tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215125262024-03-23T13:18:56.394-05:00My Many Colored DaysLeihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.comBlogger572125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-86034023034370988452012-02-06T12:25:00.000-06:002012-02-06T12:25:25.943-06:00Happy Valentine's Day!Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and so I've got a couple goodies for you. First is a FREE image download:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7dxk9dJCSUMw8iibfZgAhSAdqEbKunj53zG08f6d4vqBwFnsst-F2aCD2XRoLjTT3adliYMOkYTtod4B0dsj8WQ3CS_e6rHhFu1ZG00-fOaElQ7YeqE8JFdAsRh4eZUS9zdTiA/s1600/valentines+cactus+72+dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7dxk9dJCSUMw8iibfZgAhSAdqEbKunj53zG08f6d4vqBwFnsst-F2aCD2XRoLjTT3adliYMOkYTtod4B0dsj8WQ3CS_e6rHhFu1ZG00-fOaElQ7YeqE8JFdAsRh4eZUS9zdTiA/s640/valentines+cactus+72+dpi.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is both color and black and white available to you for FREE <b><a href="http://lprogers3.zenfolio.com/p320960985"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">here</span></a></b>! Love, me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF_LNPaYUUFAxbyN3j7GGjLldjOQcwlP-emIz2EODiuqA9Niu6txNiWTIgeLJH6Asco5KOHEAaHxDtKFBaT-CkxUodBtlFbknMdoTgaJOe0nSUgaxIHXxCurVVedQ082NlS02wA/s1600/mailboxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF_LNPaYUUFAxbyN3j7GGjLldjOQcwlP-emIz2EODiuqA9Niu6txNiWTIgeLJH6Asco5KOHEAaHxDtKFBaT-CkxUodBtlFbknMdoTgaJOe0nSUgaxIHXxCurVVedQ082NlS02wA/s400/mailboxes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also check out the fun mailboxes my kids get to use for the next week... trying to foster more love, less fighting round these parts. Sigh. Good thing is, they love leaving each other notes!</div>Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-25542390411960193832012-01-25T00:30:00.001-06:002012-01-25T08:22:58.729-06:00Spotlight's on me - at Time Out For Women<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="150" src="webkit-fake-url://BF152B9C-149D-45F1-A229-9B56BF9F9AB5/image.tiff" width="200" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am honored to be the featured blogger at Time Out For Women this week! It's amazing to me that I still have something readworthy to say, after all these years of scattered, unorganized blogging. Please go say hi to me over there!!! It would make me so happy if you did. Click <a href="http://tofw.com/story/449-you-can-do-anythingbut-not-everything" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">HERE</span></a> to read my post.<br />
{Major thanks to Time Out For Women for the fun opportunity}</div>Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-74465180260492457142011-12-20T12:39:00.000-06:002011-12-20T12:39:34.230-06:00You can do anything, but not everythingIt's been a while since I wrote anything profound on my blog. I used to do it all the time, and then I became busier and busier and in order to keep it active I simply started posting all the projects I had going on. It wasn't long before I got really caught up in the "project-a-day" club and had to let that go as well. Last Christmas I sat in this very same spot and thought about what things I might change in 2011 to make my life feel less chaotic, less "obligatory". And I made one and only one New Years Resolution in order to help me accomplish that. To learn to feel content.<br />
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2011 started much the same as 2010 ended... with lots of responsibilities I didn't really want or need, and lots of stressing and running around and generally being the person I thought everyone expected me to be. Slowly but surely I began to let things go... little things... to give the more important things in my life room to breathe (and I continue to work on this). More importantly, however, my mindset has begun to change regarding who I want to be, how I want to be remembered, and what I want out of life.<br />
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My own mother was a busy bee. She was on the front lines of virtually every school fundraiser, church activity and neighborhood project. She epitomized a woman who was "on the ball". But inside she was a mess. She created such an alluring image of herself and family that it became all that was important to her. And we, her family, had to keep up with that image - no questions asked. So I recognize where this inbred tendency to keep a dozen plates spinning at all times comes from. And I, like my mother, have thrived on the reputation of being that woman on the ball. Its a good feeling, but not one that lasts, I'm afraid.<br />
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I wonder at what point this image became so revered. We each take the best parts of others and compare them to our worst. "I wish I was as fit as ________." "I wish I was as pretty as _______." "I wish I was as creative as _______." "I wish I had as much money as _______." "I wish my house was as clean as _______." "I wish I cooked as well as _______." "I wish I could save money as well as _______." "I wish I had as many friends as _______." "I wish I was a successful ________ like ________." And we put them all together and VOILA! that is the ideal woman. Furthermore we think this perfect multi-faceted woman we've conjured up in our minds is secure, and perfectly happy. When, truthfully, it's the woman who doesn't need to do it all and be it all to be happy that we should emulate. I envy that woman, who is content to live a simple life, and is proud enough with the respect of her family and loved ones to not go looking elsewhere in order to feel validated. Is that not what true happiness and self assurance looks like?<br />
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I'm not saying we don't need to pursue our own dreams or make ourselves a priority, but I think pure intentions and genuine fulfillment should drive our choices - whether they be to take good care of our body, our home, our family, etc. I want to get to the point where each choice I make, as to how I spend my time and energy, is a choice I think through. And a choice I am content with. I 'm tired of trying to keep up with that alluring image of the perfect woman, above all else. It drove my mother crazy - quite literally. And crazy is the only outcome I can think of for someone who can't find contentment in the small things (which ironically, for someone of that mindset, are the most important things). <br />
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I have a long way to go towards becoming that woman. I have lived a full life and experienced many wonderful things. I want badly to have all those things active in my life, all at once! But it's impossible. The analogy of the seasons rings loud and clear for me as I try and determine what is best worth my time and energy at this time in my life:<br />
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To every things there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven<br />
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I think my zest for experiencing everything life has to offer is indeed a blessing, but also one that I (thankfully) have plenty of time to enjoy.Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-88669710515540548342011-11-30T16:24:00.003-06:002011-11-30T18:18:14.240-06:00Tis the season...I've found some time to make a few new goodies for my home this Christmas! You know how you sometimes don't know what you're missing? Well I've been missing creating with my hands. Apparently. Because now I can't seem to find a stopping point! The photography suffices to an extent, but I guess every now and then I just gotta get out the spray paint, scissors, ribbon, glue... :)<br />
