tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21869828434709553632024-03-05T13:07:53.562-08:00Modern Day Super MommyIt's a bird! It's a plane! No, its Modern Day Super Mommy!Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-66860509802012661452012-04-07T20:56:00.001-07:002012-04-07T20:57:33.208-07:00EmptyGrace.<br /><br />I dream of you,<br />your bouncing curls and chestnut eyes,<br />your little girl laugh <br />that echoes off walls, <br />off buildings, <br />bounces around the Grand Canyon, <br />causes tsunamis off the coast of Japan, <br />and then skips back to heaven.<br /><br />And I will myself not to wake,<br />wrapping arms around you, <br />feeling you…<br />so real, <br />breathing you in. <br />As if I could inhale your soul, <br />like my wanting could wish you <br />into existence. <br />But when I wake <br />my arms are wrapped around my belly <br />and I’m breathing in salty tears <br />and I’m still empty.<br /><br />They gave me Valium to calm me, <br />to make me forget my worries,<br />my apprehension,<br />my pain,<br />but still I remember. <br />It was cold, <br />the surgeon was humming along to classic rock <br />as she readied <br />sterile stainless steel tools, <br />preparing to dissect me.<br />She removed the broken parts that day, <br />but her scalpel slipped, <br />and she took a piece of my soul. <br />And when I woke, <br />I was empty.<br /><br />Now, each month <br />half a hope is born, <br />a wandering homeless spirit<br />seeking a place to settle. <br />I name each one Grace and love her <br />for the few days I feel her in me searching <br />before she blinks out of existence.<br /><br />For a year I cried each time I went to church, <br />watching babies bounced on hips, <br />over shoulders. <br />I could smell their hair <br />from seven pews away. <br />The pastor said God can heal anything, <br />so I’d stand with hands on belly <br />praying forth a miracle. <br />Let me be Sarah, <br />or Mary, <br />or any other woman <br />who caused disbelief and scandal. <br />Let me be the 16-year-old <br />too scared to tell her daddy <br />about the boy who let her down. <br />Let me be the woman standing outside the clinic <br />with a choice to make. <br />Give me another mouth to feed, <br />sleepless nights, <br />colic, <br />and temper tantrums.<br />Give me bouncing curls and chestnut eyes,<br />and a little girl laugh. <br /><br />But you can’t pray back a uterus.<br />So instead I pray,<br />“God give me the grace to accept<br />with serenity the things<br />that cannot be changed.”<br /><br />I pray for acceptance,<br />I pray for Grace.<br /><br />And I am still empty.Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-18328045897076697232011-07-31T21:51:00.000-07:002011-07-31T22:02:00.944-07:00I Have Seen...Today I learned that a former student, and dear sweet girl died. Authorities are looking into the possibility of suicide. They suspect drugs were at play.<br /><br />When I first met Ashley, she was 15 years old. She had run away from home, and she was scared. She walked into my classroom in the juvy looking as if she was about to cry and swearing she would never be back.<br /><br />The problem was, Ashley kept running away. And when she ran away, she ran to the arms of a much older man who introduced her to meth. Meth took over Ashley's life. <br /><br />And promise as she would to never return, the call of the meth was always too strong I guess, and Ashley was back time and time again. Each time she was a little thinner, looked a little less healthy, looked a little harder around the edges.<br /><br />But inside she was still just a girl. When Ashley laughed the whole room lit up; she shined. Everyone seemed to love Ashley. She was kind, and funny, and wanted so badly to live a good life.<br /><br />When she was 17, I wrote this poem for her, and a few other students at the juvy who were 'repeat offenders.' I was inspired by Allen Ginsberg's epic "Howl." And while this will never be anything like Ginsberg's literary accomplishment, I offer it now in memory of the sweet spirt I saw in Ashley.<br /><br />May she finally find the peace she sought, and may her soul finally feel free. Rest in Peace, sweet child. You were loved.<br /><br /><strong>I Have Seen</strong><br /><br />I have seen your generation.<br />I have seen your mind.<br />I have seen the best minds of your generation given over to self-despising, apathetic, complacency,<br />Saying<br />"This is how it is…<br />This is how it is…<br />It is NEVER going to change."<br />I have seen you walk in<br />Eyes glazed over and soul-less<br />A body of skin and bones<br />I have looked into you<br />And seen nothing but darkness<br />I have seen you eaten away by meth, <br />by an addiction you give your life for, <br />as you say<br />"This is how I am…<br />This is how I am…<br />I am NEVER going to change."<br /><br />I have seen you cry.<br />I have seen you cry, <br />and I have seen the tears wash away the cloudiness.<br />I have seen the flicker in your eyes.<br />I have seen the fire in your soul.<br />I pray for the day you see freedom.<br />I pray for the day you fly.<br />I pray for the day you shout to the world,<br />"This is who I am…<br />This is who I am…<br />I am free at last."<br />I have seen the best minds of your generation.<br />I have seen youAngiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-41291299986043385672011-07-24T19:32:00.000-07:002011-07-24T19:33:02.846-07:00Dear Daughter<strong>Dear Daughter</strong><br />7.21.11<br /><br />I hope you draw your world like Harold, with his purple crayon, only I hope you have a whole box of crayons…the big one with the sharpener, Crayola. ‘Cause they’re the best and your mama wants only the best for you. I hope you color your dreams in aquamarine, sunglow, timberwolf, cotton candy, and wisteria on canvases the size of Kansas.