tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84282413114771107852024-02-22T08:28:39.958-08:00Smell the Cosmos"Stop and smell the cosmos" My perfectly imperfect life...Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-25198385030805604842015-12-14T15:31:00.000-08:002015-12-14T15:31:30.472-08:00Ugly Winter GardenI thought it was about time for a little winter garden update and it's ugly, that's all you need to know. It got super cold so much earlier than I expected and most things died. I covered a few things like my artichoke plant which I am hoping will produce more next summer, and my cilantro because I'm not ready to give it up just yet. Everything else was on it's own.<br />
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Luckily my carrots, beats, mustard spinach, swiss chard, and daikon radishes all still look good. Guess what we'll be eating this week....</div>
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My potatoes on the other hand died....way too early. So I figured that was the end of that and decided to dig up what I could. By that I mean I was hoping to find as many potatoes as I could before my back gave up and I froze. Why is it soo cold out? and why is it so hard to dig up potatoes? Well here's what I found and there's a huge possibility there's more out there, but I gave up. </div>
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Our mandarin oranges are also starting to ripen which I'm pretty excited about. Now if only the lemons would hurry up...</div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-71556350789390042582015-11-30T13:06:00.000-08:002015-11-30T13:06:47.472-08:00Our Thanksgiving Well hello there stranger. I hope you had a great thanksgiving, we did and ate too much but it was worth it. My hubby smoked a turkey and it was amazing. I grew a pumpkin for my pies, but had no idea how much pumpkin I would have left over. I have a freezer full, so I better figure out some new ways to cook with pumpkin. Here's a few picks from the day, and our Christmas tree. This is our first year with a fake tree. My hubby was not terribly excited about it, but I told him to give it a try for a couple years, if he hates it we can always go back. I promise more posts for December....<br />
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-33478395680774612982015-09-25T14:51:00.002-07:002015-09-25T14:52:45.922-07:00Fall is finally here...<br />
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Fall is here, but it sure doesn't feel like it. Okay maybe a little, it's been in the 90's instead of the 100's. I have been pulling out old plants from summer and starting some new things for fall, like pumpkins.<br />
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...this guy will not be ready for Halloween, maybe thanksgiving?</div>
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...the plants have taken over my yard...</div>
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...this big guy is fully grown and just starting to turn colors..fingers crossed he's ready soon...</div>
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...in this bed I'm starting carrots, beats, cilantro, and acorn squash..</div>
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something keeps eating the leaves on my seedlings, hense the jars...</div>
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...in this bed I'm experimenting with potatoes...</div>
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...I finally have peppers! I have poblanos, pasillas, and jalapenos ....</div>
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...I am also trying to grow mini white pumpkins, but something keeps eating them...</div>
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that something is white and fluffy and named Leo...</div>
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Besides gardening I have done a tiny bit of fall decorating. I have very limited storage space and most of it is taken up by Christmas decor so Halloween and other holidays sorta get the short end of the stick.</div>
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...I reused some old flowers and this container I saved from an edible arrangement..</div>
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I knew I would use it someday...</div>
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...have you tried the pumpkin spice latte M&M's yet? so good...</div>
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...the only little pumpkins that survived Leo...</div>
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I have also brought home a few vintage treasures...</div>
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...I think Morty has his eye on that Coca-Cola tray...</div>
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...I found the sweetest little ironstone dishes...</div>
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...Rose bouquet Made in England by Johnson Bros...</div>
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...so pretty they had to come home...</div>
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...silk prints with gilded wood frame handmade in Florence, Italy...</div>
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I should have some of the dishes and the pictures up on etsy in the next week...if I can part with them...</div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-91956851947412996032015-08-18T17:20:00.000-07:002015-08-18T17:20:40.456-07:00My new $10 nightstand...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha84dGr4HJXiQI2ss9IdscpJpRbMGbAFBsEY4t7Xsafdm6CTagBD933QBMWM2qt-ysSyU_Kw23LVwvIn-yCLUhVK8NdZNZbgx0Y-Vz-IsAdxC9AX5GESHMXe8v19QpYG0bcG1qYryp4WtB/s1600/IMG_4815+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha84dGr4HJXiQI2ss9IdscpJpRbMGbAFBsEY4t7Xsafdm6CTagBD933QBMWM2qt-ysSyU_Kw23LVwvIn-yCLUhVK8NdZNZbgx0Y-Vz-IsAdxC9AX5GESHMXe8v19QpYG0bcG1qYryp4WtB/s640/IMG_4815+%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As soon as I had my new bed I realized I needed a new larger nightstand. In my dream world where money is no option I would like this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUCNS9U0-KWJUy5T3ac_qsX-JVMSZHxKaIs_NpjVh2-uPOt2IXtcpqtw0V16yYGo_-k8DgJnvrCMXv3baYG2VM6Fn24oHVtqxxX4XZDCjYFSAGFZzI5XjX441udz4O19AQp58DlSJQSPU/s1600/nightstand+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUCNS9U0-KWJUy5T3ac_qsX-JVMSZHxKaIs_NpjVh2-uPOt2IXtcpqtw0V16yYGo_-k8DgJnvrCMXv3baYG2VM6Fn24oHVtqxxX4XZDCjYFSAGFZzI5XjX441udz4O19AQp58DlSJQSPU/s640/nightstand+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
...<a href="https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/storage-case-pieces/commodes-chests-of-drawers/exquisite-antique-french-louis-xv-marquetry-commode-w-marble/id-f_198846/" target="_blank">found on 1stdibs</a>... or even this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cDdm3CYrxZ3qLDz-klbzzp9Pb1c-cEVqm6-YRjP9RSR3kFlQ2KhjZWGOn2x2-zZ0aIX2J-mczv3DchJL_hc42BNTgFADEoZgl5X3fj1jlkcTfVsYq2LX9_MzD3MT7129dDjibVStwwVq/s1600/nightstand+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cDdm3CYrxZ3qLDz-klbzzp9Pb1c-cEVqm6-YRjP9RSR3kFlQ2KhjZWGOn2x2-zZ0aIX2J-mczv3DchJL_hc42BNTgFADEoZgl5X3fj1jlkcTfVsYq2LX9_MzD3MT7129dDjibVStwwVq/s640/nightstand+2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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......a<a href="https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/storage-case-pieces/commodes-chests-of-drawers/louis-xvi-pair-of-painted-chests-drawers/id-f_2205312/" target="_blank">lso on 1stdibs</a>...`</div>
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....but those are completely out of my budget, actually most things are out of my budget since I spent all my money on my new bed. So while visiting the local Habitat for Humanity store with my mom one afternoon I spotted this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9FubsIAvC0PKV_UZGNp_UgWwV6wy2kibOGQSbEaXIyvH11XWK1hCKucB0Xe74Aqbe9dKu0WNwHwYUyMqaPx-dTZ8lLfdTJdb_VVJEuU5fj2KWUX2HzSjtAU4xIbqGV4np8gGefGV-Vfn/s1600/11205494_10152752582306987_5271622292865314774_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9FubsIAvC0PKV_UZGNp_UgWwV6wy2kibOGQSbEaXIyvH11XWK1hCKucB0Xe74Aqbe9dKu0WNwHwYUyMqaPx-dTZ8lLfdTJdb_VVJEuU5fj2KWUX2HzSjtAU4xIbqGV4np8gGefGV-Vfn/s640/11205494_10152752582306987_5271622292865314774_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...best part, it was only $10. Hello new nightstand! I went out to pick up some white/cream chalk paint but was distracted by this beautiful <a href="http://www.anniesloan.com/emile-chalk-paint.html" target="_blank">color</a>...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfxgGisXeLmp57bbytd95l2zGumZMSPliUPrE6C5AlMsNNYopowazjdvZL6KTP5M_dwopqdFe3DGp7Q5N3HRqyvLcjqEdbynLW71uX1CO8NLF2mXqKPpvghRnKAsUOUnmWB79uO78sF-g/s1600/emile896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfxgGisXeLmp57bbytd95l2zGumZMSPliUPrE6C5AlMsNNYopowazjdvZL6KTP5M_dwopqdFe3DGp7Q5N3HRqyvLcjqEdbynLW71uX1CO8NLF2mXqKPpvghRnKAsUOUnmWB79uO78sF-g/s320/emile896.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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My room is slowly becoming quite eclectic and colorful....and I love it.</div>
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I painted it right away but couldn't figure out what to do with the feet.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIyFP9Jk9VOkb3KQnp6xWi0YmxiUpAI94E3Ax4ghuUVLpFtGNC4Skdt_QXPowYk-ZivzUGQbbFAnnwXYBUZbAKV4uJlcgEFl837cCXidAGeqL2kg-63BdIO7LbtiEg5y-G243KcxfQndi/s1600/IMG_4819+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIyFP9Jk9VOkb3KQnp6xWi0YmxiUpAI94E3Ax4ghuUVLpFtGNC4Skdt_QXPowYk-ZivzUGQbbFAnnwXYBUZbAKV4uJlcgEFl837cCXidAGeqL2kg-63BdIO7LbtiEg5y-G243KcxfQndi/s640/IMG_4819+%25283%2529.JPG" width="506" /></a></div>
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They were wrapped in bronzey/brassy metal that I really liked but one side for sure, and maybe both, had to be replaced. I thought about it, researched it, and after a while came to terms that I didn't have the tools or the skills to do this right now. So I ripped all the metal off, sanded down the wood, and painted it gold to match my lamp. The only thing left to do is cut and paint a piece of wood to replace the shelf that used to be there, but that can wait a little longer....</div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-1876695981306240282015-08-07T14:39:00.000-07:002015-08-07T14:39:52.916-07:00Quick Tea Review....I was enjoying a cup of tea and thought I would share...<br />
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One of my mom's favorite vacation spots is Carlsbad, California and whenever she goes she brings me back this really good tea. It comes in these resealable bags or cute tins. The tea is called <a href="http://www.looseleafblends.com/" target="_blank">The Loose Leaf </a>and you can find it online, at various stores in the area, and at local farmers markets. So far I have had Jasmine Green Tea and these herbal "teas" Chamomile Lavender and Heavenly Hibiscus. I say "teas" because, well there's actually no tea in an herbal tea is there?? Either way they have all been wonderful, the Chamomile Lavender is currently my favorite. Oh and best part, they are all organic. </div>
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.....getting low, gonna need some more soon....<br />
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This has nothing to do with tea but since I was taking pictures I just couldn't resist. My doggie Morty has the hardest time keeping his tongue in his mouth while he is sleeping and it is just so darn cute. Oh and never mind his one slipper sock, he's not very good at dressing himself and gives up after one sock. <br />
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-55686390159427067132015-07-21T18:19:00.000-07:002015-07-21T18:21:19.043-07:00My summer so far...Blogs are a tricky thing and I have no idea how the great bloggers manage to churn out posts weekly if not daily. I have been keeping busy this summer, which means I should have things to blog about, but I seem to get caught up in the doing and forget to do the writing.<br />
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One thing that needs my attention every day is my garden. Things grow surprisingly fast out here in the desert, I imagine its from all the sunshine. I can barely keep up, but I really enjoy spending hours out there, except for the days when it's 115 degrees out. Those days I curse the garden and say desert gardening is the dumbest thing ever. This year was sorta a giant experiment and I have learned ALOT. I cannot wait until next year to try some new plants and new ideas. My cute little garden turned into a jungle in a hurry and I have been researching tons of ways to keep it under control next year. I have also been planning out what I will plant this fall and winter. </div>
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...see it's a complete mess, but it gives me veggies so it can stay for now. My cucumbers over grew the trellis I gave them and have now started climbing up and pulling down my sunflowers....<br />
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...for awhile I had more summer squash than I could eat, but they have slowed down and now I finally have acorn squash and cucumbers. I grew two kinds of cucumbers this year, armenian and pickling. I was able to make a small jar of refrigerator pickles but other than that the armenian ones have way out produced the pickling. I'm hoping for at least another little batch of pickling cucumbers so I can attempt to ferment them. </div>