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I'm foregoing tree skirts this year in favor of something simple and lovely. I cut up a bunch of burlap and made these sacks for the bottoms of my trees instead, and tied them up with lace. I'm having a mostly white Christmas this year, so it's just perfect. Perfect and simple.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-o301etAdRT6Jtn5wlMJ5jqXJBIVcbpDAHJj7THnVnyKwno1oooHRRmsXJFUz12pRDL3PdEOlRmq22JJw6qWfD6t8wEz9Y8aDBTyreJUBAWQNot__8amlNbjnJgxiQwScNuzxA/s1600/DSC_7756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-o301etAdRT6Jtn5wlMJ5jqXJBIVcbpDAHJj7THnVnyKwno1oooHRRmsXJFUz12pRDL3PdEOlRmq22JJw6qWfD6t8wEz9Y8aDBTyreJUBAWQNot__8amlNbjnJgxiQwScNuzxA/s640/DSC_7756.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakgt1Um_bt_GR7sAnq17YNHtOfnyBVCZcruyMeLF6FeoqJmWoV1SOHVTDxB2csN-P2BdN9Y2j4SQCueVZj2z6CR6KwmtgAPMzO7g4OfojqyAfTp00Syupt6BCgyKPoCs5FH0N6Q/s1600/DSC_7762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakgt1Um_bt_GR7sAnq17YNHtOfnyBVCZcruyMeLF6FeoqJmWoV1SOHVTDxB2csN-P2BdN9Y2j4SQCueVZj2z6CR6KwmtgAPMzO7g4OfojqyAfTp00Syupt6BCgyKPoCs5FH0N6Q/s640/DSC_7762.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My husband finds it amusing that it takes me DAYS to get my house decorated for Christmas. I find it therapeutic! I gotta do something different every year, not necessarily with all new things, but I like to think of new ways to display things, and just tweak it from year to year. It makes it so much more magical! How about you? How long does it take you to deck the halls? Do you enjoy it, or is it a chore? I'm guessing, since most of you love craftiness like myself, that we are all int he same boat. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P.S. I am still posting at Brown Paper Packages every other week! This week we're talking about Christmas bokeh:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBanuzmrz0XduD6unybtDdUO6-0yrrwQ4hNqlJ5ZsWn76hGEDE-kDVehd5vWxlVeybAODpgM_m7YZr_QDrrtRbAQg5nGcifzIBAmjLDupOlegWeYDhv4naUzIL559kaosDgWybkA/s1600/DSC_7739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBanuzmrz0XduD6unybtDdUO6-0yrrwQ4hNqlJ5ZsWn76hGEDE-kDVehd5vWxlVeybAODpgM_m7YZr_QDrrtRbAQg5nGcifzIBAmjLDupOlegWeYDhv4naUzIL559kaosDgWybkA/s640/DSC_7739.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{Ah, that's nice... isn't it?}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Come see how to get the great Christmas bokeh at <a href="http://brownpaper--packages.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">BPP</span></a>... should be up tomorrow or Friday. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P.P.S. Let's see if I can blog twice this month! I'm also working on an angel wings project... as I have been obsessed with wings lately!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-73154366173722406972011-11-01T17:09:00.002-05:002011-11-01T17:19:52.063-05:00Carnival Birthday PartyMy Drewby is 7!!! This year's party theme was "carnival"... so, so fun and full of possibilities. Luckily, both Hobby Lobby and Party City have a party line of carnival themed items. Plus I scored several items from Target's $1 spot for party favors.<br />
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I kept the decorations pretty simple...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfSzBhzZjTD_-TEVlEN5L70GLlcR3AGOd64Wp3plZkCXrIupwZkfwjq1l2GADcer7VcpsmJZlDmsBcrPJPm0lBVV80LedKBjSNcnfN7hRWQNOcjzy3hTdkcfKqNHOW04HFFkdIA/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfSzBhzZjTD_-TEVlEN5L70GLlcR3AGOd64Wp3plZkCXrIupwZkfwjq1l2GADcer7VcpsmJZlDmsBcrPJPm0lBVV80LedKBjSNcnfN7hRWQNOcjzy3hTdkcfKqNHOW04HFFkdIA/s400/Untitled-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7ZMIF4XrVUDZ2UnOvdgFVnpuEsKPIKmtwIzvZ72HnEVwpFUKE3PU0BeuIofcstYrMNBsreecDzsypQuNaNHHn0YYWlofchl-faUZHYLIvifSgoI-86xuXKu6fNde_AiPIFU5SQ/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7ZMIF4XrVUDZ2UnOvdgFVnpuEsKPIKmtwIzvZ72HnEVwpFUKE3PU0BeuIofcstYrMNBsreecDzsypQuNaNHHn0YYWlofchl-faUZHYLIvifSgoI-86xuXKu6fNde_AiPIFU5SQ/s400/Untitled-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The first thing kids wanted to do was play in the bouncy house we rented for the day:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_Te6DcCxsXx84bBLFSULeNAP3kuzcWWHwNGrckq9UFfhCOc2gzCr3LEsHCMD6XAEWjLWV_XYZaJO-sweUp_sTnwt8rTbwuwqQq1JMxEWWc8CtdMyu94IAjhD_7VzhGNbMeG55Q/s1600/DSC_3936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_Te6DcCxsXx84bBLFSULeNAP3kuzcWWHwNGrckq9UFfhCOc2gzCr3LEsHCMD6XAEWjLWV_XYZaJO-sweUp_sTnwt8rTbwuwqQq1JMxEWWc8CtdMyu94IAjhD_7VzhGNbMeG55Q/s640/DSC_3936.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizafs5-3Se5UyJYjVxEOPsrhHzUFhO1DlQ3VzHTl8zsnFNPLdjTWqrV_Pq9tEog4FJ7Qbhz_ys_8eJ3fB76P8RFnvIPJOgLN9OLjdp_6oxjIwJo887lrZcfLD-Ytq3H0mG9TIN-A/s1600/Untitled-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizafs5-3Se5UyJYjVxEOPsrhHzUFhO1DlQ3VzHTl8zsnFNPLdjTWqrV_Pq9tEog4FJ7Qbhz_ys_8eJ3fB76P8RFnvIPJOgLN9OLjdp_6oxjIwJo887lrZcfLD-Ytq3H0mG9TIN-A/s400/Untitled-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was the main attraction! But we also played some fun old fashioned games. We had a potato sack race and raced with plastic eggs on spoons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG483U-5B_vrBZvUHxZTbTsf3ndnLf9UyTtqFZGYGSg-1S3pZav3PUOKSntB6IjF1ZC4lSjo_NVayT4_iSGthAvYUwNs9qvdWR3iqgCuQQoURGEY0781aoLWuwh4iHsQ9hvXbicA/s1600/DSC_3892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG483U-5B_vrBZvUHxZTbTsf3ndnLf9UyTtqFZGYGSg-1S3pZav3PUOKSntB6IjF1ZC4lSjo_NVayT4_iSGthAvYUwNs9qvdWR3iqgCuQQoURGEY0781aoLWuwh4iHsQ9hvXbicA/s400/DSC_3892.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMUUnkhFvL5GWd7cE1GIQnNxZXf_vkSoKPP1CNLrxZqloyJKEIXtwd987yW2lL9xzw6wGx5h6V3txNTxx51hi9jcPsc1D62zbHPy73Kwz2h7Z96HuCXsDrga4LUQ1u-lD9W455A/s1600/Untitled-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMUUnkhFvL5GWd7cE1GIQnNxZXf_vkSoKPP1CNLrxZqloyJKEIXtwd987yW2lL9xzw6wGx5h6V3txNTxx51hi9jcPsc1D62zbHPy73Kwz2h7Z96HuCXsDrga4LUQ1u-lD9W455A/s400/Untitled-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids loved both games enough to play a few times each.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also had a little photo area set up:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_tTsj2ODnq2Ece-Gxf5_Ndfttl8bW8aGRDmB2_Zd4b3FsaaSJarF1b7gW0Vru-zbDB1592cBLZqq2vMzovvmZtrD8hWAcTo9gbz077PpWdWkXK6I2WLLi8yYntomgYM24QvyRw/s1600/Untitled-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_tTsj2ODnq2Ece-Gxf5_Ndfttl8bW8aGRDmB2_Zd4b3FsaaSJarF1b7gW0Vru-zbDB1592cBLZqq2vMzovvmZtrD8hWAcTo9gbz077PpWdWkXK6I2WLLi8yYntomgYM24QvyRw/s400/Untitled-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids came in and ate pizza, drank kool-aid and had cupcakes/cake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD7QtfTy00EqW1rLr5Dauno1UaomiEFJKNDOsaC8uZyFTwIa0si-OuptAfDKWdNNIjAsrkLOx4wg9lVthL9RjWnJaYMb__1uGksuDhZ5kRw90OTQkPh46IdAGzpayG7IGa7yczA/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCD7QtfTy00EqW1rLr5Dauno1UaomiEFJKNDOsaC8uZyFTwIa0si-OuptAfDKWdNNIjAsrkLOx4wg9lVthL9RjWnJaYMb__1uGksuDhZ5kRw90OTQkPh46IdAGzpayG7IGa7yczA/s400/Untitled-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8C-A6viv_UiY_w-Hm-vuoQpnlelGhZC35NpnUn_zYvi8iYZTt-CcmBeC72N7WZSWUh3dE4VZ7e73WbalWRANA9rM2_YDXGPBARIVShvbqDssRhwCEyYfP7HHU-hn1YAbgvY-WQ/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8C-A6viv_UiY_w-Hm-vuoQpnlelGhZC35NpnUn_zYvi8iYZTt-CcmBeC72N7WZSWUh3dE4VZ7e73WbalWRANA9rM2_YDXGPBARIVShvbqDssRhwCEyYfP7HHU-hn1YAbgvY-WQ/s400/Untitled-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoHYW85WQvWcLBBv39IMbZPPt_8WeHIfUecXgT8J_MAvTYmMVbMKP_MVzT9mMJxIBSTS0d83ZEhrU6o6V5uQXKAzD9VvRDgF1f8UXP-WbY6TOrF0LvbLlx4gRXiaoakxK2wc7Xw/s1600/Untitled-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoHYW85WQvWcLBBv39IMbZPPt_8WeHIfUecXgT8J_MAvTYmMVbMKP_MVzT9mMJxIBSTS0d83ZEhrU6o6V5uQXKAzD9VvRDgF1f8UXP-WbY6TOrF0LvbLlx4gRXiaoakxK2wc7Xw/s400/Untitled-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each guest took home a treat (circus peanuts or cotton candy in the plastic containers you see above) and a party favor that included these items from the $1 spot at Target:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtjnal__cspUBqmu759nc8QdXfHdy33AMLONkyd_4Nv7Ylvs12TY_rNfqCcREQinIjtouAIdpKRJDqD67BazdjyK36GI_fDYL3GXbUgKizBofv27d_IIXF_FZPMgKXrYE_ocuRQ/s1600/DSC_4197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtjnal__cspUBqmu759nc8QdXfHdy33AMLONkyd_4Nv7Ylvs12TY_rNfqCcREQinIjtouAIdpKRJDqD67BazdjyK36GI_fDYL3GXbUgKizBofv27d_IIXF_FZPMgKXrYE_ocuRQ/s400/DSC_4197.