tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86913658464299317522024-02-02T00:57:06.074-08:00The Lemon CottageAmy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-7263998782250036632010-03-28T10:32:00.000-07:002010-07-20T20:20:54.422-07:00The Birds Are Back!Spray paint!<br />
Oh, how I've missed you!<br />
The weather has turned a corner, and I've been a spray painting fool!<br />
Here is a super quick project that I got accomplished this week.<br />
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I spray painted some chipped (damaged) birds that I got at GW a bright, cheery shade of aqua.<br />
...spray painted a nasty GOLD (ugh) candlestick that I got at GW<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q5ws2oivtlOloJKCB0VmRA9dbFaL0q7bzywdSjQdhyphenhyphene59Oj22xh1x8_HNw1E25bVXs7jhN_YV-axue39JQWk6HeZ9gfQ_oSXhhG8BRKPdOrGvWL1qWd2ldUoAej3vp3BLyGlO6P845I/s1600/peter+rabbit+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4q5ws2oivtlOloJKCB0VmRA9dbFaL0q7bzywdSjQdhyphenhyphene59Oj22xh1x8_HNw1E25bVXs7jhN_YV-axue39JQWk6HeZ9gfQ_oSXhhG8BRKPdOrGvWL1qWd2ldUoAej3vp3BLyGlO6P845I/s400/peter+rabbit+019.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br />
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What to use as a nest???<br />
You all know I'm a curb picker... a few years ago, I grabbed two hanging baskets off the curb. I removed the chains, added white twinkle lights and threw them out in my garden. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4JsHxacc-PpeTg6SKxK-R7bGrOwn_hpu9IOIzLhqCLJUSQQgjfYK6rzVg1TyUV3rKzamCUI6xoMbX74UUhFp591z3RUdeY5rXIWduimiqbZ_ij_DwiyrC3ouU9GTKy4kSGavx2iiHl8/s1600/peter+rabbit+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4JsHxacc-PpeTg6SKxK-R7bGrOwn_hpu9IOIzLhqCLJUSQQgjfYK6rzVg1TyUV3rKzamCUI6xoMbX74UUhFp591z3RUdeY5rXIWduimiqbZ_ij_DwiyrC3ouU9GTKy4kSGavx2iiHl8/s320/peter+rabbit+014.jpg" /></a></div>I thought these would be perfect, so<br />
I removed the lights, layered one with leftover burlap.<br />
Added Spanish moss.<br />
The birds flew in.<br />
Closed the two baskets with garbage ties.<br />
...yes, garbage ties.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1KS0fAtA-XG2F844JN7IySCXJEgStVt-sO_lpD6zCrWR-HBUhbGEMFqXwjtk9518V7faeIlyLvjW3qFd1KG1E3QxPJxXUJZZ5EdLg74gWUasIYzARsVeKKoWNMavOZ3cFG84QQnumAk/s1600/peter+rabbit+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1KS0fAtA-XG2F844JN7IySCXJEgStVt-sO_lpD6zCrWR-HBUhbGEMFqXwjtk9518V7faeIlyLvjW3qFd1KG1E3QxPJxXUJZZ5EdLg74gWUasIYzARsVeKKoWNMavOZ3cFG84QQnumAk/s320/peter+rabbit+018.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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It is sitting next to our back entry.<br />
Love the pop of color!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjDPGHrhyEAtAeMiZ0YLv9zL3UnPT_-b88dzhodf6OAOU7K32VqpNstn_h1x9oYu3hbiHiBf0Xt0dlvfYWifo-EdG_D-9FCPJoytIjammKXltGQIxJ_S9PF4aG03q3NjAt69DYg3kcCc/s640/peter+rabbit+020.jpg" width="416" /></div>A quick easy project.<br />
...okay, really I just wanted to show you that I was FINALLY able to spray paint again!<br />
Happy Spring!<br />
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Excuse the mess on the porch. It hasn't been warm enough to power wash yet!<br />
...just wait--- the word from my secret source (the weatherman) indicates we might reach 70 degrees this week.<br />
Oh, happy day!<br />
<br />
Thanks to all of you that have joined my Facebook site for my event planning company!<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oskaloosa-IA/Pink-Cricket-Events/10150134733125014">Pink Cricket Events</a>! As soon as I hit 100 fans, I'm going to have a giveaway over there on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oskaloosa-IA/Pink-Cricket-Events/10150134733125014">FB site</a>!<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/?">Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for SNS</a>!<br />
and with <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/BetweenNapsOnThePorch/~3/-DTH_twTlm0/welcome-to-63rd-metamorphosis-monday.html">Susan at BNOTP for Met Monday</a>!<br />
Also at <a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2010/03/make-it-for-monday-18.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CottageInstincts+%28cottage+instincts%29?">Cindy at Cottage Instincts for her fabulous Make It For Monday</a> party!<br />
And with <a href="http://asoftplace.net/2010/03/diy-day-with-quality-custom-designs/">Kimba at A Soft Place To Land for DIY Day</a>!<br />
~AmyAmy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-33672008392888665772010-03-19T10:09:00.000-07:002010-03-19T10:09:18.276-07:00Hello Again!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's so nice to be back in the blog world!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've cut my tax season short because my mom had a knee replacement surgery.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All is well, and she is up and walking around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been trying to keep up with you all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your blogs kept me going through a rough tax season!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't have a whole lot to report since I've last posted...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but here's a recap...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The snow has melted!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I handed my Hubs and son over to the golf course.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, really.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I drove them out there, walked them in...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I told the owners... "Here they are, I don't want them back for a few months."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You would've done the same if you had boys swinging golf clubs IN THE HOUSE for the past few months.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The owner of the golf course is also a City Council member in our town.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She and I laughed over what a great headline it would be... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Local woman turns over husband and son to the golf course".....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">... its not a bad idea.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqVLTgm8kG85oiljuLS8hLpxLH87PwSCBvdOu7p40CfwqKzafdRgBKkcVzivUiO8fZZB9BwkFLFg65sbQeWW51w63PTUUuXQjCeVuWJsYm_83sFateNOft9XyUnA-lidsPXPTsI7sONk/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqVLTgm8kG85oiljuLS8hLpxLH87PwSCBvdOu7p40CfwqKzafdRgBKkcVzivUiO8fZZB9BwkFLFg65sbQeWW51w63PTUUuXQjCeVuWJsYm_83sFateNOft9XyUnA-lidsPXPTsI7sONk/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+438.jpg" vt="true" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monkey (yes, he a lefty) teeing off at the driving range yesterday.</div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I POURED over the new Flea Market Style magazine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WOW!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did a little thrifting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Thanks to Goodwill for being open late!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monkey started reading.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hooray, but sniffles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will he still want to sit on my lap to read a book?</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AND--- this is a big one....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">... my hair is long enough for a ponytail again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SWEET!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay- and one more little, tiny, thing....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After many years of throwing parties and planning events for myself and others--- my friends and family finally convinced me that it was time to turn it into an actual business.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm S.C.A.R.E.D!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyhoo... I started a website (read: blog). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made a page for it on facebook... if you are into facebook, would you be a 'fan'?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Geesh, I can't believe I'm asking... its just that... well- I haven't asked any of my 'real life' friends yet... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and wouldn't it be lovely if I already had some fans to start with before they saw it? My friends would say, "Wow, who are all these people?". And I would say, "They're my blog friends, silly."............</span><br />
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Go <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oskaloosa-IA/Pink-Cricket-Events/10150134733125014"target="_blank">HERE</a> to check out the facebook page.<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay... I'm going to hit 'publish' now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Holding breath....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Amy</span>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-39425341134141090842010-02-02T23:09:00.000-08:002010-02-02T23:09:40.079-08:00I Do Taxes. AUGH!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sorry I haven't been out there stalking you...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I do taxes for a living.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">STOP!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">No reason to be jealous. </span></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jYwqSWBxmOnPWDiUTqcm6SwG6NUpc7kiANjKAFaUJcv8Pi5cUhy5gfs3CM5IYXPKF7t3wodaXP-zUy9hM_kKwpRibh0NLxbFiq-DiIY7hfY6pj_jjJavvdXfb_XLojfZMYMgVzKj4zg/s1600-h/garden+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jYwqSWBxmOnPWDiUTqcm6SwG6NUpc7kiANjKAFaUJcv8Pi5cUhy5gfs3CM5IYXPKF7t3wodaXP-zUy9hM_kKwpRibh0NLxbFiq-DiIY7hfY6pj_jjJavvdXfb_XLojfZMYMgVzKj4zg/s400/garden+066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A pic from the garden last summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Anyhoo...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">a few of you have sent me messages</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">asking if I'm still out here.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Well, I'm not <em>here</em>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm stuck behind a desk.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've been saying this is my last year to do taxes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">...for the past 3 years.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have nothing to share...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've accomplished nothing in my house...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">unless you can count one load of laundry and...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">nope, thats it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Nothing else has been done by me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Thank goodness for Hubs.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">He fed me and put me in bed tonight.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For real.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Told me I looked tired.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Polite way of telling me I look like pooh.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hmm...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It was nice to be tucked in.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'll leave you with </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">the <em>most</em> important tax advice I can give you...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ALWAYS sit down and talk to your tax specialist.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">You would be amazed at all the deductions/credits, etc. people are missing</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">out on. Shame on all the tax preparers that sit behind a closed door.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">They are doing a huge disservice to their clients.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'll be back in blogland soon.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Miss you,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">~Amy</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-64332405392714369752010-01-23T19:52:00.000-08:002010-01-25T19:34:35.881-08:00Supermarket Chic!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hubs used to buy me flowers in the beginning of our relationship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...then we went almost 2 years without flowers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hmmm...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He overheard me telling a girlfriend that I don't waste money on flowers...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">because I cut them out of my gardens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...IN THE SUMMER!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hubs got it, and now comes home frequently with little bouquets from the supermarket.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, I have nothing against big, formal arrangements.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, I love to have fresh flowers all over my house.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most spaces in my <em>very</em> informal house would look a little strange with elaborate arrangements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I got home from the tax office today...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">there were two, sweet little supermarket bouquets waiting for me!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks Hubs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I love to arrange them in glass vessels...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">but sometimes...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I like to use things out of the ordinary.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In my pretend life, when I'm not being a RockStar...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I own a flower shop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">... I wish!