tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48018048122956965502024-03-13T13:24:09.029-04:00Snip and SnailKangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.comBlogger293125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-82918415201866535462012-07-01T15:28:00.002-04:002012-07-01T15:29:43.320-04:00Celebr-EIGHT-ing Big BYesterday, we gathered at one of our family's favorite beach spots to celebrate Big <b>B</b>'s eighth journey around the sun. I arrived by car with the feast for our family and friends, and Papa and Noni brought the boys and the (surprise!) inner tube by boat.<br />
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At one point I walked down toward the water and saw so many of our village there, floating in the sunset lit water, every single one of them with a smile on their beautiful faces--and soaked in the good fortune that my children have to be living in a place with such abundant love, friendship, and beauty. We struggle with lessons of gratitude, humbleness, perspective--but I am confident that when they are grown, wise men, they will reflect on these days of innocence with appreciation and joy.<br />
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Big <b>B</b>'s Eight Cake was a big hit! I used <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CGIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fallrecipes.com%2Frecipe%2Fdouble-chocolate-brownie-cake%2F&ei=k5bwT8vmBYes8ASf1OiRAg&usg=AFQjCNGjfBi7Kp9eukSUmcFnXVVM_fRzKA">this tried and true recipe</a>, per his request for a chocolate chunk brownie cake--with <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CFIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsavorysweetlife.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fchocolate-buttercream-frosting%2F&ei=pJbwT8CPMYiw8ATs6-2YDQ&usg=AFQjCNHhqlyl4hnw8Dg_PSBmP182jxPMJw">this amazing buttercream frosting</a>. To make the "8," I just doubled both recipes and baked the cakes in identical Bundt pans. I sliced about an inch and a half off of the end of each and matched their edges to make a perfect eight. Bonus: The inch and a half remains were a perfect day-after-party treat for Big <b>B</b> and little <b>b</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwKrsc0d2nK54UeFsyai5bc97pxMaD1IzGTodNB03p4bwhzeeKCFjwX-kSYmcjE7pbfOxURx1hrEQow-m6-7D8wC0uZjTlHOCM5vfRz6Rq80HoD_oJtqLkonFvATV6yBomzwEttjpWZX7/s1600/eight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwKrsc0d2nK54UeFsyai5bc97pxMaD1IzGTodNB03p4bwhzeeKCFjwX-kSYmcjE7pbfOxURx1hrEQow-m6-7D8wC0uZjTlHOCM5vfRz6Rq80HoD_oJtqLkonFvATV6yBomzwEttjpWZX7/s320/eight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My wish for Big <b>B</b> for his ninth year is to be confident, creative, and happy. He was born with such rich gifts in his intelligence and his spirit--now I think he is ready to use those gifts in a new way, one that is on his own time and by his own design. I continue to feel the honor and privilege of the best seat in the house to watch him unfold. Happy BIRTH day, my prince. Thank you for making me a mama--the greatest gift I'll ever be given.</div>
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</div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-38160045655608652712012-05-03T18:25:00.002-04:002012-05-03T18:28:04.172-04:00Summer WishesWith four and a half weeks to go until summer, Big <b>B</b> and little <b>b</b> (and hey, Mama too) are getting restless. The hustle and bustle of the August to May calendar has taken a toll on all of us, and we are ready for a space of relaxation, creation, exploration and adventure. So over tonight's dinner, I encouraged the boys to make a list, with no parameters or expectations, of what they would like to do this summer. Looks like we have big plans!<br />
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<ul>
<li>Go fishing on Daddy's boat with friends</li>
<li>Stay up all day and all night at least once</li>
<li>Take Singer (our youngest faithful beast) on the boat with us</li>
<li>Go nightswimming</li>
<li>Ride bikes to Yogurtology and back</li>
<li>Go to Myakka State Park and bring a quarter for the telescope at the top of the tower</li>
<li>See the famous Hinterlands sunset (?)</li>
<li>Reform the Sunset Club</li>
<li>Go to Grammy's pool</li>
<li>Go to Harry Potter land</li>
<li>Go to Lego Land</li>
<li>Go to Disney World</li>
<li>Snuggle</li>
<li>Do another <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2011/08/melted-crayon-art.html">crayon melting project</a></li>
<li>Make solar prints</li>
<li>Pick flowers</li>
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</div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-79192263762632995862011-08-05T21:49:00.004-04:002011-08-05T22:03:52.303-04:00Melted Crayon Art<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYEWYcgwMxY3Ur6iOhUeyh7BJpjKwnjHjDT_i-_OhmeaV-CWc3E5mkhbf9I1HEMdOYqdn9LYcNtws4UeiJMUhIbfWR6rqTAFbJptiMTy4vKC4cyQfK-O71xDBdTFjPCTzzDmwoDhXmzHE/s400/IMAG0441.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We have been having so much fun with experiments this summer. Lots of dry ice, baking soda and vinegar, that kinda thing. I saw this melted-crayon-on-canvas project on <a href="http://pinterest.com/lauragilkey/pins/">Pinterest</a> and knew the boys would love it. And oh, did they love it. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcoll9y7QlZ7KsxcR6diuZQRxwunKFOEAm32saWGN2_mPww0n6VOL3aMabD7iWfTV-cu61ujf-oGxYA_5KGL9lcdqiBmkcrzVO7GP933NbnVKZGYyeUEhHJXFXKjxiDJjTjZX0aE9nKS0/s1600/IMAG0436.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcoll9y7QlZ7KsxcR6diuZQRxwunKFOEAm32saWGN2_mPww0n6VOL3aMabD7iWfTV-cu61ujf-oGxYA_5KGL9lcdqiBmkcrzVO7GP933NbnVKZGYyeUEhHJXFXKjxiDJjTjZX0aE9nKS0/s400/IMAG0436.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637554852245816194" /></a>They each chose the order of the colors on their canvases and lined them up for gluing. (I wanted to let them operate the hot glue gun, but that got out of hand very quickly.) So I glued, then they took turns operating the hair dryer to melt the wax.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0DR0E09Z7-RFKD2iKOj2yLYdrVAOGmtTAySHHzPShzH66Y56diLk-sB87xqj1DvXJy6vDRoYuTekSNl7MHXJ9QTdGIJjKkSVWg9z04ja4pLvyfPytPgavlYvaghc7LTcpLoiXzX6tPdb/s1600/IMAG0451.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0DR0E09Z7-RFKD2iKOj2yLYdrVAOGmtTAySHHzPShzH66Y56diLk-sB87xqj1DvXJy6vDRoYuTekSNl7MHXJ9QTdGIJjKkSVWg9z04ja4pLvyfPytPgavlYvaghc7LTcpLoiXzX6tPdb/s400/IMAG0451.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637554671743660466" /></a></div>If you have children that can use a bit of patience practice, this is the perfect activity. It isn't too long that they lose interest, but long enough that they must be patient--and the hum of the hair dryer adds a meditative element to the exercise. Just when they are wondering if the wax will ever drip, it begins to. A high ROI index on this one (huge gratification, small patience investment).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbprVZEALwNJQL-Lnggk6scSWCvL4-MUco0fJpWqxF8Jt7SQX_r67EDwGXXULiBfDHNwsaZf_3a7m5f6dhLLKHqotsgdZ5PgxlucvsMpWqOqzAn5_GPla-XvJGkO2pkv9RxLa_AFvbzOC6/s1600/IMAG0453.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbprVZEALwNJQL-Lnggk6scSWCvL4-MUco0fJpWqxF8Jt7SQX_r67EDwGXXULiBfDHNwsaZf_3a7m5f6dhLLKHqotsgdZ5PgxlucvsMpWqOqzAn5_GPla-XvJGkO2pkv9RxLa_AFvbzOC6/s400/IMAG0453.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637554663987295106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsemqrWcWdjaJ0WG3Clhh7hF5wj-AYR7YdU_vuSKm_nPRfExpfFAghL9UiAjvNL6i5V6ip0PczWpXf_zn8-_kAgI0hlal-PaFdaybLSPiJOpLvn22jean29hwe3_wHDc06uSYZv9GttcC/s400/IMAG0455.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And a bonus at the end: we put trace paper underneath the canvas to catch the wax. When we were finished, the boys loved peeling the wax off of the paper--and then realized they could color with their new custom crayons!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpemo9iKLT1jD2Y_N8SH8dUHN-6_o-mtDDiD85_GlgsJPxjN_kwyR769841Xrtv83mwTJcedK24s9ArS831KQBen4mkd49V1SbFbr3OFW0HlVHGS11C6MBctVXxfyjJn69v9ZKe4sfnvXt/s1600/IMAG0459.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpemo9iKLT1jD2Y_N8SH8dUHN-6_o-mtDDiD85_GlgsJPxjN_kwyR769841Xrtv83mwTJcedK24s9ArS831KQBen4mkd49V1SbFbr3OFW0HlVHGS11C6MBctVXxfyjJn69v9ZKe4sfnvXt/s400/IMAG0459.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637554667788029202" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWMM8q663igHpotRhtuExiESXMiHF-2bnEZia3-Z0VFEY2fR4t9yHUe-LTTwha1yJ2RKhwPbgTYU0MtrDciwRQLcqK-kEtH1tCXCLoko9rOKvV24VpNIrpHRJYvf4pl71AXh_CEG4p4UY/s1600/IMAG0460.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWMM8q663igHpotRhtuExiESXMiHF-2bnEZia3-Z0VFEY2fR4t9yHUe-LTTwha1yJ2RKhwPbgTYU0MtrDciwRQLcqK-kEtH1tCXCLoko9rOKvV24VpNIrpHRJYvf4pl71AXh_CEG4p4UY/s400/IMAG0460.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637554662944488050" /></a>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-74190479185945183302011-07-29T09:28:00.002-04:002011-07-29T10:33:13.945-04:00{ this moment } : sunrise bike ride<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SgXo1fvUvaJs4Lg7ezZDeF0UrD2I2ETvmegkOfU_X1usTLlfpQHIPyYsf1kcNK6oqH2i611pOM5iNEvdgNxYQV50SCoX7C_fhO-5pWGsqa1dKvktbimfMBauybAodAtDSRVfpiTlSi3M/s1600/IMAG0419.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SgXo1fvUvaJs4Lg7ezZDeF0UrD2I2ETvmegkOfU_X1usTLlfpQHIPyYsf1kcNK6oqH2i611pOM5iNEvdgNxYQV50SCoX7C_fhO-5pWGsqa1dKvktbimfMBauybAodAtDSRVfpiTlSi3M/s400/IMAG0419.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634765796344898098" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><i>{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.</i></span></span>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-28866796837101266822011-07-20T23:08:00.004-04:002011-07-20T23:50:48.535-04:00So Much More Than Vintage Pillowcases<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Vt3tIDwLELmR3UDJJ8ggd-5dcr2VVq4khDxMi6kwW8WpI2_wM2I0V9Bue3mJncrzSGnuhkve1j4mByB1NJrvUrdsiwE5b5o8ntV74Hi27NNr8VHL1TBgyRGsF3QJJdzh7feoT0P6gxhT/s1600/DSCN7298.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Vt3tIDwLELmR3UDJJ8ggd-5dcr2VVq4khDxMi6kwW8WpI2_wM2I0V9Bue3mJncrzSGnuhkve1j4mByB1NJrvUrdsiwE5b5o8ntV74Hi27NNr8VHL1TBgyRGsF3QJJdzh7feoT0P6gxhT/s400/DSCN7298.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631637401616737074" /></a>Today was <i>not </i>a day I thought I'd be blogging about. The morning began with one of those not-so-proud mommy moments: I lost my temper. I know, I know, we all do--but <i>still</i>. It was not without benefit, as Big<b> B</b> and I seemed to really connect to the solutions we laid out for preventing such a fiasco in the future. We talked, we resolved, we loved, we hugged, but there seemed to be a little black cloud over my head as we loaded up our requisite Wednesday cooler and beach bag. This past week has also been heavy in our village due to the loss of family members for<i> two </i>in our New Moon Circle, as well as a close friend of Papa's family. Even the ocean--<i>my</i> ocean, whose healing waters usually cleanse me of any negative energy still hanging on by Wednesday--even she was thick, full of seaweed, and a carrier of funk.<div><br /></div><div>But then, just as I was packing up our sandy crew to call it a day, feeling full with emotion and as unclear as the mirky water, I was given a reminder of just how beautiful my little life here is. Not one but<i> two</i> of my dear friends handed me vintage pillowcases they had brought for me.<i> Just because</i>. What for them was a simple, thoughtful gesture was for me, so much more. I was reminded that I am doing a-okay. I have a deep connection to this place and these people. If I have a not-so-great morning, there are people here to lift me right back up and remind me that I am doing a good job with these boys--these sweet boys, who have never lived without the innate knowledge that they are part of a true <i>community</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Two friends, coincidentally and separately, bring me something I love, on the day I really needed love most. I don't know how these things happen. I just give abundant and humble<b> GRATITUDE.</b></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-49217285052081063482011-07-16T16:18:00.015-04:002011-07-16T18:02:41.255-04:00Color Walk, 2.0 :: Orange<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FBnFJXXv5j172Mt3ng5nWBzAyfV91Lm4bBE62qBC2GdL__5sFNvU7GBSLqK7EL7IfilKFQo8Th9HkUP7so6mWEDA6Cyq1J1qF5z80ntU52XzmDOuq6rgsQ9bX8SseqMJgv8mUpl8frKF/s1600/orange.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FBnFJXXv5j172Mt3ng5nWBzAyfV91Lm4bBE62qBC2GdL__5sFNvU7GBSLqK7EL7IfilKFQo8Th9HkUP7so6mWEDA6Cyq1J1qF5z80ntU52XzmDOuq6rgsQ9bX8SseqMJgv8mUpl8frKF/s400/orange.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630047340565680706" /></a>Two summers ago, we took <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/search/label/color%20walks">color walks</a>. Lots of them. At the time, it was an activity more suited for Big<b> B</b>, although little <b>b</b> happily came along for the ride. This afternoon's plans changed for a myriad of reasons, and instead of hustling and bustling from this engagement to that--we found ourselves at home, ready to explore a world freshly shined by a thunderstorm. With Papa taking a well deserved nap, Big <b>B</b>, little<b> b</b> and I embarked on our first of this summer's Color Walks--an activity little <b>b</b> is discovering anew. It is only fitting to begin with <b><font color=orangered>ORANGE</font></b>, as this is little <b>b</b>'s very favorite color. Many more to follow!Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-22950212322462335552011-07-12T07:08:00.006-04:002011-07-12T17:58:44.471-04:00Legacy Quilt, Part I<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheThGcLczHgMsf0Y69gU1uxFCve6KzTJ_2XBg4pU8FTtniZoasfzn2CizXWyURd37eO0q4qQrGCvLxBHA84tkx6kBi6Lf3CGalAXNQ9FMjM6PaZZeOiiXURP1qgUPY4-mJSsKOkfHs2kNT/s400/DSCN7241.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been working on a very special project. It has been tempting to blog its progress, but I wanted its recipient (and my collaborators) to be the first to see it. I've written in this space before about the amazing woman Papa's <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2009/05/grandmas-garden.html">Grandma Wilson</a> is. Among the many other things she has given in her life are a collection of spectacular quilts commemorating her descendants' weddings and children (the two she has given to my family are shown in <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2009/01/inspiration-quilts-in-our-home.html">this post</a>). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some of her daughters and granddaughters and I decided to return the favor. For the last several weeks, the women of the Wilson family have been lovingly crafting unique, commemorative quilt squares in Grandma's honor. Meanwhile, using <a href="http://strawberrymoonphotography.blogspot.com/">Noni</a>'s photographic chronicle of the family, I have been creating log cabin pieced photo squares showing the faces of Grandma's 6 children, 13 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFUX4QocfO55f46gF6yGM9R7o_I_kxA_ItZmeWFp0WaGnT4ZZQ4T5zSkNANUDBOfhL2qzvkAvv7IUPGxHe8W4vApNMnekup7tAuaeinLARpcSC6wLMbFVaJ-tKwokZzw1Kc5i2lA1FrdD/s1600/DSCN7143.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFUX4QocfO55f46gF6yGM9R7o_I_kxA_ItZmeWFp0WaGnT4ZZQ4T5zSkNANUDBOfhL2qzvkAvv7IUPGxHe8W4vApNMnekup7tAuaeinLARpcSC6wLMbFVaJ-tKwokZzw1Kc5i2lA1FrdD/s400/DSCN7143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628237146064152594" /></a><div>I made photo squares depicting Grandma and Granddaddy Wilson when they were newly married, and joined them with a simple pieced heart of vinatage fabric.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMpBOgDY7PTYx_jOG5GxlX0yzieDu_dgWGiV3mZvadSB3Qorm5TsmmRFa-A2ijBJ2oEQHg4yg4LWtbGEqgJp_nC9ghOJ8R1XMwovRItlJswp1u9X6ESCmZhG4ea5IX9NiCGAysk3X0g2f/s400/DSCN7184.JPG" /></div><div>When all the squares were complete, I pushed <a href="http://ourdiningroomtable.blogspot.com/2011/07/creating-legacy-quilt.html">our dining room table</a> aside and began piecing the story of this woman's amazing life.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMpBOgDY7PTYx_jOG5GxlX0yzieDu_dgWGiV3mZvadSB3Qorm5TsmmRFa-A2ijBJ2oEQHg4yg4LWtbGEqgJp_nC9ghOJ8R1XMwovRItlJswp1u9X6ESCmZhG4ea5IX9NiCGAysk3X0g2f/s1600/DSCN7184.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMpBOgDY7PTYx_jOG5GxlX0yzieDu_dgWGiV3mZvadSB3Qorm5TsmmRFa-A2ijBJ2oEQHg4yg4LWtbGEqgJp_nC9ghOJ8R1XMwovRItlJswp1u9X6ESCmZhG4ea5IX9NiCGAysk3X0g2f/s1600/DSCN7184.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTqIgAXnoPDqhvX7_GK0XTRyMuEfo709fZAHOjl1frx5F0oD0AmDmE6w3OXYsCB0VGmeE_6QbAHTjndOjuFKI2Gx_-KVAOsuNtY52pHxmYUaDsUHubuT8tbuLtg82TL94IVwtzv1ElJJg/s1600/DSCN7179.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTqIgAXnoPDqhvX7_GK0XTRyMuEfo709fZAHOjl1frx5F0oD0AmDmE6w3OXYsCB0VGmeE_6QbAHTjndOjuFKI2Gx_-KVAOsuNtY52pHxmYUaDsUHubuT8tbuLtg82TL94IVwtzv1ElJJg/s400/DSCN7179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628237142508770146" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes, there are greater things at work than we can put a name on. I had been collecting everyone's squares for weeks, without counting them or designing the finished product until I had all squares in my possession. For the photo squares, I created four for each of Grandma's six children and their families, plus two of Grandma with her children and one each of Grandma and Granddaddy--that's 28 squares. When I finally counted the squares everyone had created, I was amazed--but somehow not surprised--to find 28. The quilt designed itself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZKNj0SsAfxlp9JCJjcuoBhvJYuinuiweveE5JtNF9WATcuaImP0OAhCmOIIi2EmoDCQ1tIL4sUht1whHcdueMx_93PyenPuWiYraFbnmDotmE8y1OMhU857gyDgcTgAgjYu0_6epcXLN/s400/277710_2208001006342_1436951242_32520413_4416559_o.jpg" /></div><div>We decided to present the quilt top the night before Sunday's family reunion. <a href="http://strawberrymoonphotography.blogspot.com/">Noni</a> and I snuck into Grandma's room and spread the quilt out on the bed, then invited Grammy and her sisters to come in. Somehow they all made it in before Grandma did, and when she arrived, she noticed it right away--and I think it began to sink in, as she looked at every face, every square, what a life of love she has led.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CL5lBLwvDdG2gHv3EjOTCEVclhOJ4VcDr-z4zXjR3lBRDvTkPeZrc8Z3IEeK76bE2wggWjEWcXMLUClcyGQU1FGtkRPa4dMPSgLxvJDC0SfPRGTkGBL8M6S02uAuJ2QOkUXEtccT-bmq/s1600/DSCN7189.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CL5lBLwvDdG2gHv3EjOTCEVclhOJ4VcDr-z4zXjR3lBRDvTkPeZrc8Z3IEeK76bE2wggWjEWcXMLUClcyGQU1FGtkRPa4dMPSgLxvJDC0SfPRGTkGBL8M6S02uAuJ2QOkUXEtccT-bmq/s400/DSCN7189.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628237030836931522" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynr65wA5rDh4ZxrkUUT6RG-_RE_NhDtnbvZi3ARTWEWaA2sA_UyRIrULnhM5AcwyoEFqw7ODUenou40AZcwfy71wNSOfxz1FhOjnxplnl9MLVy5UcJL4crsZy3IeFpJkfUcSDCo6pxyFf/s1600/DSCN7192.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynr65wA5rDh4ZxrkUUT6RG-_RE_NhDtnbvZi3ARTWEWaA2sA_UyRIrULnhM5AcwyoEFqw7ODUenou40AZcwfy71wNSOfxz1FhOjnxplnl9MLVy5UcJL4crsZy3IeFpJkfUcSDCo6pxyFf/s400/DSCN7192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628237026790041970" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzDykP_p8arT-DWXw2DVif4XW3UNVkW7i-31_TFbB-YbL_LPp0PSeMOX7B2pB9XfKFSRDskVlROkdMJSvFoK2Ay9uwbjuMF56i7vcyJwiz480r1LWwTI52zHT8eCroC-lQE8VURH2Z-Kt/s1600/DSCN7200.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzDykP_p8arT-DWXw2DVif4XW3UNVkW7i-31_TFbB-YbL_LPp0PSeMOX7B2pB9XfKFSRDskVlROkdMJSvFoK2Ay9uwbjuMF56i7vcyJwiz480r1LWwTI52zHT8eCroC-lQE8VURH2Z-Kt/s400/DSCN7200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628237028155861330" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOijWjwM7kfjiG5YTwGkYj7bS3kiQ5cwbonPlN9F6NQmFRhytm05Xu9Xbu991hyphenhypheno35wx_I0dit_N1PFtDaFwCWryxT-c0xe0ee-o3mIa1ymELR9-Dp-IWqQfz7UXbu67NCAUTo6fkb3YGj/s1600/DSCN7201.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOijWjwM7kfjiG5YTwGkYj7bS3kiQ5cwbonPlN9F6NQmFRhytm05Xu9Xbu991hyphenhypheno35wx_I0dit_N1PFtDaFwCWryxT-c0xe0ee-o3mIa1ymELR9-Dp-IWqQfz7UXbu67NCAUTo6fkb3YGj/s400/DSCN7201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628237015466598674" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1m8lALs0iVCjCJl9Kjih256STo7e7PS301zrf0U75hPdVKdbHp2fd_T5oua-W00WRePQpeG3y8-kn27W3cwjY_lUtojPpKnDhO34gXVv5J9j5S04lhhcXUV3levnyoGR82vuDEwtIH0x/s1600/DSCN7214.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1m8lALs0iVCjCJl9Kjih256STo7e7PS301zrf0U75hPdVKdbHp2fd_T5oua-W00WRePQpeG3y8-kn27W3cwjY_lUtojPpKnDhO34gXVv5J9j5S04lhhcXUV3levnyoGR82vuDEwtIH0x/s400/DSCN7214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628236820009410674" /></a>The next day, Papa and his cousin hung the quilt high at the family reunion. Dozens of relatives took their time looking at the quilt, appreciating the love this woman's family has for her. I held it together pretty well, despite sleep deprivation and a swell of pride and gratitude--but when I caught Big <b>B</b> telling little<b> b</b> who some of the people were on the quilt, wrapping his arm around his little brother, I almost melted. Without this woman, my children would never know a family of this size, with these traditions, woven with strong love and togetherness through generations. This family has inspired me to begin family reunions on my side of the family tree, the first of which we held earlier this summer. New traditions. Another chapter in her legacy.<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRS2ZdeLOvmxaI6p-oNDpnVhbNb04umSu-826zrDSMnISo8QZ_c-ozUxjIizPamBWyvyZ-W8izWNKt2m177dupt-lWIulUS4w1khbVk8Ed7Mw0ur1ihOhZRxlgY3DhmTwACNkjjNdo7Rmo/s1600/DSCN7226.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRS2ZdeLOvmxaI6p-oNDpnVhbNb04umSu-826zrDSMnISo8QZ_c-ozUxjIizPamBWyvyZ-W8izWNKt2m177dupt-lWIulUS4w1khbVk8Ed7Mw0ur1ihOhZRxlgY3DhmTwACNkjjNdo7Rmo/s400/DSCN7226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628236813935580274" /></a>Look at these beautiful women! We will all gather together this fall to finish the quilt in the only way Grandma ever has: by hand. Many hands, working together, weaving the story of a family.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n1Mi94JpPJM_ycQwY7THLRb4jQWbgsOZF6W62wc2VrwIchJKTlW4lTr9PwEq-rwKWn1nr0MxYkAAVV1mncDZT3wdObdyfmNo6Wr1Qk7CDoBGVIed99CtQInCEDQijrU4e2CcSwdLHjEz/s1600/DSCN7232.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n1Mi94JpPJM_ycQwY7THLRb4jQWbgsOZF6W62wc2VrwIchJKTlW4lTr9PwEq-rwKWn1nr0MxYkAAVV1mncDZT3wdObdyfmNo6Wr1Qk7CDoBGVIed99CtQInCEDQijrU4e2CcSwdLHjEz/s400/DSCN7232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628236816139074562" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">It was indeed a true honor to stitch together the story of this woman's life thus far. She has many stories left to tell, I suspect. I am just grateful to be included in her circle so I can hear them.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuqoF-0AHR6q-YYk15ocO3468bXxjsm6jf8DCZp4HoefSLFR-4sfLYaXBvexp3qhX5VxQhpB19ZvcIRiHIytv2PV0-fHOk8AheBfFAqORTkEJ7uj_brn6J_uNMdHkM4w-u5LGECOt0jAd/s1600/265786_2209218276773_1436951242_32523149_957935_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuqoF-0AHR6q-YYk15ocO3468bXxjsm6jf8DCZp4HoefSLFR-4sfLYaXBvexp3qhX5VxQhpB19ZvcIRiHIytv2PV0-fHOk8AheBfFAqORTkEJ7uj_brn6J_uNMdHkM4w-u5LGECOt0jAd/s400/265786_2209218276773_1436951242_32523149_957935_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628236158369854354" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpeM70XUsvULg4kggyNunywLUlofWFaLkucfso0ZbHxcTY5G9-k234xWCsiUWRrE045PAFHAi8n8R8q6OM0tA7TlbZLyvKgkFel1F717vky5TV5Z_sz6MimcA9_pgDyH-oqYD_ryqFn1K/s1600/279363_2209225236947_1436951242_32523154_7704291_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpeM70XUsvULg4kggyNunywLUlofWFaLkucfso0ZbHxcTY5G9-k234xWCsiUWRrE045PAFHAi8n8R8q6OM0tA7TlbZLyvKgkFel1F717vky5TV5Z_sz6MimcA9_pgDyH-oqYD_ryqFn1K/s400/279363_2209225236947_1436951242_32523154_7704291_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628236155655948162" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><b>"I see the wise woman. She carries a blanket of compassion. She wears robes of wisdom. Around her throat flutters a veil of shifting shapes. From her shoulders, a mantle of power flows. A story band encircles her forehead. She stitches a quilt; she spins fibers into yarn; she knits; she sews; she weaves. She ties the threads of our lives together. She forms a web of spiraling threads: our lives invented and shared."</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>-Susun S. Weed</i></span></div></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-89329026249682674452011-07-08T09:15:00.005-04:002011-07-08T09:36:43.473-04:00Beach Jars<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB8Mutd2nYWD_ja8vPEKwJrEnFuVXX7WYkjnq2UV5kP2hGZoFsda_RY4nlCCxKOaOcJGds49ju6JpEa25nw7frSwYB1IGWkOXiPv31W-QefPWYVTQzkMfKohDBupnvGj1gCvFry09v2rn/s400/DSCN7127.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It rained on Big <b>B</b>'s 7th birthday last week, so we missed our beach day and I think we all felt its absence. By Wednesday morning we were all itching for sand and salt. During my morning coffee browsing, I came across <a href="http://www.5orangepotatoes.com/blog/2011/07/03/easy-upside-down-glass-jar-terrarium/">this link</a> for adorable upside down terrariums. For a slightly different version, we packed up a box o' Mason jars for Big <b>B</b>, little <b>b</b> and their friends to create little bits of the beach to bring home. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlzbVPEiSXgYs6WokshamsSkuVrAbarDDNBhaTw6PAZgRFlm_9lcuLCufCyAca-kE1Xp6w6MsoFjri45Rb_5oCe36Mwqvd6EzSyxmBdpk6d3uctwu5AFG2owaBCHy_fij8uF7odirpFXw/s1600/DSCN7085.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlzbVPEiSXgYs6WokshamsSkuVrAbarDDNBhaTw6PAZgRFlm_9lcuLCufCyAca-kE1Xp6w6MsoFjri45Rb_5oCe36Mwqvd6EzSyxmBdpk6d3uctwu5AFG2owaBCHy_fij8uF7odirpFXw/s400/DSCN7085.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626971003334287746" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPn2oLm9vTF2sHIowYgLAB9s-CnUb8KDibgjqit-Ht6dc6QotCeo_um9ni3qnjguZryQZXKmXdn6mxWmw0jyvkCXNbvsEN1e2dc8n1yusmIhfsyqZeR2mlHLbXxJSe4ipIONGcK8pYFc2/s1600/DSCN7087.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPn2oLm9vTF2sHIowYgLAB9s-CnUb8KDibgjqit-Ht6dc6QotCeo_um9ni3qnjguZryQZXKmXdn6mxWmw0jyvkCXNbvsEN1e2dc8n1yusmIhfsyqZeR2mlHLbXxJSe4ipIONGcK8pYFc2/s400/DSCN7087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626970994586621954" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4rpMWD_VAggx29wBee8-Jh_-6GJv3EsiFn_ujspoHGe3w_EIHXyANazNvlltR2_jCqvX8SGtc6JZEqUbEOpclyQ3yfZB7oEiW0vaB8smblU6KKpgZDAEerYGAJqScMqGdOp4fI5Va1fU/s1600/DSCN7090.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4rpMWD_VAggx29wBee8-Jh_-6GJv3EsiFn_ujspoHGe3w_EIHXyANazNvlltR2_jCqvX8SGtc6JZEqUbEOpclyQ3yfZB7oEiW0vaB8smblU6KKpgZDAEerYGAJqScMqGdOp4fI5Va1fU/s400/DSCN7090.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626970990885448082" /></a>What a hit! This crowd loves to hunt for treasure and find creatures--the glass was the perfect, special, take-home vessel. They were careful to keep the sea creatures alive in their buckets and store only the non-living things in the jars.<div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHKgz06SmHHsvvYBw7YDH4Z0hK7B-QJzVgHgHg_tL9Xp0s5zHh_si1t29jOL-W7cHiaa2KvwblVbxBaaW4negqz6TYKnNYT3R3x0AjFJbzEWN1pBo0ejLefjgwTLnJVsflhNqIOIvriyE/s400/DSCN7123.