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Drew was one happy boy! He had such a blast with his friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLfHRLUpbvHRbq1rcpfYBwisKPIB2VWRJnDO2mbBkq_kRg0ieRhLzgHUfMaH4y_7zfnKzu88oBjq4YHRq37avK2y5KqPiJv_wgGGKxEYEKurJyU-3Fnh7F4ZYtW2_i5s1VHSYgg/s1600/DSC_3779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLfHRLUpbvHRbq1rcpfYBwisKPIB2VWRJnDO2mbBkq_kRg0ieRhLzgHUfMaH4y_7zfnKzu88oBjq4YHRq37avK2y5KqPiJv_wgGGKxEYEKurJyU-3Fnh7F4ZYtW2_i5s1VHSYgg/s400/DSC_3779.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-20961915607830688132011-10-23T15:51:00.005-05:002011-10-26T07:44:35.919-05:00Giveaway winner! 3 Lads I need your EMAIL!Sorry folks, I went out of town this weekend and just knew I'd forget to announce the winners last night! I know myself well apparently. Anyway, the 2 winners of the book and tights are 3 Lads and a Lass and One Fish (my cousin)! Congrats girls!!! 3 Lads and a Lass, I need your email address right away!!!<br />
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mama.musician.crafter@gmail.comLeihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-33016536968149926742011-10-18T11:06:00.007-05:002011-10-18T11:53:30.691-05:00Razzle-Dazzle Ruby giveaway!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKw1_JNW_yeEmzNJjt3xnei7md1EphxB4jIhy6ZlXKg-JFL8aRFqbe9AfohdlvUmnfYH1-yy0hjXdC3v48I2v4RdSIPRqk320nm6TT5OZp9D4fiN4DFD8NDzmzF39IXV1XoIQx8A/s1600/RazzleDazzleRuby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKw1_JNW_yeEmzNJjt3xnei7md1EphxB4jIhy6ZlXKg-JFL8aRFqbe9AfohdlvUmnfYH1-yy0hjXdC3v48I2v4RdSIPRqk320nm6TT5OZp9D4fiN4DFD8NDzmzF39IXV1XoIQx8A/s320/RazzleDazzleRuby.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If you have a little girl age 4-8, then you are in for a treat. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">2 My Many Colored Days readers will receive a copy of the book Razzle Dazzle Ruby and a pair of striped tights just like Ruby!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My official children's book reviewer (5 year old Sasha) and I found Ruby to be a very imaginative child, who like most little girls loves all things that sparkle, spin and twirl! The book is full of interactive pages that come alive with pull-tabs and picture wheels and colorful art that sparkles. Sasha fell in love with Ruby right away and so will your child!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here is a sneak peek into the book:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLR0ys86der9JyI2BblzhZBPiFGrzYKZdq-kNFA8VW6jDVHzxjjJTlFAz2245No-G59ITKlCQ3kyeasSTr9skjHlxpqw6jHz_PplsRQHN8-Gl_X8-Gi2AVKvcqriI9H-c9tDMvw/s1600/RazzleSpread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLR0ys86der9JyI2BblzhZBPiFGrzYKZdq-kNFA8VW6jDVHzxjjJTlFAz2245No-G59ITKlCQ3kyeasSTr9skjHlxpqw6jHz_PplsRQHN8-Gl_X8-Gi2AVKvcqriI9H-c9tDMvw/s400/RazzleSpread.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUkMRMy81rt5UZ-1J_dMcIx1Y65lk2HpkUTbtHajOYBONUEzwjEjTpBnj7BnyHwl073AFP4inReWXH9f9voXSZdeQTGNSAdjzdR-JkIDgwLr5N77aB0abcwDMjBchW-ngDvm6vA/s1600/RazzleSpread2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUkMRMy81rt5UZ-1J_dMcIx1Y65lk2HpkUTbtHajOYBONUEzwjEjTpBnj7BnyHwl073AFP4inReWXH9f9voXSZdeQTGNSAdjzdR-JkIDgwLr5N77aB0abcwDMjBchW-ngDvm6vA/s400/RazzleSpread2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{Watch the video sneak peek!}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object height="260" width="540"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/OZZsG1VaXCI&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/OZZsG1VaXCI&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="540" height="260"></embed></object></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" id="yui_3_2_0_1_1318952518905164" style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" id="yui_3_2_0_1_1318952518905164" style="color: #454545; display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1318952518905161"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From the publisher:</span></span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" id="yui_3_2_0_1_1318952518905164" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1318952518905161" style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" id="yui_3_2_0_1_1318952518905164" style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1318952518905161"></span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" style="display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #76a5af;">About the book:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c00000;"><u></u><u></u></span></b></span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" id="yui_3_2_0_1_1318952518905191" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1318952518905188" style="font-size: 11pt;">Ruby can make the ordinary extraordinary! Come skate on a shimmering pond, roll a giant snowball, sled down a snowy hill, and create soaring snow angels with her as she becomes a snow queen and transforms a typical winter day into a gleaming-beaming fairy tale. Combining glorious watercolors, elegant paper engineering, and whimsical storytelling, this joyful novelty picture book is sure to enchant children and adults.<u></u><u></u></span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" id="yui_3_2_0_1_1318952518905185" style="display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76a5af;">About the author:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c00000;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></b></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Masha D’yans is an award-winning artist. Her line of greeting cards, clothing, and home décor, featuring her alluring artwork, are sold at Target, Macy’s, Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, as well as other major retailers and smaller specialty shops. Originally from <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1318952518_10">St. Petersburg, Russia</span>, and classically trained at the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1318952518_11">St. Petersburg</span> Academy of Art Lyceum and subsequently at Cooper Union in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1318952518_12">New York City</span>, she now lives and works in Manhattan. <i>Razzle-Dazzle</i> Ruby is her first book. Vist her at <a href="http://www.masha.