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What was the grocery store selling today?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mini- carnations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh STOP!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quit being a flower snob!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Carnations last forever, <em>and</em> smell lovely.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, knock it off. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Quit giving them a bad rap!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I cut them, divided them...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and I present...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Supermarket Chic (or cheesy)</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Start with two $4.00 bouquets...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqwkXDk30Wk-CSPr56ySaxu3bgI1xr-jGo-76s3LzkeOU9Gv-mk_YWnuU2xZ2n0Sfzswepqa3qHmvyzHFnBymFucWiOkTuQwDJ13w7LL77M0I0ZirBS3ohXStx7WEIXmIkvnKGvBn7Qc/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqwkXDk30Wk-CSPr56ySaxu3bgI1xr-jGo-76s3LzkeOU9Gv-mk_YWnuU2xZ2n0Sfzswepqa3qHmvyzHFnBymFucWiOkTuQwDJ13w7LL77M0I0ZirBS3ohXStx7WEIXmIkvnKGvBn7Qc/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+411.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add them to a glass dish with shells.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">(This will go in the Master bedroom.)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqUkE3PBH0nU8RbeAR7198GBgLVdDNhXt3RDg2Ub1ibGHBiuickmvGeiM6Vx55MWXU_5P_aQczic6MWFsdOfDG0tLDwIhSwjVRgaltZAEZyeOalMP4TejQvMxsvfVqPJxilDluedMM0w/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqUkE3PBH0nU8RbeAR7198GBgLVdDNhXt3RDg2Ub1ibGHBiuickmvGeiM6Vx55MWXU_5P_aQczic6MWFsdOfDG0tLDwIhSwjVRgaltZAEZyeOalMP4TejQvMxsvfVqPJxilDluedMM0w/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+404.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I use baby food jars ALL the time!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A closer view of the flowers.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sitting in Monkey's first pair of Chuck's.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...on top of the dryer.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Adds a smile to my face when doing such a dastardly chore!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">(again in a baby food jar)</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Found an old flour sifter at a garage sale.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It normally sits outside and holds flowers in the summer.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Line the sifter with a zip-lock, add water and flowers!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">This is now sitting in the bathroom.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Love the crusty, rusty against the silver and white!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two little baskets that hang on a side of a cabinet in the kitchen.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">25 cents for both baskets... oh, how they need spray paint!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Line the basket with a zip-lock bag, and add water and flowers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look what was harvested at the farm today!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This will go up to Monkey's room. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will he give a hoot if there are flowers in his room?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, I'll enjoy them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And there you have it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Do you ever buy flowers from the supermarket???</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">~Amy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Linking up with Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for <a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/01/followers-event-draw-6-old-post-road.html" target="_blank">Saturday Nite Special</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Get your fannies over there and join in her 1000 Followers Extravaganza!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Also with Susan at Between Naps on The Porch for <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/01/welcome-to-54th-metamorphosis-monday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29" target="_blank">Met Monday</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fabulous projects over there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And with Cheri at Its So Very Cheri for <a href="http://itssoverycheri.blogspot.com/2010/01/its-so-very-creative.html?" target="_blank">Its so very creative party</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And Kimba at A Soft Place To Land for <a href="http://asoftplace.net/2010/01/diy-day-with-kelleigh-ratzlaff-designs/">DIY Day</a>!</span>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-4695825006326295642010-01-21T12:33:00.000-08:002010-01-21T12:41:21.325-08:00Tree Hugger<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm not a tree hugger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I do hug trees. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could ramble on and on about all the benefits from trees...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but you already know all of those things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why do I get so attached to trees?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its the strangest thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My parents say it started when I was little.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I begged my dad to plant apple trees...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">which he did, because he is a gardner and lover of trees and plants.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also got a cherry tree. She was a beauty. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, she had a date with a lightning bolt.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkki1seahqJs1Y-noRIiYhPLM7C6927JTk-k5bJiULB0BgG_FVKfT5_UyyFw0Vw47hhzpYBT65JtqVX1UHsJjzhNJWxYUJ71QuLPnbZh7qEotFNU_pwtFmn3_hCWxAq6YfeYMO33aoC1g/s1600-h/garden+089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkki1seahqJs1Y-noRIiYhPLM7C6927JTk-k5bJiULB0BgG_FVKfT5_UyyFw0Vw47hhzpYBT65JtqVX1UHsJjzhNJWxYUJ71QuLPnbZh7qEotFNU_pwtFmn3_hCWxAq6YfeYMO33aoC1g/s320/garden+089.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSJwKj3SYuFY7t0bt45wl1sfFfBNwmEsaBxPJ1xexCl_alB5jnp3Nt6_ZSVLzS5Fxy_zNUGqdq-JAVnp1fXP0XhmH7BjrjXZdwogVtrflB1Ej1EUPo8PKyqS5PDQtpWYezv15alFhu6M/s1600-h/garden+097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSJwKj3SYuFY7t0bt45wl1sfFfBNwmEsaBxPJ1xexCl_alB5jnp3Nt6_ZSVLzS5Fxy_zNUGqdq-JAVnp1fXP0XhmH7BjrjXZdwogVtrflB1Ej1EUPo8PKyqS5PDQtpWYezv15alFhu6M/s320/garden+097.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My two apple trees.</span><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This fall I'll share with you all of the wonderful items we bake!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgEZnxD06JW7F0mz59N4UKdkatJBX4LQajk3fc1sH2WiBHY_OA4Imry99zfojCX-xuUWz3n6wdZQQ3cuvgvmoXyUbuW4WTjYfF9fUV2Vv2xckSZNer04JqBqIz04uC0EeexeQZULMmwE/s1600-h/garden+096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgEZnxD06JW7F0mz59N4UKdkatJBX4LQajk3fc1sH2WiBHY_OA4Imry99zfojCX-xuUWz3n6wdZQQ3cuvgvmoXyUbuW4WTjYfF9fUV2Vv2xckSZNer04JqBqIz04uC0EeexeQZULMmwE/s320/garden+096.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monkey with his Grandpa.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Standing in front of the tree that was planted when he was born.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We take a picture every year...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can't wait to see how big Monkey and the tree are this summer!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have two trees on my property that I am seriously attached too.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One, is an evergreen that sits outside of our large dining room window.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two cardinals live in the tree all year round.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Monkey was a baby, we sat his bassinet in front of the window...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am telling you-- the cardinals would sit in the tree and look in on him.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second tree I'm attached to lives in our backyard. </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is huge.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And a great beauty.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I find comfort and peace when I look at her.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She provides shade for our whole yard...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...but she doesn't shade the garden.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How does she know that I don't want shade in the garden?</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been watching this tree for the past 9 years...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...she has doubled in size....reaching way into the sky.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She is a home for bats (don't be afraid), several birds, and several squirrel families.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I need to stop going on about her...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will take pictures of these two trees when the weather is nicer...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and properly introduce you to the two ladies.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaa4g5rgFHvGVdEYEXoeJNaGK5EdGM-JqzYTYGtwyj9HcYokQXYS1fpWM_g9k7C1MIIQG-Vhi9izj7owoSSN_zOkWJZCyJ2dBXS1UCC8QjYXddvwN-5I77BP5x4-5Wkc3UShQfYs31VUc/s1600-h/summer+-+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaa4g5rgFHvGVdEYEXoeJNaGK5EdGM-JqzYTYGtwyj9HcYokQXYS1fpWM_g9k7C1MIIQG-Vhi9izj7owoSSN_zOkWJZCyJ2dBXS1UCC8QjYXddvwN-5I77BP5x4-5Wkc3UShQfYs31VUc/s320/summer+-+081.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See how she doesn't shade the garden?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've said good-bye to my fair share of trees, and I am always upset about having to do so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We lost a tree on our property a year and a half ago when a little tornado ripped down our street.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All houses were spared. Only trees were lost. Isn't that amazing?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was thankful for the houses being spared, but of course, sad about the trees.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My parents lost a tree yesterday in the ice storm. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A beautiful tree in their front yard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A tree that was planted 13 years ago to replace another tree that didn't survive a storm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(yes, we have real weather in Iowa) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their tree split right down the middle and them peeled off in 4 parts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monkey found out, and he cried. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He was bound and determined that he, Daddy and his Grandpa could save it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He got the glue and tape and his hammer out. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sweet boy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was so pleased...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">... not that he was upset. (Don't send me any hate mail)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But that he felt a deep connection with a tree and nature.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">~Amy</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">PS - It is a day about trees. On the children's tv show, "Big, Big World" they discussed the importance of trees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And the beautiful and hilarious, Annie at <a href="http://housethatjadebuilt.blogspot.com/2010/01/spring-fever.html" target="_blank">The House That Jade Built</a>, discussed her new found love of trees today. Go check it out!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Also, one of my dearest friends, Shannon, (since we were babies) is saving trees in Charlotte, NC. If you're in the area, check <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsustaincharlotte.org%2F&h=3b6d445226f79ee8f0d5b4c9a243d054" target="_blank">this</a> out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Wonder if our love of trees is from all the hours we spent climbing trees when we were little???</span>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-68927208803389625202010-01-20T12:40:00.000-08:002010-01-20T12:40:14.840-08:00Please... I'm Craving Cute Shoes!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are getting hit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everything is covered...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_I_4cA0BgydKSnx2qxM99IiLQuvqCuUGHn7FBbQ1gRKTx-SqKbHMLGhcEbLMUrvlxkUIYh1Phjl4ul33ovmXKbfAQb9gxlPVIvtJdqz8WP7cZjbpoP-q0pAdWaSusxKhY9TV1iNjq3uo/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_I_4cA0BgydKSnx2qxM99IiLQuvqCuUGHn7FBbQ1gRKTx-SqKbHMLGhcEbLMUrvlxkUIYh1Phjl4ul33ovmXKbfAQb9gxlPVIvtJdqz8WP7cZjbpoP-q0pAdWaSusxKhY9TV1iNjq3uo/s640/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+396.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in ICE!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clearly, Mother Nature is still ticked off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sigh...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaaD9CqGIKpnMx-0Io2f79EZZwVHv0C8Ba9UGQO9PjXmN-hoL755LnbTadqO9NfFgqeVQJP4gwkC8Z5lUqP1C0-zlgHEfTzWR-LAUbAowezE2lQrqRmjiuRYUpPPuZSj83kWnNyTtjCA/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaaD9CqGIKpnMx-0Io2f79EZZwVHv0C8Ba9UGQO9PjXmN-hoL755LnbTadqO9NfFgqeVQJP4gwkC8Z5lUqP1C0-zlgHEfTzWR-LAUbAowezE2lQrqRmjiuRYUpPPuZSj83kWnNyTtjCA/s640/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+392.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I won't complain...