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwYbD6TiRbKL7y6pB4wPnarfjh4V-fvkYJ9kNmYDiMUpq7alHLeCAIW9hA0PQx5BwQ3KeT9ZsyJ3A6Tok32cdcFUQv2XTeULiOnwOGRs4gFt-CTEjRLWwfJCV8Bg4QeB9LuZjmzSwEnyp/s1600/DSCN7093.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwYbD6TiRbKL7y6pB4wPnarfjh4V-fvkYJ9kNmYDiMUpq7alHLeCAIW9hA0PQx5BwQ3KeT9ZsyJ3A6Tok32cdcFUQv2XTeULiOnwOGRs4gFt-CTEjRLWwfJCV8Bg4QeB9LuZjmzSwEnyp/s400/DSCN7093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626970982162079666" /></a></div>We set off mid-morning on a beachside treasure walk.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqOIPWzApsVEUQEWdzoG17qVjyWwM5PORYcrvzWItFRtuCTfLr8rh1_X0HlUCePhJXEpgozB6tVo5qKsXCpA0PCVV39CL4DQ2lFnoMA97rSJKAW3ZSWrxKD2Hu_h9K2G9TQDe7o8qToed/s1600/DSCN7096.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqOIPWzApsVEUQEWdzoG17qVjyWwM5PORYcrvzWItFRtuCTfLr8rh1_X0HlUCePhJXEpgozB6tVo5qKsXCpA0PCVV39CL4DQ2lFnoMA97rSJKAW3ZSWrxKD2Hu_h9K2G9TQDe7o8qToed/s400/DSCN7096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626970867131816546" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3Xq0I07z701pSHp5vFq526sPf5pY3vC5o8wXBphBWz43ZXI0I2LEqEQ2f1pynmfrW92YyD_doQ9H-8uNX_xBViF9_yufjDDA31c4HF1xCPmcqbbnl3Qg9hyphenhyphenHTkXV_r1OTC1A1WjvJc2a/s1600/DSCN7097.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3Xq0I07z701pSHp5vFq526sPf5pY3vC5o8wXBphBWz43ZXI0I2LEqEQ2f1pynmfrW92YyD_doQ9H-8uNX_xBViF9_yufjDDA31c4HF1xCPmcqbbnl3Qg9hyphenhyphenHTkXV_r1OTC1A1WjvJc2a/s400/DSCN7097.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626970860271113506" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fwL5NdKRPJPpkzAZTiM6dm45PVAwmN_wspNdSY8OgUFfG6bWlS9YE0_I253FolgPvdzixY0eVJLbQdWWtkHbDEtMRkRmnajQmwQTxqeXRIVoID_zszax_kycDWoDV6FhHoJTRYC5n9Ss/s1600/DSCN7099.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fwL5NdKRPJPpkzAZTiM6dm45PVAwmN_wspNdSY8OgUFfG6bWlS9YE0_I253FolgPvdzixY0eVJLbQdWWtkHbDEtMRkRmnajQmwQTxqeXRIVoID_zszax_kycDWoDV6FhHoJTRYC5n9Ss/s400/DSCN7099.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626970856289341106" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnFo_uHF0L9GOJNHf-fLC-i1cYdXkFvRRq91b2uhZkzL9M3bkBYr-0N-L3tdEZR3RywgxTa-Wt4K6YxdJG2mKvbGbJZkB1R8taX6gAQHzwY13wPlKBhZMUAX-VgDcgXBwPntnoutQWOWE/s1600/DSCN7100.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnFo_uHF0L9GOJNHf-fLC-i1cYdXkFvRRq91b2uhZkzL9M3bkBYr-0N-L3tdEZR3RywgxTa-Wt4K6YxdJG2mKvbGbJZkB1R8taX6gAQHzwY13wPlKBhZMUAX-VgDcgXBwPntnoutQWOWE/s400/DSCN7100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626970858011774738" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8eJaodtBkAOOYia4MPyYWc5zGpormQLfeWKKp3cEtew5xl2WVR43IhfU1YvOwdzgrNqojZg4IQqR8bXD8iJb5-bA5oKrY4Twx9Hx_wchPlafkv8wuXNuOXPUtD-rJRxQWiFwdd4fngxc/s1600/DSCN7103.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8eJaodtBkAOOYia4MPyYWc5zGpormQLfeWKKp3cEtew5xl2WVR43IhfU1YvOwdzgrNqojZg4IQqR8bXD8iJb5-bA5oKrY4Twx9Hx_wchPlafkv8wuXNuOXPUtD-rJRxQWiFwdd4fngxc/s400/DSCN7103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626970851636215106" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcn8iD9M1DcMYdqS2TqZTZ8aP7FTjewWEUq6w1kccvbUh5fQftZKEPQv3UIIPzHdbajJpSdnN68Ty9Nkqlc30SGdLIT2JEUiq92CovkNpBklB5-oqrBTbkySx_XS-slr2pf5T9_Jq936n/s1600/DSCN7106.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNcn8iD9M1DcMYdqS2TqZTZ8aP7FTjewWEUq6w1kccvbUh5fQftZKEPQv3UIIPzHdbajJpSdnN68Ty9Nkqlc30SGdLIT2JEUiq92CovkNpBklB5-oqrBTbkySx_XS-slr2pf5T9_Jq936n/s400/DSCN7106.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626970661572611730" /></a>And when we arrived, sunkissed and happy, back home, we each had a bit of the beach to sustain us. At least until next week.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kkw4vl8KP81dHa0ViMN8Z4WN3Y8T-StKx_oBJu5xygY4F67_33o8WwwNmWSvqqq7cjgaZWMVwVmkhndHo6ovQPeG46HZP265j2TYD6j-DbD_kIHv12aBnb0ReQnqPs7-H2TPgpMc-z7r/s1600/DSCN7126.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kkw4vl8KP81dHa0ViMN8Z4WN3Y8T-StKx_oBJu5xygY4F67_33o8WwwNmWSvqqq7cjgaZWMVwVmkhndHo6ovQPeG46HZP265j2TYD6j-DbD_kIHv12aBnb0ReQnqPs7-H2TPgpMc-z7r/s400/DSCN7126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626970644161260834" /></a></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-35899825125062883082011-06-29T22:50:00.005-04:002011-06-30T00:06:35.223-04:00Thoughts on Seven, Thoughts on Heaven<i>The paths are many, the truths are one.</i><br /><div><br /></div><div>Big <b>B</b> turned seven today. I just have to go on record here and say that despite my lack of patience with several of his more testosterone-driven, spirited antics, the boy is an absolute joy to be around. He is funny, crazy smart, and curious in the sweetest way. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight, on the way home from Papa's softball game, Big<b> B</b> asked me if there were other people that could do magic besides God. Is there is a more beautifully fantastic question? We talked about the magic of gravity, the magic of color, and, Big <b>B</b> added, the magic of being alive. We talked (again) about the fact that although there are many world religions with their various differences, there are underlying common threads among them that are the important things to remember: all we need is love, and be kind to each other. He liked this. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had just finished this conversation, and were on to the scientific differences between sharks and dolphins, when we passed a church marquee that read, "<i>The paths are many, the truths are one.</i>" I felt a peace in my heart and a smile on my face. It was a serendipitous affirmation of the honor and joy it has been to be a mother these last seven years. When I teach with my heart, I am rewarded with the truth. Every time. </div><div><br /></div><div>I love you, Big <b>B</b>. The day you were born was the happiest day of my life.</div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-40374046536560994002011-06-21T21:20:00.009-04:002011-06-21T21:47:42.895-04:00Summer Solstice: Sun Tea<span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllEw1ihojvWVjpsr9UAguugcC3aR0CFnjeRU3mtt3CsFPSzcVrZAmP17NE69NCoTEWYGdtGkBgQNTyxnBW_51yt9GWwAQHi67F1Y83IAXnZ7VeAxe1yQuyTefDrGQjrq-BeTs83FXe1u5/s1600/DSCN6860.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllEw1ihojvWVjpsr9UAguugcC3aR0CFnjeRU3mtt3CsFPSzcVrZAmP17NE69NCoTEWYGdtGkBgQNTyxnBW_51yt9GWwAQHi67F1Y83IAXnZ7VeAxe1yQuyTefDrGQjrq-BeTs83FXe1u5/s400/DSCN6860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620848867303433378" /></a>The <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2010/06/summer-solstice-2010.html">Summer Solstice</a> is one of our favorite days of the year. Just when it gets so hot outside we are tempted to complain about it, we are given an opportunity to celebrate the summer, the season, <i>the sun</i>. We are reminded how very lucky we are to live in a place where we can bask in its glory. This morning as the sun was just warming up, we went outside to welcome it, and brought with us a pitcher of clean fresh water and raspberry tea leaves. Big <b>B</b> and little <b>b</b> added fresh mint and lemon balm from the garden.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXOR9pX5Ry1MmmC3g_hmtEfsAwGjv-byRDa71fwPqPLuWlxXCCzZkaWRT1_rlFv5Lb9Oo1lWvsK5TPvr6DmmJjzdSo2tKnJRtdzG-Tx5etNMTYMOAJ1ONkXYfr-AqYnzQdjSPqwwFloSt/s1600/DSCN6846.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXOR9pX5Ry1MmmC3g_hmtEfsAwGjv-byRDa71fwPqPLuWlxXCCzZkaWRT1_rlFv5Lb9Oo1lWvsK5TPvr6DmmJjzdSo2tKnJRtdzG-Tx5etNMTYMOAJ1ONkXYfr-AqYnzQdjSPqwwFloSt/s400/DSCN6846.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620848860892988978" /></a>We stopped to notice the sun illuminating the jewels of our little patch of earth.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_l5sRZ0N78Kc67RLUHA4_FeYVbGHtIkd22b5sJrwlgjzIFI7uvPjsHWIff7Tbdd5WLGXU0euALa0ETI7Bjba6Kw5e0ar0lj-px4E6SCCE1weSBePoaMJlGMRl1rX-J_NTpLHQdgGOhwe/s1600/DSCN6849.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_l5sRZ0N78Kc67RLUHA4_FeYVbGHtIkd22b5sJrwlgjzIFI7uvPjsHWIff7Tbdd5WLGXU0euALa0ETI7Bjba6Kw5e0ar0lj-px4E6SCCE1weSBePoaMJlGMRl1rX-J_NTpLHQdgGOhwe/s400/DSCN6849.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620848520989026914" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPGu46vsBCFYjBGodABR8AlOBhBDyvo7O2gfN_c8_QgATArp8mFPP5USvseC6GAJ2tefq4cc0Jov37aIXe-h4e5Rmfa12Qape6wsR-ebiIJIS7slcHeCJ5vDrOZd5G1J7oyihD7eWw6E-/s1600/DSCN6857.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPGu46vsBCFYjBGodABR8AlOBhBDyvo7O2gfN_c8_QgATArp8mFPP5USvseC6GAJ2tefq4cc0Jov37aIXe-h4e5Rmfa12Qape6wsR-ebiIJIS7slcHeCJ5vDrOZd5G1J7oyihD7eWw6E-/s400/DSCN6857.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620848512308306674" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNTrIY-3A-D5LVUH_rVMAvmrV_X62-t093bO5cKWlycBXe0oxbOTLijE6XA5zssQ8JNOqDxHyO6NxHtee_0IJMHRPIdAeu4npA9WpfaktckFmWpxYpWtEaLi0xAEIIPW-wRtclN0f_SOO/s1600/summer+flowers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNTrIY-3A-D5LVUH_rVMAvmrV_X62-t093bO5cKWlycBXe0oxbOTLijE6XA5zssQ8JNOqDxHyO6NxHtee_0IJMHRPIdAeu4npA9WpfaktckFmWpxYpWtEaLi0xAEIIPW-wRtclN0f_SOO/s400/summer+flowers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620848511175077362" /></a>We went about our morning, knowing the tea would be steeping, waiting for us.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUHbdzo5YPhOubeHfugW7QYEhGCuIZrVCK2xLpr0OWN8xxT_ib-psnCDXNHsoM-OhUExg3PcMbPpsG-dDMw6fV2YXWisDWeCGqtNb6TfzP_a3iM3-UXe_GhubZHLd_Wk-UyHc_AL4l7oS/s1600/DSCN6861.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUHbdzo5YPhOubeHfugW7QYEhGCuIZrVCK2xLpr0OWN8xxT_ib-psnCDXNHsoM-OhUExg3PcMbPpsG-dDMw6fV2YXWisDWeCGqtNb6TfzP_a3iM3-UXe_GhubZHLd_Wk-UyHc_AL4l7oS/s400/DSCN6861.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620848500011024210" /></a>And steep it did! After a few hours, t</span>he tea was a strikingly beautiful color and smelled perfume-y, sweetened only by the sun. <span class="Apple-style-span">The boys laid out a picnic blanket and waited patiently for me to bring glasses, ice, and fresh lemon to squeeze.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmUoHNN3NXbzjKT6CybK2OgrUVu3Cx8M2HTw1v4K3XEDhbQLdUBAQSsB1MscO5uZnIK2_L-r4tc4qsD95s8a5dcnWTLc3IN1E9w0IU2cHdy0UbOFxU0s4kxOmJEOSXSYuZvDaP7bPYGyz/s1600/DSCN6871.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmUoHNN3NXbzjKT6CybK2OgrUVu3Cx8M2HTw1v4K3XEDhbQLdUBAQSsB1MscO5uZnIK2_L-r4tc4qsD95s8a5dcnWTLc3IN1E9w0IU2cHdy0UbOFxU0s4kxOmJEOSXSYuZvDaP7bPYGyz/s400/DSCN6871.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620848502699720946" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGyRBZeUwhbzEHuu2AdMdpIRG6DP2_F50elbwDTLKHUAIYOP0WQTPO-MbbWVL6oGAdp5XcBDLKU3GYv3biBqw4FkzCgkEdS-fgiodNcLbnhWBT8gNaTrNUYs2aCGHOfOf_Rkq5oGHTumx/s1600/DSCN6864.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGyRBZeUwhbzEHuu2AdMdpIRG6DP2_F50elbwDTLKHUAIYOP0WQTPO-MbbWVL6oGAdp5XcBDLKU3GYv3biBqw4FkzCgkEdS-fgiodNcLbnhWBT8gNaTrNUYs2aCGHOfOf_Rkq5oGHTumx/s400/DSCN6864.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620848288366704658" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAg3V32HdjxDL0fvFTkApVF_cRpoZVEfOmH-Y80FtQ1EZEGfOgoM6SnB94_gngQW-EjzW4BxiNdw5GbOULECO3twmkL2Aw7JwCT6CHovyGw7me5D_dI49eBUhK17JEpnHZirI6JbYm2lJ/s1600/DSCN6863.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAg3V32HdjxDL0fvFTkApVF_cRpoZVEfOmH-Y80FtQ1EZEGfOgoM6SnB94_gngQW-EjzW4BxiNdw5GbOULECO3twmkL2Aw7JwCT6CHovyGw7me5D_dI49eBUhK17JEpnHZirI6JbYm2lJ/s400/DSCN6863.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620848284537110034" /></a>We took turns giving thanks for the sun, its warmth, its light, its life force. A quick toast, then sweet, refreshing sun tea on the longest day of the year.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_2_5KLHPOSRZlC9bXlua_L-ou7w7yZnI7wKFW-9vzOU6mX68yWIKwvN7T-iw-kaNxMaSlSUWQ7grYnF6ok4fVXGF-13TkyJD90eiMkY_ijhyphenhyphenT378MwRK_JsmxWWbODduYf9m1QqlWclA/s1600/DSCN6866.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_2_5KLHPOSRZlC9bXlua_L-ou7w7yZnI7wKFW-9vzOU6mX68yWIKwvN7T-iw-kaNxMaSlSUWQ7grYnF6ok4fVXGF-13TkyJD90eiMkY_ijhyphenhyphenT378MwRK_JsmxWWbODduYf9m1QqlWclA/s400/DSCN6866.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620848275129637826" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-L-51_zLDmlT9mpcbnUSmuipSxGT-VzHAWtYkEWc-NNpxFiYHtvMB47yUOGqeoJ_C1_u4ueKbHNSx30A_pTMiQhFi5ERMC2StbSp8Xl8umD8kY-P1c00y5Ffg1Cn0_lET0BK-7R7wPEi/s1600/DSCN6870.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-L-51_zLDmlT9mpcbnUSmuipSxGT-VzHAWtYkEWc-NNpxFiYHtvMB47yUOGqeoJ_C1_u4ueKbHNSx30A_pTMiQhFi5ERMC2StbSp8Xl8umD8kY-P1c00y5Ffg1Cn0_lET0BK-7R7wPEi/s400/DSCN6870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620848271901276738" /></a><i>To the sun!</i><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXU5otTugJ5tqFC7PgrrgdkFfNPjZ0Xg322Oj1r8EZ7UCNa9Mb6DicA27_nPuCD02nFoMeVVlxOYxqOr_ChICr-oP4eSCyMU_D1kmloMwq9arV9KnowVP4vpotQGIYZJ9PltOR1Tbxpylr/s1600/DSCN6876.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXU5otTugJ5tqFC7PgrrgdkFfNPjZ0Xg322Oj1r8EZ7UCNa9Mb6DicA27_nPuCD02nFoMeVVlxOYxqOr_ChICr-oP4eSCyMU_D1kmloMwq9arV9KnowVP4vpotQGIYZJ9PltOR1Tbxpylr/s400/DSCN6876.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620848268760640850" /></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span">"Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun."</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">-Kahlil Gibran</span></i></div></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-37465997575975230052011-06-20T19:00:00.007-04:002011-06-21T00:29:50.634-04:00A Swift, A Wool Winder, and A Merino Blend<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGWRroLh7bV-kdxjWGWvgjoc3jqmK1EYTJ9Dw1q94oi5OJvO1tgK-AutC9HaWsN0kWIGC3LR_GIAdd9W-gFlbNNHM1F7agG8v8K_TNeD4EEW9-diIXlxRX9BfXa9TrRixuAVaQxm0Huar/s1600/DSCN6836.