tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41861675247913005902024-03-12T18:05:52.348-07:00Auntie Kit and CousinsLife is too short to forget the happy moments.
Here are some of mine.Auntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-27736441307519672282010-10-13T16:38:00.000-07:002010-10-20T11:00:11.086-07:00Lockwood Farm: Lockwood Farm Online Market - Coming Soon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdQkvOV-oLLWWguWmIzsna9K9N7mr-iSkfeAz6jMqd-SzmRg_IxibiCfKxxoWR3NEoCeSdu4uoKp0JvYZ1Y4RRanuJNjSKZaS8ZFZ9zwKDi4u_5eBbz1xsrBTvpa670KPZbmPLa_oefan/s1600/Lockwood+Lavender+Online+Market.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdQkvOV-oLLWWguWmIzsna9K9N7mr-iSkfeAz6jMqd-SzmRg_IxibiCfKxxoWR3NEoCeSdu4uoKp0JvYZ1Y4RRanuJNjSKZaS8ZFZ9zwKDi4u_5eBbz1xsrBTvpa670KPZbmPLa_oefan/s400/Lockwood+Lavender+Online+Market.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As most of you know, I am addicted to lavender. This news couldn't be more welcome!!!! <a href="http://lockwoodfarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/lockwood-farm-online-market-coming-soon.html">Lockwood Lavender Farm</a> will soon have an online market! I can't wait for this!!!!<br />
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Finally a direct source for some wonderful lavender products.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>"Watch for more information on our online market! Coming Soon!"</b></i></div>Auntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-9695908061105428332010-10-09T14:45:00.000-07:002010-10-20T11:03:46.508-07:00Santa Fe Green Chile Chicken Stew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sKYc2a1lK0nHw9tHc_01PcbkJlIzN6OtIrnDRM5ATpQMx5kKN5YqSVxKlBBGAptyQYDgS2vXX74PZv_b5HGYSTpUHKFPZobtDvI7seHOu8jsWim6toEyBftyqlS9bt8pFe_tIiEz5fFB/s1600/10-8-10+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sKYc2a1lK0nHw9tHc_01PcbkJlIzN6OtIrnDRM5ATpQMx5kKN5YqSVxKlBBGAptyQYDgS2vXX74PZv_b5HGYSTpUHKFPZobtDvI7seHOu8jsWim6toEyBftyqlS9bt8pFe_tIiEz5fFB/s400/10-8-10+032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I know that for those of you who haven't lived in the southwest as long as I have, this may not be a treat, but if you've lived in New Mexico for any time at all, you have probably become addicted to green chile.<br />
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It's a proven fact that the stuff is addictive! <i><b>REALLY!</b></i><br />
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We've recently moved <b><i>away</i></b> from NM, and while we've had a few friends make sure we don't run dry in the fresh/frozen green chile department, we do have to ration ourselves. Tonight we're getting ready to make <b><i>Santa Fe Green Chile Chicken Stew.</i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDDlpywE9Y0nEdQPhyphenhyphenxVm5BsmZIbMfxbvgB-xVfCo57RyQuEnguz6wWQRSFdyXXUTI1ix7ruV4LrjFnblxymh4bANSqWyLEXBR0DbbuwiUXSPbckUzIO3aNCff6oeaFKupveWOc-fOnCZ/s1600/10-8-10+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNDDlpywE9Y0nEdQPhyphenhyphenxVm5BsmZIbMfxbvgB-xVfCo57RyQuEnguz6wWQRSFdyXXUTI1ix7ruV4LrjFnblxymh4bANSqWyLEXBR0DbbuwiUXSPbckUzIO3aNCff6oeaFKupveWOc-fOnCZ/s320/10-8-10+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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You start with a pot of water and some chicken. This time we're using just breasts, but if I find a few whole chickens on sale, that'll work too. Throw in some carrots, celery, onion (with the skins on to maximize favor and color), a little bay leaf and some pepper and start the cooking process.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp6aRYJTufNkRuZQTv6Wk50R3UyizJHPRsvOGljbIqibEiJ2k1k7Nf1sK1PYtNECKHXfTNRx2kmcYLu9HEAR1ojuLTJNHgEP1AKa83AF1yfcj2gskS1RS4yOtUMwN6sTT2gRRD7I86kAX/s1600/10-8-10+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzp6aRYJTufNkRuZQTv6Wk50R3UyizJHPRsvOGljbIqibEiJ2k1k7Nf1sK1PYtNECKHXfTNRx2kmcYLu9HEAR1ojuLTJNHgEP1AKa83AF1yfcj2gskS1RS4yOtUMwN6sTT2gRRD7I86kAX/s320/10-8-10+013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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It really helps if you have a great stewpot like this one my hubby got for me. When I'm ready, I just pull up the handles of the strainer part, let it drain, and all the brothy goodness is still in the pan! Great idea.<br />
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Pull the chicken off the bones. You want to make sure you don't overcook the chicken. Put the bones and skin back in the pot and cook for another hour or two. Be sure to refrigerate the chicken that you pulled off the bones until you're ready to put the stew together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemiNUIQ0cOKCD25eFGGLwTbU_HcDM1FOpyC0g8CERYU9r85MxOwre-c6zUzYEcMhWKczggY62VqdlJGBMJA6r8B_XD3FSv4G2LtXlaYN1EBouWgMuQRvDkg0Ul_zGtDURF9zytNVJiayy/s1600/10-8-10+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemiNUIQ0cOKCD25eFGGLwTbU_HcDM1FOpyC0g8CERYU9r85MxOwre-c6zUzYEcMhWKczggY62VqdlJGBMJA6r8B_XD3FSv4G2LtXlaYN1EBouWgMuQRvDkg0Ul_zGtDURF9zytNVJiayy/s320/10-8-10+016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Here's what it looks like after the second simmer session. <br />