<br /><br />I hope you stuff those little feet of yours in pink plastic princess heels and imagine yourself royalty, because anything is possible, and honey, when you dream, your eyes sparkle.<br /><br />And then I hope you kick off those heels and sink your toes in deep oozy mud. I hope you search for worms and frogs, not ‘cause you want to kiss them and turn them into princes, but because you are curious just what this world is made of. <br /><br />I hope you stomp those feet and say “no” like you mean it. Heck, I hope you do mean it. <br /><br />I hope you give those lungs of yours a workout screaming “no!!!” because there is power in no and you are powerful. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently. Not even yourself.<br /><br />There is power in no, and there is courage in being different, and there is strength that comes in being you no matter what.<br /><br />I hope you hug. I hope you hug and hug and hug some more. I hope you hand out hugs like candy; that they are like bandaids for healing hearts and mending broken friends. I hope you love without judgment. But when it comes time to pick the one you hug forever, I hope you pick one you don’t have to heal.<br /><br />I hope you learn to sit by yourself, to be alone, to be at peace, to just BE. I hope life finds you many times at the beach with waves stroking your feet and God playing with your hair.<br /><br />I hope you buy yourself some rose colored glasses, and if you can’t afford them, then baby, you can borrow mine. I hope in your eyes dandelions never become weeds, but are always wishing flowers. No matter how much of this world you drink down, I hope the glass is always half full.<br /><br />I hope you laugh. I hope you laugh the kind of laughter with your best girlfriend that makes your face hurt and other people look at you like maybe you’ve lost it. They’re just jealous sweetie. They want that kind of light inside their souls too.<br /><br />I hope you feel joy. Not happiness, though I hope that for you too. No, I mean joy, where warmth rises from your toes to your eyes and then radiates. Joy, where it feels like a thousand butterflies have simultaneously emerged from their cocoons into a fluttering mass in your chest. Joy, where you know you can be anything and you know true freedom in your soul. Joy, where you’re pretty darn sure that if only you had a set of silk wings, you could fly.<br /><br />And when your wings tear and you fall from the sky, I hope you brush yourself off, sit yourself down, and start sewing. ‘Cause if there’s one thing your mama has learned it’s that there’s no point in crying about yesterday and it does no good to worry ‘bout tomorrow, so best get down to business today. Your wings doing have to be perfect sweetie. They just have to be yours to fly.<br /><br />I hope you learn yoga, how to make chocolate chip cookies chewy, how to shoot a gun, and the art of not procrastinating on doing the dishes.<br /><br />I hope you listen to your mother, listen to your friends, but most of all, listen to that voice inside of you.<br /><br />I hope you sing.<br /><br />I hope you dance. And I hope you don’t care if anyone is watching.<br /><br />I hope you stand up for the underdog, stand up for yourself, and stand up for what’s right.<br /><br />And when the world gets a little overwhelming, I hope you remember that nothing is as big as it seems, except for your mama’s love.Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-54708396023314108902011-05-04T17:24:00.000-07:002011-05-04T17:31:05.712-07:00Let's Do 52 - Weeks 13 & 17I went to the beach this weekend to relax, and ended up spending all day Saturday walking on the sand, collecting sea glass, and enjoying the wind in my hair. I got these pictures (and many more great ones) while there...<br /><br /><strong>Week 13 - Connect</strong><br />The place I feel most 'connected' with the earth, and the most grounded in who I am is on the beach, with my toes buried in the sand, listening to the waves roll up. Here is my 'connect' picture, showing just that.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5RdHPvRy8K50WMx2EaU7v7H3sLMaD3LaCkWo2iN5eosegzOYqtPm3KzI3L5q7D7b8uXtdJHr9CChrbaODEocFdoXSKr4sdftDoKTgnvaugXbQN2eJSIF9ogJA0nVK6RGJHohYPnCsTeK/s1600/feet.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5RdHPvRy8K50WMx2EaU7v7H3sLMaD3LaCkWo2iN5eosegzOYqtPm3KzI3L5q7D7b8uXtdJHr9CChrbaODEocFdoXSKr4sdftDoKTgnvaugXbQN2eJSIF9ogJA0nVK6RGJHohYPnCsTeK/s320/feet.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603022844718535570" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Week 17 - Tired</strong><br />Stumbling upon this little guy was a like a miracle. This baby seal was sunbathing, trying to find just the right way to get comfy with his driftwood pillow. He woke a bit when I walked up to take his picture (I got about 2 feet away from him), but as soon as I walked away, he went back to sleep.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Q0V4YzsUhWAzchYHef63hFW3lCVzDjZBPrrf_GbFn6IRju-KnZj3FuEWuPpmSrzpm2p_ra9rbBrT0PxOoMFemUV1bHGU4uGo40LzLpbbQSAzKWMo79iyc_kXHQpAxdwY1zvjqYPu711O/s1600/baby+seal.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Q0V4YzsUhWAzchYHef63hFW3lCVzDjZBPrrf_GbFn6IRju-KnZj3FuEWuPpmSrzpm2p_ra9rbBrT0PxOoMFemUV1bHGU4uGo40LzLpbbQSAzKWMo79iyc_kXHQpAxdwY1zvjqYPu711O/s320/baby+seal.