same price as the regular size jars...just use about 3/4 of the jar</i>)<br />
*1 container marshmallow whip<br />
*1 teaspoon vanilla<br />
<br />
First things first...butter your fudge dish. You can use either a 9x13 pan or for thicker pieces of fudge you can use an 11x7 (and I used a glass pan). Heck, I suppose you could use a pie dish or maybe a spring-form pan...whatever you have handy! Also, make sure that you've read the recipe and have your ingredients ready to go...it makes this recipe much simpler. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0RYXhdYvisg4UIM9XMkrXFJcZafWznrLSf9018GmuO45jKSzwtmf51wd2TGpJ_E6UP5JU5FNa6lcF_B2WP7XSdfV5IGLahrtkBzBSAaXSNjtOkzApEf9O_uxPOw7pzPrRIwc79yo0GBZ/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0RYXhdYvisg4UIM9XMkrXFJcZafWznrLSf9018GmuO45jKSzwtmf51wd2TGpJ_E6UP5JU5FNa6lcF_B2WP7XSdfV5IGLahrtkBzBSAaXSNjtOkzApEf9O_uxPOw7pzPrRIwc79yo0GBZ/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{Buttered 9x13 pan}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In a medium-sized, heavy saucepan, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and margarine/butter. <br />
Bring to a rolling boil (setting should be around medium high). <br />
Allow to boil for 3 minutes while <u>continuall</u>y stirring<br />
<i>Side note: you don't realize how long 3 minutes can be until you're watching the clock tick and a pot boil but you must keep stirring so you could sing a song or two or maybe just watch the bubbles in the pot but just don't loose track of time.</i><br />
.<br />
Once 3 minutes is up, remove from heat.<br />
<i>Another note: please make sure not to put the hot pan directly onto your countertop...I can not be held responsible for any damage done)...you can place the pan on a towel or a trivet on your countertop or move to another burner. </i><br />
<br />
IMMEDIATELY add the peanut butter, marshmallow whip and vanilla. Stir like crazy! Then once its all mixed smooth and creamy, pour into the dish and just let it relax for a few hours. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiph7TI4-CuwnoHK1Ajwd8ZKJao5508rwfrhQyY7PaRq2Swn13aQnXP9qxgkEmCk-YUayIMOAsXrJaJyGhnRxUw0u70JjnAsmPb38rgjXgGm1gqvL5v82pgUmpcRbNTZDc8nbGZWt-pCz6/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiph7TI4-CuwnoHK1Ajwd8ZKJao5508rwfrhQyY7PaRq2Swn13aQnXP9qxgkEmCk-YUayIMOAsXrJaJyGhnRxUw0u70JjnAsmPb38rgjXgGm1gqvL5v82pgUmpcRbNTZDc8nbGZWt-pCz6/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">{mmmm...I'm totally licking the spoon...warm creamy peanut butter goodness}</td></tr>
</tbody></table>To store, just cover and leave it out on the counter or take it to work to share.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-16225834929623753002010-11-29T19:15:00.000-05:002010-11-29T19:15:04.456-05:00It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year!Well, we've made it through Thanksgiving! While all the food that we ate is probably still digesting and as we work on finishing up the leftovers in our fridge, the Christmas season is in full swing. <br />
To get into the holiday spirit, we strung our pretty little lights outside and brought home our Christmas tree. I set out a few little knick knacks here and there but ya know what my favorite decorations are...<br />
EVERGREEN BRANCHES!!!!<br />
Why? Well, #1.- they're free! and #2. they're FREE!<br />
They're so simple and so pretty! See....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueSbNtQHjF1S3zdUlFljyot_ZijRIku6d-oO_L0Z_oCQDL6o3f0DA4Y0cy7oHEUb0unM5NttUclPz5xXKy7jAH0xLmyKsm0a1T3Ip7uTLX7DZnBXFnCSske1B3n7SLVvj9RnDkqWKCERA/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueSbNtQHjF1S3zdUlFljyot_ZijRIku6d-oO_L0Z_oCQDL6o3f0DA4Y0cy7oHEUb0unM5NttUclPz5xXKy7jAH0xLmyKsm0a1T3Ip7uTLX7DZnBXFnCSske1B3n7SLVvj9RnDkqWKCERA/s320/030.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Directions:<br />
step 1: obtain evergreen branch, here I just used 1 simple branch - I cut this one from a little pine tree in my backyard<br />
step 2: place in vase with a little water - I used an empty big ol' wine bottle<br />
DONE!<br />
Total Cost of Project: ZERO $$ (since the branch was in my backyard and the bottle was re-purposed)<br />
<br />
And here's another example:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSPa6DKjvpGG_rG_OSe4P87CGh2m4CCcoFB9harOTJj0gShkR_Yyx0n1HCrngobhhqPvPDbazYgJtNxhP5TXSkBCSLR67pjaf0SHxwQkIJy6TlXYSeOg-4TeZxA5F9Bz6ctfrZ8htR_HM/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSPa6DKjvpGG_rG_OSe4P87CGh2m4CCcoFB9harOTJj0gShkR_Yyx0n1HCrngobhhqPvPDbazYgJtNxhP5TXSkBCSLR67pjaf0SHxwQkIJy6TlXYSeOg-4TeZxA5F9Bz6ctfrZ8htR_HM/s320/023.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Here I used a few more evergreen branches + a holly branch with berries for a little color and interest.<br />