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I took a small break from the garden to travel back to Ohio for my brother's wedding and to visit family. The wedding and the bride were absolutely gorgeous and it was in such a beautiful church. </div>
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It was such a fun time getting to see everyone. </div>
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While in Ohio I spent some time with my grandma and the older I get the more jealous I get of her little farm. As a kid I grew up thinking living surrounded by farms was nothing special and that most people experienced this. How wrong I was. I am very grateful for the childhood I had in her garden eating more of every thing than I picked and being surrounded by her animals. I now dream of having my own little piece of land someday. </div>
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...Malaysian Ayam Serama Chicken...smallest chicken breed in the world..</div>
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...even poultry deserve to have a pretty house..</div>
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My other hobby this summer has been dyeing. </div>
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If you have ever eaten at my house you know I am a huge fan of cloth napkins. Paper napkins rarely make sense to me. You buy them over and over just to throw them out. It's a waste of money, bad for the environment, and not as pretty. I have a large collection of napkins that we use on a daily basis. Most people's response is.."but isn't that just more laundry?" No, it's not. I keep a basket in my laundry room that holds dirty kitchen towels, napkins, etc. Whenever I do a load of bath towels, which we all have, I throw them in. No extra loads. What about kids? "You can't use cloth napkins with kids" you say. Well I am super messy and I promise you that a cloth napkin cleans up and absorbs so much more than a little paper napkin. </div>
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Oh yeah, before my little tangent about napkins I was talking about dying. Well to go one extra step and make my cloth napkins extra green and good for the environment, I buy vintage napkins. Yep, old used napkins. Most come with stains or look a little sad so I decided to start dyeing them pretty colors. </div>
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I may have gone a little over board and now have too many napkins....<br />
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SmellTheCosmos?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">Please visit my etsy shop if you would like your own pretty napkins.</a><br />
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-85487013491292373902015-06-13T17:31:00.000-07:002015-06-13T17:31:24.345-07:00Lamp Makeover I have been slowly giving my bedroom a makeover...slowly. I painted, then I got a new bed, I'm working on a new nightstand for my side of the bed (which I'll show you at a later date), and I recently gave my lamps a much needed makeover. <br />
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The other day I was telling my friend about my lamp makeover and she was all.."you know you can get really nice lamps for a good price at Homegoods". The thing is these lamps actually came from Homegoods a couple years ago. They were really nice and I still liked them, but they just didn't make sense in my room anymore. I thought about getting new ones and started shopping around a little but just didn't want to spend any money. I was willing to spend $5, $10 tops and yeah, it's just not possible to find a lamp or new lamp shade for that price. Even if I did buy new lamps what would I do with the old ones? So I had to find away to fix these guys up a little . </div>
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So I started with buying a new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008DB3GE0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00">socket from Amazon</a>. When shopping around I noticed all the lamps I really liked had a pull chain and it really does make turning the light on and off from bed so much easier. This was actually the only thing I purchased, I found everything else in my craft room, so I was pretty happy with myself.</div>
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While we had the lamp apart to put on the new socket I painted all the silver pieces gold. I used some gold Royal Stencil Creme that I already had from a previous project and it worked wonderfully.</div>
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Next I had to tackle the lamp shade. It seemed simple enough in my mind and I came up with a game plan, but things came apart quickly. </div>
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I started out taking the fabric off and I thought it would be sooo easy. Just peal the old fabric off and glue the new one on and done. Unfortunately like I said, things came apart quickly....</div>
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Yikes! So I just started slowly and carefully putting everything back together. First I used some spray adhesive to stick the new fabric on to the old lampshade. </div>
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Then I slowly hot glued the top metal frame on to the lamp shade. This was actually easier than I thought it would be. Just remember to leave a little bit at the end unglued so you can slide in the bottom hoop and glue that into place.</div>
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Next I cut a couple strips of fabric and glued them over the edges to hide the metal hoop. Also this paint can opener has become my best friend when it comes to hot gluing things, it's like an extra finger that doesn't burn. </div>
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Right about now Leo and I let out a huge sigh of relief, it was finally starting to look like a lamp shade again. </div>
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The only thing left to do was add a little trim to the top and bottom to hide all the seams. I used the same white fabric and ironed it into pretty little strips, then glued it on with fabric glue.</div>
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So happy that worked out. Not gonna lie, I had my doubts, but it wasn't that bad and I love my lamps again. </div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-78056000621901602302015-05-19T18:01:00.001-07:002015-05-19T18:01:28.289-07:00Homemade Raviolis This summer I intended to plant spinach, a lot of spinach. However, after placing my seed order I was informed that they were all out of the spinach seeds I wanted so I quickly chose another leafy-green plant. I settled on Japanese Mustard Spinach because I read that it does well in dry weather and is rather hardy. Mustard Spinach is not a mustard, nor a spinach, it is actually part of the same family as broccoli. So it has different nutrients but is still very good for you and you can use it and cook it just like you would spinach. <div>
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I ordered 3 packets of seeds because I was certain there was no such thing as too many greens. Well after a month of eating salads, sides, and basically trying to incorporate Mustard Spinach into every meal as much as possible I was over it. Unfortunately I had planted 3 rows of this stuff and it was doing incredibly well. </div>
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1 of 3 rows of Mustard Spinach</div>
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I also planted a few rows of mixed salad greens that I needed to start eating sooo yeah I needed to get rid of this stuff.<br />
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row of salad greens calling my name...</div>
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I mean I didn't want to get rid of it completely, I just wanted to be able to cut all the plants down to a couple small leaves so that I could have a little break. I also didn't want to waste all the leaves that I was cutting down. So I decided to make Mustard Spinach and Mushroom Raviolis that I could freeze for later. </div>
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Here's how I made them...</div>
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...and I fully apologize for this crazy explanation and lack of "recipe". Truth is I have a hard time following and creating recipes. I get bored when cooking and want to experiment and create and forget to write things down, but it normally works out in the end. </div>
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First you need to make some pasta dough and this I actually did use a recipe for. I used one from the Better Homes and Garden cook book. The only thing I changed with this recipe is that I used whole wheat flour and honestly you can use any old pasta dough recipe you want. They will all work. </div>
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So first make some pasta dough, set it aside to rest, then on to the filling, which is the fun part.</div>
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Here's what went into the filling:</div>
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all the Mustard Spinach leaves I had that looked good</div>
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a handful of parsley</div>
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a handful of oregano </div>
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a bag full of mushrooms</div>
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3 handfuls of shredded cheese</div>
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garlic powder</div>
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onion salt</div>
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There's really no wrong way to make the filling. Just throw in whatever tastes good to you. </div>
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I put everything except the cheese in the food processor, cooked it all together, then set it aside to cool.</div>
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Once it had cooled down quite a bit I added the shredded cheese.</div>
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Now you are ready to start assembling some raviolis. I separated my pasta dough into small batches and started rolling it out into thin sheets. How thin is up to you and your muscles. I really need to buy the pasta attachment for my Kitchenaid mixer, because I do not have the arm strength for this nonsense. </div>
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Once I had it rolled out I placed teaspoon size blobs of filling all over my dough. I then laid another sheet of dough on top and stamped out each ravioli with this handy ravioli stamp. You can find a similar one <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eppicotispai-Aluminium-Ravioli-Automatic-Ejector/dp/B005F4DZKI/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1432082426&sr=8-13&keywords=ravioli+stamp">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwuU2cwjjMp6yLnuYFjmT3ExWJFP7b1hWTKMWObxmzzES8GnEpRUolMsbKXxn74HUT5iVRwPp_de7uPGtPg3hzzFWALIiuaPAwtJPbcm_baCv5uks_Vy-SxMFQVlGQCJ4mu_kd5Hbe-wg/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwuU2cwjjMp6yLnuYFjmT3ExWJFP7b1hWTKMWObxmzzES8GnEpRUolMsbKXxn74HUT5iVRwPp_de7uPGtPg3hzzFWALIiuaPAwtJPbcm_baCv5uks_Vy-SxMFQVlGQCJ4mu_kd5Hbe-wg/s640/031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyb6Ug5CHpmKJ6FdeufmKZSpNQtGrPzsPda96rDOALEjPE49XVO1I4TlxstgJocCQbUJVVnuEBaYjejYZOpPpOxegvpeoQK6pJR9NEI5fi-2xciNVM8bJy96GdQ8tBESJFTJVk9NQZf0y/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyb6Ug5CHpmKJ6FdeufmKZSpNQtGrPzsPda96rDOALEjPE49XVO1I4TlxstgJocCQbUJVVnuEBaYjejYZOpPpOxegvpeoQK6pJR9NEI5fi-2xciNVM8bJy96GdQ8tBESJFTJVk9NQZf0y/s640/036.JPG" title="making ravioli" width="640" /></a></div>
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getting a little more efficient at my stamping...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRQNV_kxCxMFnYHjTYv_RoCMS0tu8c7FCvltAyh_eIyzYRGKuUg-GilPLFyf_2YEku2MOw3BujBWpns0zI2LaDQ_tkd669QJZqoNjVRRJRv3Km_AtQLecFW_-amfYUW08xSPwZu-jPcLO/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRQNV_kxCxMFnYHjTYv_RoCMS0tu8c7FCvltAyh_eIyzYRGKuUg-GilPLFyf_2YEku2MOw3BujBWpns0zI2LaDQ_tkd669QJZqoNjVRRJRv3Km_AtQLecFW_-amfYUW08xSPwZu-jPcLO/s640/039.JPG" title="making ravioli" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once your raviolis are stamped out they are ready to cook or freeze. I made enough for 5 nights of dinner and stored each night separately in a freezer bag. I did have some filling left over but I was too tired to make any more raviolis. I separated this filling into a couple different freezer bags and intend on making stuffed chicken with it.</div>
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Of course I had to cook up a few for lunch that day and they were delicious and so worth the work. </div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-68202598537722082012015-04-27T15:41:00.002-07:002015-04-27T15:41:28.700-07:00How to get wrinkles out of Restoration Hardware's Vintage Velvet...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, I finally broke down and bought a new "grown-up" bed and it's about time considering I have had the same bed since I was a senior in high school. I have a hard time buying new furniture especially if it's a big purchase. I strive to buy the perfect piece which for me means the following things... 1) I have to absolutely love everything about it, no settling 2) It has to be made well enough to last 3) I have to have a vision for it in the future, will it still work when I change my style in a few years? 4) I'm not made of money so I have to be able to afford it, i'm willing to save up for it, but not take out a loan...</div>