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #234786; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1318952518_13">www.masha.com</span></a> . </span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For more, you can also visit www.razzledazzleruby.com!</span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-leave a comment (1 entry)</span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-become a follower of this blog (1 entry)</span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;">-"like" Leilani Rogers, Photographer on Facebook </span><a href="http://facebook.com/leilani.rogers.photographer"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">HERE</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;">! (1 entry)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><i>**be sure you leave a comment for each thing you do**</i></span></span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #454545;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76a5af; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">GOOD LUCK! Winners will be announced Sat. evening, 7pm MST!</span></div><div class="yiv1643284660MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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</span></div>Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-80259109500436134332011-10-16T21:14:00.002-05:002011-10-16T21:49:22.285-05:00Painted Pumpkins and giveaway announcement!<div style="text-align: center;">Well - I did it. I made myself sit down and make something this week. Actually, I made a few things. I've been missing my paint brushes, fabric and tulle (oh my!).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hadn't painted pumpkins in a while. And I needed something to do last week with my kiddos for family night. You can see their pumpkins <a href="http://www.brownpaper--packages.com/2011/10/photography-with-lei-holiday.html"><span style="color: #999999;">here</span></a> (as part of my photography post at <a href="http://brownpaper--packages.com/"><span style="color: #999999;">Brown Paper Packages</span></a>). My porch this year is predominantly black and white, so this is what I came up with for my own this year:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9ewHJRSuRM1xjJzjcB4aJqBpkWCljYyz-ofKZei9SLeu-x7WqterwgcQZ-Aw2azN-y1lV5utmEZlbhDtS1e65mI7wzq04EaWPTyMNYU9oj0RUWS8i0Vc1SLey8RC-x1WeppWRQ/s1600/DSC_2502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9ewHJRSuRM1xjJzjcB4aJqBpkWCljYyz-ofKZei9SLeu-x7WqterwgcQZ-Aw2azN-y1lV5utmEZlbhDtS1e65mI7wzq04EaWPTyMNYU9oj0RUWS8i0Vc1SLey8RC-x1WeppWRQ/s400/DSC_2502.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The striped one was easy... I just followed the lines of the pumpkin. For the chevron pattern I actually used electrical tape. Trying to decide if I think it looks good that way or if I should paint the pattern. The polka dots are painted. And the damask pattern I found on google images. I printed it out and copied it onto the pumpkin. All 3 pumpkins took me about 30 minutes to finish. And I used craft paint, which dries quickly. So it was a fast project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the rest of my porch... tutorial for the wreath coming up in a few days!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9m18EQ95EXRD11nTMH0gNtO1sxQW1f5QrmgPxbml6mDAH5z1fN9WmkB97REpdS6Ywqzt7UXQumkUjbUwfU8DcDu65FadQkAAvK_EpuLKT5bnvWd7StA7NFU4WhCaSRvc0X2vaXw/s1600/DSC_2463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9m18EQ95EXRD11nTMH0gNtO1sxQW1f5QrmgPxbml6mDAH5z1fN9WmkB97REpdS6Ywqzt7UXQumkUjbUwfU8DcDu65FadQkAAvK_EpuLKT5bnvWd7StA7NFU4WhCaSRvc0X2vaXw/s640/DSC_2463.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">{Just love my big ole spider!!!}</div><br />
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One more thing - there will be a great giveaway here Tuesday! Let's just say that if you have a little girl age 4-6 yrs. you are definitely going to want to enter!<br />
<br />
See you then!Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-11544958223524169792011-09-30T08:51:00.001-05:002011-09-30T23:50:59.228-05:00Have a little fun with your photosI took some darling (if I do say so myself) pictures of my nephew a while back while he was staying with us for the weekend. He is at that perfectly delicious chubby age where all you want to do is keep them naked and kiss all their soft rolls! I knew I wanted to capture the details - his cute, chubby little hands, his beautiful long eyelashes, his roly poly legs... and I knew that I wanted to compile them in a fun and uniquely personal way for mom. <br />
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When my kids were little their aunt took some snapshots of them and set them to the words of favorite children's books. I always loved the idea. And since I am a photographer I set out to find the perfect words to go with all of Callister's cute new pictures. I settled on Counting Kisses, by Karen Katz. Of course, it shall now be named "Counting Kisses With Callister". :)<br />
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All I did for these pictures was add a solid colored block to the right side of each image, using photoshop. You can select a portion of the picture to be covered up and then filled in, or add a block using an enlarged template, depending on the composition of your image. It's really simple, especially if you already know the basics of photoshop.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These can be printed out and put in a photo album, or made into a book through Shutterfly. What a fun memento of baby's most darling stage! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Other books that would work great for this project:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I Love You Through and Through - Bernadette Rosetti Shustak (another good baby one - this is the one my sis-in-law used)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here Are My Hands - Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault (great for a preschooler)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Blue Hat Green Hat - Sandra Boynton (think how much fun a toddler would have with this)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Linking up with <a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Tatertots and Jello</span></a>!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Arial, Verdana; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"></span></div><h5 style="color: #555555; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Arial, Verdana; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;"><code><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://tatertotsandjello.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/978446890_7b2ZN-O2.png" /></a></code></h5>Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-5477678853550304602011-09-27T12:53:00.001-05:002011-09-27T12:58:37.036-05:00Christmas Dove Ornament TutorialAhem. Hello. :) Yes, I know this must look a little crazy. I fall off the face of the planet for a couple months and then come back in September with a Christmas ornament tutorial. Lol. Actually, the tutorial is old. I am bumping it up for Parenting Magazine, who wants to use my dove template in an upcoming article. Maybe though, this is just the kick in the pants I need to get back on top of this blog. I do miss it. For what it's worth - in short - life is good. Just busy, busy with my photography business and my 4 children. It's hard to do it all... my favorite quote as of late: "You can do anything, but you can't do everything." Wise words.<br />
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Anyway, on with the tutorial!<br />