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGWRroLh7bV-kdxjWGWvgjoc3jqmK1EYTJ9Dw1q94oi5OJvO1tgK-AutC9HaWsN0kWIGC3LR_GIAdd9W-gFlbNNHM1F7agG8v8K_TNeD4EEW9-diIXlxRX9BfXa9TrRixuAVaQxm0Huar/s400/DSCN6836.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620441908117078722" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I experienced a few minutes of unadulterated joy. I wound my first ball of yarn. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Papa gave me this beautiful swift and a wool winder for Christmas. (That, a blues harmonica, and a gift card for my favorite fabric store--I mean <i>seriously</i>, what a man.)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vd42TkwBKOeHxOb4hfMF8erNNurDqpVC6dTntZhA4CUGAVo6ofGU1ncsWpNfjjFlYpE3eU-SWai46OFXGUBLONw7dIGXjQE698qHGrG2Vmi9e5r09-O3GiFmNpp_5NrMxASid2-ovkwR/s1600/DSCN6827.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9vd42TkwBKOeHxOb4hfMF8erNNurDqpVC6dTntZhA4CUGAVo6ofGU1ncsWpNfjjFlYpE3eU-SWai46OFXGUBLONw7dIGXjQE698qHGrG2Vmi9e5r09-O3GiFmNpp_5NrMxASid2-ovkwR/s400/DSCN6827.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620441251026869234" /></a>Other than marvel at its simple beauty, I hadn't used the swift before today--I am typically a winter knitter and a summer sewer. But a knee injury has been demanding I sit more, and when I do, my hands start yearning for needles. So after dropping the boys off at Grammy's this morning for their first summer Monday pool date (<i>thank you!</i>), I stopped at <a href="http://www.agoodyarnsarasota.com/">a new local yarn haven</a> for a bit of soul comfort. I decided then and there to knit myself a pair of socks. It seems appropriate, as I'll be knitting while propping my feet up--two birds, one stone, taking care of my body <i>and</i> soul.<div><br /></div><div>I splurged for two skeins of <a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/3626">this absolutely gorgeous kettle dyed silk-merino blend</a>. This afternoon, as the rainbow maker was in full force and the afternoon sun was sinking low into the sky, I wrapped a skein of it around the swift. <div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt-Ufe8TWf-AjtmCRNaXmTZYjWL8ptPkqBej9yyG3Bdq_6HXdUtX-8haMCkpcacfuqFSycMYaKn99CJywIj7rdbmRu1qIoz8LQUj1QIFS9w5o9nGSxtDRW6H4w4MYImcaBFzFFrzrRSYt/s1600/DSCN6830.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt-Ufe8TWf-AjtmCRNaXmTZYjWL8ptPkqBej9yyG3Bdq_6HXdUtX-8haMCkpcacfuqFSycMYaKn99CJywIj7rdbmRu1qIoz8LQUj1QIFS9w5o9nGSxtDRW6H4w4MYImcaBFzFFrzrRSYt/s400/DSCN6830.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620441243398414114" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikldIFIbh9MJQUrRVTOR2gAvRuVHuwHpK9A_hWUcl_8MVhlGMTQso2Le1O_K422HzGskgDAp9fnC7Q-mlsvrbe2U2zyWZuns-3XoAqV_Irz7pgeo7yBAN5UX58naMXbHCJOzqjQ3zQYLCT/s400/DSCN6829.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The boys were riveted, and for good reason--the simplicity and gratification of these two tools together are really beautiful. I threaded the winder and got to work. Big <b>B</b> took this next picture, mid-spin.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1UtkdcW9caxT5_6wHtxeqlioxRRk3cdP2vNuIYg_v_TBXdsTO4j618gmHnRBM-f7dSVWSiK1kwrUGPUy88Q85xNPYMR_8_X9S_EPgZvhrJcslhGJOknsNrKNK53JAf-ch1fqzce-kY_C/s1600/DSCN6831.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1UtkdcW9caxT5_6wHtxeqlioxRRk3cdP2vNuIYg_v_TBXdsTO4j618gmHnRBM-f7dSVWSiK1kwrUGPUy88Q85xNPYMR_8_X9S_EPgZvhrJcslhGJOknsNrKNK53JAf-ch1fqzce-kY_C/s400/DSCN6831.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620441237953443586" /></a>Little <b>b </b>was anxious to give it a try, cinnamon stick and all. He did a fabulous job.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qDmBKDRAA6fOQEu_JL2oj-XJI6ipb5Pt_Ll5mrhB3REC6TKg-m-bZ2i-NC2FYa2G5LQsNP5AGNWvJfYj_GL6hkNX79sGaWgK2eUQoTyVBFoQvFODgB5dRK6n1GbpnDMRKL3lI6aFp14X/s1600/DSCN6834.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qDmBKDRAA6fOQEu_JL2oj-XJI6ipb5Pt_Ll5mrhB3REC6TKg-m-bZ2i-NC2FYa2G5LQsNP5AGNWvJfYj_GL6hkNX79sGaWgK2eUQoTyVBFoQvFODgB5dRK6n1GbpnDMRKL3lI6aFp14X/s400/DSCN6834.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620440911464759922" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">After a few minutes of heaven, I had a perfectly wound ball of ready-to-knit yarn, and I held it like a newborn babe. So much care has been infused into this little bundle already, from the shearing to the spinning to the dyeing. Now it's my turn. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAQUhMN1jnM0MuzsdAjBYAzJIs2S_sOk-iKQ6rDRTH_YA34BALfg-E5Pwvb6teRdg2qp-WfVpSEGRcKhH_tKraCSGPiGzG1sMqkT8pk9ddB4t5sBSYfHREFo6ukced10VGU46Qz3R9cvi/s1600/DSCN6841.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAQUhMN1jnM0MuzsdAjBYAzJIs2S_sOk-iKQ6rDRTH_YA34BALfg-E5Pwvb6teRdg2qp-WfVpSEGRcKhH_tKraCSGPiGzG1sMqkT8pk9ddB4t5sBSYfHREFo6ukced10VGU46Qz3R9cvi/s400/DSCN6841.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620440902203623554" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-49524329409283525542011-06-19T09:49:00.004-04:002011-06-19T10:09:54.609-04:00Kid-made Father's Day T-Shirts<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnfsjA1u25mX8mkVc2UQE8ZjreXQb7hTiMh0r9_1f61gRWONO1M_hh6_ovlNwd16m9tDTQ4jIw_P81he80aWMqwBhZxXyRF1EoiXjKro0zHU_2C8HEbCqAOXoNDDPWDklqPomOV8JtMRF/s400/DSCN6805.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fabric crayons!<i> Brilliant!</i> I found some, unopened, at a Goodwill and we decided to try them out for a special Father's Day surprise. I helped Big <b>B</b> and little <b>b</b> by outlining a tree and two apples on plain white paper, and they got to work.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9A1FjuBPcwsD6AdFT0UmRu1ZA0M1AdYXNFb7qwoQfp169qwpAsB5mMAjqwsfnqRhbEMzoCsTbzEpaFePL5z5K3QFqAycF0VWnEfz404UK1By4_g4lHeyG4Jua6e9TItwzVDXNyKMTZHZ/s400/DSCN6800.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619928208803096034" /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyp6cjXVnKDCfErh0TzZ5pfoVlaktWku2hIF5oYXfJBK9x8D9HzD5sFEnv_jzykbrVKfOl1mimfZUCN7wyy-oqyV42VskKFiidxM_XQZL3dzni_HrXXncvRNZ0VxwZT-bCldlwxR-GX9QS/s1600/DSCN6801.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyp6cjXVnKDCfErh0TzZ5pfoVlaktWku2hIF5oYXfJBK9x8D9HzD5sFEnv_jzykbrVKfOl1mimfZUCN7wyy-oqyV42VskKFiidxM_XQZL3dzni_HrXXncvRNZ0VxwZT-bCldlwxR-GX9QS/s400/DSCN6801.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619928205742929826" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">When their creations were complete, I placed them face down on our new plain white T's, covered them with paper (and placed paper between the layers of the shirt to avoid color transfer), and pressed each design for about three minutes. We were all so happy with the bright results! I like this method infinitely better than the old iron-on transfer paper.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbwwzNbJ0e_L_lo7h6wgleNySH781nUxSJMgMQByvD8JZTBJA1nvUM8T0uI9sjFD0Jug12a28sSWXTysEWPTGeyXsxvaDJURx7hve6S_xS30pYs0RWfjr3pgf6ijJlnB98OuSp2D-X4C8/s1600/DSCN6804.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbwwzNbJ0e_L_lo7h6wgleNySH781nUxSJMgMQByvD8JZTBJA1nvUM8T0uI9sjFD0Jug12a28sSWXTysEWPTGeyXsxvaDJURx7hve6S_xS30pYs0RWfjr3pgf6ijJlnB98OuSp2D-X4C8/s400/DSCN6804.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619928101474084210" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyCxiMhLfP-MYWLXwyoATqpWvjI15m16OfXX5fpaLgV-ZHb8VuqT-_NdQN56BOT08BP_v3OQaAjwFHrapk8SyMufFo2peqqQlMlj79w3RAMbWa_mek8Uz3YhjswrMBMSpJ2n3FecZnl8G/s1600/DSCN6806.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyCxiMhLfP-MYWLXwyoATqpWvjI15m16OfXX5fpaLgV-ZHb8VuqT-_NdQN56BOT08BP_v3OQaAjwFHrapk8SyMufFo2peqqQlMlj79w3RAMbWa_mek8Uz3YhjswrMBMSpJ2n3FecZnl8G/s400/DSCN6806.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619928096406191074" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">So this morning, fresh coffee in hand, the boys put on their shirts and presented their hero with his gift, saying together: "The apples don't fall far from the tree!" Nope. They don't. And I'm so glad. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykB8Nj59bcXDZCDB1HoBwQEnKY9OHerWUqYDvgE28-XiYDn3IQsFa1tNIC1pieKSPkv5gufHGlRxwO_uZJP_4YpFXoXIs12Eb3Uy65lyoPBT08jkOOA07jO2Fq-qikk86eQxjUWAnL9to/s1600/DSCN6809.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykB8Nj59bcXDZCDB1HoBwQEnKY9OHerWUqYDvgE28-XiYDn3IQsFa1tNIC1pieKSPkv5gufHGlRxwO_uZJP_4YpFXoXIs12Eb3Uy65lyoPBT08jkOOA07jO2Fq-qikk86eQxjUWAnL9to/s400/DSCN6809.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619928077326369986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Father's Day!</div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-83934030762048788362011-06-15T16:01:00.003-04:002011-06-15T16:49:41.988-04:00Pickled Green Beans<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xqxcM85kyo8j6Dh4oEsgRp3HtBE95JEig97opc5oJt_7EUnkvaAap-Gsa46hn_l9REVFK1ngglaCkqjLoTBjnwY9iv8JK6Hf75cC6avPZiptCb4AwH4p7zOq-gnTWagA8lXsblgQQUp8/s400/DSCN6752.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Among the bounty collected at <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2011/06/last-farm-day.html">The Farm</a> was a bag full of gorgeous green beans. Inspired by </span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/pickled-green-beans/Detail.aspx">this recipe</a> (<span class="Apple-style-span">passed along by a garden muse with a great attitude and a serious pocketknife), the boys and I got to work to create our own summer treat.</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4V7Ee6QF0-tSNYW51GtlSymcE3xprTKkBle2izUSZ6rW4nuH71YzpyGbB3zhloEXLm1l1wezS8BbtaSl8gBlcpqDnIVfQYNJuX3SqPLNixR2gmLRF5ECnZBfPr6AfuAdfQH3AcsqFpad/s1600/DSCN6745.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4V7Ee6QF0-tSNYW51GtlSymcE3xprTKkBle2izUSZ6rW4nuH71YzpyGbB3zhloEXLm1l1wezS8BbtaSl8gBlcpqDnIVfQYNJuX3SqPLNixR2gmLRF5ECnZBfPr6AfuAdfQH3AcsqFpad/s400/DSCN6745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617815023400969730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiGr4jjfW2B9ajUd-YWwE_GIGTu2VlLWP95DXIpcS21vSCm06fWNhcj8ziPjkxPcl2x_XuJJFaFqgmvcaT-go_l2M45-mCwQ1uV9jyV82J2Glf15TWwhhosBWLjrEJMxFwLM1Qd1043Zu/s1600/DSCN6752.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiGr4jjfW2B9ajUd-YWwE_GIGTu2VlLWP95DXIpcS21vSCm06fWNhcj8ziPjkxPcl2x_XuJJFaFqgmvcaT-go_l2M45-mCwQ1uV9jyV82J2Glf15TWwhhosBWLjrEJMxFwLM1Qd1043Zu/s1600/DSCN6752.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: left;">The first jar was opened this morning on our beach blanket. Deliciously crisp and tart! Cheers!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWbrxitNQxins1qZoJ_rR9rgBplv-e4wyv5yj7ykWETc5lOl_SSgeEo2y741hOoaJcAzKVlqjVbyE-SYi2HThn5XAo7V6J3wcEbGNZOLPj7vWBSffKr7f06t90JTMW7rWnCpI7A1jk7Cp/s400/DSCN6765.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Summer Pickled Green Beans</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2 pounds fresh green beans, rinsed and trimmed</div><div style="text-align: center;">4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced lengthwise</div><div style="text-align: center;">8 sprigs fresh dill</div><div style="text-align: center;">4 jalapenos, sliced lengthwise and de-seeded </div><div style="text-align: center;">4 teaspoons salt</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 1/2 cups white vinegar</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 1/2 cups water</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Snip green beans and cut to fit inside pint-sized canning jars. (We like the wide-mouthed kind for this treat--better suited for little hands.) Place green beans in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender but still firm, for 2-3 minutes. Plunge beans into ice water. Drain well. Sterilize four jars. Place 1 clove garlic (sliced lengthwise), 2 sprigs of dill, and one jalapeno (sliced lengthwise and de-seeded), into each hot and sterile jar, against the glass. Pack the beans into the jars and add 1 teaspoon of salt to each. In a large saucepan over high heat, bring vinegar and water to a boil. Pour over beans. Fit the jars with lids and rings and process for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath. Enjoy!</span></i></div></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-18079202562832915252011-06-13T17:09:00.006-04:002011-06-13T23:51:35.742-04:00The Last Farm Day<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW71zbWx3qnRjNc9xci1EUSl0AgjlBbR9PXncH6yEqlEkPY_bb2awrmwFN79dVvsrNES3CCEJ4qx93Jg6rgsjGK54Tr3prs-fNsZuevUWzt6U82AJEuCHSwZUrq7r_VsRAEVc6blaMADE-/s1600/DSCN6675.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW71zbWx3qnRjNc9xci1EUSl0AgjlBbR9PXncH6yEqlEkPY_bb2awrmwFN79dVvsrNES3CCEJ4qx93Jg6rgsjGK54Tr3prs-fNsZuevUWzt6U82AJEuCHSwZUrq7r_VsRAEVc6blaMADE-/s400/DSCN6675.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617815422962346066" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are so lucky in sunny Florida to have a growing season that just won't quit. Except when it does. Sadly, on Saturday, we said goodbye for the summer to our local organic farm. (We're not the only ones who <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2010/03/from-farm-to-fridge-to-table.html">love this place</a> and <a href="http://www.thelaughingmonkey.com/blog/2009/06/15/see-you-soon-farm/">mourn its seasonal hiatus</a>.) The fields were still full of deliciousness, but their days are numbered with the rising heat. So Big <b>B</b>, little<b> b</b> and I loaded up our market bags and meandered the aisles one last time, stocking up on only the best our climate has to offer. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenOMvNAEQtK0BVzI16wmeNVOe_RTZcPJE4P564u7q9TUB2nF11IUgdXtEPC5V2i0Az632IDC6HCZFSFG37MUG2weeSFqhgY9KFdEusv5iseTyzW1QCPs2KavYsVT713kz8xrjzZJUoW_U/s1600/DSCN6663.