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Time to add the roasted green chile.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP00mldiq2ocBtEHviazK-UFBdTi7zRNobcd5byI-hEjJvK9vZBXT6YLLVR2krPn56agktFW91GnrnjxQH1XPM6tWALGH-VbZB6fdV6Wl0R6oGO8GY4NDgOJQw36OFIxyLbX5uZ8MglHF8/s1600/10-8-10+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP00mldiq2ocBtEHviazK-UFBdTi7zRNobcd5byI-hEjJvK9vZBXT6YLLVR2krPn56agktFW91GnrnjxQH1XPM6tWALGH-VbZB6fdV6Wl0R6oGO8GY4NDgOJQw36OFIxyLbX5uZ8MglHF8/s320/10-8-10+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Make a roux of flour and butter, brown it just a little.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7axAo4AT6ltV1FkoAlUz1OX7JbQ1RfDjkmYjgp9bEZVPcdIVGhOL26yDx-ApgMxu-QRBdGWuWOn8DTq0A-c6ZX5JtbZgHvacy9anqAcwZfHRfp3Vb6eUkOw7n8Cu5bg8MzYGrNmWIJxf/s1600/10-8-10+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7axAo4AT6ltV1FkoAlUz1OX7JbQ1RfDjkmYjgp9bEZVPcdIVGhOL26yDx-ApgMxu-QRBdGWuWOn8DTq0A-c6ZX5JtbZgHvacy9anqAcwZfHRfp3Vb6eUkOw7n8Cu5bg8MzYGrNmWIJxf/s320/10-8-10+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Add to the hot broth and whisk furiously until it returns to a boil. This is lookin' pretty yummy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5MWxMTigS7GJnm3uv6BKcOOviA_px6R28jHiWYv_wmf2kpQfK5TdT7GOIZ70xn1KpreJCJ1TBr6h14_7j5arrCZsFGToX3gMux13umZoehlDn7YII3RoDPLpnmDaMKqV5pPysB8Y9GTy/s1600/10-8-10+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5MWxMTigS7GJnm3uv6BKcOOviA_px6R28jHiWYv_wmf2kpQfK5TdT7GOIZ70xn1KpreJCJ1TBr6h14_7j5arrCZsFGToX3gMux13umZoehlDn7YII3RoDPLpnmDaMKqV5pPysB8Y9GTy/s320/10-8-10+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Add the chicken meat back in.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuDU-nUA3Li6MqA0unp2i8aMhTXRUQ1o8hkfco2Renx6rCJLXZT1mGptTiuqAeeRc_3i4g-Wlcn8Y7nrreUFyROuAaC5IrSO6oQ-hqnOOlxiF0kf61BUTZXOmkTUPwo9OuL9hSJgTC89n/s1600/10-8-10+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuDU-nUA3Li6MqA0unp2i8aMhTXRUQ1o8hkfco2Renx6rCJLXZT1mGptTiuqAeeRc_3i4g-Wlcn8Y7nrreUFyROuAaC5IrSO6oQ-hqnOOlxiF0kf61BUTZXOmkTUPwo9OuL9hSJgTC89n/s320/10-8-10+025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Add the green chile that's been cleaned and chopped.<br />
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Warm up some tortillas and settle down for some down home New Mexican goodness.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bueno!</b></span></div>Auntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-82222378344282251122010-10-08T12:28:00.000-07:002010-10-20T11:01:06.943-07:00Reposting from One Simple Country Girl's Blog - Faux Caramel Apples A very special thanks to Donna for allowing me to repost this really fun project. It's fall, it's apple time, and who doesn't just LOVE caramel apples? <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvhds5fVLKe0QTwrmCqgzTotLbVh7RglhMz9MFkbwXqm63rhAPZLALpeeCBfp-1fqQ-lP8gDKJ4-Fw0kMxuyqHKKLLzRPhE9wY6zzzOVnrsFCd1V25si9KEizeArGcJm6t3_NupgeTRK_/s400/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't this look delicious?????</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvhds5fVLKe0QTwrmCqgzTotLbVh7RglhMz9MFkbwXqm63rhAPZLALpeeCBfp-1fqQ-lP8gDKJ4-Fw0kMxuyqHKKLLzRPhE9wY6zzzOVnrsFCd1V25si9KEizeArGcJm6t3_NupgeTRK_/s1600/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Here is Donna's site. She has a wonderful blog. I'm sure she'd love to have you visit!<br />
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<a href="http://onesimplecountrygirl.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-tuesday-faux-caramel-apples.html">http://onesimplecountrygirl.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-tuesday-faux-caramel-apples.html</a><br />
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If you want to have caramel apples on display all the time without worrying about an ant invasion in your home, here's the project for you. I'm on my way out for some supplies! Thank you Donna! I appreciate your generosity.<br />
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<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://onesimplecountrygirl.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-tuesday-faux-caramel-apples.html">How to Tuesday ~ Faux Caramel Apples</a> </h3><div class="post-header"></div>Hey everybody! Whew, I am tuckered out! I really enjoy these long weekends, but it is killer going back to work on Tuesday. One of my jobs is opening and distributing the mail and I also have to do the daily deposit. Well, let me tell ya, having four days worth of mail to do in one day takes forever!!!! Not to mention all the checks I have to sort and batch up. So needless to say, I pay dearly for that coveted holiday break!<br />
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When I showed y'all my faux caramel apples, I had a couple of people ask me to do a tutorial on them. I know that most of y'all already know how to do these, but I'm gonna post a tutorial on how I did mine, because it's my blog and I'll post whatever I want! LOL!<br />
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Here are the supplies I used: faux green apples (I got mine at Wal-Mart for $1.00 a piece. I've also seen them at the Dollar Tree), craft sticks or popsicle sticks, tan colored craft paint, a plastic bowl with lid, a plastic spoon, Mod Podge Matte Glue, corn cob liter, freezer paper, clear treat bags, and pretty fall themed ribbon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGvoczwg-FGa7Q-tW2E9oXd80iOwDT4FyPsKXVgVY7uz8iNjfHI005q2mS-Q2863pzfvfZ0HU5hbENlJ5Xtmxt-P75v5Mu5BU6tL7U41qdEhrOFDTzAexJ-2JaQ1ErF0WOxjPhjLaYvA/s1600/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+002.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514318242994530066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGvoczwg-FGa7Q-tW2E9oXd80iOwDT4FyPsKXVgVY7uz8iNjfHI005q2mS-Q2863pzfvfZ0HU5hbENlJ5Xtmxt-P75v5Mu5BU6tL7U41qdEhrOFDTzAexJ-2JaQ1ErF0WOxjPhjLaYvA/s320/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+002.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