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I came up with this idea after eyeing some fun ornaments in the Ballard Designs catalog a couple years ago, so I created a knock-off.<br />
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Here's theirs:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/lprogers1/ballarddove.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And here's mine:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsZ6Ge8A2XsinsEcqj6kA4LZgGYmF0eEH-qLhe_bcLQuqYqkCfRcnRuknI2LDBZ3kcJEJKK6rNm4myaq0Uqb8jZkCmys1IG3NE7EGS24r-M7RqSNh1Lejo_1SPizSpasKI1yo/s1600-h/DSC_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsZ6Ge8A2XsinsEcqj6kA4LZgGYmF0eEH-qLhe_bcLQuqYqkCfRcnRuknI2LDBZ3kcJEJKK6rNm4myaq0Uqb8jZkCmys1IG3NE7EGS24r-M7RqSNh1Lejo_1SPizSpasKI1yo/s320/DSC_0005.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I added a few simple clear ball ornaments that I simply painted peace signs onto using glitter glue (you know, the cheap stuff your kids like to play with?).<br />
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For the dove ornaments -<br />
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Materials used:<br />
cardboard<br />
dove template (see below)<br />
scrapbook paper<br />
silver sharpie<br />
mod podge<br />
triple thick<br />
brush for application<br />
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First, trace your template onto cardboard or other stiff backing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkABsAvrZOVmMOwFjhKdsa8JY1v3jD-Vx8CqjzdoTE7LUc0Gdka47BnVIlSlhysL3nEmvYbnu6W1M1EGj3QOi5csgYZ57rtDpUHyaNaOmPg0EzIbLbtzXW1lChCsSvuit1J9T2w/s1600/dove+template.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkABsAvrZOVmMOwFjhKdsa8JY1v3jD-Vx8CqjzdoTE7LUc0Gdka47BnVIlSlhysL3nEmvYbnu6W1M1EGj3QOi5csgYZ57rtDpUHyaNaOmPg0EzIbLbtzXW1lChCsSvuit1J9T2w/s320/dove+template.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Cut out and repeat with your scrapbook paper.<br />
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Before cutting out the template drawn on your scrapbook paper, find yourself a cup that is about the right sized circle for your distressed peace symbol. Find a corner to trace the rim of the cup on - you want just a hint of it to show. *Lightly* trace your circle and fill in the remainder of the peace sign. Get your silver sharpie out. If you look at mine closely I just barely shaded in my peace sign, I used quick, short, straight brush strokes on either side of the single line I'd drawn with my pencil, keeping the thickness even all the way around. I realize not everyone can freehand this kind of thing, but it really just takes a little bit of practice. You might want to play around with a scrap piece of paper first. :)<br />
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Now you are ready to cut out your scrapbook dove and mod podge it onto your cardboard backing. Now, I call these ornaments but mine do not actually hang on my tree. I opted to stick them in with evergreen boughs in various places around my house - in a bowl as a centerpiece, and on my mantle. If you want it to serve as an actual ornament, you will obviously need to punch a hole before you apply the mod podge.<br />
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Let the mod podge dry about 15 minutes and apply your triple thick as a top coat. let the triple thick dry for at least 20 minutes. The triple thick is shiny, so it makes the ornament look classy, not like you just slapped some paper on an old piece of cardboard! Love that.<br />
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Here are some additional pictures!<br />
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In a bowl on the center of my craft room table :<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbClQf7Pf-LpJMMzT2NqAYw3gtQRIDVASWUfoaP8AGdUQgZkKoo-uGM-Z4J73UyRt2MWAmAu9oIOtd-44iVLwo17gHqee0x8Uj5CsIabjBfb0Cz7tGIWM_yGPsBRr8Gv7lYpo/s1600-h/DSC_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbClQf7Pf-LpJMMzT2NqAYw3gtQRIDVASWUfoaP8AGdUQgZkKoo-uGM-Z4J73UyRt2MWAmAu9oIOtd-44iVLwo17gHqee0x8Uj5CsIabjBfb0Cz7tGIWM_yGPsBRr8Gv7lYpo/s320/DSC_0008.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A spin off - just brown craft paper with silver polka dots:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJqbYjenaeRUwk416Q3S6pb1CDNRz3MW09HM8oBat76xkUtwmfqi9OUn8R_d1WoiN-KEwrKySzu3vUcLZpQsADCD4P_FRirzHQuD4VewJ9Nd0YIcH-0p4C004vw6CUbnwfh1_/s1600-h/DSC_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJqbYjenaeRUwk416Q3S6pb1CDNRz3MW09HM8oBat76xkUtwmfqi9OUn8R_d1WoiN-KEwrKySzu3vUcLZpQsADCD4P_FRirzHQuD4VewJ9Nd0YIcH-0p4C004vw6CUbnwfh1_/s320/DSC_0010.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And since I was really feeling the natural color scheme Ballard had going on that year, I made a paper chain to "match":<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrspy0bBc9viPkwl664kdk10S93J69pXMKRjHC378M7dO7DF1ZIsq7nfqjtJfnQ3KbwVhiEa6xEgSbqEZx8VhHXU4rRLje_Dhg8pbgB6Cb8_ubAYVdiP5w6nqHOmpiq9FhU-_G/s1600-h/DSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrspy0bBc9viPkwl664kdk10S93J69pXMKRjHC378M7dO7DF1ZIsq7nfqjtJfnQ3KbwVhiEa6xEgSbqEZx8VhHXU4rRLje_Dhg8pbgB6Cb8_ubAYVdiP5w6nqHOmpiq9FhU-_G/s320/DSC_0009.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Lastly, here is a full shot of my mantle, with little silver birdies tucked in there, a crystal bead wreath, some ornaments up inside my sconces, and who knows what else to come... I'll continue to add to it, probably:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZG5xZef_8-7ry8sXrFGH_ar02AWrOv7QIZ6LTCVTMrPVmOJv3TXiN0s1CiIP3615kRe4hDcZvXYv_TD-QN5AoTF59yH-E76gvUfq8dhK5hKsbAfP9577hUV9XnnYLzVOfT9x/s1600-h/DSC_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZG5xZef_8-7ry8sXrFGH_ar02AWrOv7QIZ6LTCVTMrPVmOJv3TXiN0s1CiIP3615kRe4hDcZvXYv_TD-QN5AoTF59yH-E76gvUfq8dhK5hKsbAfP9577hUV9XnnYLzVOfT9x/s320/DSC_0017.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4xVJYe7Qo98bm28jw0pJGmZnHL9yJ3_DBFZQ5-5o7OfL_rqdHffdAkE5C2jyyKcu2nKjlDkkDo9lFmrtLpHdh4MBnOsiBQCGblJi2c2iZW5ONV15M6WNJBreFwIlGBPN0obD/s1600-h/DSC_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4xVJYe7Qo98bm28jw0pJGmZnHL9yJ3_DBFZQ5-5o7OfL_rqdHffdAkE5C2jyyKcu2nKjlDkkDo9lFmrtLpHdh4MBnOsiBQCGblJi2c2iZW5ONV15M6WNJBreFwIlGBPN0obD/s320/DSC_0023.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Enjoy!!!Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-91640952873924043412011-06-24T11:33:00.000-05:002011-06-24T11:33:33.781-05:00Ballet Birthday Party<div style="text-align: center;">I spend most of spring and summer planning birthday parties for my kids. It's so fun for me. Sasha is turning 5 and wants a ballet party. Since I've danced for half my life, I'm probably just as excited about this as she is! She's taking dance classes this summer and I see many more in her future.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've got some fun, fun stuff planned for this party. I made the invitations last night and I love how they turned out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfDB63w5i6c7Kcyq1JPE9NiI1nuktZssuqP3E3EngUQIq12a6V3ekK3UnBS-CC6R_Ulo31iNiqNFLabkAVz1kprIHKMaGgV3Zdbk6MYh5YGdaSaPvMSMPBzg10qJrJLGb6tpFoA/s1600/DSC_1556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfDB63w5i6c7Kcyq1JPE9NiI1nuktZssuqP3E3EngUQIq12a6V3ekK3UnBS-CC6R_Ulo31iNiqNFLabkAVz1kprIHKMaGgV3Zdbk6MYh5YGdaSaPvMSMPBzg10qJrJLGb6tpFoA/s400/DSC_1556.