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhenOMvNAEQtK0BVzI16wmeNVOe_RTZcPJE4P564u7q9TUB2nF11IUgdXtEPC5V2i0Az632IDC6HCZFSFG37MUG2weeSFqhgY9KFdEusv5iseTyzW1QCPs2KavYsVT713kz8xrjzZJUoW_U/s400/DSCN6663.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617815414509101970" /></a>When we were laden with lacinto kale, arugula, green beans, <a href="http://www.thelaughingmonkey.com/blog/2009/02/18/sorrell-at-last/">sorrell</a>, strawberries, blueberries, and two dozen farm fresh eggs, we looked out across the fields of Romaine and saw a familiar straw hat.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWbStnopEzybmgyN8RaKVM-DkbOT18ytj4b_S_GMJ-1FdxEVdmXxlnHwFV0xtq6VmEepXwU68hSnpfTMhZPhMrN2DqtLLiF4adsSfxD52HgEHXBf6Gmtt4M2EjTdLzvBWxiwrEU-NPRkT/s1600/DSCN6669.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWbStnopEzybmgyN8RaKVM-DkbOT18ytj4b_S_GMJ-1FdxEVdmXxlnHwFV0xtq6VmEepXwU68hSnpfTMhZPhMrN2DqtLLiF4adsSfxD52HgEHXBf6Gmtt4M2EjTdLzvBWxiwrEU-NPRkT/s400/DSCN6669.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617815403666969874" /></a>Little <b>b</b>'s preschool classmate has a daddy who works this farm. He was kind enough to give the boys a tour, and explain how the plants are grown, harvested, and sold. He showed them how the heat brings more bugs to the plants, and showed them the cover crop (sorghum) that would soon replace the remaining jewels of the fields, destined for local vegetable co-ops. And he let them sample lettuce, chard, onions and basil, straight from the earth.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6LAVcrJC7vSLKNgbmX3PezXSruSC_kPaL5BYIB82KL6NFs1Ur5Dkr4JajCNl7WaD1tvjBoB2abR4clMBIkVzA50vZ2CXuxXpnT3zURdU4cs58cVTEy6rIbvH9d-BRt0WTNSlCtqeep4Z/s1600/DSCN6673.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6LAVcrJC7vSLKNgbmX3PezXSruSC_kPaL5BYIB82KL6NFs1Ur5Dkr4JajCNl7WaD1tvjBoB2abR4clMBIkVzA50vZ2CXuxXpnT3zURdU4cs58cVTEy6rIbvH9d-BRt0WTNSlCtqeep4Z/s400/DSCN6673.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617815384596996770" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA7Iu9xk78mAG1430lqIYaBeQ0WhKJT5AZyDN426liNzD_QwlivMB7nJvTSNKIEMVFB4fFvsRztNZg0QriCVZLyOph9RfbyPvMNxlsPx7mY0xOcL_cwAYsgYYHxF5OEx_JhkT6Lu4KeSZ/s1600/DSCN6670.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMA7Iu9xk78mAG1430lqIYaBeQ0WhKJT5AZyDN426liNzD_QwlivMB7nJvTSNKIEMVFB4fFvsRztNZg0QriCVZLyOph9RfbyPvMNxlsPx7mY0xOcL_cwAYsgYYHxF5OEx_JhkT6Lu4KeSZ/s400/DSCN6670.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617815049739655522" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">After only a few minutes in the fields, the boys were hot, thirsty, and ready to leave. This was a great lesson in gratitude for farmers everywhere, folks who work long, sweaty, buggy hours each day to bring us the divine nourishment we so often take for granted. A thank you note promptly ensued:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldV7L4mIGjbrpYGiiXW3_lJNPuFZwaklHpiV9vqh9PVcE8FwGu6Od5BmXGXm1nIc49J-WZ6opuQEvBisTnD4pAN53bKKqeQNr7h-kv3kDRp96vxHcUj-pWBO3if7Eli68Y4ebQmbUuIAb/s400/thank+you.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The bounty was too good not to share. We created a little sampler basket for Great Grandma Ruth, and drove southward to bring some summer sunshine her way. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaWujrjNYZuiR0MbCeXV4tMma5ArHpvdTeHVsncB0iAUBTP2bAPPeoKBT8W3O49ff2S1Ep6Icn1sKcG1i1bAzizkvFhrwG4kd8EH5dgDCb2oyyZJFNUXAhGRrsT31VtSabVQVFXDVoxMP/s1600/DSCN6677.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaWujrjNYZuiR0MbCeXV4tMma5ArHpvdTeHVsncB0iAUBTP2bAPPeoKBT8W3O49ff2S1Ep6Icn1sKcG1i1bAzizkvFhrwG4kd8EH5dgDCb2oyyZJFNUXAhGRrsT31VtSabVQVFXDVoxMP/s400/DSCN6677.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617815039624855634" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPut4MvsENi3ubejrZ-M-07_-kqyWMXwXOBrkMxcc2gnwNhRnNzCL1UkwF10gR3oGxFjX3Ikg3Z4BWTRzhtfkhwrAmC9fBMPDQWFEmcMNld0d2vkZ2ojw_6zKlxZ_PL7QnO64XJiLnSFhyphenhyphen/s1600/DSCN6682.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPut4MvsENi3ubejrZ-M-07_-kqyWMXwXOBrkMxcc2gnwNhRnNzCL1UkwF10gR3oGxFjX3Ikg3Z4BWTRzhtfkhwrAmC9fBMPDQWFEmcMNld0d2vkZ2ojw_6zKlxZ_PL7QnO64XJiLnSFhyphenhyphen/s400/DSCN6682.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617815030288380226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; "><i><b> "Shake the hand that feeds you." </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(24, 24, 24); font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; "><i>--Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto</i></span></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-35429208451434768692011-06-11T08:28:00.004-04:002011-06-11T09:42:55.027-04:00Summer Beach Quilt, Part One<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iP9QZzi8t6uKVGzdN1o8Suf0FQot_0cXYRDReS82MiBmItOdlCpTSJ2t7MakSdhK9VVBV1klxyNxQh3SZTOhAyOFFU3z5yWDqaxopPlKoVrFuW-VG30-kaJfHJCc2R_uW2xwL-NYnTox/s400/DSCN6637.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am so happy that summer is here I could kiss the sky. It seems my habitual Goodwill thrifting anticipated my giddiness. For many cooler months, each trip to my favorite Goodwill yielded at least one or two vintage pillowcases or sheets. I had been <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2009/12/thirty-minute-pillowcase-aprons.html">making aprons</a> with them for a little while, but this stack seemed to be growing into something...more.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzIhqWgNHcoWUM_ufV7TZdY7WCnxsm_74KymphYD77TjQIiFuUjgZ7sy66ZpP174ETypyQ-VyJ1127HgJB6GPmZOjSYRSUXep7_uHPhtZXKPAxU4vhX7DwkkG8LkRfXlY72t1fJQt1InJ/s400/DSCN5428.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Enter: <i>Beach Season. </i>Wednesday was the first official Beach Day for our sweet village of friends. We've been coming to this oasis as a tribe now for six summers, sharing wisdom and picnics and watching our growing babes discover this sweet spot anew each June.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvJXzaoHkH456SmRslRscaItoMN-S5A__VkE-bQPPfyE6UyeRsxXuLcNdr39dDSveXdxnIEyX6XqQwMaVIFod7yJfI14dZEmaplehhlnZJJHEFkgEUYflk23xgf_izumiYH5fWnIm14Ry/s400/DSCN6611.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Just <i>look</i> at them--they are all so<i> big</i> now. The girls lead the rescue missions and collect their creatures in buckets...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8H-NCtLwA4V2BB6j95N9DNLnDYCdRHydvaWyABvY6OU61tb22HxVM_QtOoKWWETLfWf5un8qqV1kKxk6wnu5b-sNGLbXifRwQs4pvRv1n3YGEcvQ4P3vDT3SQivM9Ehu_-l8JPhAgHdc6/s400/DSCN6593.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...while the boys, a la Lord of the Flies, climb their mountain of twisting sea grape branches and beach boulders. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFlE2cc_euWEuRT6TEYZd3i_-bcEEWIYKQC7cuv4_v9Ch2xOnsWoOQutys3dyrVgW14qn7Y-pAUOihI5ej7vChmDAuD17TvF_aVFC-jEROye2SA6AKAY4pRvL-x8tXYW23zNvi0bxXE6y/s400/DSCN6603.JPG" /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">And the mamas watch, talk, feed, nourish, occasionally knit, support, learn, and <i>breathe.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG2h5QhLSnqSrGG9SGaMiDZKNObiuRqu2mxFIcVLLTzuAx-dPmlP5Ao2fH_O02fo3-eAH8EDJBSxY_3DLqXK4846Vi1xeV8TLA6gSB9Glzyha46SmY-wJHZRUonKPM0PX8P86-E3PU7zK/s1600/DSCN6613.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIG2h5QhLSnqSrGG9SGaMiDZKNObiuRqu2mxFIcVLLTzuAx-dPmlP5Ao2fH_O02fo3-eAH8EDJBSxY_3DLqXK4846Vi1xeV8TLA6gSB9Glzyha46SmY-wJHZRUonKPM0PX8P86-E3PU7zK/s400/DSCN6613.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616799119573511698" /></a>To pay homage to this season of our lives, I rather easily decided to transform that stack of vintage linens into a summer beach quilt. This satisfies so many of my summer goals: carving out more time for creativity as a release, making beauty for our family, having a productive home, and spending as much time outside as possible. Using <a href="http://pinkchalkstudio.com/blog/2011/06/02/spring-quilt-market-2011-giveaway-winners/">this square</a> as inspiration, I am well on my way. <div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRF4YQm3GUhmrjHZNYBYEg4I3uLpo40O-6FPaXGmyfdCd1mcb0ZGskXZ-AkVlHUuoF6rI2plAcjfvr2a23Ei2ey6v5ftLqc5EXixL92hicoolafaABOiwK-b2A5bWc6A2CqVt31b09N1Z/s400/DSCN6639.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These colors just <i>sing</i> summer, don't they?</div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-43046121091997359852011-06-03T07:33:00.004-04:002011-06-03T16:02:47.541-04:00Pouring from the Pitcher<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShNVjdkkZKXUGAhGSAnRQc_pVB6LpZfzxCmachtgKEg-qutoGwEmtadcPAAKBFt61e3PCUgZoXyzVMwsKbz9IP0bDYrJy9-7XnH477A0_XPUtEPmwE4J3r7pRPbLoHf9_2KqDQpMTLelc/s1600/willow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShNVjdkkZKXUGAhGSAnRQc_pVB6LpZfzxCmachtgKEg-qutoGwEmtadcPAAKBFt61e3PCUgZoXyzVMwsKbz9IP0bDYrJy9-7XnH477A0_XPUtEPmwE4J3r7pRPbLoHf9_2KqDQpMTLelc/s400/willow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613716379314235186" /></a></div>Wednesday marked the New Moon in Gemini, and with it a solar eclipse. It was a time to say good-bye to what we no longer need, and welcome the positive change we have been resisting. I embraced this moon with open arms. As I continue on the difficult but hugely rewarding path toward <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Organized-Simplicity-Clutter-Free-Approach-Intentional/dp/1440302634">Organized Simplicity</a>, I am forced to acknowledge that I have adopted a lifestyle which is no longer serving me. Too many things, too many obligations, too many yeses that should have been nos fill my plate. Slowly, day by day, garbage bag by garbage bag, I am removing each of them. During this process I am reminded of the willow, and intend to stay firmly rooted while allowing the winds of change to bend my branches toward the sun. <div><br /></div><div>As I am forced to acknowledge my overflowing plate, I am also placed face to face with another harsh reality: I am not the only one who is being shortchanged. It is my responsibility (and honor) to position my children for smooth, happy sailing in these tender years. How can their sailing be smooth when their ship is often chaotic, cluttered, rushed, and driven by a sleep-deprived captain? </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the amazing culture study <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0201050714/theliedloffconti">The Continuum Concept</a>, Margaret Mead tells the author of her pitcher-of-milk theory: if you want to teach a child to pour himself a glass of milk, get up, get a pitcher of milk, and pour yourself a glass. If I want my children to sail smoother seas, I must sail smoother seas myself. As I am clearing away the obstacles and moving toward a simpler life, I will remember to fill my own cup, so that it holds plenty for others. My intention for this moon is to <i>pour from the pitcher and fill my own cup. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pXeo78mZO1jeLh1IjUEVOTOQjwqGbGF-TVcEua34_wfqpZBm2RRACt3s1Td77l5GRbsxP1mUQ0UgFY0LGjYi0ZIvwTU1Ho1XO2rVboQ9DQaPbKLXZl9xcCrlGHoBaGZGah5G_8meRqbv/s400/pitcher.jpg" /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As a reminder, I am filling up my favorite pitcher with water each morning, infused with something sweet (lime, cucumber, mint, etc.) and placing a small glass next to it. Each time I walk by, I fill my cup. Here's hoping your cup stays full as well. (Not overflowing. Just full.)</div></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-31717564567399667162011-06-02T07:30:00.011-04:002011-06-02T14:01:19.511-04:00Welcoming Summer (Thank You, Tortoise)<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzSWmnxW3SewXl6neeBc3aPQafhcSHSnshBfz3piiCWjaTjTdJGdBnoQ1w1fTIsQ91SlTF4X45DhuubNaDBxwQ88qf0It59JVkdsHhTj6i2289Z5RaBCIlb6v2_VJJOd2N9gOF2WU7n8n/s400/DSCN6274.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Papa turned 37 last week, and his birthday wish remained the same as it has for years: a long weekend surrounded by beauty and family on his grandmother's South Georgia land. Each morning, we would wake, stretch, breathe, and explore. The morning glories marked our way through trees and trails, opening brilliantly toward the sun. It seems I'm not the only one that is thankful beyond belief that summer is here, and with it, God willing, a slower pace. The simple act of opening up and reaching toward the sun creates such beauty and stillness. <i>We are truly given everything we need.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yE3XUghdtyIn7Fr8zXkhH1ZSKek224_VJuQu9jerjjA93DjfkeOk9B51a_rHIYMghgerrBb0-LVY5A8auQFaULKspz1kiZ4Syww39ySyC2IzVehs2FSiGuiSpMyPTnMyDi_6fIAaYc8X/s400/DSCN6150.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgaAFKy9PY18B252Fz3dNMnJoEmSugj9o8R7oZkWvAkYT10Q-p8EXaGx3Q71-SSS1sJb1aYPJDHBgvUOn2txsNnkvDTrUGNxMzSOmkT0LbNLWRkrJMwsykYQms68pZTAHFg4z1vMQTpbM/s400/DSCN6258.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP_bV72mSOAKe1NahoHPoF0rQJ3KZXdOVnQVr8Olj_ZuMZFrhP-CqdB3oA6rCH5eUnSs4kZxaTWmgEEAs21VyplagibWXK7cpqUKG1qvHqZjaxsEtFccRtS6PllrYmFHmrOqNniJVM6VS/s400/DSCN6151.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On our first morning ride, we found a nice big patch of wild blackberries, and breakfasted there for quite a while. We revisited the patch every day. <i>We are truly given everything we need</i>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxB7wijm1ZX_awk1g0zbRY9MQv3TjAqP_rpm8eZKfQB1aeenM3WI_PTk_fGDvPUw4zUt4V8jGx2IsHxjGuDeg7J3gFnpnc7aGQbvxgDXsTPr1BmJeCuumtcIpGl2tUPFvuS4lynMBr5iRZ/s400/DSCN6277.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErc-Y_cB99CVN4kbXt0g9cKtySXpXXU4Euamhb5-nymZcN0ts5nHUoQrd5ZtqkcfEgC_7vGYzMa8RPjjIuYomTnX0k9UC2I1CYKmNgkZDmp1WsKgvXOnaQag-zQOq6otakwQSHeElGkJE/s400/DSCN6228.