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Step 1: Cut a small slit in the apple where the stem is. I used an ordinary steak knife for this step. You don't have to cut a deep hole. I just stuck the knife in and pushed it slightly. Just be careful!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9qEFS_N_-PUSVbW9kK1yEffeE1b-j-RDJ2LnQi03UjtYgao-4WgE9urS0ZYjJujiNSo1p6GoCOG8hR-LnemX00TqeS_2PDwY8lUVwjRw6w3VBayqpoSm5mZjqgXw7tzcHNTtnaPRl6E/s1600/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+003.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514318921334841970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9qEFS_N_-PUSVbW9kK1yEffeE1b-j-RDJ2LnQi03UjtYgao-4WgE9urS0ZYjJujiNSo1p6GoCOG8hR-LnemX00TqeS_2PDwY8lUVwjRw6w3VBayqpoSm5mZjqgXw7tzcHNTtnaPRl6E/s320/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+003.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Step 2: Insert craft sticks into the hole you just made.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7H9o2WHFabADJiDNzm4CmdpbKLDwILmfJRcBB_z355HEPdnCNMcwqeaxGUtPB6mkoUHH8bE2dbdYfb3z_UI6Y5a6L8Wuye4cr84HtnZNxYTxLGKTXviRkTdb7mEAYEjdiYd0w80uCbZQ/s1600/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+004.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514319184456454626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7H9o2WHFabADJiDNzm4CmdpbKLDwILmfJRcBB_z355HEPdnCNMcwqeaxGUtPB6mkoUHH8bE2dbdYfb3z_UI6Y5a6L8Wuye4cr84HtnZNxYTxLGKTXviRkTdb7mEAYEjdiYd0w80uCbZQ/s320/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+004.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Step 3: Mix glue with the paint in a plastic bowl or plastic cup with the plastic spoon. I used an old Cool Whip bowl because I wanted to keep the leftover mixture to do more apples later and the glue/paint mixture won't dry out if it's covered. The amounts of each you will use will vary depending on how many apples you are doing. For the three I did, I used about 1/3 bottle of glue and just squirted a glob of the paint in. Stir together until well blended. You can add more paint if you want your "caramel" to be darker. Just note: the glue/paint mixture will dry darker on the apples than it appears in your bowl so keep that in mind. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiia-Ob09pG_5mkcduGTBXYPcXG92ZIm2YBV7cXJ_0B5gAuJhTR2GlptiqqePxAmq8yMOQamS2R-ic3Qi46g6rVTjvhoaF9HGPyAJuZL-Wo_cT3av11BVrvUNfWkumEQqRvrOvFcCZ_4U0/s1600/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+005.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514320217786154114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiia-Ob09pG_5mkcduGTBXYPcXG92ZIm2YBV7cXJ_0B5gAuJhTR2GlptiqqePxAmq8yMOQamS2R-ic3Qi46g6rVTjvhoaF9HGPyAJuZL-Wo_cT3av11BVrvUNfWkumEQqRvrOvFcCZ_4U0/s320/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+005.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Step 4: Tear off a piece of wax paper big enough to set your apples on and to catch excess drippage. Place each apple on the wax paper and using your plastic spoon, spoon your paint mixture over the top of the apple starting at the craft stick. Let the paint run down the sides of the apple, leaving some of the green showing. I recommend doing a couple of layers because if you just do one layer of the paint mixture, it will dry somewhat transparent. Two layers seem to work pretty good.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBlugC9rxtZa86j5asE_LtYlDK937ZSVazj093tL2Mk74yBN_zTqOPVqokqvgzNPU4NJF2vJOn7KeWMtUn8TqJVxBSP-ev19kKsJ5FwV9kXsFLuqdR1xizhpswgysmN9tSyuMZXmtSNk/s1600/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+006.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514320907667737122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBlugC9rxtZa86j5asE_LtYlDK937ZSVazj093tL2Mk74yBN_zTqOPVqokqvgzNPU4NJF2vJOn7KeWMtUn8TqJVxBSP-ev19kKsJ5FwV9kXsFLuqdR1xizhpswgysmN9tSyuMZXmtSNk/s320/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+006.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Step 5: Take a handful of the cob liter and sprinkle on each apple. These are your "nuts". I had a hard time finding this item locally. I ended up finding it at a Wal Mart in another town in the pet section. I tried using some small aquarium gravel before I found the cob liter, but it didn't look right and was too heavy for the apples. So if you can't find the liter at your Wal Mart, I'd suggest checking with a pet store or maybe a vet's office to see if they can help you. If anybody has any other ideas on what would be good to use for the "nuts", I'd love to hear them!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTSm6zYSBxQbt6RBkPQT4w72nbmT6YylyMl-LQLjYLKiUb-LR7fHuXkHOcGYJTMEg5HpkoqIfuqwJf6bT5ws3CWqC6PFp2vKq9HwKrTTCgyj2WVktPKXn_oi5HjdRY978vzyL-Go638U/s1600/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+007.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTSm6zYSBxQbt6RBkPQT4w72nbmT6YylyMl-LQLjYLKiUb-LR7fHuXkHOcGYJTMEg5HpkoqIfuqwJf6bT5ws3CWqC6PFp2vKq9HwKrTTCgyj2WVktPKXn_oi5HjdRY978vzyL-Go638U/s320/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+007.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLwvzQMwW87rp4RxJryMFabXs-82DPGS4XoFVpswlCFpw8JHdmcehYDQtwqrd_E7XCntKwKwSUZMGIIobKjvQMjZdiXpYRakXaws1sfalNHAfbXSsWyqvyfzWXPfjzXSMke1Z94L-MGM/s1600/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+008.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514323002581911970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLwvzQMwW87rp4RxJryMFabXs-82DPGS4XoFVpswlCFpw8JHdmcehYDQtwqrd_E7XCntKwKwSUZMGIIobKjvQMjZdiXpYRakXaws1sfalNHAfbXSsWyqvyfzWXPfjzXSMke1Z94L-MGM/s320/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+008.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_t_ZAFtc-_oLu82EF854ZwxbBaLgEH4Qzyi3MurfjUAyImn19A125vNBIE9ZwpqRpWJYHtfwhcJO4posseqz3zYYD9c8s_1ggj05ElpBFPjUED9ddQ3L-mehjAkW7w0Hvl-lH5l_udic/s1600/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+010.