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603022979940441906" /></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-40077365718025080182011-04-26T23:30:00.000-07:002011-04-26T23:37:34.684-07:00Introducing... Mattsicles!My friend Matt shared this oober simple recipe for popsicles. We dubbed them MATTSICLES! They are SO good, and incredibly good for you too. These one have 7g of protein each, and only about 88 calories. Awesome!<br /><br />Here's what you do...<br /><br />1) Mix one big carton of Greek yogurt with one sligthly defrosted can of OJ.<br />2) Pour into 3 oz Dixie cups. Put in a stick of some sort (I may or may not have stolen some coffee stir sticks from Starbucks, and broken them in half).<br />3) Freeze and enjoy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVxZlqJV4j56t3cfqJXrvSnUp66CCspjky5y7_q3XytCA8YYGM3U5uDoGurVPqIK9bzFDXob3twcQESd0RgxnYdmOtfCXBI1fbVUFRd-WpzKm8_5rDrSVJMV7E-cK6UIBZUNZxhgCwnBo/s1600/mattsicles.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVxZlqJV4j56t3cfqJXrvSnUp66CCspjky5y7_q3XytCA8YYGM3U5uDoGurVPqIK9bzFDXob3twcQESd0RgxnYdmOtfCXBI1fbVUFRd-WpzKm8_5rDrSVJMV7E-cK6UIBZUNZxhgCwnBo/s320/mattsicles.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600148709037859362" /></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-4885053083123027642011-04-26T22:55:00.000-07:002011-04-26T23:24:22.701-07:00Now I...Write: Hike-UI am participating in a writer's workshop at Peninsula College with writer-in-residence <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Rawles">Nancy Rawles</a>. Its pretty exciting to be thinking about writing again, after quite the hiatus, and to be starting to dust off my pen and paper. <br /><br />Today in class I was reminded of a form of poetry I know as Hike-U. Nancy Rawles referred to it today as American Sentences, and stated it was something Allen Ginsberg (who, if you're not familiar with him, was an amazing Beat poet) started. I figured there was no better way to get back into the swing of things than with a short and sweet one-liner. So here for your reading pleasure, two new ones, and three from years back...<br /><br />Crickets chirp in the velvet dark, inquiring to the others' nights.<br /><br />Chaos ensues around me, children screaming and running wild.<br /><br />Eyes nod shut as the students grow weary of her incessant droning.<br /><br />The digital hollow zero holds no solace – "no new messages." <br /><br />Musty pages lock away secrets uncovered only in reading.Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-55236828947942109582011-04-26T22:54:00.001-07:002011-04-26T22:55:30.871-07:00Poem @ 5th CoffeeThanks to Tom for posting one of my poems up over at his site, <a href="http://fifthcoffee.blogspot.com/2011/04/performance-poem-by-angie-huckstep.html">5th Coffee</a>! Go check it out, and look at some of his other stuff while you're there!Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-71635050255576210232011-04-26T19:37:00.000-07:002011-04-26T22:52:50.489-07:00Resurrection Rolls<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxogrve1fcnvkI7UlNuKeX0zPFlkswHuIBECCNRShd5GgJgCZBzRE39rfbnZOP1T67m7zRr8nCkGRQXlTQaX0tKpG6WmNcO0TGj103qz4sDtdRxVODmf-m5c-1npBHqTysE8TB-r9Q13FU/s1600/resurrection+rolls+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxogrve1fcnvkI7UlNuKeX0zPFlkswHuIBECCNRShd5GgJgCZBzRE39rfbnZOP1T67m7zRr8nCkGRQXlTQaX0tKpG6WmNcO0TGj103qz4sDtdRxVODmf-m5c-1npBHqTysE8TB-r9Q13FU/s320/resurrection+rolls+%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600137124283245746" /></a><br /><br />I had never heard of Ressurection Rolls, but when I read about them over at <a href="http://www.feathersfrommynest.com/">Feathers from my Nest</a>, I knew I had to try them on Easter morning! Basically, the rolls, when you open them up, are hollow, representing the empty tomb.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvJcTvcUN4u7ZxqynL5WJU79ZbjDxaLq3tvKOiIHOfoHHnbePkXVK30dcn0hDdglLVcHLBRIa9KCdh8VvNqyHKBM638GjTdd8c0jSDDKC6zxhypqnHvhQO3vLEDE2vxAmNlx1qarJBWjs/s1600/resurrection+rolls.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvJcTvcUN4u7ZxqynL5WJU79ZbjDxaLq3tvKOiIHOfoHHnbePkXVK30dcn0hDdglLVcHLBRIa9KCdh8VvNqyHKBM638GjTdd8c0jSDDKC6zxhypqnHvhQO3vLEDE2vxAmNlx1qarJBWjs/s320/resurrection+rolls.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600136859641639394" /></a><br /><br />They really are quite simple. I followed the recipe from the above blog almost exactally...<br /><br />You need:<br />Frozen dinner rolls<br />Marshmallows<br />Melted Butter<br />Cinnamon Sugar <br /><br />1) When your kids wake you up at the crack of dawn because the Easter Bunny came, stumble out of bed, and drop your desired number of frozen rolls on a cookie sheet. Make your tea, and wait an hour or so, or to around the time normal people (read: those without small children) are getting out of bed.<br /><br />2) Squoosh (yes, that's the term) the rolls to be flatish circles. Pop on a marshmallow and bring up the sides, pressing them together at the seam to make a ball. Place the ball seam-side down on your sheet. Eat a few marshmallows. After all, if your kids are going to have a sugar-high, why shouldn't you?<br /><br />3) Roll dough balls in butter, then in cinnamon sugar. <br /><br />4) Let the balls rise for about 20-30 minutes, or as long as it takes your oven to pre-heat to 350 (because you forgot in your sleep-deprived state to preheat the oven). Pretend that is how you planned it.<br /><br />5) Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes.<br /><br />6) Enjoy!Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-32698127728081364842011-04-26T19:12:00.000-07:002011-04-26T19:24:20.661-07:00Let's Do 52 - Weeks 12-16Here are my pictures from weeks 12-16 for the Let's Do 52 project being hosted by Paint the Moon. I'm missing week 13...just haven't found anything good for the theme yet, but when I do I'll post it!