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwe1Owz4dV9ivrdvncTHsAfxGBAzFdajQucOFUvSlRHS22Rg2iNOSUgcWPsm3jNCf5Q6Iq2Mw9F2Lxm5Xr-aJDB27jsbYDuwNOsUyFGCna4ORL0d4T2gsKnuxE_iqVViouseXpAKg4YsUL/s400/DSCN6226.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So much beauty and bounty, ripe for the picking. The same was true in Grandma's garden. Peaches from the tree, squash from the vine. <i>We are truly given everything we need.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n01H2reCL8zk1KWyWFBOZXyDyKBOXP2N7Etmr7bodaSQ-wFhrsAbUi4HLyqploXsmoI-QQt2K466c4PCBujeZxxhnA5AkTjx8Dzyw8CIBOSdYfknV95P_Y59X3-XEoVY6ZteVgjQu5fy/s400/DSCN6348.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27DSyfkXe3rbQ2ZxT76-0PSzuBRc3qyGbgxa7SD1abvCet3zFEgk2TxXCqIBaMgxD6wLYCseDERbWB1TTyJhANzQX4PZZNAdgMH9DZaeWv_5AqKBsea4QrsPlmN8WkLhMgpXTYl8mNByJ/s400/DSCN6356.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5Kbl5dLS05bmaE58D8hE08NP6zhYS2S7rATqnzAVXkIdYKIWQaVoz_vdbJiQjNstp-495O0a4SFHt149kupAJleHU0UcaPsYXlXwWbH1X1xd14pUdM9utwpeKksOmZEUNO1J8p2m6kQ5/s400/DSCN6333.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Big <b>B</b>, little <b>b</b>, and their Georgia cousins celebrated the summer sun by collecting objects of beauty and creating Solar Prints. They all marveled at the speed with which the sun created the shadows, the shapes of the leaves, and what happened when the paper met the water. <i>We are truly given everything we need.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQu7U4yh5J8F2LT6zai_-f4LqLGVqqycFiE6M09sG1oVTmQ9rk__c5y6yoYzwubw4q9N8upltv1ruEgph03rAtOndn6E0BLH_pN9pujvbXE3krJ2Kl7krW5WfQOYeKAUR6hY8ggfa30meO/s400/DSCN6306.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RWzfPVET1NPESb9QUpWsWp_WG-ybT4jmlI0K8RMLwsDgue3ca6OwgsmJi1UU08s-QkBxMH9XiLqO09gmwfZ7k5yOwxmQAp9UtK7TdSXQyV-CDwqLNrbfAXOzl2k4GbfLPHhLiSbrkWii/s400/DSCN6322.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4KtV-_kB_7_9GLydh8GcsbXRwAuRNR9LsD8TVeBXl7qmFj_IrmFM5xsVrnRATmhHHZpi-7RH2KyQI9bEDiaqA1pIz-HmmCGxk_93UtIL0ArAobj7FIF8QTgC7Kw_GBvm99ktXuqsfA3C/s400/DSCN6324.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With summer comes water, and the boys (including Papa) drank their fill. Every day held fishing of some kind, whether by boat or on shore. And when the sun became a bit too overbearing, the water welcomed them in. <i>We are truly given everything we need.</i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ubfWN6h1XFY0m39Ex2eVjRcBwJRx0LCSMdHaovAdoMxIxfWbb7jazJPY5znieVOf-w29ovgq2i2h5BV2KAkrFBkYK_Xms01llz-b_DUSjeb8IOKYZLmZ6ArtEr90MHRrWI0h6RgRMBn_/s1600/DSCN6515.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ubfWN6h1XFY0m39Ex2eVjRcBwJRx0LCSMdHaovAdoMxIxfWbb7jazJPY5znieVOf-w29ovgq2i2h5BV2KAkrFBkYK_Xms01llz-b_DUSjeb8IOKYZLmZ6ArtEr90MHRrWI0h6RgRMBn_/s400/DSCN6515.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613583935293419522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryFymdC0C-8P62mWA8MiD3p4XJyLVfnKNFQwT7XNh0xKPP2_C4wyQ56VW4OMKq_wsQ8tHiuqWzj7MlDdJ2hIrkX4fvBWzQYDysHPQPXAhLEsIvjzlvF46zDVwkcQ1APlRjqaGWVMVE4Wz/s400/DSCN6521.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dZlqKvDgNgI5UfWoS_APi8Fh2Jt9RXu9ildtk36AxtqQ6lPM4jkVjlodwG_-PHns9tkFa0PZNKG5hoTiCixYQGxNQLNODwh5EVyOuQoVHl7bITPoKIvRqOJ-JxlHOEzdG5LR4hdyeHvZ/s1600/DSCN6363.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dZlqKvDgNgI5UfWoS_APi8Fh2Jt9RXu9ildtk36AxtqQ6lPM4jkVjlodwG_-PHns9tkFa0PZNKG5hoTiCixYQGxNQLNODwh5EVyOuQoVHl7bITPoKIvRqOJ-JxlHOEzdG5LR4hdyeHvZ/s400/DSCN6363.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613583923560221746" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8XDSXAYdzJIrFuKKusRkFsXPeb2s1k6Lv-TeyJD8DppBLxj_iYqKZDWHNwIMjj5g1nSUM4rr99gew5Nu_Pxy9d0dDwGAfsMPCv8C1FtYOuAfIBee7agnph93L_-QZgcy5Zy5C3BOx3vD/s1600/DSCN6362.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8XDSXAYdzJIrFuKKusRkFsXPeb2s1k6Lv-TeyJD8DppBLxj_iYqKZDWHNwIMjj5g1nSUM4rr99gew5Nu_Pxy9d0dDwGAfsMPCv8C1FtYOuAfIBee7agnph93L_-QZgcy5Zy5C3BOx3vD/s400/DSCN6362.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613583733890869202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuV38qzrEUnAmjAO62dzaugMPJfkvt6e-ydyStK4Di8oCEhKv30vWhktKnZcwLaXC-EjRbqBtKe6Mu-fHZDt63bg7WyL67jpzt6O0DMYUTg9_43hvjHy1MN3TDrx8VQLNzIMe7Z1zkAmR/s400/DSCN6412.jpg" /></u></span></div>Over the last few years, I have become a believer--or rather a conscientious observer--of animal spirit guidance. When animals cross my path repeatedly, all I have to do is pay attention and listen, and their meanings bring me clarity. During this trip, we must have seen a dozen <a href="http://www.petandwildlife.com/animal-totems/tortoise-totems-have-a-strong-psychic-connection-to-mother-earth.html">tortoises</a>, mostly gopher, on our rides. Sure, the heat of summer brings them out, but we've been there every Memorial Day for the last few years, and I have never seen more than two or three. The tortoise's message was crystal clear to me, as we release the fast pace of school schedules and bedtime routines and open our arms to easy summer days: Slow down. Look upward to the sun. <i>We are truly given everything we need.</i><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfld3DS2FY5jozYaVX6araN6m-KgTNzIJmP36S4RUh1DHfgDkcX6eNBL5zkPJqsmAwJkNQJfLz3ANpnjNpYnZacW-JXpt5fRkyv3bwb1g0Nd0wl1F69-UpcMPWnDLB3O-StlCPOWCqree/s400/DSCN6286.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfA_NSG0Ow8KRkyrnVaCqzm1zA73hpVrF9g9htzU3rrp-OH1K6z4VR52DR7NjXrJHdykj0Do9eojtiO7s33NuzOWYaI2sXOG8ir2Niqooq52lOP_7n8AaR-nrMaLUQ7y5IW-Que10PFRkc/s400/DSCN6270.jpg" /></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-22020978605655510552011-05-22T20:55:00.006-04:002011-05-22T21:54:39.630-04:00A-Frame Tent, A-Plus Day<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS8SAUBp0g94ui4q1yDCIqku22qb42GsUiX4LV8Ct1pzTGpJHofDZxNF4CkdhOTgLDNhUVS_Zu3JmxgkctQ6NNt8K0j63NAwIeZTkwDcx_ubTrWZ7F51gQJc9eL81p9c5CDf9thmuC0I/s1600/DSCN6104.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVS8SAUBp0g94ui4q1yDCIqku22qb42GsUiX4LV8Ct1pzTGpJHofDZxNF4CkdhOTgLDNhUVS_Zu3JmxgkctQ6NNt8K0j63NAwIeZTkwDcx_ubTrWZ7F51gQJc9eL81p9c5CDf9thmuC0I/s400/DSCN6104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609709106515147986" /></a></div>Funny, funny universe. <div><br /></div><div>On a weekend laden with best-laid plans, Big <b>B</b> came down with a nasty tummy bug that knocked him out all day Saturday. This morning he woke, bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to make up for lost time. I knew we were going to stay close to home to allow him a day of recovery, and me a day to finish several organizational projects started during his sickness--but he and little <b>b</b> needed some <i>adventure</i>. </div><div><br /></div><div>During my morning coffee blogroll, I saw <a href="http://mycakies.blogspot.com/2011/05/diy-frame-tent.html">Cakie's A-Frame Tent</a> featured in <a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2006/04/free-pattern-month.html">Grosgrain's Free Pattern Month</a>, and fell in love. I made a quick list for the hardware store and sent the boys on a quest so that I could finish up some chores. <div><br /></div><div>When they returned, we got to work drilling, fitting, hemming and attaching. In less than one hour they had their adventure.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpb4NaxV6gUMVmwMXEDpj8t6JlFq1wFjEFFbD7VfwDFmDp3MyD2FLS6gw2eECyDJ0-0KaucSD9JlLR9Ije04pfqmAX8ZmDl5sRgGOgqyDzcN-IuMBS36tvbf6yHNnWnDbiVHr_xR2oCvE/s1600/DSCN6085.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpb4NaxV6gUMVmwMXEDpj8t6JlFq1wFjEFFbD7VfwDFmDp3MyD2FLS6gw2eECyDJ0-0KaucSD9JlLR9Ije04pfqmAX8ZmDl5sRgGOgqyDzcN-IuMBS36tvbf6yHNnWnDbiVHr_xR2oCvE/s1600/DSCN6085.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpb4NaxV6gUMVmwMXEDpj8t6JlFq1wFjEFFbD7VfwDFmDp3MyD2FLS6gw2eECyDJ0-0KaucSD9JlLR9Ije04pfqmAX8ZmDl5sRgGOgqyDzcN-IuMBS36tvbf6yHNnWnDbiVHr_xR2oCvE/s400/DSCN6085.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609709096219936674" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZsNqclm17csjHlMrFn7jV1zoCDNKisLBegYFF0edztxfyewx4vIBAXe80rVGZmHb47ihufoO1G01IsmqSumffLLZm_-t7oUKsYtgGRcO_mMdJRdYHC6HdVdQqVZ-QL0Bgxdp_QX8BLg/s400/DSCN6086.JPG" /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpb4NaxV6gUMVmwMXEDpj8t6JlFq1wFjEFFbD7VfwDFmDp3MyD2FLS6gw2eECyDJ0-0KaucSD9JlLR9Ije04pfqmAX8ZmDl5sRgGOgqyDzcN-IuMBS36tvbf6yHNnWnDbiVHr_xR2oCvE/s1600/DSCN6085.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2q097mU-pbzXU4TOYrXsQItsn8CZzqCu7154yefWE8Knz9nyA8x-bGn66KSocMLzWun3IyuytrUjg5-trSmR9XvqikmvcIbcQNalvPvg0JVAQyz2UdZhvuve1sQ5zEx1v1if1glbvCaU/s400/DSCN6098.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Simple though it might be, there was something special about it being made <i>just for them</i>. It was also a powerful lesson for me: they may not enter it properly or treat it gently--but I did, after all, make it <i>just for them. </i>It is theirs to invent, collapse, rebuild, enter, and love as they wish.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTa2KhzCLUMYL0ap9oYmPG_A7X_7zA_F0Jf4pqobjmQu-wSWjPwf2SpQNfM4A7Igs4-EnU3fa7GPn3lViQw4JLCPFNE0ezFqPGKTGJhxOqOAOmihHc9NQdD80U_qsJ6zkhyphenhyphen5hspFOezJc/s400/DSCN6107.JPG" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01BeE-eHM5oP81kSv0Tj43yNGN0OcJLlVwFVugv7rrsF6iedZL0cnMiUbwNyFXdYXH-OBX9qnzUjoEI4TgMFjSXtqz71noOKtJlcVQ_rsBTxRLq733cQE_CT8PdDcwKmEqs5Vx37cVuco/s400/DSCN6108.JPG" /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am sensing a major shift in the tides. Perhaps it is the excitement of summer on the horizon. Perhaps it is this <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2011/05/simple-gifts.html">new clarity</a> with which I choose my activities and things. But I am seeing a beautiful light ahead. </div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-10740984552290839642011-05-21T23:19:00.002-04:002011-05-21T23:36:00.894-04:00Simple Gifts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCUro7GanhEz1-oNzw4DtkAC4xkgynpEuYC1xs4k6PEuO-_8hEjBM3jtC_cYzil_qUvAvuqQd0RAAKrLvDco-a9Gm3f4a-xRkwe1PhnYPt9mVHBNYf2o81QGFcBvEVyfVl_WyAM0Kwww/s1600/DSCN6078.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCUro7GanhEz1-oNzw4DtkAC4xkgynpEuYC1xs4k6PEuO-_8hEjBM3jtC_cYzil_qUvAvuqQd0RAAKrLvDco-a9Gm3f4a-xRkwe1PhnYPt9mVHBNYf2o81QGFcBvEVyfVl_WyAM0Kwww/s400/DSCN6078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609374984484313090" /></a>I have taken a longer break from this space than I had intended. A lack of camera and plate-too-full have made excuses easy, and I have seen the repercussions. This space is much more to me than an exhibitionist outlet or a pretty chronicle: it keeps me accountable to my own laws of nature. In my time away from it, I have seen its true value. And it is good to be back.<div><br /></div><div>Recently, <a href="http://www.naturalnester.com">Mama Bird</a> recommended a small, neatly packaged, seemingly innocent <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1440302634?ie=UTF8&tag=betthiahe-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1440302634">book</a>. As I read (<i>read: devour</i>) its pages, nothing independently groundbreaking leaps up from them. But somehow, the path therein seems brilliantly and easily illuminated. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2DBB6ALB47FhoxEWlPl6_kLcccFzLkXx259Pffz1KLi7P-MOW_eJtqEVVtJzgNTgUNDfG_WmQ8IDhs-0Euiu1IQsfBai9jm_URbzzVe1BSytX3uburNNdXwL0s2dcb_JkUtRYffDpVg/s400/DSCN6079.JPG" /></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://tshoxenreider.com/organized-simplicity/">Organized Simplicity</a> is more than a book to me now, it seems to be my mantra. Through the simple, grounding task of revisiting our family's purpose, I have been given a monumental gift. I now have a clear and ever-present filter for my words, actions, deeds, time obligations, and things. If any of the above do not fulfill the highest good of my family's purpose, they are OUT. And it is maybe the most refreshing feeling I've ever had.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VvawKplFQdDL4WQRkKzF8cpz6EffPVT2K_sSDeCSMiueJCW71ZTzbi8ivbetkw3Bsdq1qhDcoOmsCvSSYBKeJDlVAGqqVuywYeKCY5rS_cUlkQGJCXBCxEPXYucVGB-H4-G1pW5F0I8/s400/DSCN6075.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've even been able to use the filter for the book itself. Where the author is able to implement the system in 10 days, I am granting myself a generous six months, thereby removing all pressure and really making it enjoyable. The same principles and priorities are being applied to my body, my health, my parenting, my marriage--and for the first time in a<i> long</i> time, I feel there just might be time enough in my day to thoroughly savor all of these rich blessings on my plate.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzn7VbOHHe8YmizntPLT0fBtQx5Uf-lju7s1JvGXL7YRdA8LmXXYbi7OYvAYiPAPT83a57s-ydWUmnodFUe0UFoGA8TAtIZhp3ba2jOzsKRlwCwjMzaz9xe-OE4BaQm1De6AYD4RegCY/s1600/DSCN6077.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzn7VbOHHe8YmizntPLT0fBtQx5Uf-lju7s1JvGXL7YRdA8LmXXYbi7OYvAYiPAPT83a57s-ydWUmnodFUe0UFoGA8TAtIZhp3ba2jOzsKRlwCwjMzaz9xe-OE4BaQm1De6AYD4RegCY/s400/DSCN6077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609374973314896562" /></a>It feels nice to be back here. All of these images were taken in my very own front yard. All around me, things feel clean, fresh, and washed brand new.<br /><br /></div></div></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-54584646116081910322011-01-19T03:20:00.005-05:002011-01-19T03:29:27.287-05:00New Traditions: Alabama Snow<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh64QNdvPm4x6hGCzDyTsQFPLKVLxPzZdORrRYIiN7uUlF2i6Av9lStwYDaAHduDq62xlN3AbYh-j8w1N6A8axU7skwWGhtkMK4n3bPDTJAk-LLAe16QnlOIsRXlIeqi3g6MrAHvkRiwI/s1600/DSCN5361.