And in case you're wondering what I used this time to house my little arrangement...it's a glass spaghetti sauce jar!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhc85KHODeAg2o_ARjik1fh75QhgOIEmsgfws6fanxjXvWGTMn-1vChcZaoFHneNi-TBPT-D-EG-yI3aRk8Knf-ohJFDJHnHhKlZrmuJzfPHD5oq7V50XzEmzd5BjbrW8Zn5v7XqKAFSo/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhc85KHODeAg2o_ARjik1fh75QhgOIEmsgfws6fanxjXvWGTMn-1vChcZaoFHneNi-TBPT-D-EG-yI3aRk8Knf-ohJFDJHnHhKlZrmuJzfPHD5oq7V50XzEmzd5BjbrW8Zn5v7XqKAFSo/s320/035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And since I didn't get the entire label off the jar...I used a little ribbon to cover it!<br />
Ta Daaa!<br />
<br />
I love simple, free projects!Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585854057588115043.post-21990008516792619952010-11-19T21:55:00.000-05:002010-11-19T21:55:32.955-05:00Oh the Simple Life!Living simply can mean so many things to so many people.<br />
To some it's living off the grid. To others it means buying all natural and/or organic products and foods. Or maybe it means decluttering and living with only the bare necessities. Maybe it encompasses all of that to you. <br />
Well to me, it does mean so many things...more than just what's listed above. Yes, I strive to live eco-consciously. Yes, I try to buy all-natural and/or organic products and foods. And yes, I try to declutter every spring and more often when the mood strikes. Finding happiness in the simple things that I'm surrounded by is one of the most amazing feelings and defines my way to live simple. <br />
Have you ever looked at yourself or been in a place that makes you think "this is so me!" Whether it's a place, a season, an outfit, an activity...whatever it is simply makes you think, that at that moment, you are at peace and not thinking about anything else other than how happy you are with where you are, who you are, what you're wearing, or what you're doing. I had that moment about three months ago...it was early in the morning and my fiancee, Bill, and I were getting ready to leave for work. My outfit made me happy, the morning sun made me happy, sipping my coffee in my favorite coffee mug made me happy...I felt so completely and utterly happy....Life was awesome! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1p2QvDeyPfPxZBr_t5lGde44BL39795PQTN40-Y3ltyRQXTDjDXBlDGk4NgxWRp929lPmRxG8kI7uZLi5-cMPOkFpOcX5h-s959LdwToBSUfy2L2fWwc0LloBvw_ardjRrqNdxD1DLj9B/s1600/182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1p2QvDeyPfPxZBr_t5lGde44BL39795PQTN40-Y3ltyRQXTDjDXBlDGk4NgxWRp929lPmRxG8kI7uZLi5-cMPOkFpOcX5h-s959LdwToBSUfy2L2fWwc0LloBvw_ardjRrqNdxD1DLj9B/s320/182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>My favorite coffee mug - find it at <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=HOME-TABLETOP-DINNERWARE&id=78404&catId=HOME-TABLETOP&pushId=HOME-TABLETOP&popId=HOME&sortProperties=&navCount=85&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=whi&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=">Anthropologie</a></em></div><br />
Life is still awesome....and since then I've been doing a lot of thinking. Or maybe it's just that I've become more aware of the good things in life and the way that simple things are able to make me smile. I hope to inspire others to focus more on the simiplicities in life, the simple ways to find happiness and how to live with a "happy go simple" mindset. Whether it's a simple recipe with four ingredients or a simple beauty routine that makes you feel fresh. A simple brooch to liven a simple outfit and make you feel simply pretty. A simple workout that doesn't feel like a workout but is simply fun. Or maybe a simple diy craft project or a simpler way of doing something. Heck, maybe it's finding a simple window cleaner recipe using items that you have stocked in your pantry or simplifying a process that you dread on a daily basis. My goal here is to bring together the simplicities in life that I enjoy. Maybe you can enjoy them too. Or maybe you'll just laugh at my "simple" ideas. Whatever it may be....I hope that you enjoy my "Happy Go Simple" mindset!Carriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01398600905878004901noreply@blogger.com0