<br /><br /><strong>Week 12 - Handwritten</strong><br />Tabby is learning to write at school this year, and I love her writing, her spelling, and the things she deems worthy of writing!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPk09iKgmZm9TMKXySnz9qUdbPkiH0covfVoerUFtSgIFsJFd2LGOiwRkPgpwHmBaJRouVEnjWmIquFmF6VlW7jIYqTlNjyiYW4HALJ7969itK6LmscLcufYb0oYt_yIOFJQOgYuQV7Qu/s1600/wk+12+-handwritten.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPk09iKgmZm9TMKXySnz9qUdbPkiH0covfVoerUFtSgIFsJFd2LGOiwRkPgpwHmBaJRouVEnjWmIquFmF6VlW7jIYqTlNjyiYW4HALJ7969itK6LmscLcufYb0oYt_yIOFJQOgYuQV7Qu/s320/wk+12+-handwritten.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600082764076719698" /></a><br /><strong><br />Week 14 - Softness</strong><br />What is softer than cherry blossoms? They are so beautiful, and they just scream (or should it be whisper? I somehow don't think cherry blossoms scream...) that spring has arrived.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3N_uI4SGRdEx9zghywnr5U-ELOp9uvjPeEtWOVjMJCJSXmbEbrD35NNUUsff6xoz_I_tYNa-as_BMhRlbnzxF0qt9WF62bgC9_ZLn-otD_9wEphvbZcBhPOUEht_ViyN4jRy2MqWjxr-7/s1600/wk+14+-+softness.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3N_uI4SGRdEx9zghywnr5U-ELOp9uvjPeEtWOVjMJCJSXmbEbrD35NNUUsff6xoz_I_tYNa-as_BMhRlbnzxF0qt9WF62bgC9_ZLn-otD_9wEphvbZcBhPOUEht_ViyN4jRy2MqWjxr-7/s320/wk+14+-+softness.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600082910665262946" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Week 15 - Unexpected</strong><br />Somebody put eggs all over our lawn a few days before Easter, and when we came home there was an unexpected egg hunt. I love this picture, as it shows the total and complete JOY on Zeal's face.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3hY3tIeIMEBvf1huTKe5a7hwvS-tr_GsdWju6QQJrvtVI11IkVt41voEBOSBp176rjt02_XOydhn19RUPyqES3NnNbZQmv8THQhMbMSqu0zqJUDiuGEEi1mOnUhEykqkxUYC1dWFmQUB/s1600/wk+15+-+unexpected.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3hY3tIeIMEBvf1huTKe5a7hwvS-tr_GsdWju6QQJrvtVI11IkVt41voEBOSBp176rjt02_XOydhn19RUPyqES3NnNbZQmv8THQhMbMSqu0zqJUDiuGEEi1mOnUhEykqkxUYC1dWFmQUB/s320/wk+15+-+unexpected.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600083045167169250" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Week 16 - Refreshing</strong><br />Little is more refreshing than a spring rain. Well, unless you live in Washington, and then spring rain is nearly constant. But still...something about spring rains is still refreshing. I love the smell right before rain, and the earthy scent after the rain.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpWk6rB6BpCOWCHHgCJHsoSUNLkf3QigAg3qyTMAyD7H8I_bDtD0YTTFZxxk2SsmoCrxRrDK4d7ntJXWXnKv1RGia0PoQ7V0VQCO4szydR1vAujj7WU3VHUB0fmKmWC13Pr8LJFmG-UhU/s1600/wk+16+-+refreshing.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpWk6rB6BpCOWCHHgCJHsoSUNLkf3QigAg3qyTMAyD7H8I_bDtD0YTTFZxxk2SsmoCrxRrDK4d7ntJXWXnKv1RGia0PoQ7V0VQCO4szydR1vAujj7WU3VHUB0fmKmWC13Pr8LJFmG-UhU/s320/wk+16+-+refreshing.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600083197703197330" /></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-3894886141118434812011-04-22T20:01:00.000-07:002011-04-22T20:11:04.993-07:00Here's Some Logic For You...According to Monty Python...<br />"If she weighed the same as a duck, she's made of wood. And therefore...a witch!"<br /><br />According to the very educated and scientific website, <a href="http://www.peepresearch.org/">Peep Research</a>...<br />"Of course, Peeps resemble birds, and ducks are birds, and ducks float (and don't usually dissolve), and therefore Peeps should float (and not dissolve)."<br /><br />So...according the amazingly brilliant, educated, and wonderful (oh, and did I say sexy?) Angie...<br />"Peeps float, so they're made of wood. Therefore they are witches."<br /><br />BURN THE PEEPS!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkswE47j7tKwK-clX7MItL5Mw0JWWT5zbXud9cQ9lkJQzVaXO9a1MNp0P-LHosfTSXkhATE7C9dKpivEIzw6enMsXcAWIZdKL058XP5HfvcE3eaJTZPuOO33D7i6wdSVcKYy5furjcNcI4/s1600/peep+death.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkswE47j7tKwK-clX7MItL5Mw0JWWT5zbXud9cQ9lkJQzVaXO9a1MNp0P-LHosfTSXkhATE7C9dKpivEIzw6enMsXcAWIZdKL058XP5HfvcE3eaJTZPuOO33D7i6wdSVcKYy5furjcNcI4/s400/peep+death.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598611000370909730" /></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-18566573177816381152011-04-19T18:19:00.000-07:002011-04-19T18:29:07.766-07:00Grilled Chicken and Asparagus PastaLast night I grilled up a bunch of asparagus and chicken breasts. The kids turned up their noses. What?! So today I disguised the same food as this pasta dish, and what do you know...the kids ate it up! Since I was creating this as I went, I didn't get any exact measurements, but this is *about* what it was. :)<br /><br />On a scale of 1 (uck) to 5 (awesome-ness!) I would rate this dish a 4! A bit bland, but that could easily be rectified!<br /><br /><strong>Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Pasta</strong><br />6 spears cooked asparagus, cut into bite-size peices<br />2 chicken breasts, cubed<br />1 lb or so of pasta<br />1 c. chicken stock<br />sprinkle of garlic pepper<br />sprinkle of thyme<br />a few sprinkles of dried onions<br />1/3 c. sour cream<br />1/2 c. parmesan cheese<br />1/4 c. pine nuts<br /><br />1) Cook pasta according to directions.<br />2) In a pan, heat chicken stock and seasonings over medium high. When bubbling, add chicken and asparagus to heat through.<br />3) In a large bowl, dump chicken mixture. Add sour cream and mix.<br />4) Toss in pasta.<br />5) Add parm cheese and mix thoroughly.