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514323196364161010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_t_ZAFtc-_oLu82EF854ZwxbBaLgEH4Qzyi3MurfjUAyImn19A125vNBIE9ZwpqRpWJYHtfwhcJO4posseqz3zYYD9c8s_1ggj05ElpBFPjUED9ddQ3L-mehjAkW7w0Hvl-lH5l_udic/s320/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+010.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Step 6: Tear off a fresh piece of wax paper and transfer your apples to it to let them set up and dry for at least 24 hours. Cause if you don't, this is what you will end up with:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmJbq5FwzilYxbI5S5KilzezVQNH8PWsFHERcQq3zzErhbvPRSqDN-H_o-1Tlzem4hETSZPlIZUKSuP75ze4Ct1nNVsi35j6WETjRc1_RtDGscA5yfbE_aRMnW9O_LJzAHPNT-X0OsBw/s1600/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+009.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514322214771570066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmJbq5FwzilYxbI5S5KilzezVQNH8PWsFHERcQq3zzErhbvPRSqDN-H_o-1Tlzem4hETSZPlIZUKSuP75ze4Ct1nNVsi35j6WETjRc1_RtDGscA5yfbE_aRMnW9O_LJzAHPNT-X0OsBw/s320/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+009.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Step 7: Once your apples are dry, you are done! I put mine in a clear treat bag and tied them up with some pretty ribbon and a hang tag I made.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPf7ZCRI5fhYJfbAhQmTVQJxp1H9eKuDxLtFQYEdnbYHoP0v_-bl3MjANQnT1Mka2Md0gtYhZwHf5ShNgZnevB-7NuQKJ90zyZ8sq23dEN62NuML9ZWOhBakLT0JG9GYH1AvAoZja-jWi/s400/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't touch yet, they're still sticky!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPf7ZCRI5fhYJfbAhQmTVQJxp1H9eKuDxLtFQYEdnbYHoP0v_-bl3MjANQnT1Mka2Md0gtYhZwHf5ShNgZnevB-7NuQKJ90zyZ8sq23dEN62NuML9ZWOhBakLT0JG9GYH1AvAoZja-jWi/s1600/topiary,caramel+apples,bowl+fillers+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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I'd love to know if anyone else makes these!!! <br />
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Hugs,<br />
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KitAuntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-22049621418248376992010-10-06T06:06:00.000-07:002010-10-06T06:06:00.676-07:00The Last of the Fall HarvestHere are some photos of my son heading out to the garden for breakfast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinm2HJIgDqN9A_oecX8mg0_sQQ5ahzK_X_l7kRm3Z416gO8_pmJ_0L8Suq7-74pCjHazSjF1flTrAeSe7qqdAr_VZZ4aQgZTz5nou9YG6toc13zJ4RwJ62Qzi6Ds5nwVEKO6HDEcRfsyIA/s320/DSCN1554.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These raised beds really can produce!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinm2HJIgDqN9A_oecX8mg0_sQQ5ahzK_X_l7kRm3Z416gO8_pmJ_0L8Suq7-74pCjHazSjF1flTrAeSe7qqdAr_VZZ4aQgZTz5nou9YG6toc13zJ4RwJ62Qzi6Ds5nwVEKO6HDEcRfsyIA/s1600/DSCN1554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPfnxU4b77vFFJjggQh8oz4uBY6sXN_GWYGZaZabINXNkUPdRxnXGeaM-EoAOo105UyMEXK2fOObGE4Rke0rZJjcjQTSmqG_pjohr8amQKZSMRtrAY__QB2to1YV_RJMWMyvKfwbsQCHH/s320/DSCN1555.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting a closer look.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPfnxU4b77vFFJjggQh8oz4uBY6sXN_GWYGZaZabINXNkUPdRxnXGeaM-EoAOo105UyMEXK2fOObGE4Rke0rZJjcjQTSmqG_pjohr8amQKZSMRtrAY__QB2to1YV_RJMWMyvKfwbsQCHH/s1600/DSCN1555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nnUx7gVLlASjvedOqB9G0yqkkvnflLB2Mdv_mMqdi3Irsa_Sv2CskXPMhstiQQwB3yhEbc3t4SNzZID3FOQ3YOCOXewL-YNHCCmnNT7m17sftRdEMpqt4hiUlWNW0sXua7rVonMBXWPY/s320/DSCN1556.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotcha! Yellow Pear tomatoes and a handful of fresh basil...for a breakfast omelet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nnUx7gVLlASjvedOqB9G0yqkkvnflLB2Mdv_mMqdi3Irsa_Sv2CskXPMhstiQQwB3yhEbc3t4SNzZID3FOQ3YOCOXewL-YNHCCmnNT7m17sftRdEMpqt4hiUlWNW0sXua7rVonMBXWPY/s1600/DSCN1556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
There's really no better way to start the day, is there?Auntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-7196446233775026872010-10-05T12:54:00.000-07:002010-10-20T11:00:33.405-07:00Great Resource for Lavender Lovers!The following blog posting is from a wonderful lavender farm back in New York. I so love lavender that I wanted to share my new find with you!<br />
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<3<br />
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Kit<a href="http://lockwoodfarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-propagating-lavender.html#comment-form"></a>Auntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-63046279403606506932010-10-05T12:45:00.000-07:002010-10-20T10:59:49.947-07:00Lockwood Farm: How to Propagate Lavender<a href="http://lockwoodfarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-propagating-lavender.html?spref=bl">Lockwood Farm: How to Propagate Lavender</a>: "We thought we would try a little experiment this fall in propagating lavender and starting them in a cold frame. Lavender can be pr..."Auntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-30643747928876896592010-10-05T05:56:00.000-07:002010-10-05T11:36:28.130-07:00Summer's Over, Autumn's HereI've finally located some of the photos from my garden that show some of my favorite late summer and autumn flowers and findings. <br />
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These pics were taken the last summer I lived in my beloved log house on the ridge-line in the mountains of New Mexico.<br />