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh64QNdvPm4x6hGCzDyTsQFPLKVLxPzZdORrRYIiN7uUlF2i6Av9lStwYDaAHduDq62xlN3AbYh-j8w1N6A8axU7skwWGhtkMK4n3bPDTJAk-LLAe16QnlOIsRXlIeqi3g6MrAHvkRiwI/s400/DSCN5361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563326601697455762" /></a></div>Every year, we trek north to visit Paw Paw, Nanny, Aunt A and the horses. And every year, we miss The Snow. Without fail, it escapes us by several days. Until this past weekend, Big <b>B</b> and little <b>b</b> had never experienced snow. I have been shown photographs of Aunt<b> S</b> and me in the snow as little ones, but do not remember it in my mind's photo album. So when we arrived in northern Alabama at sunrise Saturday morning and saw a winter wonderland, the magic infused us--instantly.<div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinriEqSROfhH0FuzfaPlwlqFpT6GEbbRIItL6z38PWU6QIIUifKHVi6tpon4At9GQckNo3ddA5A9S6ovY5idgvIgFbb23foXZCiIQN2aPFsXqFjXGymJc43nAiVXpsveoT3eT8XuUyybg/s400/DSCN5307.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We spent the first morning of our visit out in Paw Paw's backyard, feeling the snow, throwing it, building with it, crunching in it. Exploring it. Experiencing it. Loving it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp0hHoI9JeA_mw5smSpJIUAjr-GH5JoGzbTE3to1zfUUogUVk_OlUt9VOBPcveNywJBoHhA9yz3df8vrcMDNbBo__-F19_0UWeq-R0Rjq1DbcRKj8CHw0qesYlDJujLlfBHG8HDfIJX0/s400/DSCN5281.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmCoiB1X8ljOGOSbKX8GGGQZcLNZcJQBaqMKGLXojN5lT9mpvhHYFjPPXSnkaBMOfzxbx-okOE4olpPrPAPTbOgeuAnSS20hyphenhyphenR791t2Na6SmHYbMU7sULV3zzJVcbWkCfyVAI3wTV2ME/s400/DSCN5283.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4jDow0iK8N8vLwOp-nTBo9fHclrQfc_rY0Z6QAFCJV3ZQH-FAG1cmA33XOJQtx4u7TOXtI_Ib1wMjv75SOxhbUvo_lBJXOJST1-XJnui9uWCuP0kDqSHmnHGvQemEKFrBIUpYqYBel0/s400/DSCN5286.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaE_saarKiSdXZSJhMEFLHZqOp7WIIvmkbaaWPRVgy_jMDT2IHT3j_ktvdAK5PMO2-LsM2KodrFLDKrl9_d_XX_eBmBICpD6xcdZvz6Tkq122jkPQInWpqGOZxV7auyyqql3lL3RIOiaU/s400/DSCN5292.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Paw Paw and Nanny live next to a very old family cemetery. Respectfully we explored the hallowed grounds, reflecting on death, birth, and rebirth, these stone markers of life covered in white blankets and then peeking out again. Very powerful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3Yd_4Lg4m09datopRcu9Tkk0qWzsfuK6gycDxl3_DrttGUmN6PMNzRVdj5CTwh7dE1I9MKnFj1b1AfNyIGOKfUzaBEDBtNDTQ84cpa_QkJAZa049vE4cpkPsoHskCaTeQ6QRwWtINu4/s400/DSCN5303.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEl6MD2fUFjhYPTbPEDx4XHW2KqseO_nCVI-tvuQP-eKs-gTiJnpKxyq_0x9woZkd8WIYdStaVaZzO6Tg16tZUiBeZlg_b_2Cqfoq2ACvx6C1_qPyiHGybV1x9R0dDoX0M5uegYK3ByM/s400/DSCN5304.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am so thankful that we all were there together to experience this cleansing. It felt good just to play, to run, to look, to feel cold, and to come inside afterward and have a warm bubble bath and a hot bowl of Paw Paw's chili. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEsJxYWwjm4toY-vYkqYyfpvMdQjaDp7yVdTHS-up4EDpBUDBAdtijAc8y2akWfE344Ioo1WzTnD5E76GbOmzkyJkSLTPsVnLZsmhGNapYbfkpaOypt9VeJpPAi99KUFojkqaohjTlfY/s400/DSCN5295.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87cb8fsu88wj1oTA5APCy-09d9LWcP_UozO4-t3tZmbih_aDVKV6k_smRutU0xkR1k8zijpDSnVfsPkitpEqgO7-T0Q6xMyUVTAb5DzuV0-WRY9soZfIBsiogmLbe16NJMAdeCRcGC6k/s1600/DSCN5360.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87cb8fsu88wj1oTA5APCy-09d9LWcP_UozO4-t3tZmbih_aDVKV6k_smRutU0xkR1k8zijpDSnVfsPkitpEqgO7-T0Q6xMyUVTAb5DzuV0-WRY9soZfIBsiogmLbe16NJMAdeCRcGC6k/s400/DSCN5360.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563326603011275042" /></a></div>I think we'll try to time our visits more according to the weather than the calendar, from now on. This was too good to miss again. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpCx__AsmObxTON1yrFcEHz5TO2B3REWun_En-lEZdLj6mvtyFnWyYGPhkQUMj9Y1tm3ThsZncqhmArGwVRL5Kj_au_ySyOXsIopu6qx_HdLxCKW3fRthhsxdN2OEe0w3gEIvPcct1Yw/s1600/DSCN5359.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpCx__AsmObxTON1yrFcEHz5TO2B3REWun_En-lEZdLj6mvtyFnWyYGPhkQUMj9Y1tm3ThsZncqhmArGwVRL5Kj_au_ySyOXsIopu6qx_HdLxCKW3fRthhsxdN2OEe0w3gEIvPcct1Yw/s400/DSCN5359.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563326596021529298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VBkkvApLH6XigMzvGm01YQJUnFh481C80Wa4BYfG_igYnGoHtAvrtgJYXrgl_lcE7F9oa2Kil_IcaqCmZuGGWsxN51dlKXm4uAU6Q_p3RBzTFdUyPrySJi0phjtEgSj67TbFp4JelQs/s400/DSCN5305.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">“There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the forest clothed to its very hollows in snow. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">It is the still ecstasy of nature, wherein every spray, </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">every blade of grass, </span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span">every spire of reed, </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">every intricacy of twig, is clad with radiance.”</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">-William Sharp</span></i></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-83088681115328808802011-01-02T10:41:00.001-05:002011-01-02T11:51:31.267-05:00Beeswax Solstice Candles<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmF8uK-qCNZu3LewxL-V52p1fHgVevBRN4gBa4EgkwRNx06OY6psW2lD2OlKN2xcYrfuVlttiqZp3kwIjaJBRHqLzHR6F4TuhHqcJkrmQBYRu3lI23N32jrkDgXYrtGDZxWTKKEmqZB4M/s400/DSCN4993.JPG" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn6A1cxgdk3P1R-yYg9IJLLsGWjNHzvzfZmihtlzUAlRFcDXLDbdjoynFAPVKzdMpNioIQNmI3IHjt6GCA71tOg4KiPkaK5vXxElZvDcPHZJnamhMkUzgjcmfBZVfyI0FUgpLPawIZDc/s1600/DSCN5001.JPG"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Inspired by the beeswax endeavors of <a href="http://www.thelaughingmonkey.com/blog/2010/10/20/celebrating-fall-day-3-candles/">Rose</a> and <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2010/12/winter-solstice-i-nature-table.html">Mama Bird</a>, Big<b> B</b>, little <b>b</b> and I decided to make candles for our family for Christmas this year. We got a gorgeous hunk of sweet smelling wax and wicks from The Night Gardener, scored some little teacups from a thrift store, and set to work on the candles on the Winter Solstice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMW2B-hHPhtiMZXeXL23ICWdhC30nOM2LV1K_sq0CZ7FyTaxlYAD8hPP24rZyt7ymjoQZVDrqmCd_2DsD9miRI1Fa8gxU5oStAGHknJXohgUXwas_YQia2RCRN5iH9luSUUF6jPO-NtI/s400/DSCN4970.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Watching the wax melt was strangely gratifying, for all of us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9B8VTvjLSd4DXSUpuyL0woDZzF2X5JUn55W8yD_KENsXow_573-elq5W3QS-U2o15zm4hNxcFgieaDUa4ICYPajEHZ5sfYwxQwxVmV80uuyzEVE9wLJxJ404JtgpqOzYBedbT5rhAROA/s400/DSCN4967.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoLteS79www91VoDKDie8Ol8_OmTiE4z94CoInLWwYI_3pQEUiq_0u0exLMdN1qJBWGF-pbXcUKUh2R6T6ytzv4oagFXRo7Wolkfa_hDsyUJyfcPK5ckl8BUzN17bFu0rsogRV4jxH1k/s400/DSCN4974.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifl7LZMYGw4Pa5QSjCit9sGZvYiDwNb5Z23F8Cz8Ec5f48XJfHCd-fu0B0TlltWqOeg1laDNJlHMpEfa5xu54ptalVRf3pQVqHQDwJpabr6fRrFTneJB_Alnu-hTiaeUZ-m6NPIpEdYI0/s400/DSCN4976.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Big <b>B</b> and little <b>b</b> took turns dipping the wicks into the hot wax and watching them quickly dry.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1Ab2l19bVwShB7IoDVFeKgvRSilyQQMbtCRW_7_WH9yX7SZsTBGu3miArjyqSdyjSN4CyCH8HwcVQ37GOtYaL2pOEzBr_Ckmo40zV7K0j8xT89lNjuBXGj2lyz2v-wyVsDq6k-9i27Y/s400/DSCN4977.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We then centered the wicks into little metal holders, wrapped the tops around pencils to keep them centered, and poured in the wax.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QQAuOwP_LHaIfD-ocQzlW9jBDOyZAoMh4g8KB7L_rJmR8gCHkpEySuqdiv3ZmprOnDz2FnsljrKMXIq1YqXrRHA4izKEeRFo2P1AMq8SJa_d-KucLO4p5vSEJo2bFH3SO9WNVqGc_Yo/s1600/DSCN4991.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QQAuOwP_LHaIfD-ocQzlW9jBDOyZAoMh4g8KB7L_rJmR8gCHkpEySuqdiv3ZmprOnDz2FnsljrKMXIq1YqXrRHA4izKEeRFo2P1AMq8SJa_d-KucLO4p5vSEJo2bFH3SO9WNVqGc_Yo/s400/DSCN4991.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556872559474063474" /></a>When we had made enough for our family, we used the rest of the wax to create a special Solstice candle. Big <b>B</b> and little <b>b</b> poured in "snow" and pine and fir needles to capture winter in the wax.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7tCOC7qKoLBg3u5jSrCXGCysKEFbZn8KpDz1RaitL-6bRdRDrczAPGyMZAa28efLX2O2aG6NSE5uWHGQY4cMYXRMmMaVa0Km9kVwCnJkCrNHFf3ggbYQ1cYicjX0pLtfO64JGNV4oeY/s1600/DSCN4980.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7tCOC7qKoLBg3u5jSrCXGCysKEFbZn8KpDz1RaitL-6bRdRDrczAPGyMZAa28efLX2O2aG6NSE5uWHGQY4cMYXRMmMaVa0Km9kVwCnJkCrNHFf3ggbYQ1cYicjX0pLtfO64JGNV4oeY/s400/DSCN4980.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556872555381914018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPUEtoybaV6A-2SuoNWZwVNTNhyphenhyphenbOKF1QBCdokShRK254kqplVWiaYgkIBSKiu6slSI6PkjWbGvX86mIs7Nwnvvl7YnPy4LuXR-uMM16jZyNpEFZTAHmDHBAOU3JEPoq1gFM2U0G4GK0/s400/DSCN4983.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We lit the candle every night from Solstice to Christmas, and said "Happy Birthday Sun!" The kids also reenacted the battle of the <a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/420121/the_holly_king_and_the_oak_king.html">Oak King and the Holly King</a>, their favorite Solstice story.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn6A1cxgdk3P1R-yYg9IJLLsGWjNHzvzfZmihtlzUAlRFcDXLDbdjoynFAPVKzdMpNioIQNmI3IHjt6GCA71tOg4KiPkaK5vXxElZvDcPHZJnamhMkUzgjcmfBZVfyI0FUgpLPawIZDc/s400/DSCN5001.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Solstice is a special time in our home, the time we remember a sweet baby joining us beneath the Christmas tree, three years ago. Happy BIRTH day, little <b>b</b>. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-91876412181542295532010-12-31T10:18:00.001-05:002010-12-31T10:19:35.658-05:002010 : Our Year in Review<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; ">january</span><span style="font-style: italic; "> : a collection of wishes</span></span></div></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVBJLd9VSecjDiwm0QHTIIF3W6QCSUD-EZ9OyBsaWqEe6h4QuT5NKGNN5IywXH2Glcw_xg5OwzTZo6u-bzyOdvidNsMmVIB8mntX-LkoyOJiVB8c_IrphlpQUFdKBcV0wtBhq5e2g57s/s200/2010jan.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556689829365496674" /><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">february :</span> digital valentines<span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRzPyJ0mxSyc3rZ-kXID5-iJbpgZMfU_7uJG5PVDjby0Y0NleihUM3KYLXPjqTF7CQLIHN5yWlhDnH6-UGLHjU30S8Kq21CfHniBTjufhJAM-28vEA8YqSfM3St8MdQOa-ZzKD8cGhukY/s200/2010feb.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556690090703677858" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgsQQelU0gTyASIbf7jIOghtM0R-jizVRcykcWpSj61YhPU44FwtMSUWIrtrnU2igO4EK2JkpGyFXBuAppSJiBxdEFWUFEwAlaDYlDUHOgV-IeF586tRB4MWwrZdIm4SVO6UfI7cVSuM/s1600-h/strawberries+038.jpg"></a></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgsQQelU0gTyASIbf7jIOghtM0R-jizVRcykcWpSj61YhPU44FwtMSUWIrtrnU2igO4EK2JkpGyFXBuAppSJiBxdEFWUFEwAlaDYlDUHOgV-IeF586tRB4MWwrZdIm4SVO6UfI7cVSuM/s1600-h/strawberries+038.jpg"><br /></a></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br />march : </span><span>strawberry season</span><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWLI_gMsEIsE59Rz-Y4z6y8YpWiMzJEs3S1z9k9Fu1zBWUfH0_-O6uDo2vDXtfh8lAGKBmiFxbmJudD8dinpCvlaHA1MB6RpsNMWGJ_mQNBNM4SrZRWHrczl-nFDSjCraDpEBo1wgyeE/s200/2010mar.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOe3Cjun5Y0d41HCeg9XnY2HbthmydoLGq_AxNiVd_pcHaqOdOZ45UKVxJSiKFWkkV3NWv6FExZAjKQ0Lxe6mBVwAmMUyd72dvrXRVfFE4Ugwst7i8eILX6vBz6xt5X3RMYNKVbmnyqG8/s1600-h/new+moon.JPG"><br /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">april :</span> tibetan sand mandala</div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIoUsnjZa1Bwnx7ZjG4zVVJraNfKTd9SZCTojtkwP5b8we4BQPwQO3IceQ8YyGWGTeWeVR3vHyOOUg8oQJBTgagmStW0YXNa_hjrELxZa447qnWYKKzilTyTntX4gOCzAreNYANNxx7Q/s200/2010apr.JPG" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br />may :</span> arlington park ducklings</div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrXvWxBQMZ4qnPCCha7NBaMYJVD8dVeFr0Y7iO2cxs4q8q7VqdRt3FIi4OPZ8_JAWysE8XD1xvBmvlccIyqc5SDfiw0bn3jZarZJT1fBynnhIGb_oPq_oXmDpAP4wR2lfCVGmX8_JNQ8/s200/2010may.JPG" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">june : </span><span>canning extravaganza</span></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1goLao3FiOfQslaAvaCywr5gokVKzJuxGAKba3zuqTcawuhGXPEDSARP0XHjN61v5A9L0ojaX2hIevyRS3XES4JOr7p6K_9kWoB580CcdApYN-0m-4qTSrh981tIb6BGiXt0c46xbTM/s200/2010june.JPG" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">july : </span><span>raw food cleanse</span></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sUnu6RYSY9sd9rlacL0lD8bQ490ahjnrUBsxRoXughnkzmsmsanhzJQIbUVIR4u5BGqtuufNuoCHKzsgYLlzDdbnM-sUlM3GVj0IgcwjkcuenF8rlcI1G3hNO6Nju00lzQJxY9NT1tc/s200/2010july.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">august : </span><span>new beginnings</span></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zCcPLO6E_IqdoeYg9oLM6rwfQb52Qu3iTN1WhJk7aD1hGgA6dTWvcNg5GpDtiQB903D-LTzE67YMQCJPFLDy8VS80e3zMGvFh2SIt324RfyqtC-Ab6y6UMUqK9c41I2JZecGgJ1bOAI/s200/2010aug.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">september :</span> collecting</div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BcHh_v5DMwg5Cv34ILgwGsLrknFpuUvzZbzUyB3tMz3G4tk1FpHQdsleyXtTDvnM9u8zSE4b2QRZ3nu151eUr4uoAiGNuKYEz6-vO9kFmuAlUcK8svm6xnokqnywtuUqikcd9pMQnxw/s200/2010sep.jpg" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2-pIeuS4mpvhOGn7XUn0n5DdEgZsVJAw8ZRT5QaLCLnL-7pW83lx8p-ga_FuCSvLr3915MFesO1mwTr-rgLOEjKHypQHhaquJ_8fgYNtQBT3m177EgnzcN_hZswT5N1p7HiE6V1jkGY/s1600-h/georgia+monarch.JPG"></a><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">october :</span> camping</div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nXi6FZpUt51XC7ktWkftqeAgPPOPxvfuwDXjrYi4uf-NakleN_RLbXDen66OHF_fAefiBt6awO9Z76cz_4CEf566Q_zTQv0nj45BKi2DsD772nVVkvc4wf3FluIkFsXujiwIckPacgo/s200/2010oct.