<br />6) Top with pine nuts.Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-40031849114682894932011-04-01T18:42:00.000-07:002011-04-01T18:54:30.194-07:00April Foolsn!My attempts at fooling the kids:<br /><br />ME: When we get home we need to clean the toilets and mop the floors.<br />TABBY: Oooh! Can I help mom the floors?!<br />(April Fools fail #1)<br /><br />ME: When we get home we're getting on pjs and going straight to bed! I'm tired!<br />ZEAL: (sounding a little bummed, but not too much) Oh. Okay.<br />(April Fools fail #2)<br /><br />ME: You guys are growing too much. I'm not going to feed you any more!<br />TABBY: No! That's not nice.<br />ME: Yups. Only going to give you water. <br />TABBY: Oh, well if we get water...<br />(April Fools fail #3)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCd52nwQcuIonopUnlKgUCIJurE0yyHZO8pZuBbh11Jt1p0np5YuOk3am5R7rD-DTAPfpvpCnnfQ4OIRGNl4bRPmesONZ_oraeAuffKxMGmPxpFCJw0v7N8yeMWrdTlvkyRWYcjIOKxN8V/s1600/IMG_2368.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCd52nwQcuIonopUnlKgUCIJurE0yyHZO8pZuBbh11Jt1p0np5YuOk3am5R7rD-DTAPfpvpCnnfQ4OIRGNl4bRPmesONZ_oraeAuffKxMGmPxpFCJw0v7N8yeMWrdTlvkyRWYcjIOKxN8V/s320/IMG_2368.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590798648922552498" /></a><br /><br /><br />ME: We get <a href="http://familyfun.go.com/april-fools-day/april-fools-day-recipes/colorful-cupcakes-686085/">cupcakes </a>for dinner.<br />KIDS: Yum!<br />(bring them out and serve them...kids eyes light up)<br />ZEAL: (tasting 'cupcake') Mom, are you April Foolsn me?!<br />(April Fools success!)Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-70015075123089798262011-03-28T19:25:00.000-07:002011-03-28T19:37:22.569-07:00Peep Peep!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvl0s7pv9MsOR-pKo6YuN4J1rqrPb_1kNOBpfLUpjpmQwNqGFp4fCyXjOQ_QA7foJpc0JdveJvY1LpNFQMxtAUjAu8w0brT7_yBwCUgsnMPI5wq6BgQrRA0JA8e5oU4AbErYskPHxq6GW/s1600/peeps.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvl0s7pv9MsOR-pKo6YuN4J1rqrPb_1kNOBpfLUpjpmQwNqGFp4fCyXjOQ_QA7foJpc0JdveJvY1LpNFQMxtAUjAu8w0brT7_yBwCUgsnMPI5wq6BgQrRA0JA8e5oU4AbErYskPHxq6GW/s320/peeps.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589324808765149218" /></a><br /><br />I was wanting an Easter wreath to go with my cute <a href="http://moderndaysupermommy.blogspot.com/2011/03/nibbled-carrots.html">nibbled carrots</a> in the entryway. This was the EASIEST thing ever. Here it is in 3 simple steps.<br /><br />1) Get supplies (wreath, Peeps, glue gun).<br />2) Glue Peeps.<br />3) Hang up.<br /><br />So simple, even a caveman could do it. :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B90FrnuzXhJ4Jvc0zapOdN3Rd4M1EE94zswhq6sHq5YhYBOXArJx2BatAQDvfCfbvNFUMjw04tVVRie66y00F3TqQLPGks8Zv_sB8J4l1hcgJEuGN-dQdmar89hi-mi0VK1xJAaRXkWO/s1600/peeps+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B90FrnuzXhJ4Jvc0zapOdN3Rd4M1EE94zswhq6sHq5YhYBOXArJx2BatAQDvfCfbvNFUMjw04tVVRie66y00F3TqQLPGks8Zv_sB8J4l1hcgJEuGN-dQdmar89hi-mi0VK1xJAaRXkWO/s320/peeps+%25282%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589322885351543746" /></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-447987940225362272011-03-28T19:07:00.000-07:002011-03-28T19:23:25.531-07:00Messy MondayToday was one of *those* days and had the potential of going downhill fast. It needed turned around, and it needed turned around fast! So I dubbed it "Messy Monday." We ate dinner without our utensils (I really wished I had pudding, but alas, I didn't). I had thought we would use our fingers, but Zeal started right off by nose-diving into his noodles and using the suck-like-a-vaccum technique. Apparantly he didn't think my vaccum technique was very good, as he told me, "It sounds like you're trying to kiss your noodles or something!" <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeqW_jiAn9YC1mJ595ASqm5D_b3kk6p34dE9Q5o5BjXVlPJBsBaFLqcL9u70pdZSdm2yi_xKzdKCyLHHL5B2STArNtXutOQjZtup3RPU-ncfV_sa4DH90EjC6pfE_RLtdxEhGT3LZe4Op/s1600/Publication1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeqW_jiAn9YC1mJ595ASqm5D_b3kk6p34dE9Q5o5BjXVlPJBsBaFLqcL9u70pdZSdm2yi_xKzdKCyLHHL5B2STArNtXutOQjZtup3RPU-ncfV_sa4DH90EjC6pfE_RLtdxEhGT3LZe4Op/s320/Publication1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589321652668111490" /></a><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/O1Yu_wIx4A4?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/O1Yu_wIx4A4?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Then we painted with Peeps. As my mom said, painting with Peeps may be the only thing they are good for. The kids wanted to eat them, and despite my repeated attempts to disuade them, I came out of the kitchen from washing my hands to see Zeal's cheeks full like a chipmunk, and his lips covered in green paint. Good thing we used non-toxic paint. :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9fZjdGVIlpbzDeGJZe2Wx9csZMDuSBaU4WKCei-clAtDnB-7TFy4AwgmE35Kftv9Z5XEBFXNzBe7I5XK5gtbd7tpteZBGdLQBr8W8HHze2169MDPr7dsol1e2exm4s69Zy2wqK7PrDmY/s1600/Publication2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9fZjdGVIlpbzDeGJZe2Wx9csZMDuSBaU4WKCei-clAtDnB-7TFy4AwgmE35Kftv9Z5XEBFXNzBe7I5XK5gtbd7tpteZBGdLQBr8W8HHze2169MDPr7dsol1e2exm4s69Zy2wqK7PrDmY/s320/Publication2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589321794396751186" /></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-41373232447569421582011-03-28T18:53:00.000-07:002011-03-28T18:56:36.171-07:00Tabby-ismsTabby and I were discussing surgery and I mentioned that usually you were asleep when you had surgery. Her response:<br /><br />Tabs: "Do they give you medicine to help you fall asleep?"<br />Me: "Um, yes."<br />Tabs: "That makes sense."<br />Me: "Why?"