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It won't take a genius to discover what my favorite flower is...here they are, my Morning Glories! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88xvEnXep0ILMLoBbXM5qtT-xAysBbn9I2k0yCO_62wnSEiR7SPgsJvn5Tm9Tqmf_RrG3Q0pxnRzW_gSakMmM-drrM1Si5wXT-le_jl7HRuL3K4P5lMtPs6hmrpY3x8xD28Tldj4JExM4/s1600/DSCN1553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88xvEnXep0ILMLoBbXM5qtT-xAysBbn9I2k0yCO_62wnSEiR7SPgsJvn5Tm9Tqmf_RrG3Q0pxnRzW_gSakMmM-drrM1Si5wXT-le_jl7HRuL3K4P5lMtPs6hmrpY3x8xD28Tldj4JExM4/s320/DSCN1553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glorious!<br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Auntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-25608099262487405682010-10-04T13:43:00.000-07:002010-10-04T16:01:28.747-07:00My BuddyJust a very quick post today as I'm swamped with assignments...but here's my daughter's cat, O'Malley. When she's working or at school he becomes very lonely and wants companionship. As a Maine Coon, he's a dog trapped in a cat's body and he wants to sleep where I'm working. Usually right on TOP of what I'm working on. Can you resist this face?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0ly39A9uL5FGEHzStS1LNmHf8s_4EKZ-oCU6yRFELxAFycWj2ovW0RUTdDvr0zDAU7_amNkWSq3FamoloBSs9Wq4S0LIAYiAnR98MaFoD_yMJi1dPBhLOlRhZb6b2otZwemlFO-MXGtD/s1600/Jake+and+O%27Malley+October+3,+2010+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq0ly39A9uL5FGEHzStS1LNmHf8s_4EKZ-oCU6yRFELxAFycWj2ovW0RUTdDvr0zDAU7_amNkWSq3FamoloBSs9Wq4S0LIAYiAnR98MaFoD_yMJi1dPBhLOlRhZb6b2otZwemlFO-MXGtD/s320/Jake+and+O%27Malley+October+3,+2010+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shhh....he's sleeping!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Auntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-88780443997546978832010-10-03T13:33:00.000-07:002010-10-03T13:33:35.500-07:00Decorating My Office<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80uee1WVxAuyTcjzkCO7g1cprV_FeLx_n1r0cz6lnaA9OOo0kiKj0B8lsWWtwTcCgOShatDwLFcVbw5LLUrOxljFgCz6z8iVsSdUuqmSdYWhyvry1iZ5NMkZvbmGAt0wsE5saCEZS6NTO/s320/Auntie+Kit+10-3-10+002.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope whispers Trust</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80uee1WVxAuyTcjzkCO7g1cprV_FeLx_n1r0cz6lnaA9OOo0kiKj0B8lsWWtwTcCgOShatDwLFcVbw5LLUrOxljFgCz6z8iVsSdUuqmSdYWhyvry1iZ5NMkZvbmGAt0wsE5saCEZS6NTO/s1600/Auntie+Kit+10-3-10+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIfO3blbYdMVhrzvS289sLvXrmMHaRqCK93HDHVQkltPHCtcJsg2-PIz5xr_Yy_WTPSJ4Oo9Oo5fkfOLdFyAvakv2jQaQSSgkm8v8x5MKuLKYFLCMKT7wamz9LpoPwmf0rJoSObOPHqaT/s320/Auntie+Kit+10-3-10+003.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(The tag is missing on the winter fairie)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIfO3blbYdMVhrzvS289sLvXrmMHaRqCK93HDHVQkltPHCtcJsg2-PIz5xr_Yy_WTPSJ4Oo9Oo5fkfOLdFyAvakv2jQaQSSgkm8v8x5MKuLKYFLCMKT7wamz9LpoPwmf0rJoSObOPHqaT/s1600/Auntie+Kit+10-3-10+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrxZe17TUUcxqa-r7CCydWh1_S-3tBf1YdEujBNpbLZ2zE9eFQX9nZPOMu7CIXOu7wNjg3sozE52mCYfXOHhVxDpU3M5jypOKSd4hFj7Fu4ijxSIM9Q_TxUdhhyOPuiRn6vSDX22fxNRl/s320/Auntie+Kit+10-3-10+004.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bliss whispers Love</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrxZe17TUUcxqa-r7CCydWh1_S-3tBf1YdEujBNpbLZ2zE9eFQX9nZPOMu7CIXOu7wNjg3sozE52mCYfXOHhVxDpU3M5jypOKSd4hFj7Fu4ijxSIM9Q_TxUdhhyOPuiRn6vSDX22fxNRl/s1600/Auntie+Kit+10-3-10+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>We've lived in our new home now for about 18 months. I did paint my office a beautiful "Pond" color...the Eddie Bauer line at Lowe's. A great change from the typical white that I found to be completely uninspiring.<br />
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Now, I'm pulling out a few items that make me smile when I look at them. Here are three fairies that I have from the Oregon artist, Colleen Sohn at Canterbury Lane.<br />
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Aren't these beautiful?<br />
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I adore dolls, and especially love fairies. These are beautifully homespun, and I adore them. I find them to be inspiring, when the rest of the world is working in HTML, and CSS and RSS, and CMS, etc.<br />
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Now, when I need inspiration I listen for the whisper of the fairies and once again there is a smile back on my face and I'm moving forward.<br />
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Hugs,<br />
<br />
Auntie KitAuntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-17683827082733686792010-09-24T13:29:00.000-07:002010-10-20T10:59:01.453-07:00Treating Myself to a Pretty Notebook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5xIR3h_aYqGBWOvpwNWngoUCZwNE9JSalRyr11Ehyphenhyphen3bPL0jsio5yMecatuCOHGnQbd7_EDofeLpckjz2HKXJ3U9ZyCfe2CQGAaZ9-wv3qMtyiXCq5XcALYjC-F3f3bpULdoDpMgKihpG/s400/Decorated+Notebook.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Decorated Notebook - Right now this one is my absolute favorite. I don't know why I love vintage, and lace, and postmarks, and stamps, but I really, really do. I have such fun making these, and in using them. I feel really privileged when I write in this notebook. This one I'm using to keep my Auntie Kit and Cousins Blog ideas...How do you like that? You have your very own special notebook, and it is my favorite! (at least for now...)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlVEj1Su2burrTbvfQjnhtEMVyhxhdpD3p0VZ0TWwpAgXJEm3b03E0J8PZaO9VBSVg6vm5JztXczFldF93Y9frX_1ydPKVMCYIaxFfX2dLSJLNmkcveNIog5XUBELPNwMr-r_QPCdtUtt/s400/Decorated+Notebooks+017.