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just bought plain, white, blank note cards and wrote "You're invited" on the front, and tied each invitation closed with a strip of pink tulle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98FqyWpljZCDXBQ3aqH6uqq-NB3OOM_J7wxAPRI8fy-ya4PDIjwiYV2i166ADsa1kqOEST6TSJedd5apQ-PWhrqBoer9RZ7ALESH7ecp1SwsznxeZyofdnU0W3mhdps0n739dbg/s1600/DSC_1551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98FqyWpljZCDXBQ3aqH6uqq-NB3OOM_J7wxAPRI8fy-ya4PDIjwiYV2i166ADsa1kqOEST6TSJedd5apQ-PWhrqBoer9RZ7ALESH7ecp1SwsznxeZyofdnU0W3mhdps0n739dbg/s400/DSC_1551.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The inside has all the info covered with what looks like a curtain. And under the curtain it says "Please draw the curtain for Sasha who is turning 5", along with all the party info.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz31LEvejXI0iVVFov3vxPSiL1ehi8ylOIQiqqJcRpKtkwBU3Nsjub8z3kyoctk8aXAt2UlPZyvuDk31S6LLErq6Zowmt22RZ8wl8UMybc7FInALaMZSMnoLQFB6Z0L-IycHRhg/s1600/DSC_1550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz31LEvejXI0iVVFov3vxPSiL1ehi8ylOIQiqqJcRpKtkwBU3Nsjub8z3kyoctk8aXAt2UlPZyvuDk31S6LLErq6Zowmt22RZ8wl8UMybc7FInALaMZSMnoLQFB6Z0L-IycHRhg/s400/DSC_1550.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here are a few hints as to what's in store on the big day:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ribbon wands a la Angelina Ballerina</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">face paint</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">flowers for all the little performers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't wait!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-5685327028892783862011-06-22T12:06:00.001-05:002011-06-22T12:07:44.709-05:00Getting out of auto mode!!!Hey friends! I'm at <a href="http://www.brownpaper--packages.com/2011/06/photography-with-lei-shutter-iso-speed.html"><span style="color: #999999;">Brown Paper Packages</span></a> today with part II of getting out of auto mode! Go check it out, and if you missed part I, you can read that <a href="http://www.brownpaper--packages.com/2011/06/photography-with-lei-getting-out-of.html"><span style="color: #999999;">HERE</span></a>.<br />
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Also, I was nominated for best birth photographer at Get Babied <a href="http://www.getbabied.com/austin-birth-awards"><span style="color: #999999;">HERE</span></a>. Would love it if you voted for me! There are other categories like prenatal photography (maternity) and newborn, too! Thanks so much or your support. :)<br />
Ciao!Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-57591454815451997842011-06-17T20:51:00.004-05:002011-06-17T22:26:31.446-05:00Father's Day PrintableWell I finally got around to creating a tag for my husband's Father's Day gift. This year we are making him a treat jar for his desk at work. However, it is personalized just like a candygram. Thought maybe some of you might like it, so I created a printable for you!!!<br />
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<a title="View Father's Day Tag on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/58132753/Father-s-Day-Tag" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">Father's Day Tag</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/58132753/content?start_page=1&view_mode=slideshow&access_key=key-1guyybcm56k385af1nb8" data-auto-height="true" data-aspect-ratio="1.2938689217759" scrolling="no" id="doc_60374" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">(function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();</script><br />
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I've never done this before, so hopefully it works. :)<br />
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Linking up:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2011/06/weekend-wrap-up-party-and-modbe.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OkqIl6pMlBffwFTx3OlDtQWIAMTzOyUMbNDLa9Efn2XCaRYT6J98yKR2CdBJLCSFmMFdYd4bcMT7SRm4HmCrYv8G6ZryqhW2_pjCz7Xb0LpMIEBxWSqZ0cmPUPlLuqphwAWARA/s320/tatertots+and+jello+weekend.png" /></a></div>Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-59532163954720721192011-06-12T22:09:00.008-05:002011-06-17T22:27:44.937-05:00Star Wars Birthday PartyMy son Jonah turned 9 a couple weeks ago and he asked for a Star Wars themed party! We had so much fun with this!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtntw25TisAO91-NHcDBzxx5gwPbfGECwTUz0Pc7A7rqh38q81vj7OrRJ-_GYK95XyCOF6tW010djtv12vvh0rUwGEHCShruaVyziJVciHuuYoRYvS4bU5DE-Drz_5MuybvK93FA/s1600/blog14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtntw25TisAO91-NHcDBzxx5gwPbfGECwTUz0Pc7A7rqh38q81vj7OrRJ-_GYK95XyCOF6tW010djtv12vvh0rUwGEHCShruaVyziJVciHuuYoRYvS4bU5DE-Drz_5MuybvK93FA/s400/blog14.jpg" t8="true" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As guests arrived, this is what they saw on the front door... I wanted it to look like the begining of the movies, kind of trailing off, but I didn't have much time to fiddle with it. My wording was inspired by the invitation on <a href="http://shindig-parties.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-son-in-no-uncertain-terms-decided.html"><span style="color: #999999;">Shindig</span></a>.</div><br />
Our first activity was balloon popping. I failed to get a picture, but I tied a balloon to each kid's ankle and they had to pop it with the other foot. Not as easy as you think. ;) Inside each balloon was a yoda sticker for them to wear.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DtGsS57jtMxsFiuRF2H7EHan5uRYdL9JlXoJcj0ePv0zyajmltHyhvG9IyZJ42748cdrGkmg3XuMpt7GbbtTJG9jWhkpUZdpRnLomFVWAYjq3ScEFHbtq60-tJT2yCl0Tj9R3Q/s1600/blog15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DtGsS57jtMxsFiuRF2H7EHan5uRYdL9JlXoJcj0ePv0zyajmltHyhvG9IyZJ42748cdrGkmg3XuMpt7GbbtTJG9jWhkpUZdpRnLomFVWAYjq3ScEFHbtq60-tJT2yCl0Tj9R3Q/s400/blog15.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div>Next up the boys were split into 2 teams and had a relay to see who could cross Mustafar (lava) the fastest. The catch was they had to do it one at a time, using 2 stones all the way across. When one boy finished, he had to run the 2 stones back to the next in line, and so forth. We had some wind issues with the tablecloths staying down, but it was still a lot of fun. Even the girls played!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">{the idea for this game came from<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999;"> </span><a href="http://www.ehow.com/list_5988290_star-wars-birthday-games-play.html"><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999;">here</span></a>}</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUuZVp_cYz57Z49AYxpKGgaoduOvuaG9_8ybosI2SZ5qQKcIR9d2PWrW7YkSRXo5Pkq6D1WHJVx0VFk8o1a5zM0r1i7dRfUdouFWeiXgjtH_x6IeMdbZDiQqOx3c88brSjN1JbA/s1600/Untitled-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUuZVp_cYz57Z49AYxpKGgaoduOvuaG9_8ybosI2SZ5qQKcIR9d2PWrW7YkSRXo5Pkq6D1WHJVx0VFk8o1a5zM0r1i7dRfUdouFWeiXgjtH_x6IeMdbZDiQqOx3c88brSjN1JbA/s400/Untitled-14.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">After the relay game we got out the water. It was a HOT day. I drew a vulture droid on our driveway and let the kids "shoot" at it with water guns.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvzwK5fg1f8RrYgXuZr4tNc8T12F9XiqkA9tKFQ5b7Bwc5rtVmIsTjmzy3uNRVOxiE6oPqEpBn9FfPkcMsz2m8XQ0aa3jrmF8w9aTxLqgZ5iSWiu-eHxKuM2CuM_jVcknl1ipWw/s1600/Untitled-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvzwK5fg1f8RrYgXuZr4tNc8T12F9XiqkA9tKFQ5b7Bwc5rtVmIsTjmzy3uNRVOxiE6oPqEpBn9FfPkcMsz2m8XQ0aa3jrmF8w9aTxLqgZ5iSWiu-eHxKuM2CuM_jVcknl1ipWw/s400/Untitled-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{I also borrowed this idea but I cannot remember where from!}</div><br />