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; "><br />november : </span>1st grade garden</div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhFc53kw1WdBP_cgUw_89CV1vrXZmapEm0gOLOFunNXSpevJviHXpvuuSUpCnp8oPxIhyphenhyphenLJGdoNmX3qAS365doTf4V11BwhsP0YRjG9R8p5iLXbq7lqJye6MFQcKkqCnwLHX8KQnT2S0/s200/2010nov.JPG" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">december :</span> celebrating seasons</div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8w7nyGrhi6tPzIcvfB6l-lqnFEqZlGPOXFaQT0dqzWo5-Ojl0tinspcy8Mr2udhDsjbIQOXUR5Y6H_OGLhECy7BzyjiQ0rVYZ9JZMB9LJn7EWZeriDjrgZE5yx04kKCSpiHd4TdZMGmg/s200/2010dec.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic; "><br /></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-68858148862675718832010-12-31T09:45:00.002-05:002011-01-02T11:23:37.144-05:00Handmade Feather Ornaments<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIVryVAmvSPH5d6_uOhVb1lPO9Yn0abng-rEF1_0Bcmjv7PnAlrM1VN_ZW-6wNwZ2cSRZE3AFEPG00_NZMXhtDt2RNIXYXvZ0AX0iwfN8EwK1qhe-VqBRp4RgrGcbD8bZCV9rMohtvDc/s400/DSCN4911.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Every year, Big <b>B</b> and little <b>b </b>make Christmas ornaments for their aunts, grandparents and teachers. This year, they are both old enough to be careful with glass, and I bought several clear glass balls for them to adorn, not knowing yet which method we'd choose. We'd experimented with the <a href="http://www.crafts-for-all-seasons.com/paint-swirled-ornament.html">paint and glitter swirly method</a>, but they just didn't turn out the way we'd hoped. Then, Papa and I went to the grand opening party for a fabulous new <a href="http://www.12thandeasthome.com/">home accessories boutique</a> in town, and saw these adorable beauties:</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJgxBMXktqCKasIfMJ7uHaAILP1iG9XCWFw2Tb_k_RD83rVGdlsVf9jHzcl-w9gNmKnxd3MOL9BWcc6SCKlTD_Avo4LvhJDONzHw35ig4Ns9IMJq9QphiMgvgj2canWRx9BnAqPzFAOg/s1600/DSCN4844.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJgxBMXktqCKasIfMJ7uHaAILP1iG9XCWFw2Tb_k_RD83rVGdlsVf9jHzcl-w9gNmKnxd3MOL9BWcc6SCKlTD_Avo4LvhJDONzHw35ig4Ns9IMJq9QphiMgvgj2canWRx9BnAqPzFAOg/s400/DSCN4844.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556869320256321730" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I remembered the <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2010/11/birds-of-feather.html">masks</a> I had scored at Goodwill before Halloween, and the bounty of peacock <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2009/10/feathers-aka-best-birthday-party-ever.html">feathers collected</a> at the ranch, and our ornament making afternoon took shape. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSwsRfDT5r5UOhvRrchAi_RgsQZZeusi43LSzpxTw1_O3WKdyGNJAvP6lNwnTb6XWWcjeWOxWz30bESTzv29IAzaezoaMmCM1_VQBw-STcbR5sWaZOddVJQQTi61_JAzj7_UYZGbNym0/s400/DSCN4893.JPG" /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWScnVV8OwzrU3zlXBLzk0B2PBOqUMGZesAqUenQ3pf0avDvHgnOXytQvChbusSrfVQWEQaa0qBoKW__yP76w96IaTJ-fLSOB2Z6PUTh_t1H1bfKdi7TxQvH6bICpTjc5RZyMgR1Ya0VE/s1600/DSCN4897.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWScnVV8OwzrU3zlXBLzk0B2PBOqUMGZesAqUenQ3pf0avDvHgnOXytQvChbusSrfVQWEQaa0qBoKW__yP76w96IaTJ-fLSOB2Z6PUTh_t1H1bfKdi7TxQvH6bICpTjc5RZyMgR1Ya0VE/s400/DSCN4897.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556869305283644354" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I just love these. They are each so different, so simple, yet so elegant, and Big <b>B</b> and little <b>b</b> created them almost entirely by themselves. We will revisit this concept next year, I'm sure!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfmbq60U3dfwhg1tR4mPsbrPd4fI6pTF34sz_a5zIcs1Sos3gMkJIzfzmBXKKQQc_c3ZVxHiA8m_nSGIpL14nPOPkWAwO1kq1swzt2dF818ZrzxZV6iwNEmEOVD0Z_WNFe-usWxfWDP8/s400/DSCN4903.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Check out these adorable <a href="http://anaturalnester.blogspot.com/2010/12/feather-ornaments.html">feather ornaments</a> by Mama Bird at <a href="http://www.naturalnester.com">Natural Nester</a>!</i></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-33704101912085906722010-12-31T09:20:00.000-05:002010-12-31T10:29:25.150-05:00Block Printed Christmas Cards<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNq1ShuJQgNkWlFKVUbz4Lz784qe4S3dtvYBwoeSnEJ4TvMOOW9G8alIuBvq2FGhN6bjTxvM9FafbrMHynBVgDGY4z8DHOrGwzyM-3fQQgYRczAZI1DSUj5yzXrcYBFKRYyxCktduoG4/s400/DSCN4872.JPG" /></div><div>Remember the sweet partridge-in-a-pear-tree linoleum block I <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2010/07/yard-sale-score-ukulele.html">scored at an estate sale</a> earlier this year? To my intense delight, I found its Christmas-bells-with-holly partner at a thrift store in December. I had so much fun with these. My only expense in creating this year's cards was the paper. I used metallic silver and copper ink I had leftover from <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2009/03/my-first-linoleum-block-print.html">previous endeavors</a>. I was very happy with the handmade results! I did make a fatal mistake, however; in cleaning them, I got their cork backings wet, and now the blocks are irrevocably warped. I will try to remove the linoleum and re-back them, but I am grateful they lasted through this season, and still remain beautiful blocks to admire.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RA5pmcEfk0GR3-EhSV-pk540_lntzT0aMd8MXvuCVBaJ2uMcH0LPrIWf-YJRXHmFFgbLJ7xslZg5hHOrpB75HveoCWmjNUc1LsZoD9wE-bjcrEjbWwXZFaqQp1HqWKmjZinFEyuyAb8/s1600/DSCN4924.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RA5pmcEfk0GR3-EhSV-pk540_lntzT0aMd8MXvuCVBaJ2uMcH0LPrIWf-YJRXHmFFgbLJ7xslZg5hHOrpB75HveoCWmjNUc1LsZoD9wE-bjcrEjbWwXZFaqQp1HqWKmjZinFEyuyAb8/s400/DSCN4924.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556866788851978610" /></a>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4801804812295696550.post-84315051302374915322010-12-31T08:15:00.001-05:002010-12-31T10:20:06.249-05:00Cows and Pigs and...Elephants? Oh my!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnZifojo8l8j4ORDlzXrd_ukhl4smHAIxSR-dkZ902chTk21WtqDRYpmv-lqHz4LJo9t_tQ53FimyRR-qHtVE82EcAFldOZ-Ckf3vZhoxMvDu7MvxEBwNrqUtV7LZlrBAH25XbsO3kKk/s1600/DSCN4665.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnZifojo8l8j4ORDlzXrd_ukhl4smHAIxSR-dkZ902chTk21WtqDRYpmv-lqHz4LJo9t_tQ53FimyRR-qHtVE82EcAFldOZ-Ckf3vZhoxMvDu7MvxEBwNrqUtV7LZlrBAH25XbsO3kKk/s400/DSCN4665.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546631998888150290" /></a></div>December was jam-packed over here, one I'd like to think broadened everyone's horizons a bit. The month was kicked off by three days of animal admiration. Big <b>B</b>'s first grade class took a field trip to our <a href="http://www.dakindairyfarms.com/">local dairy farm</a>. I was so grateful to be invited to chaperone this one, as we use their delicious farm-fresh cream to <a href="http://snipandsnail.blogspot.com/2010/06/when-life-gives-you-tomatoes.html">make butter</a> and I've always wanted to visit the source.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOax0c2hfu4_kdEtf79BBNEIP8353jKzcxrDT-rZmw-WKA2iBKfiLlmYLCggMtgSHN-_ookVtbCfb2Qs9qAib5SJyJBVwAzSL9gU45M-LSDzvcdrjolz8Q6Z2vGeK3sHqyWOwCDgA_hCU/s1600/DSCN4679.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOax0c2hfu4_kdEtf79BBNEIP8353jKzcxrDT-rZmw-WKA2iBKfiLlmYLCggMtgSHN-_ookVtbCfb2Qs9qAib5SJyJBVwAzSL9gU45M-LSDzvcdrjolz8Q6Z2vGeK3sHqyWOwCDgA_hCU/s400/DSCN4679.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546631976489462178" /></a>Such sweet and gentle animals.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UzW5BOHZiJ6gDszsGGz5iVEHplRD9ryR1g2OuU-T5pk4wZmJM3yjpNHaslqxR1-ZqSxrhH0aF0kL4hJJizMAX4t2XmvEEm6YIrJ-KdRxfRlpCFBcCnDQrp1RQjaIdY78e8lQ8jnZdRo/s1600/DSCN4686.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UzW5BOHZiJ6gDszsGGz5iVEHplRD9ryR1g2OuU-T5pk4wZmJM3yjpNHaslqxR1-ZqSxrhH0aF0kL4hJJizMAX4t2XmvEEm6YIrJ-KdRxfRlpCFBcCnDQrp1RQjaIdY78e8lQ8jnZdRo/s400/DSCN4686.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546631869926862642" /></a>It was amazing to watch them move as a huge group into the milking area. The cows knew which stalls to turn into, and seemed very polite with each other--no shoving, single file, etc. Hmmm, perhaps this was a subliminal message to the first graders?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyM9HsprxsWXvcRmEoSlWf9RWYZVp0mwVvmvHx7JBMWS2cp2aUOf-sqiYavvrNq820WaH9hayRKBL1RBnGiltf6cONL_cEVaVST5FqCupn5kIZow7si3291xg-x-ftdRNl849tRYRAOM/s1600/DSCN4689.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyM9HsprxsWXvcRmEoSlWf9RWYZVp0mwVvmvHx7JBMWS2cp2aUOf-sqiYavvrNq820WaH9hayRKBL1RBnGiltf6cONL_cEVaVST5FqCupn5kIZow7si3291xg-x-ftdRNl849tRYRAOM/s400/DSCN4689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546631863251834098" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCfAiZiOLWNz8HvN4yI2hyphenhyphen6J-JCEwJJfJ0NzEp2f1oQBCa1swcOlZl0TFMOnXxYeb__oPwX0Jl6TCnhVhChR8OHnoeklULO3GlEC6NAnS83MLUN-jjmH8Ea-IzSbYc-hJ6KJeFxjfb7E/s1600/DSCN4690.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCfAiZiOLWNz8HvN4yI2hyphenhyphen6J-JCEwJJfJ0NzEp2f1oQBCa1swcOlZl0TFMOnXxYeb__oPwX0Jl6TCnhVhChR8OHnoeklULO3GlEC6NAnS83MLUN-jjmH8Ea-IzSbYc-hJ6KJeFxjfb7E/s400/DSCN4690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546631857994579090" /></a>The cows were given ample room to freely range.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38ZK40ZmWEpIlAfff-XsayLgLE6_Gm-LPZ2fMERuA24ntm6t_k5JaytKQxFyE2ZfvobYFYesPfoxN6LUZmCOpCQuAxGe3RIfVSSjD5-TlOeL2WYn4FV07rKpIylC76ZiK732IJW3tnBk/s1600/DSCN4701.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38ZK40ZmWEpIlAfff-XsayLgLE6_Gm-LPZ2fMERuA24ntm6t_k5JaytKQxFyE2ZfvobYFYesPfoxN6LUZmCOpCQuAxGe3RIfVSSjD5-TlOeL2WYn4FV07rKpIylC76ZiK732IJW3tnBk/s400/DSCN4701.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546631852595395682" /></a>The children were taken on a very malodorous hayride,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7Xm-orUGBehPKn8bnttkwp3VLdyTCs4QURNpQRHMoDW9JHmmgo_GjkJ4p7wkM0Eu7vRcGlSBoVy8DmISkiulilfX3VczVjkEbcm7x0zwOhZHvGaM6kvikAgepRYssNj-ymkx2ArW2yU/s1600/DSCN4706.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7Xm-orUGBehPKn8bnttkwp3VLdyTCs4QURNpQRHMoDW9JHmmgo_GjkJ4p7wkM0Eu7vRcGlSBoVy8DmISkiulilfX3VczVjkEbcm7x0zwOhZHvGaM6kvikAgepRYssNj-ymkx2ArW2yU/s400/DSCN4706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546631538316045074" /></a>watched a piglet race,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKt5oDLdZjocXYWOomY9f2uKqFqjsL0H4pBgflNQtUDX0WF23lF5ALCuk0fXWASgbn2pINMZm2A4K0MbIUjJrFQCWRzsRjk-445hWQy-YBirYFShNR3XOHD-rd1EZaDQHeX5O05FgLmQ/s1600/DSCN4717.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKt5oDLdZjocXYWOomY9f2uKqFqjsL0H4pBgflNQtUDX0WF23lF5ALCuk0fXWASgbn2pINMZm2A4K0MbIUjJrFQCWRzsRjk-445hWQy-YBirYFShNR3XOHD-rd1EZaDQHeX5O05FgLmQ/s400/DSCN4717.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546631536932706818" /></a>and took turns bottle-feeding baby calves.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZybeOcSlvRm8GzpNp6JKKs4KtWJaTNKjNiyN6Npr9fxGpVU-ERMw1gi1KeeXHWfGo7DURcyaD4jj8geSP-9tcv4gZCmXR6h-5IqvzxC6T1UH2dgyq6bWGfwKejMVaqRsufTQOJ6BKftk/s1600/DSCN4729.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZybeOcSlvRm8GzpNp6JKKs4KtWJaTNKjNiyN6Npr9fxGpVU-ERMw1gi1KeeXHWfGo7DURcyaD4jj8geSP-9tcv4gZCmXR6h-5IqvzxC6T1UH2dgyq6bWGfwKejMVaqRsufTQOJ6BKftk/s400/DSCN4729.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546631526374076338" /></a>This little guy won my heart.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMVz1MfD3V6HmTJC-7FtHDLOHaxjkuKr69Z1_Qf47iYg_h1KU7qkguvLeDrvVIJ_bI9uqolTteaPPT0y9gMUGFdDU7nUM8eQQCNKQs6bvzrZXoaq7zPjjsCikX5D8e3Fmtm0G2Wif_UM/s1600/DSCN4746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMVz1MfD3V6HmTJC-7FtHDLOHaxjkuKr69Z1_Qf47iYg_h1KU7qkguvLeDrvVIJ_bI9uqolTteaPPT0y9gMUGFdDU7nUM8eQQCNKQs6bvzrZXoaq7zPjjsCikX5D8e3Fmtm0G2Wif_UM/s400/DSCN4746.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546631520976652546" /></a><div>The next couple of days were consumed with Christmas decorating, us in our homes and the City outside. Our home has a rich circus history, and this year's downtown holiday parade welcomed two special guests: elephants, trucked in from Gainesville. We were able to get a sneak peek of their arrival, a special treat for which we were all very, very grateful. After much kid-patience, the elephants finally emerged from their chariot, in all their magnificence.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIafOCMINc_WtHa7yPd45w_IAR4-EWEcwnIUF5ky8odQvkk4oinwZrAtt_4OuMIj3nVCkX8ufsLgJVwviVC3sfVXw0I20l2I0QTtWes0gchSYPdJjRN4l82yuHAkusANLEUni98LEjzkY/s400/DSCN4781.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3EcYqgbrnLH7JG72mb7mcor-juEcFp9hZfjtQG3zFVgjYnS8bBDhbOK2TJOLqDHCelMPv4nPRvjN9VC_0EI0XZ8V65RhxNKG79qPhoo5FSPXzmr1pCoKgLx8Xhc_8C4kpV-TSB0IhWM/s400/DSCN4796.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEistGUEphzBXN5q8-t9E9BJPjEaBh5y5bykYZMnc6xmxb6WoJbhfUNsOCrKsoIyGnCEqGnXj1gyATjy1amv7vpKZ2XHcjewkeqrPRJFNTYq4kgqPrjRSpdemhlKJURTM4VnX-2ZJ3Cqd-4/s400/DSCN4791.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are so grateful for these moments that allow our boys to open their eyes a little wider. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU3QhmZSJzUWyMOr3gDlAHaQCSyCAb5TUNMOdkkAd337y3LU2zLjJZ1R86IAEcPil2fOp7i3iLLTtqYF4XODoDcmoCibjXUh_1QRdGKtcFXKTnIvalwMFN73SsxLbElemqrbDe2oCITE/s400/DSCN4792.JPG" /></div></div>Kangaroohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07173453725376522096noreply@blogger.com0