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So because of all these issues it takes me a little bit, some times years to find the perfect piece of furniture, but when I do it's always worth it. So here it is my new bed! It is the <a href="https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod80014&categoryId=cat1600007#">Chesterfield Fabric Sleigh Bed in Sand Vintage Velvet from Restoration Hardware</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoJrylpDO-ww7HEbWEZanwRkCHIX3Vj0GaQ5xSdu5bkWWmyh_r4SthDXg9qjYFwN2BCeIwCX5ef5hpyBYtffuoYUAfEcv-lOGgmTjsRReiuECoU5lUpwTwgQOVDP6POiJRdnpPb3G55_D/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoJrylpDO-ww7HEbWEZanwRkCHIX3Vj0GaQ5xSdu5bkWWmyh_r4SthDXg9qjYFwN2BCeIwCX5ef5hpyBYtffuoYUAfEcv-lOGgmTjsRReiuECoU5lUpwTwgQOVDP6POiJRdnpPb3G55_D/s1600/003.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Okay, so maybe the picture is more about my boys than the bed, but they are just so cute! </div>
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Now on to the real point of this post...</div>
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When you order this bed you pick the fabric so it is a custom order and takes forever. I waited over 3 months for this baby to show up so when it did I wanted to keep it. Unfortunately once the delivery guys set it up I noticed this...</div>
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Ahhh! Wrinkles! My beautiful vintage velvet fabric was all messed up with what looked like permanent wrinkles and creases from the packaging materials. I was annoyed to say the least. I emailed Restoration Hardware since they are normally great about handing any issues you have. I was hoping they would just say that with time the wrinkles would go away and this was normal or some nonsense like that. Instead they wanted me to exchange the bed...what!? No way was I waiting another 3 months..oh I can keep this bed until a new one shows up?...Nope still not doing it. I don't want to deal with the delivery of a new bed again. They then offered to pay for the bill if I want to hire an upholsterer to come to fix it or I can keep it like this and they will give me some money back. After some research on how to get wrinkles out of velvet I chose the third option and took the small discount/refund and then went to work. I refused to believe this was that hard to fix and I was right. </div>
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This is all it took:</div>
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I used a spray bottle and lightly sprayed some water on the wrinkles, the water bubbled up at first so I rubbed it in then immediately dried it up with tissues. </div>
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I kept doing this, spraying, gently rubbing, and patting with tissues. I went through ALOT of tissues.</div>
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Once the wrinkles were pretty much gone I used a hair dryer on medium heat on the fabric and gently rubbed the fabric to completely dry it and fluff up the velvet. </div>
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Of course I tested this first. I had scraps of some of this same fabric I used on a chair and after it worked on that fabric, I then tested a small spot on the bed behind the headboard. Once I was positive I wouldn't ruin the bed by spraying water on it I went to work. </div>
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The trick is to not get it too wet and to not let the water sit for too long. You need to make sure it dries with blow dryer and drys all fluffed up.</div>
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These wrinkles ran down the entire length of the foot board and it took me a good hour to get them out. But, they did come out and the bed looks perfect. I did receive a few hundred dollars back which more than compensated me for that hour, <span style="text-align: center;">so to me it was worth it.</span></div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-37230645428635555042015-04-23T18:21:00.000-07:002015-04-23T18:22:14.953-07:00My "Shop" is Open!I did it! I finally opened a shop on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SmellTheCosmos" target="_blank">Etsy</a>! I have been buying things on Etsy for years, but have never jumped in myself. <br />
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I have a small obsession with all things vintage and antique, these pieces really make a house feel like home to me. I believe I inherited this love from my grandma whose home is decorated so wonderfully and could easily double as a museum. She has an amazing talent for decorating and collecting and I can only wish to have a home as beautiful as her's someday. As a kid I never truly appreciated how amazing her home was, but I did know that I always felt so comfortable, loved, and at home there. I still remember when I was a teenager telling her all about a new bedroom set I just got that I thought was amazing and probably the coolest thing ever. It was very 90's modern and shiny black with silver trim. She listened to me and told me how when she was younger she loved modern furniture too, and then her taste slowly turned to traditional/country and then to antiques. She said someday I too would probably like antiques. I thought to myself, and probably out loud too knowing me, that I would never like the same decor as my grandma. Well she obviously knew better than I did and today I would love to live in her home. </div>
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So over the years I have slowly decorated and collected just the right pieces for my home, it truly is a constant work in progress. Some things I bring home and right away they have a spot or fill a need, others move around my house until they settle in, but some never find a place. I also have found I just really really love going to sales and finding a great buy. Sometimes it's all about the thrill of the hunt. So I decided if I want to continue on this treasure hunt I am going to need a place to put my finds and a way to fund it. I have dreamed about a little shop but right now that's just a dream, I have looked into renting a booth in an antique mall and I am just not quite ready for that. So for the moment the place that seems most logical is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SmellTheCosmos">etsy.com</a>.</div>
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I have been reading and researching this on and off for months, but the only way I am going to learn and figure it out is to just jump right in. Today I did just that. I opened up a shop and listed my first item and I will just figure it out as I go and pray for the best. This how I do most things, okay all things, in my life so here I go!</div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-12943115676709499422015-04-20T17:22:00.001-07:002015-04-28T20:21:31.997-07:00The Big 3 0 <br />
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So another week has gone by without a post...obviously I'm bad at regularly updating this blog. Sooo we should probably just acknowledge right here and now that this is not going to be a blog with posts every day or even every other day. I mean who has time for that anyways? I'm busy, you're busy. Let's just agree to meet up here at least few times a month...okay? Okay.<br />
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Now what was I doing last week that kept me so busy? My 30th Birthday of course!<br />
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Yes, I am one of those people who celebrates their birthday for a whole week. I feel like I deserve it and I need a whole week of fun. Which in all honesty translates into a week of me eating what ever I want, sleeping in super late, and slacking majorly on my chores. Then the actual day of my birthday I go all out. In years past I have spent the day at the spa or spent the day shopping. This year my birthday might have been the best yet.<br />
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I woke up super early which is unusual for me. There are only 3 things that I will wake up early for: work, a flight, or a garage/estate sale. Lucky for me there were a couple really good estate sales the morning of my birthday that I just had to visit. Even luckier, probably 30th birthday luck, is that I scored some pretty fun stuff. I was excited to pick up a few bags of craft supplies for a few bucks and these pretty pieces all had to come home with me...<br />
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I fell in love with this umbrella stand...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtihXSj4T5bIrebgCELvXhC12i-nndAvEGDXzoz5lOpvw-My2_nlbXpRV9HySxGLh5sgqWta4Wd-E1KR9jljx2fzeWBqr4E-3YjRGc7irVwrnrAJGFYxI3BeOqABXCgLWQQd-M_ix4yk3a/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtihXSj4T5bIrebgCELvXhC12i-nndAvEGDXzoz5lOpvw-My2_nlbXpRV9HySxGLh5sgqWta4Wd-E1KR9jljx2fzeWBqr4E-3YjRGc7irVwrnrAJGFYxI3BeOqABXCgLWQQd-M_ix4yk3a/s1600/011.JPG" height="640" width="572" /></a></div>
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this painting is so charming, but that frame! love it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOMfvMOmRilK-Yh8p9KVR-l5HWCVxchjF-lKMv7Bhn46Acvza8Nwl-arkHuHat5xi_xFEOHN0xDRRmy2wDbpzP8C7K_HwRcYmGUuzRj4527r5-VYcwf5IqueZ1Ubp1Yc0QTQ09slKqgrS/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOMfvMOmRilK-Yh8p9KVR-l5HWCVxchjF-lKMv7Bhn46Acvza8Nwl-arkHuHat5xi_xFEOHN0xDRRmy2wDbpzP8C7K_HwRcYmGUuzRj4527r5-VYcwf5IqueZ1Ubp1Yc0QTQ09slKqgrS/s1600/013.JPG" height="506" width="640" /></a></div>
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and the best and most exciting find...this flatware set!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xerNi_hKBZ14fgPlYUyzFGNSQ1wuKqG5JTINf6snnkygenyYySEEvsF1KdmvtsIjV5FEfh2u_D7gLDl-SQX4vnsXpCG9-QzcqwnxlwvZTDx0Pkjgy3DY5r3sgg_oczRmRqL-ASnj7zQ0/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xerNi_hKBZ14fgPlYUyzFGNSQ1wuKqG5JTINf6snnkygenyYySEEvsF1KdmvtsIjV5FEfh2u_D7gLDl-SQX4vnsXpCG9-QzcqwnxlwvZTDx0Pkjgy3DY5r3sgg_oczRmRqL-ASnj7zQ0/s1600/016.JPG" height="616" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nobility Plate Oneida 1939 Royal Rose Pattern, so pretty!</div>
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Then after my morning of treasure hunting it was time for celebrating! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxrMlQ0DWbtSXRZW3_k0kwmO4yIB40Rttf0HFtY9Z8FQJuFxQnhO1SzenWM6qZPiM6a9deCNtndwUrC4ntgGXykHZC5G7NR0vi4gHFWm-rg-Nms35ixxwSh7oWsqtyqx9KEXQXtiCgSix/s1600/bathroom+and+tea+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxrMlQ0DWbtSXRZW3_k0kwmO4yIB40Rttf0HFtY9Z8FQJuFxQnhO1SzenWM6qZPiM6a9deCNtndwUrC4ntgGXykHZC5G7NR0vi4gHFWm-rg-Nms35ixxwSh7oWsqtyqx9KEXQXtiCgSix/s1600/bathroom+and+tea+040.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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one of a few pictures I did remember to take...</div>
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Since I love a good cup of tea the only logical way to gather my friends was for afternoon tea. I chose to have my tea at Veranda at the Four Seasons. This was my first time there and it did not disappoint. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures of it! What was I thinking?!?! I guess this just means I will have to go back again to take pictures. I can say that the food was amazing. Everything was delicious and the service was great. I have been to tea at the Mandarin Oriental before and while you simply cannot beat the view or atmosphere of the Mandarin Oriental the food at the Four Seasons was so much yummier. The portions at the Four Seasons were also much larger and none of us could finish and we had to bring home a couple of boxes of yummy desserts. </div>
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To top off my week of celebrating we had my parents over for some yummy smoked brisket that my hubby cooked and my mom brought with her the best birthday cake ever! Seriously the best cake I have ever had. She got it from my favorite cup cake shop called <a href="http://www.showboybakeshop.com/" target="_blank">ShowBoy BakeShop</a>. They have a cupcake called The Bombshell which is sweet strawberry cake topped with champagne buttercream. It has to be my favorite cupcake flavor and they made this cupcake into a cake in the shape of a tea cup complete with sugar cubes! It was so cute and so delicious. I am such a lucky girl and this definitely made the sting of turning 30 so much easier to bare. </div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-37151725598697599932015-04-07T17:19:00.000-07:002015-04-07T17:23:07.169-07:00Expanding my Garden in the DesertI wanted to share with you my "garden" progress...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gGVdtUpTkM2yoQ8hunAsLMvDo5ebdTxHy0PDMwNUYWJyicWKkAfxVGyMwNlvo2Fc8pTKr6iirXly6RPN3w0fEQeiQ470TeGYX90OYl3pDFzea30_9L1CiSvhzR_6_eeqEe-URQM5HNtO/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="raised beds" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gGVdtUpTkM2yoQ8hunAsLMvDo5ebdTxHy0PDMwNUYWJyicWKkAfxVGyMwNlvo2Fc8pTKr6iirXly6RPN3w0fEQeiQ470TeGYX90OYl3pDFzea30_9L1CiSvhzR_6_eeqEe-URQM5HNtO/s1600/001.JPG" height="458" title="raised beds" width="640" /></a></div>