Next we had a Jedi training session. Which was nothing short of hilarious. I had my brother lead the training (same brother who played bouncer at Adriana's <a href="http://accordingtolei.blogspot.com/2010/04/party-like-rockstar-birthday-party.html"><span style="color: #999999;">Rock Star party</span></a>). Honing his karate skills of old, he conocted some ingenius moves such as the Jedi side kick, and Jedi side punch. Real original, eh? He also demonstrated Jedi Mind Tricking by forcing his wife to hop on one foot and bark like a dog. Needless to say, the adults were rolling, but the boys ate it up!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPYnTGRPKwMqd8LP4V3gfmB8dH1NADROZgvc-Yd48ThgrjCxtXkAITP4ZA50tdqM4CmKX2L-K1FotA6iCQ0L5uI5JA4zJAOD6tTU_wGMDzjgWcjCybXvIpxRL4N8blwzSzsDQNA/s1600/Untitled-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPYnTGRPKwMqd8LP4V3gfmB8dH1NADROZgvc-Yd48ThgrjCxtXkAITP4ZA50tdqM4CmKX2L-K1FotA6iCQ0L5uI5JA4zJAOD6tTU_wGMDzjgWcjCybXvIpxRL4N8blwzSzsDQNA/s400/Untitled-10.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKOovNR3qi7do3tfvZ8ZXxQLTarSAcj8pRTJ0YbNTFPL0RNJSwZCA6QJJ5l1qPHsuHLnkKcE5stb-bjvEnWU_ApfP0Hy40GwCxX2nd4srJR7Sl0snIoPuYssBf7SuDBUQl3QtWQ/s1600/Untitled-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKOovNR3qi7do3tfvZ8ZXxQLTarSAcj8pRTJ0YbNTFPL0RNJSwZCA6QJJ5l1qPHsuHLnkKcE5stb-bjvEnWU_ApfP0Hy40GwCxX2nd4srJR7Sl0snIoPuYssBf7SuDBUQl3QtWQ/s400/Untitled-11.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next it was time for a little break. We feasted before the Jedi Awards Ceremony with a buffet of Star Wars themed snacks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUWjfCxqElfSvuZMCeghElcWCXrl3jk54-IoRHWKo0OswSlx7-3Hvda4JSz_53_lPuS2yNcrLkGFA7Ox5qBAN3o2nKr_M38tjgnjsn955eCxSrH00nES54RHQ-Jc1g5EXhIm-Aw/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUWjfCxqElfSvuZMCeghElcWCXrl3jk54-IoRHWKo0OswSlx7-3Hvda4JSz_53_lPuS2yNcrLkGFA7Ox5qBAN3o2nKr_M38tjgnjsn955eCxSrH00nES54RHQ-Jc1g5EXhIm-Aw/s400/Untitled-1.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyK0TEtruXGOB4h-WFVLwYCD6XajUbD3JhzE9cCOYJsAjOjyYkkx-52H9m_qChf8Wf-fD4lrj7OtLojHywb3VhtacLUPt3-4znZUk5_Rj8G-0fmioSDkRo1M-0OTRHWhbaEaMEw/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyK0TEtruXGOB4h-WFVLwYCD6XajUbD3JhzE9cCOYJsAjOjyYkkx-52H9m_qChf8Wf-fD4lrj7OtLojHywb3VhtacLUPt3-4znZUk5_Rj8G-0fmioSDkRo1M-0OTRHWhbaEaMEw/s400/Untitled-2.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyh4YOBV-YYUDrVSz2ODZ2JpgGOb6ETL814GZ2YtxS2cOE56znMRokirgV6gGz9Caa81Z5figSUT_pHj9oZmggHDsEBK-G4Gqy0vtGciwg2JNvKsMPICySgMEJmi3buCm7Cxz9w/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyh4YOBV-YYUDrVSz2ODZ2JpgGOb6ETL814GZ2YtxS2cOE56znMRokirgV6gGz9Caa81Z5figSUT_pHj9oZmggHDsEBK-G4Gqy0vtGciwg2JNvKsMPICySgMEJmi3buCm7Cxz9w/s400/Untitled-3.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbt6voZdYwoBzUfVEx8LLDepnEkwcfrtL9uIuamfmjpKMn0K03aIRqwKPl52vhgMVyoeLJaLtYfD3SNxNL2Tg_e5qacwrpo4ecckf8N1btzD9LFvM9yY3vz8DfFF-DHXr6dDQ1GA/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbt6voZdYwoBzUfVEx8LLDepnEkwcfrtL9uIuamfmjpKMn0K03aIRqwKPl52vhgMVyoeLJaLtYfD3SNxNL2Tg_e5qacwrpo4ecckf8N1btzD9LFvM9yY3vz8DfFF-DHXr6dDQ1GA/s400/Untitled-4.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGd5Dau3j-Nd-4rpSJrAlMKHFoKfkiC6do2GIlx5MZqAqvOHm_BirU6IvQEg_6VtasVTLzMvR5kFjjTb6O4EpC8pXxgTs-IouvbDzdjrBX7qywAHD8-P57HLk9_JJM9CtJ4Vr1w/s1600/Untitled-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGd5Dau3j-Nd-4rpSJrAlMKHFoKfkiC6do2GIlx5MZqAqvOHm_BirU6IvQEg_6VtasVTLzMvR5kFjjTb6O4EpC8pXxgTs-IouvbDzdjrBX7qywAHD8-P57HLk9_JJM9CtJ4Vr1w/s640/Untitled-5.jpg" t8="true" width="433" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{some of the food ideas came from Shindig as well - the yoda soda was my favorite! lime sherbet in lemon-lime soda}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FLTbgHDS6FNpK2KRoYjaOG505YlH0IbL4fOmrDxkEEJ6XMzm42qJ-_Fmq0g3V46q1N3ToiIHfvXJ7vj-Py4uXgpc0MOcCmuesFfsPVaWU0PtSGlDv_6LLol292aBFHbMjtgwew/s1600/Untitled-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FLTbgHDS6FNpK2KRoYjaOG505YlH0IbL4fOmrDxkEEJ6XMzm42qJ-_Fmq0g3V46q1N3ToiIHfvXJ7vj-Py4uXgpc0MOcCmuesFfsPVaWU0PtSGlDv_6LLol292aBFHbMjtgwew/s400/Untitled-6.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wanted a good vs. evil themed table, so I stuck primarily to black and white-ish foods. The white side of the table represented "The Force" and the black side of the table represented "The Dark Side". Even the cake had a little good vs. evil going on... originally Jonah just wanted cookies (he's not a big cake person), but we saw this cake at Target the night before while picking up some last minute items. It had bright flowers all over the top, but I just scraped them off and re-iced it and added the lettering. Dang that cake was yummy! So were the little cupcakes around it... green key lime flavored and appropriately named "Jaba Cakes"!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-by4pRwCg2met1f4JMMM8NKat0zkYoVbprC86UOccDohzYsld7TrbZISRqj5AMgm6Ug43hNFKU1OjSH-JyE96jTgZos99D3kJU1QS8YvT9f-ByagA4rm8kuPKIBjypv1XqL6bDg/s1600/blog13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-by4pRwCg2met1f4JMMM8NKat0zkYoVbprC86UOccDohzYsld7TrbZISRqj5AMgm6Ug43hNFKU1OjSH-JyE96jTgZos99D3kJU1QS8YvT9f-ByagA4rm8kuPKIBjypv1XqL6bDg/s400/blog13.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The boys went back outside and were each awarded by name ("Master _______") with a light saber made from pool noodles. I've seen these in pictures all over blogland, but no real tutorials. I cut each of 4 noodles in half, wrapped one end in silver duct tape, edged the same end with black electrical tape above and below the duct tape, and added few dot stickers (the kind you use for price tags at garage sales) to look like buttons.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Armed with their new light sabers, the boys then played a game of keeping a balloon up in the air, using just their light saber. The wind made this the perfect challenge and they loved it! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYvY8ej0fo9_XzWXGeFXQ6ouVUs6rARHDiAGZX15HwQL_aR42BEzg72bnXjYWsGfbopk5QEDMPyOq7WmlSUE7KnpLqjuHWKIX_M3DAU2YI0g7EIzl_tVeiMHhQ48raRIHeyeoNw/s1600/Untitled-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYvY8ej0fo9_XzWXGeFXQ6ouVUs6rARHDiAGZX15HwQL_aR42BEzg72bnXjYWsGfbopk5QEDMPyOq7WmlSUE7KnpLqjuHWKIX_M3DAU2YI0g7EIzl_tVeiMHhQ48raRIHeyeoNw/s400/Untitled-9.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The boys ran around a bit and chased each other and whacked each other a few times with their light sabers (good thing they're soft). So for the pinata we opted to use a pullstring. I figured enough "striking" had gone on and it was a nice way to settle down before they went home. I filled the pinata with Star Wars fruit snacks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKvscZ7Z3GFi6_gwdgWSZwIA_RLOyPbLKztaDl0ziAPmjoCoU1xWHFtiXnhbgnLgWUNMC73TmSg13qDHCVygdbjL5bE-BD1Su1cQJFvrdKjpvSDxqTaZjYZiIuDH2b9HC0DIWqQ/s1600/blog31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKvscZ7Z3GFi6_gwdgWSZwIA_RLOyPbLKztaDl0ziAPmjoCoU1xWHFtiXnhbgnLgWUNMC73TmSg13qDHCVygdbjL5bE-BD1Su1cQJFvrdKjpvSDxqTaZjYZiIuDH2b9HC0DIWqQ/s640/blog31.jpg" t8="true" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We all headed inside and played a quick game up "Pin the astroid on the spaceship". It came with 3D glasses (presumably to be used AFTER the blindfold? lol) which was fun. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-q5UZ50Zp9k70ql1j3KBc_kOkOmFDm01b-9xaO3vHVRhtr9nWyyHVkD4bjImPbUoADMUCR57e2nRyzdbd-Vln0RuGJPyaqNj0ZBc4UoYqb6aacqlpTuGhQ9ReaHExQrFzjOk5WA/s1600/Untitled-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-q5UZ50Zp9k70ql1j3KBc_kOkOmFDm01b-9xaO3vHVRhtr9nWyyHVkD4bjImPbUoADMUCR57e2nRyzdbd-Vln0RuGJPyaqNj0ZBc4UoYqb6aacqlpTuGhQ9ReaHExQrFzjOk5WA/s640/Untitled-7.jpg" t8="true" width="449" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcgqOBXM48GyxteLf-5x8K6fID1rXqFtYjpPvDx0hS2ZDfKAp-WhHEoI7G7XK7YtbImOrElvkf0Mo4-rqeqh9cfXqoVoVYowAUBdW4OZjoGnwKOc8gedoUtLrEgFNqPuaEF7w5A/s1600/blog35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcgqOBXM48GyxteLf-5x8K6fID1rXqFtYjpPvDx0hS2ZDfKAp-WhHEoI7G7XK7YtbImOrElvkf0Mo4-rqeqh9cfXqoVoVYowAUBdW4OZjoGnwKOc8gedoUtLrEgFNqPuaEF7w5A/s640/blog35.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{my cute niece looking a little bug-eyed!}</div><br />