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I won't.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I just would like to send a message along to Mother Nature...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">plead to her...Woman to Woman.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I WANT TO WEAR CUTE SHOES AGAIN!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQlBblEh9DJP3DP7eSoheHke0ElpDkDH1goXGDHs6Htit5HZWTTJR9XnOi4L9qE-cObstCw9Gbabp5cVPXlB7NeDWfcmpdUmA2Z9doWIV3nmpiBZJJgM20hJW6Q0EtmChUomhjK9d3-w/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQlBblEh9DJP3DP7eSoheHke0ElpDkDH1goXGDHs6Htit5HZWTTJR9XnOi4L9qE-cObstCw9Gbabp5cVPXlB7NeDWfcmpdUmA2Z9doWIV3nmpiBZJJgM20hJW6Q0EtmChUomhjK9d3-w/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+402.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NO, not these...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, they have kept my toes warm... </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They were stylish a few months ago...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">they were.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now they are beaten down.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are tired.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They want to take a rest.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have these cute little things...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">just sitting in the closet...</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwYdvCfAlka1ixAeC6HvUiTnyk-66koGC_tB3NbsVHtoTot1GW7ZrRPjZ4X2qJM201f1HQchFdJW72nFZRRvzMGtCanqIVrtdyglP9CTgyiqxpzn5WRe3OW_EMV-a402J8tecIUIxeNE/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwYdvCfAlka1ixAeC6HvUiTnyk-66koGC_tB3NbsVHtoTot1GW7ZrRPjZ4X2qJM201f1HQchFdJW72nFZRRvzMGtCanqIVrtdyglP9CTgyiqxpzn5WRe3OW_EMV-a402J8tecIUIxeNE/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+401.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chocolate and Turquoise peep-toe....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Actually, it's only fair to tell you that we are in a fight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last time we went on a date...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I slipped them off my feet, reached into my purse...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and pulled out turquoise beaded flip flops...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These little babies took great offense.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tried to explain that while, yes... they are super cute-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was standing... for hours...at a party...on concrete...at a slight slant...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">KILLER</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Not to mention it was my 15th Year Class Reunion)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">UGH</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, Mother Nature, I need to make up with my little pretties.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even if it is a quick run to the grocery store...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I NEED to wear these shoes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And all the other little pretties sitting in the closet...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">missing their momma.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please get over your tantrum quickly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Amy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm joining Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer for <a href="http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2010/01/120-outdoor-wednesday-54.html"target="_blank">Outdoor Wednesday</a>!</span>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-82750733369972273202010-01-18T12:05:00.000-08:002010-01-18T13:48:10.928-08:00A Frugal Laundry Tip!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A quick laundry tip...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At one of my 'Mommy Groups'...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We learned how to make homemade cleaning products.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Truth be told, I only enjoyed one of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Homemade dryer sheets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You need:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">liquid fabric softner</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sponge</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">container</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUHz4vgIUg-So0e7aGSDwEet2_tv9dke8rsegRpzzaNXYqAm61oDbAt2Anwrd_bOef7pDiwGQexlFhez6xGvi4U4EkJ4Acl-RlEvLRMQAz94_UyzHNElzGESwTYz_xdOdb1VOvy2SR28/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUHz4vgIUg-So0e7aGSDwEet2_tv9dke8rsegRpzzaNXYqAm61oDbAt2Anwrd_bOef7pDiwGQexlFhez6xGvi4U4EkJ4Acl-RlEvLRMQAz94_UyzHNElzGESwTYz_xdOdb1VOvy2SR28/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+367.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You take 1 part fabric softner to 2 parts water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I make batches of:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 Cup of fabric softner</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 Cups of water</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pour mixture into container. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shake to mix.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut up a new, clean sponge and drop them in.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JeaEbhn7DeZImJFA_WXnjmmoyQL5R-Dy7r-IpeTMcurvo6QPhCAXTvGNgcrOzJtW6lqZ_rLhIvCsssjVdWe5zkJEYTdmAHfXczpln_8I6kBYkVgC2NSPCglwQaLdi_z4F_8oCFIej20/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JeaEbhn7DeZImJFA_WXnjmmoyQL5R-Dy7r-IpeTMcurvo6QPhCAXTvGNgcrOzJtW6lqZ_rLhIvCsssjVdWe5zkJEYTdmAHfXczpln_8I6kBYkVgC2NSPCglwQaLdi_z4F_8oCFIej20/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+368.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I use a Vintage Tupperware Pic-a-deli to store it.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9344UU4e622rAoP6XBujfmAITLxzp5FpcUZBgnQZFNpN4cY135dUZrpR9au5ddB3VQl4V3tA_kJwVZhqicCYNZJOgLexJd-WASDpbicIZlZCEclHjDUXNMoGOz7RgvrAtbjJoAgAOI7g/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9344UU4e622rAoP6XBujfmAITLxzp5FpcUZBgnQZFNpN4cY135dUZrpR9au5ddB3VQl4V3tA_kJwVZhqicCYNZJOgLexJd-WASDpbicIZlZCEclHjDUXNMoGOz7RgvrAtbjJoAgAOI7g/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+369.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take the sponge out of the liquid and throw into the dryer!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sqeeze excess out.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz9BYMMCUnvHLZnnGM2qK7sN0DcIFJBa-nZ2O___G-K94Fqwn-ne4OzM60yYQth_9pFX0ibo4U9w9IMIK0Ca__Z_5j6xrl-_nhom-DOIWcWVwvZ7Y4KOavuJp09Xd_ToyPipr3DwqJXE/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz9BYMMCUnvHLZnnGM2qK7sN0DcIFJBa-nZ2O___G-K94Fqwn-ne4OzM60yYQth_9pFX0ibo4U9w9IMIK0Ca__Z_5j6xrl-_nhom-DOIWcWVwvZ7Y4KOavuJp09Xd_ToyPipr3DwqJXE/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+370.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is how the sponge will look when it comes out of the dryer.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The mixture lasted about 4 months for our family. (7-10 loads a week)</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And for larger loads, I throw 2 sponges in the dryer.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, this is super thrifty!</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I will not go back to dryer sheets!</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For more wonderful household tips, visit <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/01/so-fresh-and-so-clean-party.html">The Thrifty Decor Chick</a> for her</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/01/so-fresh-and-so-clean-party.html">So clean and so fresh party</a>!</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="color: red;">Update-</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Several of you have sent messages with questions:</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">YES I use this for whites. NO I've never had any problems with the fabric softner staining the clothing.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">My dryer is about 6 years old.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I squeeze the sponge a quick squeeze until it is no longer dripping.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">~Amy</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-65913479337563225462010-01-17T20:10:00.000-08:002010-01-19T09:07:24.904-08:00A Junk Bar From The Curb!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtTKZ7w_aGNfUxKWcBLyBoi80e_1gm9H409pXiLUjdZmc8fshRI2oLyvWiuS0cE7HSCy3kxTX9PqJ6CRgkv37P81oA-apO7pe3KjnydO9RbjbkCOENzV-qeQMPxbXqebDeG094pGn37c/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtTKZ7w_aGNfUxKWcBLyBoi80e_1gm9H409pXiLUjdZmc8fshRI2oLyvWiuS0cE7HSCy3kxTX9PqJ6CRgkv37P81oA-apO7pe3KjnydO9RbjbkCOENzV-qeQMPxbXqebDeG094pGn37c/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+387.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So- in the popular home catalogs they always show swanky home bars.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hubs and I don't really have the need for one...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">and we definitely don't have the space...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Or do we?</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-4KmZFFsIRKoj56xtPaA22UPvZJxKZ-7SX0AiaZNzhOKGWX1MA5e-qwtNBQ6VKqdMn_2ZltLxPowar7LKIQoxmxpuOeszTVlezsHm6U1hLEy8WoW2WwCX5kwIahbk8LtsrMU0DBa91I/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-4KmZFFsIRKoj56xtPaA22UPvZJxKZ-7SX0AiaZNzhOKGWX1MA5e-qwtNBQ6VKqdMn_2ZltLxPowar7LKIQoxmxpuOeszTVlezsHm6U1hLEy8WoW2WwCX5kwIahbk8LtsrMU0DBa91I/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+362.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the area over by that <em><a href="http://thelemoncottage.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-window-makes-me-crazy.html" target="_blank">stupid window</a></em> that I now love...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is off of the dining room, at the bottom of our stairs.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It isn't a room, it doesn't belong to a room...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it's just there.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I normally just have a bunch of pictures there...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(someone needs to paint that wall!)</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hubs had a few buddies over for a drink before they attended an event.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I decided to turn the area into a little bar for them.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K44GFxg1AKVYaj2VOQnDrKyUt_hMjSug5GL_J6DKATcLmOQHW_FcJpAU0v5r7_Mm5xPuf0eeWwnSfPIe0nTb98RJf2f50xaPdViX5-grIxkC_jmFSbZFrEiaUIn5xRgw9ukfDijws60/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K44GFxg1AKVYaj2VOQnDrKyUt_hMjSug5GL_J6DKATcLmOQHW_FcJpAU0v5r7_Mm5xPuf0eeWwnSfPIe0nTb98RJf2f50xaPdViX5-grIxkC_jmFSbZFrEiaUIn5xRgw9ukfDijws60/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+371.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I grabbed a few things out of the garage and basement...</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUF_NTWbdLX_hNHF8yMPeqBSk_j_i5ZLjL3UVIC612saLL7QuvSxUvVAS06UnyWe55-wx_Dw86CRb33kYE1Rq8BtEEBVG5WCT_DgxqIYyvpONHnUAXp7mjSkEOwXKxvSuWUQfon_pGdA/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUF_NTWbdLX_hNHF8yMPeqBSk_j_i5ZLjL3UVIC612saLL7QuvSxUvVAS06UnyWe55-wx_Dw86CRb33kYE1Rq8BtEEBVG5WCT_DgxqIYyvpONHnUAXp7mjSkEOwXKxvSuWUQfon_pGdA/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+363.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mugs, matches in an apothecary jar, liquor (of course)</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y0iE7oURUI7FDfPJwrIjmkmxdqvcCoJwMX8poyZukvdz2pt6SwScn4Jl-uZ-3g8vsN2XmMpYKAnU1hyWZomVjTlWkqnKeA4OhDNnafw45Yo90T6kwHDymqnhnx2QGQFw0317b9k9Tcg/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5y0iE7oURUI7FDfPJwrIjmkmxdqvcCoJwMX8poyZukvdz2pt6SwScn4Jl-uZ-3g8vsN2XmMpYKAnU1hyWZomVjTlWkqnKeA4OhDNnafw45Yo90T6kwHDymqnhnx2QGQFw0317b9k9Tcg/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+389.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Golf balls...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhpMjibgM724j7LZSUjTeEn3FkmEm5SaPW1ae_j1bKECVqUuBlg88w6RuGnDaDSA1kNCQ7p1lRBI1G5lUiThf1ghHt3a0uwQiWCgRamajJDCqkHdtGjUrzFjJhwmF3xaCF6G5RhkXu1Y/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhpMjibgM724j7LZSUjTeEn3FkmEm5SaPW1ae_j1bKECVqUuBlg88w6RuGnDaDSA1kNCQ7p1lRBI1G5lUiThf1ghHt3a0uwQiWCgRamajJDCqkHdtGjUrzFjJhwmF3xaCF6G5RhkXu1Y/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+376.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some old jugs that I've thrifted over the years...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K44GFxg1AKVYaj2VOQnDrKyUt_hMjSug5GL_J6DKATcLmOQHW_FcJpAU0v5r7_Mm5xPuf0eeWwnSfPIe0nTb98RJf2f50xaPdViX5-grIxkC_jmFSbZFrEiaUIn5xRgw9ukfDijws60/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K44GFxg1AKVYaj2VOQnDrKyUt_hMjSug5GL_J6DKATcLmOQHW_FcJpAU0v5r7_Mm5xPuf0eeWwnSfPIe0nTb98RJf2f50xaPdViX5-grIxkC_jmFSbZFrEiaUIn5xRgw9ukfDijws60/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+371.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The gold/rusted stand is from the curb. </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It normally holds plants during the summer.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The galvanized box is from the curb.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The big picture is of my Hubs, his best friend, and my Dad...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...golfing in their tuxes...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day of our wedding reception.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love our photographer!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hubs thought it was pretty cool. </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I loved it because it kept the idiots out of my kitchen! </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am thinking about a girls night... </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">... change this and SASS it up!