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A little while back I shared with you my plan/dream for some raised beds...<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiJ2K1bag3xyHiBiGeVWyLua0hCjEoGmiqFck85vRzxKT-F8sZz38BqLQ_FSOQC5BTLqZkVtZB9yDrbcdxM_n9byrYzQPGV09W0G1TeLiRU1pMs5IXcYusEidpzhYpe6Iy51EwES3N-TJ/s1600/yard+topiary+002.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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My growing space has been very limited and I was only using pots around the yard and these large planters. Ever since we moved here our yard has been a work in progress and every year we add and improve. This year we built some raised beds and I am so excited about them.</div>
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We wanted to spend as little money as possible, make them as eco friendly as possible, but still make them strong enough to last a good while. So here is what we came up with...</div>
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First we took a little trip to <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/" target="_blank">Home Depot</a>. Well, we actually we started off at Lowes, but they were unable to cut our wood for us. Apparently they can only cut wood that is 1" thick or less, so boo on them and good to know for the future.</div>
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We were super happy to find the wood we wanted, and that we were able to have it cut to any length we wanted at Home Depot. We picked up 8- 2" x 12" x 10' boards and had them cut in half. We also picked up a couple 2" x 2" x 10' boards and had them cut down to fit in our car.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RWcY-0d6g_OAr6fYUYoMpKEdxGZ5cXM9hAfKSG8nDwoBRjrOL2kX2THGZfpJCPZY_eeEU5RxKzYtZkIdZFiHnpkP7Xf-1SZMfYdNxGXGXUlFFQ1FlcSvYBgHJEz2T-zBeOJVyvIGz8-Q/s1600/2015-02-22+17.21.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RWcY-0d6g_OAr6fYUYoMpKEdxGZ5cXM9hAfKSG8nDwoBRjrOL2kX2THGZfpJCPZY_eeEU5RxKzYtZkIdZFiHnpkP7Xf-1SZMfYdNxGXGXUlFFQ1FlcSvYBgHJEz2T-zBeOJVyvIGz8-Q/s1600/2015-02-22+17.21.39.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wDVoN7G1D7Gln0m3ysEhbQq2GGaiQcRgBurbNuaqzMlYNCo1z27GVDPiVyZO7cTajf_1XdXuYkLNOT0x_5aIpw-1UBNE92m5zHWYF4D8DAWUz2U4wOJL5XW4AM5TDpJIEHS-J4oKlG_y/s1600/2015-02-22+17.34.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wDVoN7G1D7Gln0m3ysEhbQq2GGaiQcRgBurbNuaqzMlYNCo1z27GVDPiVyZO7cTajf_1XdXuYkLNOT0x_5aIpw-1UBNE92m5zHWYF4D8DAWUz2U4wOJL5XW4AM5TDpJIEHS-J4oKlG_y/s1600/2015-02-22+17.34.30.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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We used the smaller boards for corner pieces and screwed everything together. The boxes ended up approximately 5' x 5'. </div>
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Next I painted everything with Raw Linseed Oil. I bought natural untreated boards because I didn't want any chemicals seeping into the soil, but I was worried they wouldn't last very long. So after some research I decided to use an old method of wood protection, Linseed Oil. Raw Linseed Oil is Flaxseed Oil which they sell in the vitamin section, so I figured it was pretty safe. I bought the raw untreated version because there are some linseed oils out there with chemicals in them so that they dry quicker. So make sure you read the labels before buying. This oil does take along time to dry, but since I live in a desert I wasn't worried. I left them to dry in my garage for about a week and after that they were still slightly greasy, but I'm not sitting on them or anything so it didn't bother me. I just brushed it on, it's basically like painting on olive oil. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Q1Ofg1Rf5yyOo9lebzBsBJx_V1azh8WRyr2l5HPf4bIA2fP8wK2cNcQ300q7UQUy9C7sfZJmAeaS-akulKrksA8Ex7f_F4sZGlWB36khIS05tOS0MVTbtTeMDmzqFdQOVKL9rXfe5NKG/s1600/11138577_10152706503331987_1206157147120556587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Raw Linseed Oil for raised beds" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Q1Ofg1Rf5yyOo9lebzBsBJx_V1azh8WRyr2l5HPf4bIA2fP8wK2cNcQ300q7UQUy9C7sfZJmAeaS-akulKrksA8Ex7f_F4sZGlWB36khIS05tOS0MVTbtTeMDmzqFdQOVKL9rXfe5NKG/s1600/11138577_10152706503331987_1206157147120556587_n.jpg" height="640" title="Raw Linseed Oil for raised beds" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once they were somewhat dry we moved them to the backyard and into place. We quickly discovered our yard was not as level as we thought, which is probably our fault. So we just dug out some dirt under the high parts until everything was level. </div>
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Here is Leo inspecting the new beds...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7R8et8KK8NkTa7-om3hol_QlxhSbeZ57eR0QLQClyGN1sP67KigsmqBOVY2qNh-lpodf_E6IQkOWSi2DE_rrsL-bnKCedZyVvzDv6zR9rzmUko4OO4iXokymW6zuPKMuLXz7yXhqo5_WY/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7R8et8KK8NkTa7-om3hol_QlxhSbeZ57eR0QLQClyGN1sP67KigsmqBOVY2qNh-lpodf_E6IQkOWSi2DE_rrsL-bnKCedZyVvzDv6zR9rzmUko4OO4iXokymW6zuPKMuLXz7yXhqo5_WY/s1600/002.JPG" height="416" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now we were finally ready for some dirt! I was so excited until I realized how stinking expensive and heavy dirt could be. We ended up buying the cheapest dirt we could at our local nursery and just amended it ourselves. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGKwbE3ImDZswIfdO1aBhJ4sLhCjhJ8DGq0OyuxbPo-8E_e8Ntc1E0qAKuiKozRtf3qhRaHJG6MZLWRfu6hq0vRDQ2ySNHpqg5WJAYzhnLSEO2VRJ0Xjf_rzLLzKee9NRmD2zLltrO17v/s1600/11072049_10152674741451987_2230919927715534667_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="desert gardening" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGKwbE3ImDZswIfdO1aBhJ4sLhCjhJ8DGq0OyuxbPo-8E_e8Ntc1E0qAKuiKozRtf3qhRaHJG6MZLWRfu6hq0vRDQ2ySNHpqg5WJAYzhnLSEO2VRJ0Xjf_rzLLzKee9NRmD2zLltrO17v/s1600/11072049_10152674741451987_2230919927715534667_n.jpg" height="640" title="raised beds " width="640" /></a></div>
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I could not wait to get some of my plants and seeds in...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-ZPYHhL32RciU6HCWng5nLZnf8EHgTL9qg_w1_R10ZGumtw1sk6kzPuJQzj0HKQASDFZt2KYwQxewxk2I0gXfVG9jc5WK4xfdnvmsYzE8pxjdbWm4ofIzEYwz8VaLvX8E15ogjZIlIre/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="desert gardening" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-ZPYHhL32RciU6HCWng5nLZnf8EHgTL9qg_w1_R10ZGumtw1sk6kzPuJQzj0HKQASDFZt2KYwQxewxk2I0gXfVG9jc5WK4xfdnvmsYzE8pxjdbWm4ofIzEYwz8VaLvX8E15ogjZIlIre/s1600/002.JPG" height="480" title="raised beds" width="640" /></a></div>
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I still want to make this area a little prettier. First I want to remove the grass between the beds because I feel that will be a nightmare to keep mowed. Then this fall I want to add an olive tree to the middle for something nice to look at. I think this summer will pretty much be one giant experiment. Each box gets a different amount of sun so I still need to figure that out and figure out how much I can fit and grow in each. Hopefully I will only have good updates this summer, but you never know. Fingers crossed!</div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-80144780732952505962015-04-01T10:05:00.000-07:002015-04-01T10:05:17.789-07:00Tea shops in HawaiiOne more post about Hawaii that I almost forgot to share....<br />
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Not only are there great places to have a cup of tea in Hawaii, but I was really surprised and a little jealous by how many places I passed that sold tea and tea cups.<br />
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One evening while heading to dinner we passed a store called Royal Selection. I had seen another one earlier that week, but wasn't sure what it was so I didn't go in. This store had some tea cups in the window so of course I had to go in, and wow. I could not believe the amount of beautiful dishes they had. I was so memorized by everything that I spent a good while just looking at everything and completely forgot to take a picture. If you are in Waikiki and see one of these stores you have to check it out. They had dishes I have only read about online and have never seen in person before.<br />
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Here is a picture from their website to give you an idea of what fun this store is...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpn0Zfklb-14WknIGITekAADtrBHaWYXSHE9P2g4fKGCrDl-6roAudr6p5gfker_b3i8DldhcM0OTgjQz_e99h8xatKLd0OFzPdGKJZxtWqA0f-ZM8JqiZrUKZI4rcGt8ofX8WY-xnGPDZ/s1600/royal+selection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpn0Zfklb-14WknIGITekAADtrBHaWYXSHE9P2g4fKGCrDl-6roAudr6p5gfker_b3i8DldhcM0OTgjQz_e99h8xatKLd0OFzPdGKJZxtWqA0f-ZM8JqiZrUKZI4rcGt8ofX8WY-xnGPDZ/s1600/royal+selection.jpg" height="266" title="Royal Selection Kings Village" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.royalselectionhawaii.com/kv.htm" target="_blank">Royal Selection Kings Village</a></div>
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The next store I just have to share with you is <a href="http://www.lupiciausa.com/" target="_blank">Lupicia</a> at the Ala Moana Center. I saw the store from a distance and had no idea what it was, but it looked interesting so I went in. I was happily surprised to find it was a tea store that sells more than 200 kinds of fresh tea. </div>
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At this point I was in complete heaven and the hubby was being a smart ass saying "see??"... The store is located on the lowest level outside of the mall, you walk out of the store and you are literally in the parking garage. It's a very weird setup and when you're in the mall this end looks a little grungy and not very inviting because well its sorta in the garage. I was going to skip this area and turn around, but the hubby insisted we walk down there just to take a peak and see what stores were on this outside edge. Well I'm so happy I listened to him. </div>
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Along one wall is the a long line of teas for you to look at and smell. Once you know what teas you want you can either grab that tea from a display if it's out, or take a piece of paper from the sample area up to counter where they will retrieve it for you. </div>
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I had the hardest time deciding which teas were going home with me. There were so many yummy ones I wanted to try but only so much room in my suitcase....</div>
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I finally narrowed it down to five:</div>
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<li>Muscat Oolong- Full-flavored tea is exquisitely accented with sweet muscat grapes.</li>
<li>Cookie- Black tea scented with an image of freshly backed caramel cookies. Best served with milk.</li>
<li>Chocolate & Strawberry Puer- Decadent with chocolate on the nose finishing with the juicy tart flavor of ripe strawberries. </li>
<li>Ros<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">é</span> Royal- A black tea with enchanting aromas of sparkling wine and sweet strawberries. This is their signature tea.</li>
<li>Th<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">é</span> Au Chocolate- Black tea scented with dark chocolate. Blended with cocoa nib and cocoa powder</li>
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They all sound and smell so delicious. I can't wait to try them and share with you if they taste as good as they smell<br />
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-35353325362065139152015-03-18T13:36:00.000-07:002015-03-18T13:36:58.417-07:00Tea Time in HawaiiWhere ever I go on vacation I always look for some place to have afternoon tea. It's one of my favorite things to do and I always look forward to it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgbDIUsVahYiMiEfQh_kgdBvcae5i9WVeDx-bXzrP06BnqL4F8ve-_7Dhn-WWjF-KVKX35PiJhMnFPOuuSEzD3W7Gxjwad3Ud0Teciryq-IhAUdoAiP6r2KxCB3BE8ZeY1zM1MnKMy92V/s1600/boys+6th+birthday+and+hawaii+2015+169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgbDIUsVahYiMiEfQh_kgdBvcae5i9WVeDx-bXzrP06BnqL4F8ve-_7Dhn-WWjF-KVKX35PiJhMnFPOuuSEzD3W7Gxjwad3Ud0Teciryq-IhAUdoAiP6r2KxCB3BE8ZeY1zM1MnKMy92V/s1600/boys+6th+birthday+and+hawaii+2015+169.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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So we started the trip with afternoon tea at <a href="http://www.kahalaresort.com/honolulu_restaurants/veranda/" target="_blank">The Kahala Hotel</a>. The tea was very enjoyable, but I felt it wasn't quite as good as the afternoon tea I had experienced at the <a href="http://www.moana-surfrider.com/dining/veranda/" target="_blank">Moana Surfrider</a> during my last trip to Hawaii. Don't get me wrong it was a nice afternoon tea, our server was wonderful, and you simply can not beat the view. That being said I have had better and thought since it was The Kahala I would be blown away. The interesting thing is my mom, who had tea at The Kahala last year, seemed to have had a much tastier tea. So maybe I just simply didn't like the current menu. Either way here are a few pictures for you to decide....<br />
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The Moana Surfrider tea a few years ago...<br />