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the four notebooks that I created that day. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them! I feel so much better when I use something that means something to me. If you're interested, I can post instructions (complete with pics) when I do my next set of notebooks. Four won't keep me for long, so let me know and I'll be happy to do that with you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlVEj1Su2burrTbvfQjnhtEMVyhxhdpD3p0VZ0TWwpAgXJEm3b03E0J8PZaO9VBSVg6vm5JztXczFldF93Y9frX_1ydPKVMCYIaxFfX2dLSJLNmkcveNIog5XUBELPNwMr-r_QPCdtUtt/s1600/Decorated+Notebooks+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5xIR3h_aYqGBWOvpwNWngoUCZwNE9JSalRyr11Ehyphenhyphen3bPL0jsio5yMecatuCOHGnQbd7_EDofeLpckjz2HKXJ3U9ZyCfe2CQGAaZ9-wv3qMtyiXCq5XcALYjC-F3f3bpULdoDpMgKihpG/s1600/Decorated+Notebook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><br />
I used to be so utilitarian...but then I discovered how very nice it felt to treat myself to something nice. I became acquainted with scrapbooking, just about the same time the entire world did, and yet I didn't jump on that bandwagon.<br />
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I suspect that I'm actually afraid of getting sucked in, buying too many (more) things that I don't need, spending money that probably should go to buying shoes for my children...OK, so they can probably buy their own shoes now, but you get my drift.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I LOVE scrapbooking. I adore looking at finished pages that my friends show me. I will even go to an occasional scrapbooking party. But I just can't bring myself to jump on board.<br />
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What I WILL do, however, is I will decorate a note book.<br />
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I guess I can't quite see why I would spend three hours creating a beautiful scrapbook page that I will only look at for a few seconds each time I flip through a photo album. But, if I decorate something that I USE every day, then those three hours will be a tangible extension of that creative side of me that tries to hide from time to time. <br />
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Here are four notebooks that I created. (Yes, I created them at a scrapbooking party...I will tell the truth, I was supposed to be scrapbooking, but I was SO interested in getting this project done that I simply could NOT stop working on it. I hope my friends forgive me and will continue to love me anyway...)<br />
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And not only did I create that one at the scrapbooking party, but I finished a couple others. Actually, I should go ahead and get photos of those so that you can see that my six hours spent was quite productive. There...photos shot, not the best, but why procrastinate?<br />
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Here are closeups of three of the four notebooks I created that day (the closeup of the fourth one is at the top of this blog):<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70UgzZ8qAFyMC5HdOANw9xbL8aQeKMN035TYEu7CCiwPQbXQ7NC3eh75KID03pBCUDg_bt6M7fI1et5BTRaGtkuVFKlIcd4F2AZmYmMhiHcf-xoSHpJB9CUV0Kv-VSjC0e331tr3SY_iN/s1600/Decorated+Notebooks+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj70UgzZ8qAFyMC5HdOANw9xbL8aQeKMN035TYEu7CCiwPQbXQ7NC3eh75KID03pBCUDg_bt6M7fI1et5BTRaGtkuVFKlIcd4F2AZmYmMhiHcf-xoSHpJB9CUV0Kv-VSjC0e331tr3SY_iN/s320/Decorated+Notebooks+007.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was done with a vintage photo, a scrapbooking background page (see, I did SOME scrapbooking), and then the edging is from a napkin with this border. I just liked how it turned out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8jlx6hUrI6XxbbtHv_hmaaIBuGqfUsMqPMxDyGnJbEI7BhEID1JddxOeI_A81oKR_goZaTaQBsj-g2MD532JBND7bFlrdYL8KeEfcg6NGFUobgE0ZbnL6tnKr2pbwZDsB1HQYB9rk6Aj/s320/Decorated+Notebooks+014.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one didn't come out as well as I had expected. It was my last one of the day, and maybe it just isn't quite done. That isn't keeping me from using it! I LOVE my decorated notebooks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wgtWI9V4NRYRqZe9li4vp9J8DKP1G93glh46_whOVdLi1Yf1KdUZsOuPxICyeUAEzbnL8FBQKyzJZKJ9cMr2IuB5-WdjPHgrUbcTChovgMXYUXfKY7k3zYhcHMjicsjak_x6oDc14Wdm/s320/Decorated+Notebooks+004.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This notebook was created from some wine napkins that I absolutely adored. They decoupaged beautifully in place, and then I just crafted the Wine Notes label. We've recently gone to some wine tasting sessions and the only way I can keep track of things is to take notes. I used to bring a big spiral-bound notebook, but the presenters always looked so alarmed when I did that...making a smaller, more discrete and <i><b>tasteful</b></i> notebook has done wonders in allaying their fears!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wgtWI9V4NRYRqZe9li4vp9J8DKP1G93glh46_whOVdLi1Yf1KdUZsOuPxICyeUAEzbnL8FBQKyzJZKJ9cMr2IuB5-WdjPHgrUbcTChovgMXYUXfKY7k3zYhcHMjicsjak_x6oDc14Wdm/s1600/Decorated+Notebooks+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Auntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-68093800835605185662010-09-24T12:55:00.000-07:002010-09-24T12:55:15.090-07:00Fun with CustomersMy friend Laura has the most beautiful shop, Willow Creek, a Country Attic, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. From the time she opened the doors, I was part of her "Willow Creek" family. Over the years, all the women who worked there became known as the "Willow Creek Ladies".<br />