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Cheers!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">~Amy</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Linking up to:</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Susan at Between Naps On The Porch for her wonderful <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/01/welcome-to-53rd-metamorphosis-monday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29" target="_blank">Met Monday</a>!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for <a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/01/sat-nite-special-13-brings-you-digital.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FKCcu+%28Funky+Junk+Interiors%29?" target="_blank">Saturday Nite Special</a>!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Cindy at Cottage Instincts for <a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2010/01/make-it-for-monday-8.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CottageInstincts+%28cottage+instincts%29" target="_blank">Make It For Monday</a>!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Cheri at It's So Very Cheri for <a href="http://itssoverycheri.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-pb-knock-off-and-i-love-it.html" target="_blank">It's So Very Creative</a>!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Barb at Grits and Glamour for <a href="http://gritsglamour.blogspot.com/2010/01/welcome-to-2nd-tabletop-tuesday-o.html">Tabletop Tuesday</a>!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Kimm at Reinvented for <a href="http://www.reinventedkb.com/2010/01/trash-to-treasure-tuesdaythe-home.html">Trash to</a> <a href="http://www.reinventedkb.com/2010/01/trash-to-treasure-tuesdaythe-home.html">Treasure Tuesday</a>!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-59687571294549264262010-01-14T13:37:00.000-08:002010-01-14T13:37:26.585-08:00Let Them Eat Cake???<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you ever encountered those moments where you stop and think-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Holy Cow! I'm a parent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">???</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember the first time we took Monkey out to Trick-or-Treat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I felt like I was out of my body looking down on us...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It really hit me that I was 'the mom' now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yikes.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the past 4 years, there have been other 'I'm the mom now' moments...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and I just encountered one of them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Monkey had his very first birthday party that included his little friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until now, its just been family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we were so excited.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He debated over his cake...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Batman? Spiderman? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Decisions, decisions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is what he ended up with...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YtDkRQsUSXJ2TunneQQ5B4piCRQoF_5cr9N2CXcGHziQGYzKQQOq1Qqyt_GIIrbtAVvVmcAynsJVUjYL3IfqescXXxvYblzKi6opygdkH7R44ihnjn-QTOwqHx3bJx5qgMq0w_wj-R8/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-YtDkRQsUSXJ2TunneQQ5B4piCRQoF_5cr9N2CXcGHziQGYzKQQOq1Qqyt_GIIrbtAVvVmcAynsJVUjYL3IfqescXXxvYblzKi6opygdkH7R44ihnjn-QTOwqHx3bJx5qgMq0w_wj-R8/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+216.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Didn't I do a good job?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...ordering the cake from our local bakery, that is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was a little concerned about the gray/silver icing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It reminded me of the 'Steel Magnolia's'...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the armadillo groom's cake...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway-</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the party was in full force.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kids were running around, having a grand time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Presents were opened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was time for the cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Took the picture of Monkey with his cake, lit the candle, sang the song...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time to cut the cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No big deal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut the cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put a piece of cake on the plate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put some ice cream on the plate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put a spoon on the plate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give to kiddo.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Right. Not so easy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Turns out, I have no clue how to cut a cake. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Um... my mom has always done it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And Monkey has had cupcakes at his previous birthday parties...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But here I was... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it was my show now.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, how I failed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some pieces were big, some were small... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a mess.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another mistake---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I gave the kids choices....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">chocolate or white cake?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla ice cream?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">STUPID.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From now on, its white cake/vanilla ice cream.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh the pressure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kids were crowding around me, tugging on my shirt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">there were other moms there (probably laughing at me)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mom and dad were there... NOT helping</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Poor Hubs was scooping the ice cream, and trying to keep me calm.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fortunately, the kids loved the cake</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">everyone survived...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Party number two was rolling around... the one for family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This time, we just got a simple little cake from the bakery.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Several family members ended up sick, party postponed.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriiJO13Y0FoMN12YEqggRy3o8vAO-Wnh5rz9Umh0SY9wob9Y4aqHHf_w6r7d4M6f3p_yLpUnKK200XwHag9sC7pa_NbzQpTj4UiS2Dj2oyxCQlsOmHxvrSzym3wQsxeES-zjV2SSsZaY/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgriiJO13Y0FoMN12YEqggRy3o8vAO-Wnh5rz9Umh0SY9wob9Y4aqHHf_w6r7d4M6f3p_yLpUnKK200XwHag9sC7pa_NbzQpTj4UiS2Dj2oyxCQlsOmHxvrSzym3wQsxeES-zjV2SSsZaY/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+284.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now what to do with the cake???</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sat and looked at this stupid cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I probably even swore at it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Know what I did???</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I cut it up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes I did.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I cut it up.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxefXeSdcrMmOZP6-6fiUBBDWvOpEkl5ux5-JFT_DIoPxugzps-U9VIYOJ9PhhJ2AK-0zLQxLQsnUuYtNkMLaAqtmIhvy6tIb8vFByJQrQgM_pJG1GxvASb51y1KOKhlqWC1P-MoicdY/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxefXeSdcrMmOZP6-6fiUBBDWvOpEkl5ux5-JFT_DIoPxugzps-U9VIYOJ9PhhJ2AK-0zLQxLQsnUuYtNkMLaAqtmIhvy6tIb8vFByJQrQgM_pJG1GxvASb51y1KOKhlqWC1P-MoicdY/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+290.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even without the pressure, I still couldn't get the pieces to end up in equal sizes...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AUGH!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Oh well, we ate it anyway.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We finally got to have the family birthday party last weekend...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">what to know how the cake turned out?</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forget it, we went to the local pizza parlor!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">On a sidenote--- I was so frazzled after the cake incident at the friends party, </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">that I forgot to hand out the goody bags.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Real nice.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note to self-</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cupcakes for Monkey's Birthday party next year.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">~Amy</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-49780974574226057702010-01-12T18:32:00.000-08:002010-01-12T18:32:28.359-08:00Just a test postTest post. And a picture of a bee going in on one of my dahlias. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnC5dmwghrX8LmMUhYp3tLmIx7PF2bRc5FauDut9GJ59ISAVjE-sxVjl0BMaVLcNETnR-Kwwrft1rFE9nHzy65gQzj0XuCLgiNqCNcNGq20c44rPq0clYBK5iHP965GxRNmwVULDsn9TM/s1600-h/garden+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnC5dmwghrX8LmMUhYp3tLmIx7PF2bRc5FauDut9GJ59ISAVjE-sxVjl0BMaVLcNETnR-Kwwrft1rFE9nHzy65gQzj0XuCLgiNqCNcNGq20c44rPq0clYBK5iHP965GxRNmwVULDsn9TM/s640/garden+046.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-59202518038524356792010-01-10T18:44:00.000-08:002010-01-17T20:34:45.979-08:00Vanilla With Red Sprinkles!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So you know that Hubs painted for me...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a nice, lovely shade of...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">vanilla!<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But here is the thing-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been doing some <em>decorative soul searching</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I checked books out of the library</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I poured through magazines</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stalked your blogs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It finally dawned on me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I LOVE color.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am easily seduced by it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HOWEVER-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and this is a big one---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I get bored easily.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like to change things...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OFTEN</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, when I'm seduced by a color and paint it on a wall...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I get stuck.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will love it </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...for awhile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">then, when I get bored and want to change things around...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It won't flow with my wall color.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was so proud of myself for coming to this conclusion </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">until</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my mom spelled it out for me...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I was getting ready to tell <em>HER</em>...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>SHE</em> told me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Amy, you should paint your walls a light neutral. You have all your pretty things that you like to put out and change all the time."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Um....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course Mother knows best...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gosh Mom... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why didn't you tell me this before?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(how about 4 wall colors ago)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wonder when she's going to tell me what I should be when I grow up?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, the last time I painted,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I went with a light blue...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">loved the whole blue/brown look...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, I'm feeling RED</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perhaps in honor of Valentines Day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give me a month, and I'll be bored again...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But for now- </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going with this---</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ4Iwff_894JPj3DmQg0paPUG6CQ-PaX2s0bnMvYoMoSuDXUlu_DT8AeEhkq0HA0rrHAM5df1AC96NZlfzFypzfyu-bMYGouyEaaRNQ3H9iF3ZzjTAAUetOVkq74LaO2LuZj66X37XlQ/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQ4Iwff_894JPj3DmQg0paPUG6CQ-PaX2s0bnMvYoMoSuDXUlu_DT8AeEhkq0HA0rrHAM5df1AC96NZlfzFypzfyu-bMYGouyEaaRNQ3H9iF3ZzjTAAUetOVkq74LaO2LuZj66X37XlQ/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+340.