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I give the Moana Surfrider extra points because they served loose leaf tea and The Kahala simply put one tea bag in my pot. Also the Moana Surfrider started the tea with soup and ended it with ice cream, I have never had that else where so bonus points to them. </div>
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Now on to tea at The Kahala...<br />
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It is pretty hard to beat the view, one direction you have the ocean, the other dolphins.</div>
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The desserts looked pretty, but the chocolate tart was the only one that tasted good.<br />
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This was the salmon, which was good, but not great.</div>
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Now here are the pictures my mom took of her tea at The Kahala....</div>
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Now this looks like a delicious salmon sandwich....</div>
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So like I said, the tea I had was very nice, I just didn't love it. This is just my personal opinion and I know most places change and rotate their menus so I might have just been there at the wrong time. If you are there though do not pass it up. This is a lovely way to spend the afternoon. </div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-23366054210531176232015-03-17T18:30:00.003-07:002015-03-17T18:30:54.742-07:00My Trip to Hawaii<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a little bit since my last post, because the hubby and I took a little trip to Oahu, Hawaii. We had such an enjoyable and relaxing time, I can't wait to go back. We stayed at <a href="http://www.kahalaresort.com/?gclid=CNTJqKvRsMQCFQeDfgodlmwAng" target="_blank">The Kahala Hotel & Resort </a> and I absolutely loved it. The hotel has a very luxurious feel to it but in a laid back kinda way, which I think is the perfect combination for a Hawaiian vacation.<br />
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A few years ago we took our first trip to Oahu and stayed right on Waikiki Beach at the <a href="http://www.moana-surfrider.com/" target="_blank">Moana Surfrider</a>. The hotel was lovely but Waikiki was just too crowded for us. So this time we chose the The Kahala because it is only about a 15 minute drive away but so much quieter and calmer. An added bonus of staying at The Kahala is that they have dolphins, sea turtles, and stingrays right on site by the pool. I spent so much time just watching them swim around and play every day. <br />
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We ate breakfast every day and a few other meals at the hotel and they were all delicious. Every evening they serve dinner and cocktails at The Veranda accompanied by live music. The music was great and while the menu was pretty limited the food was still very tasty. </div>
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We ventured down to Waikiki a few times for meals, shopping, and to check out the Honolulu Festival. We stopped by the craft fair, watched a couple performances, and then stayed for the parade Sunday evening. The parade traveled down the entire Waikiki strip and was very entertaining and different from any parade I have seen back home.</div>
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There really is a lot to do and see on Oahu including tea! Yes, there is tea to be had all over Oahu, but this post is getting a little longer than expected so I will have to save the best part for another day...</div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-36377257345011225972015-02-23T12:07:00.001-08:002015-02-23T12:07:34.663-08:00My Doggie Cupcake Recipe Today is my boys' 6th birthday and when I say " my boys' " I am referring to my furry children Morty and Leo. These little guys are quite the handful and have gotten in more trouble than I care to remember, but my life would not be as wonderful without them. <br />
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Every year I give them a special treat on their special day which I normally buy. This year I wanted to bake them something myself so I can control what the ingredients are. I read a few different recipes for dog treats and cakes and did a little research on what they can and can't have and here is what I came up with...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eA6ozjD9XrtCJENpPRFN5PjUhzaddXZ2hqTC843Pui5w87nQrf9_X4yRCyqDkIfm2y7y2jjdYZfyzlbEdAS70oH-ylAXKrBHXa50LGT8Lrl9sE0DO0dHvxTbxXtLHX1P5KrBHfl_43R_/s1600/doggie+cupcakes+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eA6ozjD9XrtCJENpPRFN5PjUhzaddXZ2hqTC843Pui5w87nQrf9_X4yRCyqDkIfm2y7y2jjdYZfyzlbEdAS70oH-ylAXKrBHXa50LGT8Lrl9sE0DO0dHvxTbxXtLHX1P5KrBHfl_43R_/s1600/doggie+cupcakes+004.JPG" height="522" width="640" /></a></div>
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<u>Doggie Cupcakes</u></div>
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1 egg</div>
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1/4 cup peanut butter</div>
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1/4 cup coconut oil</div>
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1 teaspoon vanilla </div>
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1/3 cup raw honey</div>
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1 cup finely chopped carrots</div>
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1 cup whole wheat flour</div>
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1 teaspoon baking soda</div>
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4 Paper baking cups or 8 cupcake liners</div>
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<u>Glaze/Frosting</u></div>
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1/2 teaspoon raw honey</div>
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1 tablespoon peanut butter</div>
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1 egg yolk</div>
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<li>Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.</li>
<li>Combine peanut butter, oil, vanilla, and honey in a large bowl. These ingredients especially the peanut butter and oil may be close to solid depending on their temperature so pop them into the microwave for a few seconds. </li>
<li>Add the egg and blend. </li>
<li>Chop or shred the carrots, I put mine in a food processor to get them very small then stir into the mixture thoroughly. </li>
<li>Fold in the flour and baking soda. </li>
<li>Spoon batter into paper baking cups or cupcake liners. They will rise slightly so don't fill all the way to the top. I used paper baking cups which are about double the size of average cupcake liners. I was able to get 4 cups with just a tiny left over with this recipe. </li>
<li>Bake in preheated oven for 20 - 30 minutes, depending how big your cupcakes are.</li>
<li>Whisk glaze ingredients together in a small bowl. If they are too solid just heat in microwave for a few seconds, then continue whisking.</li>
<li>When there is only a few minutes to go spread the glaze on top and then finish baking.</li>
<li>Let cool for at least 10 minutes.</li>
<li>Once cooled the glaze will be firm and have a nice shine to it. </li>
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I have to say these cupcakes smell delicious and they definitely passed my doggies taste test.</div>
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<b>Happy Birthday Boys! </b></div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-40076277333553573202015-02-19T15:28:00.000-08:002015-02-19T15:28:22.513-08:00How to get off 3m Command Hooks with a broken pull tab...<br />
Have you ever hung something up with those 3m Command Hook thingys because they look so easy to hang and to get off? I use them all the time and they always go up quickly but every so often I fail at getting them off. Actually, this happens a lot. So much that my husband always reminds me that I am not allowed to take them off myself. For some reason I always fail at pulling the tab straight down and the tab breaks on me. I then have to wait for my husband to rip the thing off the wall for me. <br />
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Well this year for Christmas I used one my pantry door in the kitchen and of course I broke the tab and have been waiting for my hubby to get it off ever since. It is now the beginning of the Easter season and that hook needs to come down.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uR-WYOxqd6HYw8jr0X_REyoHJEGoGnpO9dwKqc1gUYZ3zTjmI21cnPhk0KJhpDLFw5yuWRzacXvajml26_i2C3PFWtP2faBkfafmbkN9vBmh9DJz6waGA-VQoz_m9FlnM7DScc7Bas_q/s1600/hook+on+door+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uR-WYOxqd6HYw8jr0X_REyoHJEGoGnpO9dwKqc1gUYZ3zTjmI21cnPhk0KJhpDLFw5yuWRzacXvajml26_i2C3PFWtP2faBkfafmbkN9vBmh9DJz6waGA-VQoz_m9FlnM7DScc7Bas_q/s1600/hook+on+door+002.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I did a quick Pinterest search and I was in luck. Of course every thing looks so easy and awesome on Pinterest so I quickly grabbed my supplies and got to work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6svVMstfWExQCpocqLgLXNHSp3aolKPvWllS5xmK1jq0YpFmnjJLAosuLFwtrzmfwrG1fipjqeUGXqqIo-ickFFAtZyz1mgM1TTUdY14RK1qUx0xbEGUSNjz-PgVosOsHG8KR7KPsPfss/s1600/hook+on+door+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6svVMstfWExQCpocqLgLXNHSp3aolKPvWllS5xmK1jq0YpFmnjJLAosuLFwtrzmfwrG1fipjqeUGXqqIo-ickFFAtZyz1mgM1TTUdY14RK1qUx0xbEGUSNjz-PgVosOsHG8KR7KPsPfss/s1600/hook+on+door+003.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pinterest told me to heat the hook up with a blow dryer then slide floss behind it and voila! </div>
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I heated it for a few seconds then slid my floss between the hook and the door. It was super easy and the hook came right off...only problem so did some of the paint. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMTHcA_6h1ir7tBf87kAurj0sfTQgWVoLUe8Hbe0zRYmR4liTlKXw9qLx9o1mUZA_CkWstEgQIW9LU0o7t_86wy7M4AeQ0ss0KbU58HPw4YMWXXCj0EYOThoR71Zpe4acG4c-OSQkgBBD/s1600/hook+on+door+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMTHcA_6h1ir7tBf87kAurj0sfTQgWVoLUe8Hbe0zRYmR4liTlKXw9qLx9o1mUZA_CkWstEgQIW9LU0o7t_86wy7M4AeQ0ss0KbU58HPw4YMWXXCj0EYOThoR71Zpe4acG4c-OSQkgBBD/s1600/hook+on+door+006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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So if you need to do this, the hook will come off, but expect to do a little painting.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-78441849280004693352015-02-18T16:19:00.000-08:002015-04-01T10:07:11.119-07:00My Dorothy Draper Nightstand and Treasure Hunting Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
How did I end up with this really cool Dorothy Draper nightstand? By waking up early and going treasure hunting! Early bird gets the worm! ...and just being really lucky.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-KmgflY6vxDJZPsjhXdmtvxW756r-EsxpPRr-qKMC46QiSuh7vLeRnPiMtCdngFnm-9Eb3NPxlProxb_nHyK8dDWTbmG-EhDw2Fr_Gzw21wmK16O6hpgCaSuoq39YO14z-cbEBwgo1Y0/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dorothy Draper Nightstand" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr-KmgflY6vxDJZPsjhXdmtvxW756r-EsxpPRr-qKMC46QiSuh7vLeRnPiMtCdngFnm-9Eb3NPxlProxb_nHyK8dDWTbmG-EhDw2Fr_Gzw21wmK16O6hpgCaSuoq39YO14z-cbEBwgo1Y0/s1600/018.JPG" height="480" title="Dorothy Draper Nightstand" width="640" /></a></div>
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(please ignore the mattress without a bed, my room is under construction)</div>
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I absolutely love a good find. You know that feeling when you have scored something so wonderful for such an amazing price? Well that feeling gets even better when you have to hunt for that special item. I really really enjoy going to garage sales, estate sales, flea markets, in some cases others peoples garbage on the curb... If there's old stuff or quirky stuff that other people want to get rid of, I am there digging through it. You never know what you might find. Half the items in my house I purchased at normal stores, but the other half are treasures that I had to work for and was lucky enough to find.</div>
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A while back I was at an estate sale with my mom and she was on the hunt for a piece of furniture to store her drawing supplies in. Everything in the house was pretty cool but very pricey so I was on my way back to the car in a hurry, but on the way out I walked past the casita which had a few items in it and no people. I decided to take a little peek and noticed nothing was priced and that most people saw nothing was priced and turned right around and headed into the house. I lingered longer than most and waited for my mom to join me because there were two pieces that I liked and thought she could use. One was an old shabby chic butler's desk that needed some work and the other was this interesting nightstand. I say it was interesting because it was made very well and I loved the hardware and the slate top, but it was the ugliest color ever. Then when you opened it the inside was a hideous bright orange, but this was nothing a little paint couldn't fix and the design was great. My mom and I were both thinking they would want a lot for both pieces, considering what they were charging for the other items inside the house, but it was free to ask so we did. We brought the lady running the sale out to the casita and showed her the items and asked for a quote. She said the family wanted a decent amount for the butler's desk but agreed that it needed work and brought the price down for us and the night stand was so cheap she was practically giving it away. So I told my mom to buy both and see which she liked best and I would buy the other piece from her.</div>