<br />Tabs: "Because they can't have surgery at night because then they would all be asleep too!"Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-76000217091128730012011-03-25T20:49:00.000-07:002011-03-25T21:07:20.288-07:00Nibbled CarrotsTonight I dug out the Easter decor while the kids were watching a movie, and realized that I have a shamefully small amount! Like, we're talking my Peeps lights (which somehow survived my ex-husband, who threatened to throw them away each Easter), a mug, an ugly-as-sin stuffed Peep chick (which I'm totally happy Zeal has confiscated for his room), and some bunny crafts the kids did last year. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfBNaJRG-RcTtHx3pCrqje3gaSA6UlupKvlusMV2NtXQTomvwMktjemGqIw-FjwoBLVvwydF-XFQAiLiZl5vGub3OeTIE3fkNyIuyOorJkcIrIbdRxnbd-ZV4ya3u83u7t__59a9g1UL_/s1600/Publication2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfBNaJRG-RcTtHx3pCrqje3gaSA6UlupKvlusMV2NtXQTomvwMktjemGqIw-FjwoBLVvwydF-XFQAiLiZl5vGub3OeTIE3fkNyIuyOorJkcIrIbdRxnbd-ZV4ya3u83u7t__59a9g1UL_/s200/Publication2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588235054509545074" /></a><br /><br />I was all ready to pull out my bunny paper and scrap some cool creation. But while I have a huge armoire and two big dressers of scrap-crap, I have ZERO Easter stuff. I kid you not. Not one bunny sticker, bunny paper, or bunny embelishment. ZERO. <br /><br />This is probably because I don't really like bunnies all that much. <br /><br />Anyhow, I decided to troll blog-land, and I found some uber-cute carrot crafts! Way cute, and yet they don't scream "EASTER!" quite like eggs and bunnies do.<br /><br />I made one tonight, this <a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/2011/03/framed-carrot-easter-decor.html">great carrot picture </a>from over at Positively Splendid. Hers is made with fabric and is dimensional. Mine is the dumbed down paper version, but I still love it. I also used another carrot for a simple background for my entryway magnetic board.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk4FwtzEVv-ZTD1R2srPX6S3j0MBGNeThR_v9-xArs_5hNNl1Xb_pKU2kYHuUMV1Txqk7vTDTpGPSoYF6WDbPm6QJOz__OhzFrDUl8gfXmWFLY0pZyZ-znsQCd_03-umoC5jRGlczoCrb/s1600/IMG_2234.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk4FwtzEVv-ZTD1R2srPX6S3j0MBGNeThR_v9-xArs_5hNNl1Xb_pKU2kYHuUMV1Txqk7vTDTpGPSoYF6WDbPm6QJOz__OhzFrDUl8gfXmWFLY0pZyZ-znsQCd_03-umoC5jRGlczoCrb/s320/IMG_2234.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588235221169349794" /></a><br /><br />Next on my agenda are these <a href="http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2011/03/etceteras-springtime-baby-carrots.html">amazing yarn carrots </a>from homework. I can't wait to do them, but I need to get yarn first. Stay tuned for them in all of their awesomeness later next week!Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-8411747753171357422011-03-24T20:09:00.001-07:002011-03-24T20:10:53.211-07:00Sarah Kay - Possibly the most inspiring poetry I've heard<object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/SarahKay_2011-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/SarahKay-2011.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=1100&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=sarah_kay_if_i_should_have_a_daughter;year=2011;theme=a_taste_of_ted2011;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=ted_under_30;theme=spectacular_performance;theme=words_about_words;theme=master_storytellers;event=TED2011;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/SarahKay_2011-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/SarahKay-2011.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=1100&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=sarah_kay_if_i_should_have_a_daughter;year=2011;theme=a_taste_of_ted2011;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=ted_under_30;theme=spectacular_performance;theme=words_about_words;theme=master_storytellers;event=TED2011;"></embed></object>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-75356202727153904482011-03-23T20:44:00.000-07:002011-03-23T20:58:29.548-07:00Baked Flan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4Qa_AcsrZwq52lt8Qkbfp1gX27sXKidFv_Orlk2n3zL2Y_1ugbQilTm8CxkdUsUj5XJWM31iLkpRmSdxRJMKWx7fnAFiUxo8tXK5rHrfwqgTD4iX33QRq5WIYROTpMTNXpwBqLdFY9_a/s1600/IMG_2232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4Qa_AcsrZwq52lt8Qkbfp1gX27sXKidFv_Orlk2n3zL2Y_1ugbQilTm8CxkdUsUj5XJWM31iLkpRmSdxRJMKWx7fnAFiUxo8tXK5rHrfwqgTD4iX33QRq5WIYROTpMTNXpwBqLdFY9_a/s320/IMG_2232.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587490724451695730" /></a><br />Yesterday I posted on Facebook, "My flan is wiggly" and I was surprised at how many people responded not knowing what flan was. What is flan? What is flan?!?! Only the most delightful dessert ever! <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Baked-Flan/Detail.aspx">Here is the recipe </a>I use over at allrecipes.com (which as I've said, is my cooking Bible). <br /><br />It is succulent, it is wonderful, and it is smooth and creamy, and it is probably like 200 calories per spoonful. You'll see why when you see the ingredients. But it is WELL worth ruining your diet for.<br /><br />My experience is that it takes longer than the 50-60 minutes to cook. I make mine in a loaf pan, and it took me about 90 minutes. It probably would have been okay at 80 minutes. Just keep checking it. A bit of 'wiggle' is okay, as it will set up more in the fridge. <br /><br />Enjoy!Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-52553028498659222822011-03-21T18:49:00.000-07:002011-03-21T19:04:15.061-07:00Nummy!!! Mandarin Chicken Roll-Ups<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBymMmLR3PTR42hOr2SJatK3ceu8VqY3h7ilJhf-PHw0-HyLDjSj6JU8S2YE4c7jAyLgiHP5cPs33PwgFBpBDUMNriZZwXVdTt4OJie4GpEQrE7eLxg7Sz6VYHVstbkDthWkB5CjdbNYb2/s1600/IMG_2218.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBymMmLR3PTR42hOr2SJatK3ceu8VqY3h7ilJhf-PHw0-HyLDjSj6JU8S2YE4c7jAyLgiHP5cPs33PwgFBpBDUMNriZZwXVdTt4OJie4GpEQrE7eLxg7Sz6VYHVstbkDthWkB5CjdbNYb2/s320/IMG_2218.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586719257795625746" /></a><br />Its been a while since I posted a recipe, and I love this one! These wraps make me think - SUMMER!!! They are so easy, super yummy, and the kids like them to boot. So here, for your taste buds pleasure, are my Mandarin Chicken Roll-Ups!<br /><br /><strong>Mandarin Chicken Roll-Ups</strong><br />flour tortillas - 1 per person<br />cream cheese<br />chicken, cooked and cubed - 1 breast should do about 2-3 big wraps<br />canned mandarin oranges, drained<br />canned pineapple tidbits, drained<br />cashews pieces<br />green onions<br /><br />1) Smear cream cheese on tortilla. <br />2) Sprinkle a handful of chicken, a handful of oranges, a handful of pineapple, a handful of cashews, and some green onions on the tortilla. <br />3) Roll up and wrap in saran wrap.<br />4) Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, serve, and enjoy!Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-9183094813427528272011-03-21T18:36:00.000-07:002011-03-21T18:47:43.455-07:00Let's Do 52 - Weeks 10-11Here's some posts for the <a href="http://paintthemoon.net/blog/2011/01/lets-do-52-paint-the-moon-photo-a-week-project-photoshop-actions/">Let's Do 52 </a>challenge!<br /><br /><strong>Feet or Fear</strong><br />I LOVE this picture! The idea came to me while driving home and as soon as we got home I had to take the picture!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuOB66NkHDE4ozfSY61e-3bbdRbHTLJQTwI7yu1OWLXsn4xTf1S9E30T9yuqVQFADL1prfTQqxj-B0ndCvygTHnswcmm-AnhE6I2ZpKIMtwqsuyFkQalpLdadzbukgiSkBZ_Z6VtbwT8i/s1600/IMG_2219.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuOB66NkHDE4ozfSY61e-3bbdRbHTLJQTwI7yu1OWLXsn4xTf1S9E30T9yuqVQFADL1prfTQqxj-B0ndCvygTHnswcmm-AnhE6I2ZpKIMtwqsuyFkQalpLdadzbukgiSkBZ_Z6VtbwT8i/s320/IMG_2219.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586714476889261058" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Power or Up</strong><br />I took a bunch of pictures for this challenge, and I kept reverting back to this picture of my tree with new buds on it. It's my "up" picture...not because its up high or looking or up or anything, but because spring brings my *spirits* up! Every time I see a bulb poking through or fresh buds on a tree, or hear the birds waking up their vocal cords, I feel a little surge of happy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ADHJ-20fi9vZ69IXmzU9iWTPV8adL8vxXigxQ65AGf4cZjh73SyLaS1ajR4C2g70hn_DgUvIyPIZRPR11EEgJJ5XYbtn1up4iTkwoGCrSU0OWNFFqVxxCjDp2UIj95mkS1eyh5YHHcE-/s1600/IMG_2231.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ADHJ-20fi9vZ69IXmzU9iWTPV8adL8vxXigxQ65AGf4cZjh73SyLaS1ajR4C2g70hn_DgUvIyPIZRPR11EEgJJ5XYbtn1up4iTkwoGCrSU0OWNFFqVxxCjDp2UIj95mkS1eyh5YHHcE-/s320/IMG_2231.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586714654109457778" /></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-86736509546689053622011-03-13T16:15:00.000-07:002011-03-13T16:23:58.402-07:00Bring on the Rain!I took down my Valentines Decor (finally!) today and needed something to replace it with. Its really to early for Easter stuff, and I'm not big into the shamrock and leprechaun things for St. Patty's day. I decided to go with the rainbow theme - a bit of St. Patty's Day feel to it, but also very spring-y. I grabbed the great <a href="http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2011/03/you-gotta-see-this.html">rainbow printable </a>from eighteen25, who took it from Rebecca Cooper. Print, frame, and there you have it! <br /><br />For the little picture, I took a 5x7 canvas I had, printed an *old* pic of the kids playing in the rain (in Fairbanks!), and adhered that to the canvas. I then raided my ribbon stash, and made a rainbow edge. Add ink to the edges (blue, for rain), and you've got the finished product. <br /><br />Simple, cheap, and cute!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SjTqzg0WrqXUUZ6CKkGF7udWrNrt8nAxlTQJor_3O-s_iEn7l_vEP8SVSOeW061plvFGDBuVO7GoyDb4EhI-u9k2yQHUONDkIw9vI1BIEbvWbciYvgvHtOniU-jom9e__FLd-I8PYZrz/s1600/IMG_2174.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SjTqzg0WrqXUUZ6CKkGF7udWrNrt8nAxlTQJor_3O-s_iEn7l_vEP8SVSOeW061plvFGDBuVO7GoyDb4EhI-u9k2yQHUONDkIw9vI1BIEbvWbciYvgvHtOniU-jom9e__FLd-I8PYZrz/s320/IMG_2174.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583708555813001778" /></a><br /><br />And while we're talking about rain, I LOVE this song by Charlotte Martin called "Everytime it Rains." It's definately going on my life soundtrack...<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Mh8h5gQrtZk?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-91288012121876824942011-03-13T14:16:00.001-07:002011-03-13T14:19:55.175-07:00Let's Do 52 - Week 9 - Play/Round<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH63VfqKbmy6dC4A3EERjjP2FYyXYl1YSlM0DEQO915HzxrxPLQq9mQdiUAofr56QNx020CUYHsYmiYB5BvqimhTbAhJXObRpFNFtWbSVUFYAUcPt0wKAxgQJz6Q8KitF4i-truFWzWPKR/s1600/easter+day+2010+%25288%2529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH63VfqKbmy6dC4A3EERjjP2FYyXYl1YSlM0DEQO915HzxrxPLQq9mQdiUAofr56QNx020CUYHsYmiYB5BvqimhTbAhJXObRpFNFtWbSVUFYAUcPt0wKAxgQJz6Q8KitF4i-truFWzWPKR/s320/easter+day+2010+%25288%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583677277429678210" /></a><br /><br />So, one of the points of this challenge is to take new pictures. But well, I didn't this week, and honestly, this is my blog, so I'll put up whatever pictures I want! He, he, he...