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do you see Hub's Vintage golf clubs?<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Homemade apothecary jar with buttons.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3R1wAIukiiisgaPWtav2wFoA_spUS9zpCXAgbqyduRbrJ3YTxJeQhHmlmwRWlfzsAHiDe177ZB0k5lrblhZ-2k3wjfoVTBgXbz7RXp3pkjwMfEE1VDKq3AKc1w0PMkQmJRyJj8oxme8/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3R1wAIukiiisgaPWtav2wFoA_spUS9zpCXAgbqyduRbrJ3YTxJeQhHmlmwRWlfzsAHiDe177ZB0k5lrblhZ-2k3wjfoVTBgXbz7RXp3pkjwMfEE1VDKq3AKc1w0PMkQmJRyJj8oxme8/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+322.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The whole vignette.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Forgive the magnetic letters. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monkey is learning how to spell and when he discovered<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this metal box was magnetic, he took it over!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk9HU4kGVC91bCRMXPAAxHt3YHJynshjYwm1v1jrOvI-Ep2XllIxm8zCIxz1hcadL3pVwzCPiWXdue8ZgDKrWgMW4L-mPjOm23IddYNjiD1BGI3_rIjdShRyCi8G6UyT6zlG4guyk958/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk9HU4kGVC91bCRMXPAAxHt3YHJynshjYwm1v1jrOvI-Ep2XllIxm8zCIxz1hcadL3pVwzCPiWXdue8ZgDKrWgMW4L-mPjOm23IddYNjiD1BGI3_rIjdShRyCi8G6UyT6zlG4guyk958/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+355.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh look, I made something!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVRJLnfmmhp6BRfU5E6AXqmQOZklaqXM8ja-kEfOIXlNVfme8G8AkOFqZZT_UwXxV7ayTAk3aYMQBpdOQOk1TKzHYQO1282Hna7QM6irfMibS_IUpsjKtL-hNo5OEBrMhA669qNsJHeE/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVRJLnfmmhp6BRfU5E6AXqmQOZklaqXM8ja-kEfOIXlNVfme8G8AkOFqZZT_UwXxV7ayTAk3aYMQBpdOQOk1TKzHYQO1282Hna7QM6irfMibS_IUpsjKtL-hNo5OEBrMhA669qNsJHeE/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+277.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The blue was lovely for the first two months...<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESswvMgZb2MRAhxGZk468cXohXG1AIU-PuK8sXjHdNp573WASiIruP8RkfT1XMOppE9lYSfFeF3a30scKxAxUz8_2Rnk-oXNvdElycCahwz74-amBjWi918wx9JRDmnTuMu1oQeuzo8c/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESswvMgZb2MRAhxGZk468cXohXG1AIU-PuK8sXjHdNp573WASiIruP8RkfT1XMOppE9lYSfFeF3a30scKxAxUz8_2Rnk-oXNvdElycCahwz74-amBjWi918wx9JRDmnTuMu1oQeuzo8c/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+309.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Same spot- I brought out my crusty window. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I forgot how much I love this window!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__LBaGmlmZWVAxSj6VXcNTNYfXbDbguPzDA93vC7RYmeLIOk4JLHgyD5CNne6Wr4946kvDmnIr8_QJG93NlB9qvbA6tMOdlE1nKJP3bE_A7rZ8XRUVIX0WrUmDjvMc5MaJKVzwfItNTM/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__LBaGmlmZWVAxSj6VXcNTNYfXbDbguPzDA93vC7RYmeLIOk4JLHgyD5CNne6Wr4946kvDmnIr8_QJG93NlB9qvbA6tMOdlE1nKJP3bE_A7rZ8XRUVIX0WrUmDjvMc5MaJKVzwfItNTM/s640/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+337.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div align="center">My little red and white chippy chair from when I was younger.<br />
</div><div align="center">And the picture hanging is Monkey<br />
</div><div align="center"> when he was about 5 weeks old. <br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So... there it is.</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My new, vanilla walls with red sprinkles.</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This girl couldn't be happier!</span><br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm linking up to Funky Junk Donna's </span><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/01/sns-12-brings-all-chance-to-win-no-diy.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday Nite Special</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> over at Funky Junk Interiors!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And to Susan at <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/01/welcome-to-52nd-metamorphosis-monday.html">Between Naps on The Porch</a> for <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2010/01/welcome-to-52nd-metamorphosis-monday.html">Met Monday</a>!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Also, to Cindy at Cottage Instincts for <a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2010/01/make-it-for-monday-6.html">Make It Monday</a>!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And to Barb at Grits and Glamour for her first <a href="http://gritsglamour.blogspot.com/2010/01/premier-tabletop-tuesday-welcome.html">Tabletop Tuesday</a>!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Also to Kimba at A Soft Place To Land for <a href="http://asoftplace.net/2010/01/diy-day-with-youcanmakethis-com/">DIY Day</a>!</span><br />
<br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Amy</span><br />
</div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-24482833907794714062010-01-06T19:43:00.000-08:002010-01-06T19:47:01.879-08:00She Must Be Stopped<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, she <em>is</em> a beauty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mother Nature, that is...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6VWKkr1fRhyeMUBuzvc0GY-rASYa724FTwE4ztG440DgtuSMqm1u7am9p6MqSS3SCLGL5RbP44WhWNDE7CE65RyIG8xphK_-JMAkdDlgjAf3NEdTSoueAchCpQWlRXS7YPlmxcAI-k0/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6VWKkr1fRhyeMUBuzvc0GY-rASYa724FTwE4ztG440DgtuSMqm1u7am9p6MqSS3SCLGL5RbP44WhWNDE7CE65RyIG8xphK_-JMAkdDlgjAf3NEdTSoueAchCpQWlRXS7YPlmxcAI-k0/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+296.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Taken in my backyard tonight)</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, she sure is wicked.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Somebody (probably a man) has really ticked her off.</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sure hope he apologizes soon...</span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Amy</span><br />
</div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-91342083174433717802010-01-05T08:15:00.000-08:002010-01-05T08:19:41.217-08:00We Interrupt This Blog<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am a football fan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HUGE football fan.</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I even understand the game.</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could give a tutorial on football...</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Important things all women should know about football.</strong></span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't worry, I won't.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, but wait-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You should know this...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>The cute guy on the team is usually the quarterback</em>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, really.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's like a pre-requisite or something.</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Must. Be. Cute. To. Be. The. Quarterback.</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elway, Marino, Brady, Farve, Montana</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Told you so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, love football.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And REALLY love Iowa Hawkeye Football.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So tonight my dear bloggy friends I will be away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Hawkeyes are playing in the Orange Bowl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can I get a, "Go Hawkeyes"???</span><br />
<br />
<div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwnRFUmfBa6LGu5eoezJBdna5wUYq_9HTja1yg4eOy7tpBH9gSP_sqIVEKb28j4WBwovHFudHZ9SbB54RrjlYZHsXpHkr4U8UxyMEnOTzx38OHjP3Cc6Aomzwj2pOjmYeqwA-orcnkY4/s1600-h/summer+-+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwnRFUmfBa6LGu5eoezJBdna5wUYq_9HTja1yg4eOy7tpBH9gSP_sqIVEKb28j4WBwovHFudHZ9SbB54RrjlYZHsXpHkr4U8UxyMEnOTzx38OHjP3Cc6Aomzwj2pOjmYeqwA-orcnkY4/s320/summer+-+006.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monkey in Aug. '09<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Patiently waiting for football season!<br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really, don't be sad that I'm gone tonight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You wouldn't want to be around me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I yell.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I kick.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been known to throw stuff. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our poor doggies hide when we watch the games at home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They run upstairs and hide in the closets.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think Monkey's first words might have had something to do with the Hawkeyes...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I won't repeat them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They aren't nice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And would definitely get us a phone call from his teacher if he ever said them at Preschool!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's not his fault.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwj7ai-6RFFTEg1J6G45jfdaYbQfFYJ1FxUEBPsRqxbQT_21zdQtijjolyLSUJ0J5JoNGfBlhmadc92uNwf7dfpsfC41NkXjGdmdfhEkSbW5Q4xzqtAzaU54pRKsjcl7ww-gA7HeXJ5Q/s1600-h/IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwj7ai-6RFFTEg1J6G45jfdaYbQfFYJ1FxUEBPsRqxbQT_21zdQtijjolyLSUJ0J5JoNGfBlhmadc92uNwf7dfpsfC41NkXjGdmdfhEkSbW5Q4xzqtAzaU54pRKsjcl7ww-gA7HeXJ5Q/s320/IMG.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Monkey 8 Months Old<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So you see, you don't want me around tonight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unless, you are an Iowa Hawkeye fan...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In that case---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See you tomorrow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wish my Iowa Hawkeyes luck.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unless you are a Georgia Tech fan...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in that case, YOU are the enemy today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Amy</span>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-7716658793513105792010-01-04T20:41:00.000-08:002010-01-04T22:10:13.853-08:00Hubby's Gift<div align="center"><a href="http://thelemoncottage.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-gave-hubby-gift.html"target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">It</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> worked!</span><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJ0r-s4TxBp76CQRr-zxupC8I2YORRNk6jyBgl857-nzRurYrSS5T0Pb0uNvHVM5Hbz7MHGTIYPHt5-ObYp4q0wiL_w8Rc5XAiDdI-YdlP4w0ndtG6V_57prDtYLNin-D8xa1bJCArO8/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIJ0r-s4TxBp76CQRr-zxupC8I2YORRNk6jyBgl857-nzRurYrSS5T0Pb0uNvHVM5Hbz7MHGTIYPHt5-ObYp4q0wiL_w8Rc5XAiDdI-YdlP4w0ndtG6V_57prDtYLNin-D8xa1bJCArO8/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+295.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Pictures soon!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">~Amy</span><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-3347851915359368532010-01-03T10:49:00.000-08:002010-01-03T10:49:42.022-08:00I Gave Hubby A Gift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I gave my hunky, hubbalish a present.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hope he likes it!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpW3G1nYcXrzpSZNh2srViRmfDacbeEAe3zZZtIO9J2rjqyICZmIEyEvmT8UG4d6PEitraJFcxCx8RdG4Zedm-1QzbmGX7BRosTc5v6N-dfEIlttMvVE_BDgY3OvMoD74GTlMkde2qNh4/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpW3G1nYcXrzpSZNh2srViRmfDacbeEAe3zZZtIO9J2rjqyICZmIEyEvmT8UG4d6PEitraJFcxCx8RdG4Zedm-1QzbmGX7BRosTc5v6N-dfEIlttMvVE_BDgY3OvMoD74GTlMkde2qNh4/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+282.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Amy<br />
</span><br />