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So of course she chose the butler's desk. It was gorgeous and perfect for all her drawing supplies. I took the nightstand and it worked out wonderfully because I needed one for the other side of my bed. I decided to paint it with Annie Sloan Versailles to match my chair in my bedroom. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeopSdhEzbAk4XtcZ9AqRbP1DvdWpIMGZAJhY9Bz3uH1g6sngfX61560QWaNR2cQgTFLQi4gNkO04ELLgRIG4xgkKQhWN9cyG_PAWmwK1LYNKP3QaK-bQrOIcffFA3sC_MxRslKCLSOaz/s1600/dorothy+draper+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dorothy Draper Nightstand" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeopSdhEzbAk4XtcZ9AqRbP1DvdWpIMGZAJhY9Bz3uH1g6sngfX61560QWaNR2cQgTFLQi4gNkO04ELLgRIG4xgkKQhWN9cyG_PAWmwK1LYNKP3QaK-bQrOIcffFA3sC_MxRslKCLSOaz/s1600/dorothy+draper+001.JPG" height="480" title="Dorothy Draper Nightstand" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now I am the kind of girl that jumps both feet first into a project, I grab a brush or hammer and go. Sooo...I'm painting away getting rid of the ugly beige and orange and I come across a stamp on the inside of one of the doors...Heritage. Interested in this stamp I took a break and googled it. At first I found nothing, after about an hour of searching I found it! My exact nightstand and it was by Dorothy Draper! The more I read and researched the more I realized I had the real deal and I was painting it...When I showed my husband a couple for sale online he almost died. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.... Oh well, I had no intentions of selling it and it looks great in my bedroom and that's all that matters.</div>
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This past weekend it was gorgeous out and I hit a few estate sales with my friend and here is what I scored:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuMUW-7x29TZjANv32tK8ZWK-uI6JcdWGmwZ94452MNJS8__4oELQT521Yt8iLR9I22er_Zw-I4yXpGYnLkxFAwCRLRMtlQ-Zw7JEG1_pdocJ2A8FcZe9xYWwXQX1xA5z8zMP1F8MvwWm/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuMUW-7x29TZjANv32tK8ZWK-uI6JcdWGmwZ94452MNJS8__4oELQT521Yt8iLR9I22er_Zw-I4yXpGYnLkxFAwCRLRMtlQ-Zw7JEG1_pdocJ2A8FcZe9xYWwXQX1xA5z8zMP1F8MvwWm/s1600/003.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love old books! and the suit cases came from a garage sale a couple years back...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcExdSPW9ftj53DFSN4J-BXj0zt911j_hZ2CWxSloXpzzjQJU4V3fd4av8Pck6n3h8Nt5sEVRmYm1Hnq-6EeR5K2EDkfA2n8mI1yYtNUeoLFe6FaDmQsSTq2BPK1S2IcIc4WX6qJ-xKfdJ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcExdSPW9ftj53DFSN4J-BXj0zt911j_hZ2CWxSloXpzzjQJU4V3fd4av8Pck6n3h8Nt5sEVRmYm1Hnq-6EeR5K2EDkfA2n8mI1yYtNUeoLFe6FaDmQsSTq2BPK1S2IcIc4WX6qJ-xKfdJ/s1600/005.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sewing machine drawers, there are so many possibilities for these..</div>
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Soon I am going to be selling some of my treasures...where? No idea yet I am still working that out, but in order for me to keep up this treasure hunting habit and to keep my house from looking like I am a hoarder, I will have to be selling some of these items....I will keep you guys posted. </div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-86795098465803688092015-02-11T17:48:00.000-08:002015-03-14T10:36:58.957-07:00TWG Tea and Banana Oatmeal CookiesThis week I have a couple new teas to share and I tried a pretty tasty, healthy cookie recipe...<br />
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The Mr. occasionally travels for work and lately he's been going to Hong Kong and Macau. The Mr. shares my love for tea. So while he was there right before Christmas he sat down to a Holiday Afternoon Tea, and boy was I jealous. I wish I could have been there. Here are a couple pictures he took, they even served sipping chocolate with the tea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIx8y1P0kLnoPz364CyUEZ5DdUkZYCfWiSh93Ly3lh0oZTyWJ_rRUALKuR9Uhl35hpoJnyXqYkfp2e4X3hC7jGWzgjZ8tYpI0bmOnMPtyyoAyJaqKRlqXYEydjZmH4lBnPa296uFsm0RTO/s1600/IMG_0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIx8y1P0kLnoPz364CyUEZ5DdUkZYCfWiSh93Ly3lh0oZTyWJ_rRUALKuR9Uhl35hpoJnyXqYkfp2e4X3hC7jGWzgjZ8tYpI0bmOnMPtyyoAyJaqKRlqXYEydjZmH4lBnPa296uFsm0RTO/s1600/IMG_0606.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpf845HsPOZW_IhNKplW0ZFH631rLweGVKef0qTeGPzSAig_4SsSlkAcM_C1GOSgwhgHQW7m5n_gjYXr0JH-8Rrcw15xGn22DbP1wMhjZQj4w6Yku-uh2fXj127Zk9cZ0pWZDSgAGGy9C/s1600/IMG_0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpf845HsPOZW_IhNKplW0ZFH631rLweGVKef0qTeGPzSAig_4SsSlkAcM_C1GOSgwhgHQW7m5n_gjYXr0JH-8Rrcw15xGn22DbP1wMhjZQj4w6Yku-uh2fXj127Zk9cZ0pWZDSgAGGy9C/s1600/IMG_0607.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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On his most recent trip he brought me home some TWG Tea. The two tea flavors he brought back were Tea Party and Moments Tea. I had my mom over today to try them and the banana oatmeal cookies I made.</div>
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Tea Party is from their Haute Couture Tea Collection, which means what? Its extra fancy and they can charge more? It's a black tea infused with candied sweetness and bright yellow blossoms. Not much of a description for such a fancy tea, I think the bright yellow blossoms are Marigolds, as I have seen those in other teas before, but not sure what else is in it. It is very tasty though and has a sweetness to it. It definitely reminds you of a tea party and the yummy goodies served. </div>
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The Moments Tea is a special tea created exclusively for the Sheraton Macau Hotel and is a mix of green and black tea with sweet flower blossoms and ripe tropical mango. Again I am left wondering exactly what's in it, but the smell is very intense and it is very tropical and fruity. They are both delicious but I think I prefer the Moments Tea. </div>
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Now on to the other yummy part of this post, the cookies! I have to start off by saying these cookies are pretty simple and healthy so don't expect them to taste just like oatmeal cookies. My mom had in her mind that she was having oatmeal cookies so she was quite surprised when she took her first bite. We both agreed these were tasty but would be even yummier with chocolate chips, but then that is adding more sugar. She even had the great suggestion of turning these into bars to take with you for a snack instead of buying granola bars. </div>
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I found these cookies on pinterst which led me the blog<a href="http://www.theburlapbag.com/2012/07/2-ingredient-cookies-plus-the-mix-ins-of-your-choice/" target="_blank"> The Burlap Bag</a>. Her site has the full recipe with other great ideas. I tweaked the recipe a bit and used Strawberry Shortcake Oatmeal instead of quick oats and it turned out great.</div>
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All these cookies have in them is 2 bananas and 1 cup of oatmeal. Smash everything together and bake at 350 for 15 minutes on parchment paper.</div>
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They could not be any easier and I don't feel guilty about sitting down and eating 3 at one time. I think tomorrow I will make another batch but this time with chocolate chips, just a few won't hurt right? </div>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-8716463199472424882015-02-04T18:50:00.000-08:002015-04-01T10:09:00.450-07:00Sprucing up my closet...Ever since we moved into our house we have been slowly, very slowly... but surely turning it into a home we love and that reflects us. Over the next couple months I will share with you what we have done so far. <br />
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I am going to start this house "tour" with the room I spend too much time in and is the most neglected, the master closet. I decided it was about time I did something, anything, with my closet so I finally started working on it.<br />
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Here is what it looked like when we moved in...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilJ6MkWe5qaLkLMGu2HoPJTB4frPMCDjS63lkdnkb6bQe0-6KQ1rS-4LFyGHvk0rvm9eyxb2zK2YErE3WApp2szMVDSnNeOhGzLzLvDTJC86GvGoSKgTM2qXfrJQNN_JU3QJONYgJaH8h/s1600/closet.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilJ6MkWe5qaLkLMGu2HoPJTB4frPMCDjS63lkdnkb6bQe0-6KQ1rS-4LFyGHvk0rvm9eyxb2zK2YErE3WApp2szMVDSnNeOhGzLzLvDTJC86GvGoSKgTM2qXfrJQNN_JU3QJONYgJaH8h/s1600/closet.png" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Like all the other rooms in this house it was a sea of boring beige...</div>
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With this ugly florescent light...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQ8QJU0Q7v9PaZ9I-3kYS6ZBCxhJSeOvMrAveFRZooqtRLnpyOon6adCTMIvdmI4rHWOQjSMastrnE9eHE6vpoS2mwF4mN7c2zrkQbsNV9WA8YmRZOIm9YJFVMaE-_3GoMtUp4k8D2ZzF/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQ8QJU0Q7v9PaZ9I-3kYS6ZBCxhJSeOvMrAveFRZooqtRLnpyOon6adCTMIvdmI4rHWOQjSMastrnE9eHE6vpoS2mwF4mN7c2zrkQbsNV9WA8YmRZOIm9YJFVMaE-_3GoMtUp4k8D2ZzF/s1600/001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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On one side of the closet that you can't see there is a wall of shelves. On the other wall there is nothing, which is kind of a waste. </div>
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I want to spruce up this space with as small of a budget as possible. My plan is to repaint, put in a new light, add shelves on the blank wall, and replace the carpet with wood that we had left over from downstairs.</div>
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So far there is a new light, which needs to be turned around so the seam is facing the other way, and the holes in the ceiling still need to be repaired...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdMdcIixSWkG1eTGtiaHY_DwmKKBvqvpdre_vqFtLpeG4K5kSQWmeugH6b1cQl_1R2kWshHCnn-NbdYgBf_a16UwI9S3LxeQiNmIjwB0p5IMxR213BWlen9aDKVXUDSjSbLkat6cyADeW/s1600/light+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdMdcIixSWkG1eTGtiaHY_DwmKKBvqvpdre_vqFtLpeG4K5kSQWmeugH6b1cQl_1R2kWshHCnn-NbdYgBf_a16UwI9S3LxeQiNmIjwB0p5IMxR213BWlen9aDKVXUDSjSbLkat6cyADeW/s1600/light+001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0_jRYAOHIGrpDHrt7Gdq5RiryTydLnFD3UAm423Ft3jEn9ni0LFoDhyphenhyphens6PynCXGFQksuQgmQHmaEjjodUytqJqse440o-s3BpIo2ViGfvBXbt2nfWrA_LDwFg1Uy6Tj5t788uQM7kfjw/s1600/light+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0_jRYAOHIGrpDHrt7Gdq5RiryTydLnFD3UAm423Ft3jEn9ni0LFoDhyphenhyphens6PynCXGFQksuQgmQHmaEjjodUytqJqse440o-s3BpIo2ViGfvBXbt2nfWrA_LDwFg1Uy6Tj5t788uQM7kfjw/s1600/light+004.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I painted the whole closet SW 7005 Pure White...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SU2f1RjdoKv0IyK-u8f0QDsj7xTl7uRA1qxKUKHrdUPNLBNJ54VyGWGnHqVoRwyNjgJN45jJeTLlqNJhNQovWKeQ40PZBFRO32EtDH1bt2BSW3_JgFmkWLhd_-Klcd51GFZKMGqJvPMR/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SU2f1RjdoKv0IyK-u8f0QDsj7xTl7uRA1qxKUKHrdUPNLBNJ54VyGWGnHqVoRwyNjgJN45jJeTLlqNJhNQovWKeQ40PZBFRO32EtDH1bt2BSW3_JgFmkWLhd_-Klcd51GFZKMGqJvPMR/s1600/007.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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...and I started a little project I have been wanting to do somewhere in my house. For a couple years I have seen these gorgeous pictures of ceilings and walls covered with beautiful metallic papers. After alot of research I learned some people apply metallic papers square by square and some use wall paper to get the look.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QvOK3cUSBGSz2cSdMFC8pV25uRrAYOBJD18nwzXAATwzFDCm7Ru0DzhCsxAjuwCn_624RXTHH_ApwpJOOjiqViPMYdS74GS6mqBnoD0LnD02_CRjn4jVAHgGtDWK2MmkU7wT2B8Yxcc1/s1600/hbx-library-with-lacquered-walls-and-silver-ceiling-0512-thomas09-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QvOK3cUSBGSz2cSdMFC8pV25uRrAYOBJD18nwzXAATwzFDCm7Ru0DzhCsxAjuwCn_624RXTHH_ApwpJOOjiqViPMYdS74GS6mqBnoD0LnD02_CRjn4jVAHgGtDWK2MmkU7wT2B8Yxcc1/s1600/hbx-library-with-lacquered-walls-and-silver-ceiling-0512-thomas09-lgn.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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(picture from House Beautiful)</div>
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Well the wall paper was too expensive and would kill my budget, and the I decided against doing the ceiling because it would kill my back....so I decided to do my own smaller version.</div>