<br /><br />I took this picture last Easter. The kids were playing after church on the playground outside, and Zeal kept peeking through the holes drilled in the Big Toy. When I heard Week 9's theme, this is the first picture I thought of. So I'm using it! :)Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-59437031696474627892011-02-21T19:58:00.000-08:002011-02-21T20:04:00.250-08:00Sage Advice<strong>"i do not suggest hypnotherapy and lingerie from ebay.<br />by themselves or at the same time.."</strong><br /><br />My friend gave me this sage advice in regards to a solution to depression...<br />It made me laugh so hard that I had to share it with the world (or at least, with the readers of my blog). <br /><br />And just an update, I am feeling MUCH better today. I think sometimes just coming out and saying, "Hey, I feel like crap" makes one feel loads better.Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-38936161260417792472011-02-21T19:01:00.001-08:002011-02-21T19:07:41.768-08:00Let's Do 52 - Week 8 - Strength/GreenThe theme this week over at Paint the Moon's <a href="http://paintthemoon.net/blog/2011/01/lets-do-52-paint-the-moon-photo-a-week-project-photoshop-actions/">Let's Do 52 </a>challege is Strength or Green. Today at the park I had taken some really nice pictures of spring grass popping up and I was pretty happy with them. But then I saw this chaing wrapped around a tree trunk (I believe it at one point chained down a picnic table) and I knew I had to take a picture of it. It represents strength, both with the tree and the chain, and there's a bit of green too. :) I'm *really* happy with how it turned out...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1WMIDUDDWRG9E8rkdhKuC3GEClN-IHEi7ssRwVQ2YJhz5sweHRj5BBqf2sGJTjM1_PclRw4KNysJKzVCAZs6Uj6WpF4-2YLSxtjdi-drs_9O1y-GrTkyHALo_wjVFc5EHpb7m-sUCN9w/s1600/chains.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB1WMIDUDDWRG9E8rkdhKuC3GEClN-IHEi7ssRwVQ2YJhz5sweHRj5BBqf2sGJTjM1_PclRw4KNysJKzVCAZs6Uj6WpF4-2YLSxtjdi-drs_9O1y-GrTkyHALo_wjVFc5EHpb7m-sUCN9w/s320/chains.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576345170049755314" /></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2186982843470955363.post-25618786955148290722011-02-21T18:50:00.000-08:002011-02-21T19:00:53.588-08:00Let's Do 52 - Catching Up Again (weeks 4-7)I know...I'm bad. I have failed at my assignments for <a href="http://paintthemoon.net/blog/2011/01/lets-do-52-paint-the-moon-photo-a-week-project-photoshop-actions/">Let's Do 52</a>. But at least I'm catching up! Here are weeks four through seven. Week eight will follow shortly. :)<br /><br /><strong>Blessings</strong><br />I love this picture. This shows a perspective I love - looking at her from the side when she is full of joy. I took this today on the playground. My kids are such a blessing to me...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsBl0hGoGQyOSa_TGyDE1BiBmcJsCcmOcAlDmWnVPT9AN2zztay7rW8HPUyK9GVavNSa64g0YoH3L9eKGABz1wkXLGsDq0fomufgLAsFCFHVKVe5yDE-xh_HN1rTFjqlFWyW_Ww_el1BO/s1600/happy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsBl0hGoGQyOSa_TGyDE1BiBmcJsCcmOcAlDmWnVPT9AN2zztay7rW8HPUyK9GVavNSa64g0YoH3L9eKGABz1wkXLGsDq0fomufgLAsFCFHVKVe5yDE-xh_HN1rTFjqlFWyW_Ww_el1BO/s320/happy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576341919309816274" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Delicate or Shadows</strong><br />I'm not sure this picture totally fits the theme, but you know what? Its my picture and its my blog, so deal! :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6G_Dkqx04RKyXx2-2_shh1ShzTJ-baq7xJk_8qFQqIa3QhFzP9ugA5U4NeJ_o3x80ypzg_Sg-p7z74xSxvUtiNlULwnyoYI1WNmZ9YYQ-MOjWwUJZuqsQI79g-_Gdd9XNdRP_eglpCy_/s1600/look+up.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6G_Dkqx04RKyXx2-2_shh1ShzTJ-baq7xJk_8qFQqIa3QhFzP9ugA5U4NeJ_o3x80ypzg_Sg-p7z74xSxvUtiNlULwnyoYI1WNmZ9YYQ-MOjWwUJZuqsQI79g-_Gdd9XNdRP_eglpCy_/s320/look+up.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576342268100056802" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Obsession or Hearts</strong><br />I took this picture of Zeal playing with his cars - an obsession of his. Here they are, all lined up and ready to race.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZeLJxmQsGOxY7QiFpzf7D_eoNbee4fXBBny9Y8-VJV14Uk5d0_PUfdRj29iOLMpNC7jtwPinpdN_EgfS46wG1D7iEw-SHeoisTkS-rCuMFsgvHFpRpFeZRtm50nS8pVfPhZGBsOYwBoE/s1600/car+obsession.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ZeLJxmQsGOxY7QiFpzf7D_eoNbee4fXBBny9Y8-VJV14Uk5d0_PUfdRj29iOLMpNC7jtwPinpdN_EgfS46wG1D7iEw-SHeoisTkS-rCuMFsgvHFpRpFeZRtm50nS8pVfPhZGBsOYwBoE/s320/car+obsession.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576342596054096306" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Handmade or Macro</strong><br />So, I chose to do a 'macro' for this picture. I'm pretty sure that just means closeup? I don't know really. :) So here's a close-up of some moss growing on a tree.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4udY9tQjG8bYXlv6idUkghfexzyIpTd38HNiXuth13rjDBp_BOd-OZifyJqrpuvrj4Cz6JJCF2GvIzi7lks1WKDc0s4yllaFbhLn2zgUlYI56Aiz8FIR3RNb-VS-tcHLHfT-ttsB79XT/s1600/moss.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4udY9tQjG8bYXlv6idUkghfexzyIpTd38HNiXuth13rjDBp_BOd-OZifyJqrpuvrj4Cz6JJCF2GvIzi7lks1WKDc0s4yllaFbhLn2zgUlYI56Aiz8FIR3RNb-VS-tcHLHfT-ttsB79XT/s320/moss.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576343033377807922" /></a>Angiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08027963975416149569noreply@blogger.com0