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Most of us began working at Willow Creek because we knew Laura, and we had been involved in her in-home craft shows all those years prior to her opening her store. Others came along either as a result of meeting Laura at women's networking groups, or just by being customers in the store.<br />
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One of my most vivid memories was the first Easter we were open. We'd been struggling, our location was good, but not excellent. People were getting the word that we were open, but we'd still have long hours in-between customers.<br />
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Part of our brainstorming included coming up with ideas to help customers to remember us. That Easter I had just finished helping a friend make an adult Easter Bunny costume that I wore to help her with a non-profit "gig" the week prior to Easter. You see, my friend, Lisa, is a clown. That's not just a descriptive word, she really is a registered clown, named Binky.<br />
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In return for making the costume for Binky, she let me borrow it to wear while I worked at the shop the Friday before Easter. It turned out to be one of the most memorable things I did. One of the customers who came into Willow Creek for the very first time that day thought at first I was a little off my rocker, but we chatted. After a bit, she didn't seem to mind chatting to a 5-1/2 foot tall white bunny. I did have to remove the fuzzy paws in order to write up her sale, but by the time she left she was chuckling. She told me years later that she thought I was out of my mind, but it did cement the name, Willow Creek, in our memory.<br />
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Later that afternoon a few moms brought their kids in on their way home from school, so we took a few photo opportunities. I know I have a picture somewhere, and when I find it, I'll be sure to post it right here. You just never know what it is you do that will make your customers remember you, but that was one of them.Auntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-52807822727468398982010-09-14T12:51:00.000-07:002010-10-04T13:15:50.573-07:00Do Something Nice for YourselfOne of the ways I like to rejuvenate myself is to treat myself as if I were company.<br />
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Due to my husband's recent motorcycle accident and subsequent broken leg, we've had to change our routine in a major way. For the first six weeks of his recovery he had to work from home and was confined either to a wheelchair or using a walker...no crutches for this guy! The trick is that he must keep <i><b>all</b></i> weight off his leg. You could lose balance a little with crutches...<br />
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...I told him he's the bionic man, but he doesn't seem to feel much like one. He doesn't remember the real bionic man taking 3 months to heal enough to put weight on his limbs. Maybe we watched different shows.<br />
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Anyway, this is his first week back to work, mostly part-time, but back to work. Again, I'm alone during the day, and today I turned on music that I love, prepared a wonderful meal of leftovers (stuffed shells with marinara sauce...OMG do I love that!) and read for half an hour.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GyU9l-fJ9ClrIVjfFAyhnA6QU_u596MqM83p2eMmt-nEsNI-Yo10P9gATHdiwMEHt386eAQBPRrd4nHRxo-JJ5wv861FjhTe6Mm9kGKJryuDFqvUUFhaci1JSV5ANfq22dYmWI7NGrKs/s1600/DSCN1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GyU9l-fJ9ClrIVjfFAyhnA6QU_u596MqM83p2eMmt-nEsNI-Yo10P9gATHdiwMEHt386eAQBPRrd4nHRxo-JJ5wv861FjhTe6Mm9kGKJryuDFqvUUFhaci1JSV5ANfq22dYmWI7NGrKs/s320/DSCN1501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>While I was eating I realized that I was feeding myself in two ways: spiritually and physically. I haven't been feeding myself spiritually for a while. It's time to break out the china tea cups and treat myself the way I want to be treated.<br />
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I many need to pull out my favorite scone recipe and show you how to make that!Auntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-90750470789407275042010-09-14T05:04:00.000-07:002010-10-04T13:07:00.075-07:00Midnight MusingsPerhaps one of the greatest gifts God gives mothers is the inability to always sleep through the night.<br />
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I used to consider this to be the bane of my existence, because insomnia seems to run in my family, and I would resent the lack of sleep, the gritty eyes the next morning, the frustration of tossing and turning...for HOURS!<br />
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...until it dawned on me that some of my most creative ideas occurred in the wee hours of the morning...<br />
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Did I really want to stop this flow of creative juices? Wasn't it worth the gritty eyes and stumbling feet to be able to look at something I had written, worked on, or "tweaked" during the night was suddenly, simply brilliant?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0GUpDHL64vHgAE2VK1awjmOQuuLMQklbG1thEN7UzBqVZTfD3gGyeHjKbMLf8MrfpMCYevHiIHpIHDnE_6TTDr2Hu0oQLO2xJAAUKAWYVwWh8TE8QehT2ibs385bN_Hb8l1Qa4PW_XTb/s320/DSCN2742.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I figured out how to create a quilting hoop for my quilting doll...in the middle of the night...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMhmFOJQ9UxhYHc4omC7K4UNJZcN0f_864gfr3lKTWnIN8R3nbLmbH34I6OJoRf2IczcQvajYWXbUtSnaACO1HOEUvbltAqL2DYnhLKfuvnxj8YXuwFoiRxhpJyeImuhQqaHNwl9mVyYhc/s320/DSCN2747.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This middle of the night breakthrough was to make the perfect mob-cap for my quilting doll.</td></tr>