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I purchased some pretty gold paper from <a href="http://www.papersource.com/?cm_mmc=google-_-Site_Brand-_-Brand-_-%5bpaper_source%5d&gclid=COeL17zhycMCFYhefgodrlkASQ" target="_blank">Paper Source</a> and some wallpaper paste from Sherwin Williams. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54r_oN3sVRVElzkPcOsFZgmQFt8J0IkzTnafcn0Ujej9-F8HxvDmnVzhLjZmmn3UpFhdmyEnPzg2QYJ4vBNKmIH8I8pPuCogjve7mlW_2stwfMzmyOEo1mNco5mkBBaV1gds6mw4jbLn_/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54r_oN3sVRVElzkPcOsFZgmQFt8J0IkzTnafcn0Ujej9-F8HxvDmnVzhLjZmmn3UpFhdmyEnPzg2QYJ4vBNKmIH8I8pPuCogjve7mlW_2stwfMzmyOEo1mNco5mkBBaV1gds6mw4jbLn_/s1600/011.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I cut the paper into various rectangles and squares...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGyeho_j3c6fWl-Jhul1QZaXXTPxya3OV_mQLfjSJk_rOPAGaiLDx5xOSyz26MQZQABUebqF_K4jwgcoSJ9Bf_tR8HZoKF9hc0JolWllep0FAWuqS4dg9reIv-V7PD4YfH2CxVX0N3iUD/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGyeho_j3c6fWl-Jhul1QZaXXTPxya3OV_mQLfjSJk_rOPAGaiLDx5xOSyz26MQZQABUebqF_K4jwgcoSJ9Bf_tR8HZoKF9hc0JolWllep0FAWuqS4dg9reIv-V7PD4YfH2CxVX0N3iUD/s1600/014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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...then carefully painted the paste onto the back.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyi_wAhxCLxF9uE4L3DLVbA6UJQ2HgNqF5NoNK3yv95FOHZeaT6yn7u110WuOATC9eWqXkU0XEz7FfHk033mtdHP9KxfAVIjn92Heju5MrlZ3ezsEaxJV0omFr9VlAtbRF3sdunh3xHVrc/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyi_wAhxCLxF9uE4L3DLVbA6UJQ2HgNqF5NoNK3yv95FOHZeaT6yn7u110WuOATC9eWqXkU0XEz7FfHk033mtdHP9KxfAVIjn92Heju5MrlZ3ezsEaxJV0omFr9VlAtbRF3sdunh3xHVrc/s1600/015.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I started placing the squares on the both ends of the shelf working my way towards the middle, over lapping them in a random pattern to give a patch work look.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCA6rUI9LV6M76pqfGfJ6sI4aLidiJT3eYqgrnPYMnoDXWvzfi-9bdH32RXUtPWFb4gUDqnhiNMdQS4L61q9765_duq92Wc7B_rBRxLv47pJAURLmHmMv9mNQxRYU6lUqGEruqkFjw7LS/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gold Closet Shelves" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCA6rUI9LV6M76pqfGfJ6sI4aLidiJT3eYqgrnPYMnoDXWvzfi-9bdH32RXUtPWFb4gUDqnhiNMdQS4L61q9765_duq92Wc7B_rBRxLv47pJAURLmHmMv9mNQxRYU6lUqGEruqkFjw7LS/s1600/019.JPG" height="480" title="Gold Closet Shelves" width="640" /></a></div>
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I want to cover the back of every shelf on this unit and the one I want to build in the future. So far I am LOVING the way it looks and I think my shoes look so happy in front of the gold. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SpQqS8gtEy7qw0vrhyDTB7a52otdq6nADi22BPP-co3w7Fs7LgokdhYN5SqLyB9I-aca-Og_Xo1gYuzjxbxF2QX5OQwp9q7DieQaEBmnKqKVCGWCrLFDcTtN4Sva5REAl-XrRGBj_bsw/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" gold Closet Shelves" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SpQqS8gtEy7qw0vrhyDTB7a52otdq6nADi22BPP-co3w7Fs7LgokdhYN5SqLyB9I-aca-Og_Xo1gYuzjxbxF2QX5OQwp9q7DieQaEBmnKqKVCGWCrLFDcTtN4Sva5REAl-XrRGBj_bsw/s1600/028.JPG" height="480" title="gold Closet Shelves" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hopefully in the next few weeks I will get the new shelves in and the new floor down. Fingers crossed! </div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-39411865518852880722015-02-03T17:56:00.000-08:002015-02-03T17:56:30.083-08:00How to and how not to wash your canvas Sperrys.The Mr's canvas Sperrys are couple years old and have seen better days. He apparently agreed and wore them while working on his car. Needless to say he got grease on them. <br />
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I was not ready to give in just yet and buy new ones so I searched the land of ideas, pinterest. I found several tutorials that ranged from throwing them in the washing machine to hand scrubbing them. I decided to do my own combination and here's what worked and what didn't...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GGpMHSNRVrj9G7vAa_R3gzEY4K0rfIGJtmaKLPTONro984FFpVW1rJNfC7z9V0df7MQxicg1oqRmQ_Pfyhl6lYvC0NLxl_4yQjGpYuUNTRKV3f-psTNrsEg9qBz271IEsUQRPVGNRm4Y/s1600/sperrys+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GGpMHSNRVrj9G7vAa_R3gzEY4K0rfIGJtmaKLPTONro984FFpVW1rJNfC7z9V0df7MQxicg1oqRmQ_Pfyhl6lYvC0NLxl_4yQjGpYuUNTRKV3f-psTNrsEg9qBz271IEsUQRPVGNRm4Y/s1600/sperrys+002.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I filled the sink up with COLD water and added a little Seventh Generation laundry detergent. I emphasis COLD because you don't want any part of your shoe shrinking. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFk2NhQ8tOHdKtTnmNgxAbdPKCD0SA7EDNTBsyGcrTnm4HsnE9PBIsYuk2gbQ0PQj9Ni35TwZRgkM8s5ETzSgTsrjhIRSULY2qLKmT_W6qDE5yxb0S8XMH1cz3Drr9UYPPUbxZdw8303LM/s1600/sperrys+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFk2NhQ8tOHdKtTnmNgxAbdPKCD0SA7EDNTBsyGcrTnm4HsnE9PBIsYuk2gbQ0PQj9Ni35TwZRgkM8s5ETzSgTsrjhIRSULY2qLKmT_W6qDE5yxb0S8XMH1cz3Drr9UYPPUbxZdw8303LM/s1600/sperrys+005.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used a combination of Seventh Generation dish soap and Seventh Generation stain remover to treat the grease stain. I then used an old tooth brush to scrub that spot and gently scrub the rest of the shoes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvgoXFkNOGYUgXnEB2p4Vd1QqEXt-NNqc6A-PG15u7rFhy_pg3ikVVCB419V_1z3In07Qql4S13QqnkrMDXgZKvR5sX2LFLrU3Rg99eDCQofUrY58-ZHK6C9W9heZQeY9CJarzuA1-4a-/s1600/sperrys+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvgoXFkNOGYUgXnEB2p4Vd1QqEXt-NNqc6A-PG15u7rFhy_pg3ikVVCB419V_1z3In07Qql4S13QqnkrMDXgZKvR5sX2LFLrU3Rg99eDCQofUrY58-ZHK6C9W9heZQeY9CJarzuA1-4a-/s1600/sperrys+004.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Everyone online says to take out the laces to wash them separately, but honestly I'm pretty sure I would not be able to lace them up again if I did, so in they stayed. I just sprayed them with the stain remover and scrubbed them with the tooth brush. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-naFb0C9dhv2q-oX4LJ-VHhjAsbF6p7MiBCmXdmfNYTjwdyyVbhDaWb97hoTVQBurApELVwH_GGaIpJ59Co_0KNefs-b_NXFrG3uekzsrNo2XMhKoRbl99Inp7NyBSZjprclkbYpu3k88/s1600/sperrys+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-naFb0C9dhv2q-oX4LJ-VHhjAsbF6p7MiBCmXdmfNYTjwdyyVbhDaWb97hoTVQBurApELVwH_GGaIpJ59Co_0KNefs-b_NXFrG3uekzsrNo2XMhKoRbl99Inp7NyBSZjprclkbYpu3k88/s1600/sperrys+006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once I was done scrubbing, I rinsed them under the faucet and put them on a towel to dry. That's one thing every tutorial agreed with, do NOT put them in the dryer, let them air dry. I then stuffed the toes with paper towels so they would keep their shape while drying.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR7v76FG-4D8Tq4mmGcjeGfmFWv_H8w0-KfymUL18aJpQcgbj6islwXb3zg0QWslnDFwdEWDEBcuFjjFXXQWlE-hsQfWRIEgIIOtX0WNZ7p5kOEKv_ZG-EU-ZYbA5tWE-iDFhF6Cx-gWf/s1600/sperrys+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR7v76FG-4D8Tq4mmGcjeGfmFWv_H8w0-KfymUL18aJpQcgbj6islwXb3zg0QWslnDFwdEWDEBcuFjjFXXQWlE-hsQfWRIEgIIOtX0WNZ7p5kOEKv_ZG-EU-ZYbA5tWE-iDFhF6Cx-gWf/s1600/sperrys+009.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ewww they were soo dirty...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydJdxFZEq5_dk0t0EtSfWHNHEszQ7xs0EYUFOokLTqwmwgUyhyS8RW33NOgqafqcY2z77zY9UB_O74AuN_i-MnqMRPfqFLgoZZu4oiDArYNx5NSXVjyKSO4ty-GRn0Lw6Ouggm516UWsU/s1600/sperrys+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiydJdxFZEq5_dk0t0EtSfWHNHEszQ7xs0EYUFOokLTqwmwgUyhyS8RW33NOgqafqcY2z77zY9UB_O74AuN_i-MnqMRPfqFLgoZZu4oiDArYNx5NSXVjyKSO4ty-GRn0Lw6Ouggm516UWsU/s1600/sperrys+007.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now here's the part that wasn't so good....</div>
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Once they dried there were noticeable whitish spots. It seems the places I scrubbed the hardest, like where the grease stain was, were much lighter now. I scrubbed the color right off! There were also some areas on the sides that were lighter too. These seem to be the spots that had the most wear and tear on them and when the dirt came off well that was it, there was no color left underneath. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAdyFpBbTvBWuAFjpV67tlo5WHOnep54x0tTdvuE1bV7GTMY74YUkcT_ExvLQ7HSMpUjoO9x8OYOxXlkGJrQwuZxf5RNQKj-UI2NM51v89cZK5lohyHVEjgXdP0un57wfrdyCYfLAbWpf/s1600/sperrys+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAdyFpBbTvBWuAFjpV67tlo5WHOnep54x0tTdvuE1bV7GTMY74YUkcT_ExvLQ7HSMpUjoO9x8OYOxXlkGJrQwuZxf5RNQKj-UI2NM51v89cZK5lohyHVEjgXdP0un57wfrdyCYfLAbWpf/s1600/sperrys+011.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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So if I had to do this again, I would not do any scrubbing, or at least very light scrubbing..the tooth brush was a bad idea. Lesson learned and now they are just really worn, but really clean weekend/work shoes. </div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-23625946430891439872015-01-23T13:24:00.004-08:002015-01-23T13:24:31.762-08:00My seeds are here!This may be the most exciting part about gardening! or is it when they start to sprout? or maybe when I get a veggie? Well I guess for me there a lots of exciting parts, but this is definitely on the top of the list.<br />
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What's more exciting than getting seeds in the mail? Seeds in cute packaging!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0-ak3W1125Az3fx8EQILyqXzYk2VaodXbATHy1_iJRAwrGIgA8EDLvVVrTJ_74573O7v83gP9ZYJ4SOmq8Tr5uKmH_TKJ8z6CIscA64ZyVJ18iZQIqE71iMix9GFxt1jS_ADlj-3E8T2/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0-ak3W1125Az3fx8EQILyqXzYk2VaodXbATHy1_iJRAwrGIgA8EDLvVVrTJ_74573O7v83gP9ZYJ4SOmq8Tr5uKmH_TKJ8z6CIscA64ZyVJ18iZQIqE71iMix9GFxt1jS_ADlj-3E8T2/s1600/007.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Out west our summer starts early so last night I planted a few seeds inside to give them a little head start before I plant them outside.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAVML5QpoxCLrjTTIRtoOWMHWxMwvbGYfii3IhLM7CKyF2dPyqMVggWirDER81ozxzeBLLwAwW3EBtn-Obfyra-w2jzoECX_wuLi-g8FrGpMbRqzzGuxjmHem8F1hTxKhQsiq4gogyk-M/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAVML5QpoxCLrjTTIRtoOWMHWxMwvbGYfii3IhLM7CKyF2dPyqMVggWirDER81ozxzeBLLwAwW3EBtn-Obfyra-w2jzoECX_wuLi-g8FrGpMbRqzzGuxjmHem8F1hTxKhQsiq4gogyk-M/s1600/008.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not only do I garden because it's fun and I want fresh organic veggies in my back yard, but also because I'm cheap. I prefer to start my plants from seed to save money and I start them in any container I can find. I then label the containers with paint so I know which seedling is which when I transplant them outside.</div>
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Every year I try new plants and keep the ones that did well the previous year. Gardening in the desert is always an experiment, every year is different and every year I encounter a new pest. Here is what I am planting this year and I will keep you posted on how they work out.</div>
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<i>These guys have done great in the past and get to come back:</i></div>
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Greencrop Bush Beans - My Grandma grows these back east and loves them, so last year I tried them out here and couldn't believe how well they did. </div>
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Basil- Italian Genovese</div>
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Cilantro/Coriander</div>
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Parsley- Moss Curled</div>
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Bachelor's Button- multiple colors</div>
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Marigolds- multiple colors</div>
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Cosmos- multiple colors</div>
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Cherry Tomatos - Lizzano</div>
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Mint- This stuff grows like a weed so I always keep it in little containers.</div>
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Thyme- A few plants actually made it through the winter this year.</div>
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Oregano- Comes back on it's own every year and grows like a weed.</div>
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<i>New for this year</i>:</div>
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Basil - Thai, Red Rubin, Lemon, and Cinnamon</div>
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Eggplant- Long Purple - Last year a friend of mine grew these Long Purple/Japanese eggplants with</div>
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great success.</div>
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Cucumbers- Armenian Burpless </div>
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Chile Peppers- Pasilla Bajio and Ancho/Poblano</div>
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Yellow Summer Squash- Cube of Butter</div>
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Green Summer Squash- Cocozelle - Last year I grew a different variety and it did alright so I'm</div>
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going to try a slightly different one this year.</div>
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Mustard Spinach- Supposed to be hardier than spinach, so I am hoping it can take the heat.</div>