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</div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-53271455746650600082010-01-01T23:17:00.000-08:002010-01-17T20:36:26.577-08:00This Window Makes Me Crazy<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have a window in our house.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It makes me crazy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stopped looking at it years ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you do that? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walk past things in your house so many times, that you stop seeing them?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going to stop doing that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Because---</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I noticed the window the other day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The one that makes me crazy.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXyRMah0xQR0WTYbFvoxRybRjO-2GiRSxSLSAp25eLECiipITr6tUr2TkKjzYaxCIuwCR3-fOVNq6R-KMvhYeWo4GwDuSilo1ge8jIedet3-johDk21k0glTgIG-L-6pnh2dqyIPX2l4/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXyRMah0xQR0WTYbFvoxRybRjO-2GiRSxSLSAp25eLECiipITr6tUr2TkKjzYaxCIuwCR3-fOVNq6R-KMvhYeWo4GwDuSilo1ge8jIedet3-johDk21k0glTgIG-L-6pnh2dqyIPX2l4/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+170.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm disgusted too.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Those are the same curtains and blinds that were there 9 years ago when we bought the house.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See the odd location of this window?</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That is the door that leads to the upstairs.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and the door is usually open.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have the Hubby and Monkey under STRICT orders to leave the door shut.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the dogs.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, they can open the door.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They think they own the <strike>upstairs</strike> whole house.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the other side of the window is a wall that makes this an odd little corner.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It isn't a room, it's not associated with a room, its just <em>there.</em></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, when I stopped to look at the window---</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I ripped the curtains down.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They were filthy.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Which made me think...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">when was the last time I washed these?</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then I thought...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">if I washed these, did I really hang them back up?</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hmm... </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a post by </span><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2009/11/funky-creation-alert-10-minute-dreamy.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Donna</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> at </span><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2009/11/funky-creation-alert-10-minute-dreamy.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Funky Junk Interiors</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(whom I currently have a blog crush on)</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Her ten minute hanger curtain post...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you see it?</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go </span><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2009/11/funky-creation-alert-10-minute-dreamy.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to see it.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She takes a Hotel hanger and drapes a white sheet over it and hangs it in her window...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its simple, elegant.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perfect.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a white sheet.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a Hotel hanger.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mine did not turn out simple and elegant.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stupid window.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It didn't work because---</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. The stupid window is too wide</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. The hanger and the trim around the stupid window are the same color</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fine.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I collect scarves.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Told you I was an accessory junkie.</span><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't want to give up on this hanger/stupid window idea</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I went to my scarves, where they are <strike>neatly folded</strike> smashed into a couple of drawers.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And went back to the window.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I came up with this.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj0xcTohZai_HO1pQBM5e15f5bO33p270CxMR9Nphl2oIcBVRhw5TLfGZaI46AsVqVu8HWrmAV_D8Osr_XZp91h-ihUCL4AysWPiEBc3jNd96VfCUNCm7kMFI8DBTrRRiKZ_-Ozv03x0/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWj0xcTohZai_HO1pQBM5e15f5bO33p270CxMR9Nphl2oIcBVRhw5TLfGZaI46AsVqVu8HWrmAV_D8Osr_XZp91h-ihUCL4AysWPiEBc3jNd96VfCUNCm7kMFI8DBTrRRiKZ_-Ozv03x0/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+247.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this version with a different scarf...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJj7yexzO11zD3v9eVdMp_uaLrIWsGvLSExeBGGUqQ6NiyDbRjOZhZIasQ7FSN7XqnPDltAs0vR6Cye6z99jacUAs5jRE_Uw-CwdcpzErHO-2BpuBsYDiueG91TOvKlacua6KPuVcuhMw/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJj7yexzO11zD3v9eVdMp_uaLrIWsGvLSExeBGGUqQ6NiyDbRjOZhZIasQ7FSN7XqnPDltAs0vR6Cye6z99jacUAs5jRE_Uw-CwdcpzErHO-2BpuBsYDiueG91TOvKlacua6KPuVcuhMw/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+250.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I started playing around with different scarves.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...This is a vintage Vera scarf.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKogPNZ4uK3u0Z5wO4xkSUxMFvScJd4x-pBWl9SCeYGFbW1pK3-hl2uUHXZMXbL5MiPE12glb7IBuM5gRQSBU95eV7n2kogNiVkyqkUWY5oHksaeeaI7dX2IyiLrMTWy-GQ-Yu5UDxeaE/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKogPNZ4uK3u0Z5wO4xkSUxMFvScJd4x-pBWl9SCeYGFbW1pK3-hl2uUHXZMXbL5MiPE12glb7IBuM5gRQSBU95eV7n2kogNiVkyqkUWY5oHksaeeaI7dX2IyiLrMTWy-GQ-Yu5UDxeaE/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+261.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love it.</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's Mod. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would never decorate my house in this style.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I appreciate it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But a whole room would be just too much for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like it here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Small dose.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A touch of Mod in a Modless house?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I put on my fancy pants and went to my jewelry box.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and somewhere in that transition, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I lost the abillity to take a picture that wasn't blurry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(my apologies)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYX9eLDPBW0FxezuAQyR_DoW5UhB4COWFCm020meTVAW9UG154tQf5Qt9BBT1wfU2sonTJPJ8qGp50iqJTzgFMuuaSIiE3UHnmPmvt0ktY8kyGZhNAL3B1IB7HSqKTgUYxFLhzXSsvN4g/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYX9eLDPBW0FxezuAQyR_DoW5UhB4COWFCm020meTVAW9UG154tQf5Qt9BBT1wfU2sonTJPJ8qGp50iqJTzgFMuuaSIiE3UHnmPmvt0ktY8kyGZhNAL3B1IB7HSqKTgUYxFLhzXSsvN4g/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+262.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Update from this afternoon!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">I took a few more pictures:</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUd3q4C65rIirS6HFfs-qAwDvCXS_2NyRLIPqgf20yr0PeOiY6a3mNBUo62bJuOPgTer4OS-tfuYA1GDoLJMNgrTdZcDNc0p520L4hNXToLIgqfn7rpoEpOlnKyjqqzN2OIN8QEKvgwI/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUd3q4C65rIirS6HFfs-qAwDvCXS_2NyRLIPqgf20yr0PeOiY6a3mNBUo62bJuOPgTer4OS-tfuYA1GDoLJMNgrTdZcDNc0p520L4hNXToLIgqfn7rpoEpOlnKyjqqzN2OIN8QEKvgwI/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+273.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDOifpeqrTuO2o561mqWeE_lMQdoTuDuyXo0fSglVIbfXKm41Ifr2NBa1RY9u0UDVBP4s46CiUbfF8ssiCjbolS2sGuAuCWoSzZoYOwmQ1VFJOrwf4TT-4AdUYcnhTkyBxbco3-lYvv4/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDOifpeqrTuO2o561mqWeE_lMQdoTuDuyXo0fSglVIbfXKm41Ifr2NBa1RY9u0UDVBP4s46CiUbfF8ssiCjbolS2sGuAuCWoSzZoYOwmQ1VFJOrwf4TT-4AdUYcnhTkyBxbco3-lYvv4/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+274.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am thinking the possibilities are endless with this <strike>stupid</strike> cute little window.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks </span><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2009/11/funky-creation-alert-10-minute-dreamy.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Donna</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for the inspiration.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Speaking of Donna... I'm linking up with her for her fabulous <a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/01/sns-11-brings-you-diy-christmas-stories.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FKCcu+%28Funky+Junk+Interiors%29">Saturday Night Special</a> Go see what everyone else is doing!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Also linking to <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/01/welcome-to-51st-metamorphosis-monday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29">Susan at Between Naps on The Porch for Met Monday</a></span><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And to <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/01/before-and-after-party.html?"target="_blank">Thrifty Decor Chick</a> for her Before and After party!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Amy</span><br />
</div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-56749275193584264842009-12-31T19:07:00.000-08:002009-12-31T19:07:26.203-08:00Education in Decorating<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday while <strike>studying my tax books</strike> browsing Blogland... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I came across this amazing post by </span><a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2009/12/ruminate-with-me-exercise-in-interior.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cindy</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> at </span><a href="http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2009/12/ruminate-with-me-exercise-in-interior.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cottage Instincts</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you see it? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a fabulous post about finding your style... why you are drawn to certain things, etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She showed how she went through decorating books and made her fabulous notes...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway- I was so inspired by her post that when I woke up this morning...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I <strike>ran right out</strike> piddled around for awhile and when it finally warmed up...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gJ5SEaTjX2umyX2MXsz1VDBJfvuelgoSzYu2LzJjUiyYVt_CWuKrvjdCglAeSUN_xpRpyfith5B2zJ5fEXbHxl8kr6sCpY5iU_vp8OSEPwbIkqqHUBHFdGY88BmSsf9WuJH_l1aL8WQ/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gJ5SEaTjX2umyX2MXsz1VDBJfvuelgoSzYu2LzJjUiyYVt_CWuKrvjdCglAeSUN_xpRpyfith5B2zJ5fEXbHxl8kr6sCpY5iU_vp8OSEPwbIkqqHUBHFdGY88BmSsf9WuJH_l1aL8WQ/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+226.jpg" /></a><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I headed out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Off to the library I went.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In search of all the decorating books I could carry... (or find in our little library)</span><br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8hjj3BW8hpvHQzltcF9_gNhbUWsDavSD3iS_KE8D7wXQFgWoDR0YXCn3xVJ7yfhmqAyZ91C4zXAy_jFbFKOtdPIMzOGy2U_zuDJ5OpVxBDsaYdP6ICmaraFIvgIAdDuqpvJP05UZSZk/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8hjj3BW8hpvHQzltcF9_gNhbUWsDavSD3iS_KE8D7wXQFgWoDR0YXCn3xVJ7yfhmqAyZ91C4zXAy_jFbFKOtdPIMzOGy2U_zuDJ5OpVxBDsaYdP6ICmaraFIvgIAdDuqpvJP05UZSZk/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+227.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't she pretty?</span><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, I found some decorating books... </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">and my warm blanket...</span><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMRiH3nwzV6L7FkKRRcYSp6IMWJzs2oCFAqHPvU0Ps3iOHicVNibMF-9wUHWk_wb1J6vKRfdcibtZDTVsFh1n_l5_0CGcLZkKeCQd1OubdbpnK3H-CRizLQ1Uh5_P3a1N64iB6ogqUHQ/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMRiH3nwzV6L7FkKRRcYSp6IMWJzs2oCFAqHPvU0Ps3iOHicVNibMF-9wUHWk_wb1J6vKRfdcibtZDTVsFh1n_l5_0CGcLZkKeCQd1OubdbpnK3H-CRizLQ1Uh5_P3a1N64iB6ogqUHQ/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+232.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And because of this fabulous post by </span><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/KCcu/~3/nNfkEYz9cxU/wanna-critique-blogsphere-here-you-go.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Donna</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> at </span><a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/KCcu/~3/nNfkEYz9cxU/wanna-critique-blogsphere-here-you-go.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Funky Junk Interiors</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got these too...</span><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWt9Qxi0_JkY7vOj3P6VBMtSrQ8pMkGyCTode59DBq9XQkHXLWYWDL090wj_B_JzoALR5J-TELnYD3bJH5Ntpr35h142MCfH-ZOIRk4xT76B4abFWeTe4-MZwh0H5NodiBrY-PiXoIWo/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSWt9Qxi0_JkY7vOj3P6VBMtSrQ8pMkGyCTode59DBq9XQkHXLWYWDL090wj_B_JzoALR5J-TELnYD3bJH5Ntpr35h142MCfH-ZOIRk4xT76B4abFWeTe4-MZwh0H5NodiBrY-PiXoIWo/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+239.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oops... how did that little bottle get in there?</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...probably to help me get through these <strike>wonderful</strike> easy to read,helpful books.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Seriously, if you missed her post about blogging... go read it! I learned a LOT</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">...and made some new friends in the process!</span><br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lJoPb-hP_j14bhlEq71ruFJx-SuwTDR5Fx4YIrvxJllrcd4KboKwUzhj0sLksmI0ReIeFcK-MOPPGWdglZAxu7gJLqedGdZBU5E7bIBYnv-b5YtuU1M3rROefWaDup57ggMUm6O4NH4/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lJoPb-hP_j14bhlEq71ruFJx-SuwTDR5Fx4YIrvxJllrcd4KboKwUzhj0sLksmI0ReIeFcK-MOPPGWdglZAxu7gJLqedGdZBU5E7bIBYnv-b5YtuU1M3rROefWaDup57ggMUm6O4NH4/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+235.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't judge.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I haven't read it yet... </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and I LOVE 90210 </span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And... apperantly, she dishes on some of the cast.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, yes... blanket, book and glass of wine for me tonight!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Okay...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Go check out those two blogs I mentioned.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">...a New Year's Resolution...</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I need to STOP putting salt on my French Fries from Wendy's....</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Why do I do that?</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">They put those little salt packets in the bag.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">...then I just can't help myself.</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">UGH!</span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">~Amy</span><br />