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Yes, I'll admit, some things that seem brilliant during those hours between waking and dawn, don't quite stand up to the light of day. But on the other hand, many problems I've been struggling with go with me to bed, and in my dreams I come up with a solution. When I wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning, I have no choice. I have to see if my solution was right.<br />
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And I'm here to tell you that YES, it often is.<br />
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That's the best reason for insomnia...the other reason is that it gives me a couple of uninterrupted hours of working on something that I wouldn't normally get during the day. It doesn't matter if I'm working on an article, a book, a doll, a quilt...having that uninterrupted time is priceless.<br />
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It took me a lot of years to realize how precious that time really is. Having homeschooled for so many years, and working from home for 23 years, I'm not alone very often. In fact, I'm not even alone now. All the cats and the dog think that my nighttime excursions are pretty exciting. Until they realize that I'm not doing anything interesting, like going for a walk, or fixing food. Once they express their disappointment, they all go back to sleep, and it is peaceful once again...<br />
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...until 5 am when my daughters have to get up to get ready for work. Guess it's time for me to go back to bed and catch a couple hours of shut-eye.<br />
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Isn't it fun that we had this talk?Auntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4186167524791300590.post-32596350891355323742010-09-13T14:43:00.000-07:002010-10-04T13:52:39.569-07:00Getting StartedEvery project has to have a beginning point...and today's just as good as any to begin...<br />
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...actually this journey began a few years back. It all started when I became acquainted with a group of women who were also homeschooling their kids. This particular group of women started a reading group for the school-aged girls, to read the book <i><b>Little Women</b></i>, by Louisa May Alcott.<br />
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I only knew one of the mothers of the group, but my two daughters were interested in getting together with other girls, and my description of the book led them to believe that they wanted to read it too. (Be careful here, moms, if you didn't read <i>Little Women</i> when you were 9, chances are good, your 9-year-old isn't going to understand all the finer points of that story...just a suggestion.)<br />
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One of the ladies in the group came well prepared. She and her two daughters had 3-ring binders that had a clear piece of plastic that allowed them to slip a paper inside the front and back covers and a more narrow one along the spine. They had put their names on these papers, and decorated them in such a nice way that I knew I was destined to make friends with this mom. Her name is Trish, and we did, indeed, become friends.<br />
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I'll have to see if I still have a picture of that notebook. Even if I don't I'll be posting pics of similar notebooks, because I became a 3-ring binder nut! I have dozens of them around holding projects, recipes, patterns, plans, planting guides, you name it, I've got it organized and in a binder. All thanks to this little group of Little Women who changed my life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgLMA25YPbLv8mBm9K9xvBCZM8Pb5Kv9HlLp3nbN-xMCi0DPCyeoxYXbTM5HsgeZcgMz_eYEy5PiBoZ9QBMxhF3_Y8v5OTIjS1peNK6dUqs8H4__1k6fw2P_khbC7Gq8e_YcatwznnjM7/s1600/Jake+and+Binder+Pics+10-4-10+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgLMA25YPbLv8mBm9K9xvBCZM8Pb5Kv9HlLp3nbN-xMCi0DPCyeoxYXbTM5HsgeZcgMz_eYEy5PiBoZ9QBMxhF3_Y8v5OTIjS1peNK6dUqs8H4__1k6fw2P_khbC7Gq8e_YcatwznnjM7/s320/Jake+and+Binder+Pics+10-4-10+014.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's my very first decorated notebook. I've gone on to make a multitude of 3-ring binders in this manner ever since, but you DO have to start somewhere, don't you?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMQeQNNNBJzSOgs2lHNMfJNYvL105vEBLrzwNqhTtpdM72oHUqHgIdGhA1U_1xEMDxrzviQLu2UwIfAXXX1odJSD5quLAocubYL1D9bCKBJ5bZHvhahMgaIinV0OsXQJdq9rh40EAQLk1/s1600/Jake+and+Binder+Pics+10-4-10+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMQeQNNNBJzSOgs2lHNMfJNYvL105vEBLrzwNqhTtpdM72oHUqHgIdGhA1U_1xEMDxrzviQLu2UwIfAXXX1odJSD5quLAocubYL1D9bCKBJ5bZHvhahMgaIinV0OsXQJdq9rh40EAQLk1/s320/Jake+and+Binder+Pics+10-4-10+011.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I'm off and running...no 3-ring binder will ever be boring or naked again!</td></tr>
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More later...<br />
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Hugs,<br />
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Auntie KitAuntie Kithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06740507838514241255noreply@blogger.com0