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I am hoping to have everything outside and growing sometime in March...</div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-24592089260387509262015-01-12T15:25:00.002-08:002015-01-12T15:25:33.494-08:00My Current Paint Crush<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you know me in the "real" world then you know I love to decorate and redecorate everything. As a kid I was pretty lucky and my mom let me express myself through my room and my clothes. When I look back now I have no idea what I was thinking most of the time, but that's how we learn right? Trial and error? ...and let's be honest that's still pretty much how I operate today, I am constantly trying out new things and redoing them until I'm happy. </div>
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So with all of this decorating I have been reusing and refinishing furniture since I was a teenager. I've tried ALOT of methods...I have tried sanding which is alot of work and messy. I have tried using a chemical stripper which is even more of a mess and dangerous because when a label says not to get that product on your skin or in your eyes, I inevitably will do both. I have even tried using a safe green soy chemical stripper with no luck. Then after all of that you still have to stain or paint and do a top coat which involves even more sanding. It's just exhausting and half way through the project I am so over it, which is why when I heard about Annie Sloan Chalk Paint I could not wait to try it. </div>
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<a href="http://www.anniesloan.com/acatalog/paints.html" target="_blank">Annie Sloan Chalk Paint</a> is now my go to product whenever I need to refinish something. At first I was very skeptical. Did I really not have to sand or strip the furniture? Will it really cover? Will it actually hold up?</div>
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My very first project with the paint was this bergere chair I found at a local Salvation Army store. It desperately needed some love and I was dying to try the chalk paint. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium4mZiAm9G7gWADftmk7tt356amtvtgtalnrEMSIIfYTKuT1T1-MzzvQBOHZKKQzgVRJB7lnUaG9mRAbHVNfCVPozzQqdmSLoi1kFrPH2dp-j1iH_LgoKF06mm2JnFrBNsH_T1myKEjkO/s1600/5305_10151338182726987_1977751182_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEium4mZiAm9G7gWADftmk7tt356amtvtgtalnrEMSIIfYTKuT1T1-MzzvQBOHZKKQzgVRJB7lnUaG9mRAbHVNfCVPozzQqdmSLoi1kFrPH2dp-j1iH_LgoKF06mm2JnFrBNsH_T1myKEjkO/s1600/5305_10151338182726987_1977751182_n.jpg" height="480" title="Refinished chair Smell the Cosmos" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">All I did was wipe the wood clean with some soap and water then paint, no sanding! I used the color </span><a href="http://www.anniesloan.com/acatalog/Versailles_profile.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Versailles</a><span style="text-align: left;"> and it took 2 full coats then I went back over a few spots a third time. I waited a day then put on the Annie Sloan Clear Wax. I am thrilled with the way it came out and how much easier it was. I painted this chair almost 2 years ago and it still looks great.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiq6Jv6pFW-S6Nx1d1WSWiCzDy-AYK4Lv8mWeUCOOajpjbrbiDjeknDxjuDzwvAnD30Fq0WJXhssIdi46n0jiMqdRD5Z2t0M9LwCEpCTQ1DisX2ez2-NmXrOstQqSIH4PeIgNC7X654Q9m/s1600/10730847_10152358763576987_2940566974967480426_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiq6Jv6pFW-S6Nx1d1WSWiCzDy-AYK4Lv8mWeUCOOajpjbrbiDjeknDxjuDzwvAnD30Fq0WJXhssIdi46n0jiMqdRD5Z2t0M9LwCEpCTQ1DisX2ez2-NmXrOstQqSIH4PeIgNC7X654Q9m/s1600/10730847_10152358763576987_2940566974967480426_n.jpg" height="640" title="Refinished chair Smell the Cosmos" width="596" /></a></div>
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My most recent project with the chalk paint was this little vanity I picked up at a garage sale. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiRdtJQStD8YkaOiEnPKUgCpCByfmYQMGmNQPB3XkYW83uljxDPV9emHll7IwvDy-IYyuD1BivSFQy6vRE2uuW7JT8yNgIIN3HfZ8Wkj8hYzRXE24QG7x7ZWwKXedvQpBzUefFfyo__LZ/s1600/little+vanity+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiRdtJQStD8YkaOiEnPKUgCpCByfmYQMGmNQPB3XkYW83uljxDPV9emHll7IwvDy-IYyuD1BivSFQy6vRE2uuW7JT8yNgIIN3HfZ8Wkj8hYzRXE24QG7x7ZWwKXedvQpBzUefFfyo__LZ/s1600/little+vanity+004.JPG" height="468" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I saw the cute little wooden wheels and had to have it. The seller was an older guy who told me he had picked it up years ago with the intention of refinishing it himself, but after some sanding gave up and never finished. There were a few rough spots here and there that I sanded down smooth and I sanded the top so I could stain it. Once the top was done I covered the rest of it with 3 coats of </span><a href="http://www.anniesloan.com/acatalog/Paris_Grey_profile.html" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Paris Grey</a><span style="text-align: justify;">. I lightly distressed </span><span style="text-align: justify;">the edges and sealed the entire piece with the Clear Wax. This little guy now lives by my back door and catches all our mail and belongings when we walk in. </span></div>
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If you have not experimented with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint yet trust me you will not be disappointed. I am already dreaming up my next project and I'm thinking it will be a piece for my back yard. I can't wait to share that with you and see how this stuff holds up outdoors. </div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-15662294204593396952015-01-07T17:46:00.001-08:002015-01-23T13:24:57.550-08:00Is it Spring yet?Today was an absolutely gorgeous day, it is spring right? Winter's over? I really wish it was. I received my favorite seed catalog, <a href="http://www.botanicalinterests.com/" target="_blank">Botanical Interests</a>, in the mail the other day and I have been dreaming about what to plant this year ever since. It was so lovely out today so I spent most of the afternoon cleaning up and doing a little pruning around the yard. I love to garden and work on our little yard, except when it is the middle of summer, then I will tell you I hate it and it's a stupid idea. I have small pots every where with herbs and flowers, but my main section is in the very back of yard behind our garage. I have a few planters that I fill every year with different veggies and it's a constant experiment. If something works it gets to come back next year, if it can't make it through the heat, gets too buggy, or takes too much water or work it gets kicked to the curb. I currently have a pomegranate bush, rose bush, blackberry bush, hydrangea, 6 cabbages, and some garlic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQbN94tMrnjk0YBvRUEk0wpF8osXx0Albik9GnBqbMy2KnKpH62GojNtGRq1jUq18ecL6vJlOPTeHdO2v5v106AN5jHIiA9Y6YaEm67VidnzVIJSRuhEDUvgCf_CIIn8OFgn_GS6MlYmv/s1600/yard+topiary+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQbN94tMrnjk0YBvRUEk0wpF8osXx0Albik9GnBqbMy2KnKpH62GojNtGRq1jUq18ecL6vJlOPTeHdO2v5v106AN5jHIiA9Y6YaEm67VidnzVIJSRuhEDUvgCf_CIIn8OFgn_GS6MlYmv/s1600/yard+topiary+005.JPG" height="606" width="640" /></a></div>
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But this year I want more. I want more space and more veggies. I want to add a large raised bed with a little olive tree in the middle for a little protection from the sun. I just hope the Mr. is on board since he will be in charge of building the raised bed. This is what I have in mind...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-q1PDFDn5ubgHBfqGUyxe211aez3928_8YNt2QJeucuXhl_5CLNSgOG_vJgfqGc2Dyc9Ootq2vSykShGWkH8TzvQlk0DRiZllOgJZqGBHcZ02dNbNiSeIbfVvOer8G9mlKnZMnuTb4JW/s1600/yard+topiary+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-q1PDFDn5ubgHBfqGUyxe211aez3928_8YNt2QJeucuXhl_5CLNSgOG_vJgfqGc2Dyc9Ootq2vSykShGWkH8TzvQlk0DRiZllOgJZqGBHcZ02dNbNiSeIbfVvOer8G9mlKnZMnuTb4JW/s1600/yard+topiary+002.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Don't be jealous of my drawing skills, it took years of practice to become this skilled....</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I will keep you posted on the progress of my little plan, but for today I will have to settle for something a little smaller to satisfy my need to play with something green. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I have had this jasmine plant sitting on my counter for almost a year now and he needs a little help. I love this little guy because when these flowers bloom it is amazing, the smell fills my entire kitchen. The only problem with him is that he is a bit ugly and out grew the little trellis he is growing up. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgW-IzYk-NcvE-fymcyQzIZ1hyAA07-0rQ4NkbVwp_sLda1j_wc25fUiazg1_tXyE3tfeBEOaZQt0LqIRMfWZMq9g_5Db1DImIys_1_OcB5a9pRusZreQja1OUuViY7QXnAyThIkLkmr_/s1600/yard+topiary+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgW-IzYk-NcvE-fymcyQzIZ1hyAA07-0rQ4NkbVwp_sLda1j_wc25fUiazg1_tXyE3tfeBEOaZQt0LqIRMfWZMq9g_5Db1DImIys_1_OcB5a9pRusZreQja1OUuViY7QXnAyThIkLkmr_/s1600/yard+topiary+007.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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So...I ordered these super cute topiary frames from Factory Direct Craft on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rusted-Topiary-Arranging-Crafting-Decorating/dp/B00EHZC9X0/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420680533&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=topiary+frame+rusted" target="_blank">Amazon</a> to spruce this guy up a bit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wp0q5YJo_5Bs1Pd_FZAC79yVFr6-v2iP1CZOXHEBCJHImmfGYt88t0PsU8R8E9WibLln4JEDowCRoEaG5XrZKtDKhRzwxnXU-EIyDIgoUycOCH30u0AiziUSQO245Lde9h_exlxu-b1t/s1600/yard+topiary+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wp0q5YJo_5Bs1Pd_FZAC79yVFr6-v2iP1CZOXHEBCJHImmfGYt88t0PsU8R8E9WibLln4JEDowCRoEaG5XrZKtDKhRzwxnXU-EIyDIgoUycOCH30u0AiziUSQO245Lde9h_exlxu-b1t/s1600/yard+topiary+008.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was incredibly quick an easy, I just pulled out the old moss and trellis and inserted the new frame into the dirt. I then carefully wrapped the vines up and around the metal frame and secured the vines in place with some raffia.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aw7_82vS7rsLcdE-XTQR5HK0U35EBr1jNCJeTU4GyTqMOUi83kWELP8Hn_VhRF4KdiVzaV57bb2v6LsJciOuoRsKVxYU22mpn4Cmd2CyEG58OubWURSFCWzUM5Prgh7Vh_g4C-kjadDJ/s1600/yard+topiary+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aw7_82vS7rsLcdE-XTQR5HK0U35EBr1jNCJeTU4GyTqMOUi83kWELP8Hn_VhRF4KdiVzaV57bb2v6LsJciOuoRsKVxYU22mpn4Cmd2CyEG58OubWURSFCWzUM5Prgh7Vh_g4C-kjadDJ/s1600/yard+topiary+010.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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It will take him a little bit longer to completely cover the frame, but I enjoy having something green to play with in the house. I threw some new moss on top of the dirt and he was all done with his little makeover. Now back to daydreaming with my seed catalog...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDa4qK5ntSd37G8dAWemuP9swkPehxeknTB1K5PPr5BJxCXHH_M5sKicBzyo-UUVJK11MrS1jv2Koz8B8bMm3UjFz8k5VMUgNmknmWxyHjVr6zZyNkMLO23HZKpOFRejxvGOoAUjwIWvS/s1600/yard+topiary+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDa4qK5ntSd37G8dAWemuP9swkPehxeknTB1K5PPr5BJxCXHH_M5sKicBzyo-UUVJK11MrS1jv2Koz8B8bMm3UjFz8k5VMUgNmknmWxyHjVr6zZyNkMLO23HZKpOFRejxvGOoAUjwIWvS/s1600/yard+topiary+014.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8428241311477110785.post-12180572882253353962015-01-04T17:23:00.000-08:002015-01-04T17:23:43.072-08:00Snow Day Fun, or Not...One of the things I love about our neighborhood is the events they hold for kids and families. Yesterday they held a "Snow Day" for the kids which is very fun considering we live in the desert. There were snacks and most importantly snow! They brought in a huge ramp/mountain for sledding and covered the whole thing with snow. Tons of kids showed up and stayed long after the event was cleaned up and the mountain taken down.<br />
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This morning the park was empty and there was still quite a bit of snow left so it was the perfect time to take my "kids" to the park to play. I was so excited for them to get to play in the snow for the first time so we all ran to the park. However, once we got there I was the only one left excited. They had no idea what it was and would jump over the small piles and only wanted to walk in the grass. I'm sure they were not thrilled about the cold stuff on the their feet. I should have put their shoes on, but I was a bad pet parent and was just in such a hurry to go play in the snow. I made them walk in it for a couple minutes convinced they would change their minds, but no such luck. Oh well, I guess they are truly desert doggies. At least I got a couple pictures of them looking cute in it.<br />
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Morty</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOpOyLbH7yMQ-pli9A2vOOi5PFzv-IZbkp3x1hN02I6-7qqO76DKE9S3G90MX-GRApZd7MkIaFsfqwbFA2ZBAfgWTP-oglSioaZmPYc1G0KwBHHGu2DIfzHq-gS7mNEeO30RIkZdbaMfC/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOpOyLbH7yMQ-pli9A2vOOi5PFzv-IZbkp3x1hN02I6-7qqO76DKE9S3G90MX-GRApZd7MkIaFsfqwbFA2ZBAfgWTP-oglSioaZmPYc1G0KwBHHGu2DIfzHq-gS7mNEeO30RIkZdbaMfC/s1600/001.JPG" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
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Leo (in green) and Morty</div>
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quickly pulling me off the snow</div>
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<br />Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679090278914154143noreply@blogger.com0