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</div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-10438746042267490882009-12-29T10:17:00.001-08:002009-12-31T19:37:55.555-08:00Sock it to me...<div align="left">I'm an accessory girl.<br />
</div><div align="left">...which means, I'm a sock junkie.<br />
</div><div align="left">I love them, all of them... <br />
</div><div align="left">okay, most of them.<br />
</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">and...<br />
</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Because I said...<br />
</div><div align="left"><em>"This is ridiculous. Out of all the new socks I got last year, I only have one pair that is still mated. What happened?".</em><br />
</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Santa Baby brought me 14 pairs of socks.<br />
</div><div align="left">Love that Santa Baby!<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KjHRAby1LWDK39W3mvVBTUjXrG19i5susWem0KfU7voTm2rfQeuZPiTPlEKTkwaZLIT_NnSHi7GJGT5qcAs6o8kxyQUHdHSxJfvY6z5fn0vTwR7SsuN50krttdQQygmlX8kAz75J-bU/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+172.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420725739725929762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KjHRAby1LWDK39W3mvVBTUjXrG19i5susWem0KfU7voTm2rfQeuZPiTPlEKTkwaZLIT_NnSHi7GJGT5qcAs6o8kxyQUHdHSxJfvY6z5fn0vTwR7SsuN50krttdQQygmlX8kAz75J-bU/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+172.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 231px;" /></a> <br />
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">I am going to see to it, that in a year from now, all 14 pairs are still together. <br />
</div><div align="left">Oh sure, nothing wrong with wearing socks that don't match...<br />
</div><div align="left">...if you are wearing tall boots.<br />
</div><div align="left">But I'm the girl that would do that and then find myself in a situation in which tall boots would have to be removed.<br />
</div><div align="left">There I would be...<br />
</div><div align="left">...standing there with my red and purple argyle sock on the left foot and a pink and yellow polka dot sock on the right foot.<br />
</div><div align="left"><em>Exposed</em>.<br />
</div><div align="left">Yep, that is the kind of luck I have.<br />
</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><em>So I'm on a mission.</em><br />
</div><div align="left">I know what you are all thinking to yourselves...<br />
</div><div align="left">...we all have the same problem.<br />
</div><div align="left">We all have that bag full of socks with no mates.<br />
</div><div align="left">It's a part of life.<br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGylfaPdruDZ209n_Yh9wa1N3fUNB1IIE6ng0a9LMERU5qwDAflKDaiyoLMqTRWmzPIBIiOUX3T0xRx1ANXcjwVhW1JfLv2xtJKYOqMy7WbDGX-T8_0G-dlWg0Xh3ckVwSRHKQjeNz6c0/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+173.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420725737798424322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGylfaPdruDZ209n_Yh9wa1N3fUNB1IIE6ng0a9LMERU5qwDAflKDaiyoLMqTRWmzPIBIiOUX3T0xRx1ANXcjwVhW1JfLv2xtJKYOqMy7WbDGX-T8_0G-dlWg0Xh3ckVwSRHKQjeNz6c0/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+173.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 318px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> Forget it...<br />
</div><div align="left">Those days are over.<br />
</div><div align="left">I have photographed, cataloged, indexed... and put secret transmitters in every sock.<br />
</div><div align="left">Okay, that's a lie.<br />
</div><div align="left">The transmitter part, that is.<br />
</div><div align="left">I couldn't figure out how to do that.<br />
</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I was all set to post this...<br />
</div><div align="left">and wouldn't you know... <br />
</div><div align="left">...a sock has already gone missing.<br />
</div><div align="left">It's true.<br />
</div><div align="left">I wore my new pink fuzzy socks to bed last night.<br />
</div><div align="left">...no, I don't normally wear socks to bed.<br />
</div><div align="left">But is was 5 degrees below zero last night.<br />
</div><div align="left">Do you know how cold that is?<br />
</div><div align="left">It's cold enough to make you want to wear pink fuzzy socks to bed.<br />
</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I woke up this morning...<br />
</div><div align="left">...awww--- nice and warm toes....<br />
</div><div align="left">...wait.<br />
</div><div align="left">Why is my right foot freezing?<br />
</div><div align="left">NO Sock.<br />
</div><div align="left">Okay, fine.<br />
</div><div align="left">It's just lost in the blankets...<br />
</div><div align="left">...I searched, I ripped the bed apart.<br />
</div><div align="left">I looked under the bed, under the pillows... IN the pillowcases.<br />
</div><div align="left">Are you kidding me?<br />
</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">It's gone.<br />
</div><div align="left">I have no other choice but to acknowledge that there is a <em>Sock Snatching Fairy</em> out there.<br />
</div><div align="left">It's true.<br />
</div><div align="left">All these years, we've been blaming the washer and dryer.<br />
</div><div align="left">Unfairly.<br />
</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">So... a word to that Sock Snatching Fairy....<br />
</div><div align="left"><em>I'm on to you</em>.<br />
</div><div align="left">This is war.<br />
</div><div align="left"><br />
<br />
</div><div align="left"></div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-10245148279276046902009-12-27T19:04:00.000-08:002009-12-28T21:00:53.439-08:00My little Monkey lost his mittens...Has everyone recovered from the Holidays?<br />I am ... happy??? to report that Monkey's Transformer count is at 6... I'll let you know the final tally at the end of the week, after all of his birthday extavaganzas.<br />In that quest for knowledge, I have taken it upon myself to learn all about the whole Transformer 'deal'... the good guys, the bad guys, etc. I won't bore you with it, but at least I can say that I've expanded my brain... (with useful information, when dealing with a little Monkey)<br /><br />So... I'm the bad Mom.<br />Yep, it's true.<br />Have you seen the kids sitting on the bench during recess...not allowed to play because they don't have on all their snow gear?<br />Poor little Monkey had to sit on the bench one day because we forgot his mittens.<br />I know.<br />I felt terrible.<br />At least he had company... apperantly, I'm not the only bad Mom out there. (Thank goodness)<br />It's just that... well, in the rush of getting off to Preschool...sometimes things are forgotten.<br />And can I just say... what is with all the lost hats and mittens at school???<br />Where are they running off too?<br />I even had another Mom tell me that her son's coat went missing at school.<br />Um... how?<br />Anyway- I made a little ... thing... to help out.<br />I took a scrap of ribbon left over from Christmas.<br />Hot glued some clothes pins to it.<br />Tacked it up over his little shelf that holds his snowpants, coat and backpack.<br />This is temporary, but I think I'll make it a little more permanent for next year.<br />Paint the clothes pins, and put them on a piece of wood. Make it a little more... substantial.<br />But for now, this will get us through until the glorious days of Spring arrive.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aZtL2Beu-u47JP6i2TsZgO28P0HlLbhJtYJpXH-0OZKZVQcG3iKkFP1erXgSIdm_kBnudzaJMXoT09dIq_VoS_QvqNZkB4dx6_VyYApzYoBtpT8kNVZN-s3YWwtVllNYkCmuZHMrlV4/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+166.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420118236451739010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0aZtL2Beu-u47JP6i2TsZgO28P0HlLbhJtYJpXH-0OZKZVQcG3iKkFP1erXgSIdm_kBnudzaJMXoT09dIq_VoS_QvqNZkB4dx6_VyYApzYoBtpT8kNVZN-s3YWwtVllNYkCmuZHMrlV4/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+166.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There is supposed to be another pair of mittens hanging there... but they are... um... in transition. Yes, that is where they are.<br />Ahem... okay, fine. They are currently ... missing.<br /><br /><br />The little black shelf is a garage sale find. I painted it this fall (right before school started)<br />It is hung at his level... as he is responsible for hanging up his coat, backpack, and snow pants.<br />The little shelf normally holds his show and tell bag.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Can you believe that I had green and red tacks?<br />I know... how random.<br />(See... this is why I don't ever get rid of anything)<br />...which makes Hubby crazy, by the way.<br />Giggle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-NBOSILNyz20Qj-19TdF2Oz16AZ43pQWS3x_tpSQkZomX0HUaTmiMAM3801xAQTL5Qsb11AlqZv4yAjLapyu8lpNwXjfyLurlkMOUnMCddVgu_15d__LlFpOfxRTYj6-XgbDebR0R7k/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+164.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 152px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420118237032751282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-NBOSILNyz20Qj-19TdF2Oz16AZ43pQWS3x_tpSQkZomX0HUaTmiMAM3801xAQTL5Qsb11AlqZv4yAjLapyu8lpNwXjfyLurlkMOUnMCddVgu_15d__LlFpOfxRTYj6-XgbDebR0R7k/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+164.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I am linking up to <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/12/welcome-to-50th-metamorphosis-monday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29">Susan's Met Monday</a> and <a href="http://asoftplace.net/2009/12/diy-day-9/">Kimba at A Soft Place to Land<br /></a><br />Hopefully, there will be no more "Monkey sitting on the bench".<br /><em></em><em></em>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-71352473238691531732009-12-24T18:30:00.001-08:002009-12-24T18:43:02.339-08:00Merry Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWkMGOU9j9yf4APF9VwIAMnyXePUDJKY9DbWMraB5teSJ5sk82C6VXOoe76PtzHS0QDR7H9JgItPW5y6RuVN3A6Mt8yrejATVFnVq_EiBEpbk2ies2DNZcaZXQASMJEtBlsQ8a1VA5uI/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+101.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWkMGOU9j9yf4APF9VwIAMnyXePUDJKY9DbWMraB5teSJ5sk82C6VXOoe76PtzHS0QDR7H9JgItPW5y6RuVN3A6Mt8yrejATVFnVq_EiBEpbk2ies2DNZcaZXQASMJEtBlsQ8a1VA5uI/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+101.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418998047444059378" /></a><br /><br />Merry Christmas!<br />Monkey is snuggled in bed.<br />Sleeping? <br />Not yet.<br />Too excited for what tomorrow holds.<br />We've checked the Santa tracker...<br />...won't be long!<br /><br />Wishing you and your families a blessed Christmas.<br /> ~Amy<br /><br /><br /><br />FZXDY3TCA67EAmy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-18129659353523248042009-12-23T12:21:00.000-08:002009-12-23T13:04:38.453-08:00I love it...what is it?We have officially entered, "Christmas Break". <br />Monkey had his last day of Preschool for the year... and when I picked him up, I was handed a package from his teacher. <br />I knew immediately what it was. <br />Yep, I was right. <br />Inside contained one of those little ... <em>Christmas creations</em> that we all made as children. It doesn't matter the project, we just know its one of those... things that our kids make that we will treasure forever.<br />This is our first Christmas creation. <br />It hit me.... no matter how many times I change my Holiday decorations, this one thing will always be set out. <br />You all know what I'm talking about... you walk into a house and see how gorgeous their home is decorated... then you look closer...and you see these odd little, mangled .... well, you're not sure what it is... but, its... something. We then assume one of their kids made it.<br />Yep, I finally have my very own. <br />It happens to be a pinecone stuck into some sort of hard substance... painted.. and then some gold ribbon glued to it.<br />Lovely.<br />And then.... I pull out this item...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngOT4XfUvKM76iQOZrpGRsuATCRPSOfTgjTzlHsvD9XmNP_BG1Akz3f6Cnhar5L4hwwmpmWChUiTh_Te9QiUR1EAzYf5v7KJZCKTvHsPsK59LFqIJNaV-_8-g0nmW6QIJtJEnuWJpp5s/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+128.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418529943518235362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngOT4XfUvKM76iQOZrpGRsuATCRPSOfTgjTzlHsvD9XmNP_BG1Akz3f6Cnhar5L4hwwmpmWChUiTh_Te9QiUR1EAzYf5v7KJZCKTvHsPsK59LFqIJNaV-_8-g0nmW6QIJtJEnuWJpp5s/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+128.jpg" /></a> A cookbook!<br />Hooray for Teacher... how did she know that I collect cookbooks?<br />This cute little book is now my very favorite, to be treasured always, cookbook.<br />It is full of recipes from 3 year olds!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3sH6vOs5wePCQgmzDvb3aM3aybKJXurR5qbY71P-NHu1Tgx4kZ4SHs_fnvIQGysDeaN-rM67LH9xi-q5jfKi7lQTVUZpcJJ9yY2j_BEbk60jV7ieDe-N7o8yrokvlo_DszxapCffVAY/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+131.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418529943030579522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3sH6vOs5wePCQgmzDvb3aM3aybKJXurR5qbY71P-NHu1Tgx4kZ4SHs_fnvIQGysDeaN-rM67LH9xi-q5jfKi7lQTVUZpcJJ9yY2j_BEbk60jV7ieDe-N7o8yrokvlo_DszxapCffVAY/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+131.jpg" /></a> I'm swooning.... and giggling. </div><div>Can you read that recipe?</div><div> </div><div> </div><div align="center"><strong>Mac & Cheese</strong></div><div align="center">You'll Need:</div><div align="center">3 or something eggs</div><div align="center">Directions:</div><div align="center">We burn it and stuff. It gets hot and stuff.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">~Jacob (age 3)</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><em>Here's another one...</em></div><div> </div><div align="center"><strong>Hamburgers With Dad</strong></div><div align="center">You'll Need:</div><div align="center">this many ketchup</div><div align="center">this much mustard</div><div align="center">hamburger</div><div align="center">buns</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Directions:</div><div align="center">Grab the buns. Grab the hamburger. Grab the mustard and ketchup. Grab the buns and put it on top of them.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">~Boston (age 4)</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><em>To help with your Holiday baking...</em></div><div> </div><div align="center"><strong>Chocolate Cookies</strong></div><div align="center">You'll need:</div><div align="center">sugar</div><div align="center">what my grandma has, it was tasty</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Directions:</div><div align="center">Cook 'em when they ding.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">~Will (age 3)</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><em>See ladies... I don't know why you get so stressed over your Holiday baking. It's very easy. Just get what Grandma has. It's very tasty!</em></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><em>Here is my son's contribution.</em></div><div> </div><div align="center"><strong>Pizza</strong></div><div align="center">You'll need:</div><div align="center">2 pepperoni</div><div align="center">1 sausage</div><div align="center">2 cheese</div><div align="center">3 crust</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Directions:</div><div align="center">Cook it 10 minutes. Put it out of the oven. Cook another pizza.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">~Monkey (age 3)</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><em>He got it sort of right... we always make two homemade pizzas.... one sausage and one pepperoni...</em> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Isn't this the cutest little project?</div><div>I hope the other Moms enjoyed it as much as I did.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Now get your fanny back in the kitchen!</div><div>~Amy</div><div><br /><br /> </div><div></div>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-25724383675170628652009-12-20T22:11:00.000-08:002009-12-20T22:43:29.315-08:00Where IS that table?Hubby and I did some soul searching this weekend. It sort of happened by accident...but, it happened. We are going to 'take back our house'.<br />Yep.<br />Before we had Monkey, our house was always decorated, projects were completed... there was no clutter. I LOVE... and I mean, LOVE to decorate. However, if you asked me today what style I decorate in... I would have to say--- Hotwheels, trains, dinosaurs and books.<br />Yep.<br />We let Monkey take over the house.<br />Not just a few rooms.<br />The. Whole. Entire. House.<br />Sigh.<br />Anyway- just wanted to let you know that we are going to share our truth... even when it's ugly.<br />And of course, we can't totally blame Monkey for everything... like for instance what I am about to show you.<br />It's my fault.<br />All mine.<br />I take the blame.<br />Okay- I know we can't be the only house in America where this has happened...<br />See this?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXaE-Wp65U0brgDI8DtrCuyvwDJaoG2b-qoMHGZu4pCjuqSveJ-gPBJzVVb4QEYRrCbN8Qb2FFmCBXdHUu4ojndfKkt39AvyrgW6oOgFtnFdKwkPw8oboY_XABZjr0vIZEZREwG2-buQ/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+116.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 343px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417569585376447762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXaE-Wp65U0brgDI8DtrCuyvwDJaoG2b-qoMHGZu4pCjuqSveJ-gPBJzVVb4QEYRrCbN8Qb2FFmCBXdHUu4ojndfKkt39AvyrgW6oOgFtnFdKwkPw8oboY_XABZjr0vIZEZREwG2-buQ/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+116.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Yes, its our table... oh, you don't see it?<br />Right... because it is under several loads of laundry.<br />Hey- score a point for me=== the laundry is done.<br />But, with all the running around we've been doing, the laundry has landed here.<br />I haven't seen the table for about a week.<br />It's true.<br />Oh, what's that? Yes... my missing bottle of Modge Podge. Guess that means I can finish up some of those 'projects' now!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TNkHGxHmzEOqIlm_Mz-4cq5-lvRezEGpmp06gM3mWhsE2YkY7c1dtZkshF8nat_Tbju2127VcqqZxpe5p3uGB3aI6G2BSOTVu4wpeZcVunKfMCud0Uf6yOBLq9ANUv_e2_s_8e_j5-U/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+127.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417569119995371602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TNkHGxHmzEOqIlm_Mz-4cq5-lvRezEGpmp06gM3mWhsE2YkY7c1dtZkshF8nat_Tbju2127VcqqZxpe5p3uGB3aI6G2BSOTVu4wpeZcVunKfMCud0Uf6yOBLq9ANUv_e2_s_8e_j5-U/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+127.jpg" /></a><br />There we go... much better.<br />I'll decorate the table for Christmas... oh, probably Christmas Eve!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJrrHGVlzxfSUvaToHQ6mF4V7YcivjNAmqQ38RbIWZfF4xWvit4BFiR6ghOJzD0I2lHYquVVZl4luMiFIRxVBDrUYnwTZZ_owd3tTShdFCYenQHZJajYpseKrMumkFEjT2PJhxNXnp-A/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+124.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417568766993928386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJrrHGVlzxfSUvaToHQ6mF4V7YcivjNAmqQ38RbIWZfF4xWvit4BFiR6ghOJzD0I2lHYquVVZl4luMiFIRxVBDrUYnwTZZ_owd3tTShdFCYenQHZJajYpseKrMumkFEjT2PJhxNXnp-A/s400/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+124.jpg" /></a><br />Since I found my Modge Podge... I should start cracking on the gift for my MIL<br />... if only I could find my glass of wine.<br /><br />~Amy<br /><br />I am hooking up with <a href="http://http//betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/12/welcome-to-49th-metamorphosis-monday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29"><span style="color:#ff6666;">Susan</span> </a>for <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/12/welcome-to-49th-metamorphosis-monday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29">Met Monday</a>!<a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2009/12/welcome-to-49th-metamorphosis-monday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BetweenNapsOnThePorch+%28BETWEEN+NAPS+ON+THE+PORCH%29"></a>Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-52887553393072696682009-12-16T21:30:00.000-08:002009-12-16T21:37:59.254-08:00My Scientific Experiment...I really wanted to post something about the Holidays… <br />So here is a picture of one of my little tables.<br />The big pictures are of my Mom and Dad… their Senior Pictures. The smaller is of one of my Grandmothers. I love these three pictures, and waited a long time to have them in my possession.<br />Okay, moving forward…<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1rKEmHfB8iVst9rT2tJs6kaVfQ0OaEVQIv9U4N147BTmgatx_xKDv5vmvyqeE83Lvq8hzB4hBUk7222VEULENrTwrLb0uy4Jc7eUmIK4FYX3rK6-YCEDL9KJ2HRPQWS9F9iclXhUanA/s1600-h/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+082.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1rKEmHfB8iVst9rT2tJs6kaVfQ0OaEVQIv9U4N147BTmgatx_xKDv5vmvyqeE83Lvq8hzB4hBUk7222VEULENrTwrLb0uy4Jc7eUmIK4FYX3rK6-YCEDL9KJ2HRPQWS9F9iclXhUanA/s320/Lighted+Christmas+Parade+%2709+082.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416073845080280322" /></a><br /><br /><br />What did I do today…<br />Not a whole lot. Monkey’s gymnastics class was cancelled. (Yea! We didn’t have to go out in the freezing cold this morning)!<br />Hubby took Monkey to Preschool this afternoon (and is picking him up!) That’s another, “Hooray!”.<br />I did a few things around the house. Laundry, dishwasher…. Ya know, the usual.<br />Guess what else I did?<br />I hopped in bed for two hours while Monkey was at school and I cut up a shirt. <br />No! Not to wear… I’m a little old for the trendy, ‘cut and destroy your $70 tee shirt’ look.<br />Which, by the way… What is with the $70 tee shirts? I mean, seriously!<br />Anyway, I cut up a shirt… but, I’ll tell you about that later… like when I finish the project.<br />Yes, I know… must be nice to lie in bed!<br />Yes, it was. <br />Thank you. I was in bed because it hurt to walk… why???? <br /><br />Because I thought I should start working out.<br />That Jillian from “The Biggest Loser” tried to kill me last night. <br />I made it through… only because I swore at her. That DVD went on FOREVER.<br />Like… 20 minutes … how OUTRAGEOUS!<br />The nerve.<br /><br />Anyway- to my anonymous friends out there that read this… I know you’re thinking…<br />Why is Amy working out? So not her style!<br />Clearly its not my style because nothing fits any longer.<br />For the past several years, I’ve blamed it on the shrinking effect.<br />Know what I’m talking about?<br />That … scientific thing that happens when you place your clothes in the plastic storage bins. <br />Ya know? You pack up your sweaters and put them away for the summer… then when you open up the bin a few months later, they are too small…. <br />Clearly, something is happening in those bins. Something… scientific!<br />Okay- so not really. The clothes aren’t shrinking… I’m just getting bigger.<br />Fine.<br />There it is.<br /><br />I do have a another reason for working out… my mom has lost another 8 pounds!!! And, she has once again, been able to back off some of her diabetic meds. A few months ago, she was on the brink of going on insulin shots… and now today, she has turned it around! And for the first time in years, her blood pressure is GOOD!<br />I’m so proud of my Mom! <br />Anyway- gotta run.<br />Jillian is screaming her head off.<br />Who started that darn DVD again?<br />UGH!Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-79550016260662933542009-12-12T23:25:00.000-08:002009-12-12T23:27:26.178-08:00Snow Day!I had written this a few days ago… and just realized I didn’t post it!<br /><br /><br />We are having a blizzard in Iowa. I don’t mean it’s snowing, I mean- a real, old fashioned blizzard. There is ice, snow, and serious wind. <br />And I couldn’t be happier.<br />Do I like the cold, and driving in the snow? Of course not. <br />However, there is something magical about a ‘snow day’.<br />So many of my friends are doing the same thing today… cooking hearty food, a load or two of laundry, perhaps an organizing project that hasn’t been tackled… and spending time with their children and husbands.<br />Why does that always happen with snow days? <br />I’m not a psychologist, but I have my ideas about it…<br />A snow day is a free day.<br />There are no rules. There are no schedules. No deadlines, nowhere to be, and nobody to answer to.<br />A snow day is a free day.<br />We stayed in bed a little longer today.<br />Instead of breakfast, we had brunch.<br />There have been movies, games, laundry, cooking and many laughs.<br />There were a few tears… that is inevitable when living with a 3 year old. <br />The tears were quickly wiped away when the promise of cookie decorating was put in front of him.<br />Christmas cookies? Absolutely not. Christmas cookies are a tradition he has with Grandma. And a tradition I have with some of my girlfriends.<br />And this is a snow day… no rules. We made dinosaurs, dog bones, skulls, and okay--- we threw in a Christmas tree. (We had green frosting, what’s a mom to do?)<br />There is a pot of soup on the stove.<br />My house feels warm and cozy… and safe.<br />It’s gorgeous outside, but you can see the cold.<br />Iowa is pretty again. <br />Everyone knows that I love Iowa… but I will admit, there are a few weeks in the year when Iowa isn’t at her prettiest. Those would be the weeks leading to snow… and the weeks following the snow. <br />Have you ever been to Iowa while she is under her winter blanket? It’s breathtaking.<br />A red barn in a sea of white. Quaint little shops with the old fashioned sign that have real evergreen garland swags with a dusting of snow hanging from their awnings. Groups of children sledding down a rolling hill. Simply beautiful.<br />Tree branches covered in ice that glitter in the sun. The scarlet red of a cardinal against the beautiful green of an evergreen and the crisp white snow. Nature at her finest. <br />Seeing smoke coming out of a chimney will make you feel warm and cozy. <br />I could go on and on. <br />Or I could tell you about the harsh winter and why it is bad….<br />But that is not for today. <br />Today is a snow day, and that makes it wonderful and magical.<br />Today, my friends… Iowa is closed for business.<br /><br />And then the magical snow day turned into two more snow days… by day three, Monkey declared, “I’m going to Grandma’s.” <br />Agreed.<br />I shipped him off to Grandma’s.<br />There, he enjoyed another magical snow day. The kind you have at Grandma’s house!<br /><br />The streets are now plowed, the stores are open, and we’re getting back to the daily routine.<br /><br />…there seems to be quite a few “Mom’s Night Out” events going on this weekend…. <br />Must have been those three crazy snow days that have made us crave margaritas!Amy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691365846429931752.post-60437764885162425292009-09-05T00:16:00.000-07:002009-09-05T00:23:35.411-07:00Please Read... this is serious.To my blogging friends and family...<br />I haven't posted in awhile because I am freaked out about what is happening in our community...<br />There have been a couple of attempted child abductions in surrounding towns, and it has happened in our town tonight.<br />I have decided to remove some posts and pics on my blog.<br />There are warnings out there about what we are publishing on the internet, and frankly---- I'm a little freaked out.<br />The attempted abductions haven't been linked to blogs, or anything (yet) but more of random children outside alone.<br />PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep a close eye on your children. Have the 'Stranger Danger' talk with them.<br />For awhile, I'm going to keep this blog to my junking finds, creations, etc.<br />Family--- I'll possibly start another personal blog that will be locked. <br />~AmyAmy@TheLemonCottagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10243162019280002156noreply@blogger.com11