Finally, Jonah opened his gifts. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyuyNce0YupgHV4dNcd4GaF_ZXvrgYV7vKXjhvDeOFwxf4Av350QMF6Iws_7kolAzaZqox5-57XWNv7TwTdQSB-NsTNSy8WYRNiv4L1PmWtP-c7GyyWsX-v84alEFTGwfGC654A/s1600/blog36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyuyNce0YupgHV4dNcd4GaF_ZXvrgYV7vKXjhvDeOFwxf4Av350QMF6Iws_7kolAzaZqox5-57XWNv7TwTdQSB-NsTNSy8WYRNiv4L1PmWtP-c7GyyWsX-v84alEFTGwfGC654A/s640/blog36.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Parents came and each boy left with a party favor box filled with Star Wars themed items I found at Party City.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-kYCLhpqVwNuSPDN0d6piJsV8mGNMcW3YUVfQcP_VipmduAQQAnRJmOolqq1jA1k5Lo8Naa4ceUrI8zLWTt7jzY0V5FaFC7b9iQlb2x8kVVKBTjijGMNxgDFR1Afxa1I4aWopg/s1600/Untitled-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-kYCLhpqVwNuSPDN0d6piJsV8mGNMcW3YUVfQcP_VipmduAQQAnRJmOolqq1jA1k5Lo8Naa4ceUrI8zLWTt7jzY0V5FaFC7b9iQlb2x8kVVKBTjijGMNxgDFR1Afxa1I4aWopg/s400/Untitled-8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We had a great time. As much as I enjoy the frills and fun of my girls' birthday parties, I enjoy the adventure and challenge of coming up with creative boy party ideas!</div><br />
Linking up:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/2011/06/weekend-wrap-up-party-and-modbe.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3E_noJXSUr3Lf1pVPi_zr3ZRR-1Wx4kwcwqsT1ZHNzdlGO6NtsqPaRCXm3v23hAuXMHz9fbnqMSF2Vby5-KYTxJa06ShyphenhyphenUKiHGMkh6rYG70H9p92IK30CjrImtmoFJt8DLj0qOw/s320/tatertots+and+jello+weekend.png" /></a></div>Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-15858653769826236572011-06-02T09:15:00.001-05:002011-06-02T09:37:43.211-05:00Photography NewsHi guys! I have had a very productive photography week, and just had to share some fun stuff with you all. FIRST, I got to shoot some images of my dear friend Emily and her business partner Jennifer on Monday for the magazine "Where Women Create". Sweet, huh? My photos are totally gong to be in a magazine. And I LOVE "Where Women Create". So, double the pleasure! Em and Jen own a shop called Hopscotch Road here in Austin. You should really check out some of their artistry <a href="http://hopscotchroad.com/visit-us.html"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">HERE</span></a>. Their work is top notch.<br />
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SECOND I've entered another people's choice contest at <a href="http://iheartfaces.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">I Heart Faces</span></a>. It was totally on a whim and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they'd featured my photo on their facebook page within just a couple hours! What an honor!!! So I am feeling really good about my entry:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKUONMDYa3nCQ8M35bWea7j3F6tBOKp5rzsxPIVI1nEQQTflOlq0jHsf-xzNUqyfy7MEXMePFtiMefojVY9KYgC5Aqdn0RGhnbg0NxhnrzPaspbHKpgS2ckfJpQkcjVf3sL3Z-w/s1600/DSC_6990a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKUONMDYa3nCQ8M35bWea7j3F6tBOKp5rzsxPIVI1nEQQTflOlq0jHsf-xzNUqyfy7MEXMePFtiMefojVY9KYgC5Aqdn0RGhnbg0NxhnrzPaspbHKpgS2ckfJpQkcjVf3sL3Z-w/s400/DSC_6990a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I'd be super duper happy if you all would go add some votes! <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2011/06/peoples-choice-vote/#more-5138"><span style="color: #666666;">HERE</span></a> is the link - I am #80!!! Leilani Rogers!!! You can vote for 10 different photos but only once per IP address, so spread the word for me, would ya? Love you all!Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-62966937797332669502011-05-27T16:16:00.000-05:002011-05-27T16:16:02.310-05:00Bittersweet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/lprogers1/13615624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f320/lprogers1/13615624.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{cute alphabet border idea to make with your kids}</div><br />
So I know you are all in the midst of end of school chaos just like me, right? It's so, so crazy. Why exactly, I do not know. I feel like things just get crammed in! Ugh. Anyway, last night my baby graduated from preschool. I can hardly believe that I won't have any kids home with me next year. They'll all be gone. Sigh.<br />
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I took a good look around her classroom and got a little misty-eyed. The shaving cream art will dwindle. The froot loop necklaces will soon be a memory. The singing programs? I think I will miss them the most. My youngest is moving on up... to reading and writing and arithmetic. School will become more serious and less "fun". I realize I can still provide her with fun learning, no doubt about it, but I love going through her backpack and never knowing what surprise I am going to find in there. Not to mention, what she can accomplish on her own, as she becomes more independent. I am just in awe of how quickly they learn self-sufficency.<br />
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Last night she and her little friends had a mini processional as they took the stage for their final "number" during the graduation program... Before they walked they were each asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. My daughter proudly said "a mommy". I am so grateful to have left a positive impression in her mind of what it means to be a mommy. We all have those horrifying moments where we hope and pray they will forget the mommy tantrums, the regretful words spoken in frustration, or the moments where we just don't want to be near them. It's normal, all of it, but above it all my daughter recognizes that being a mom - her mom - makes me happy. And that it is a worthwhile goal to become one herself. It's a great note to end on, so to speak.... before she flies a little further from my nest. Sniff.Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-72224136463393841952011-05-22T14:41:00.001-05:002011-05-22T14:43:42.758-05:00A few of my favorite things (right now)...Wow. 13 days since I last blogged. In that time frame I have had numerous photo shoots (mainly seniors hurrying to get their announcements out), my first wedding, the beginning of end-of-year school activities (I am room mom x 2), 2 birthdays, a visit from grandparents, illness and a travelling husband. BUT things are slowing down. I miss blogging. Sigh.<br />
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To bring you up to speed I've got some pictures of a few goodies I've acquired recently - not only did I celebrate Mother's Day, but also my 36th birthday and a visit from my favorite shopping partner in crime, my mother-in-law. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFzXOrqBasGhVZAgHw-m69PB-5byEs2KZInIa4QoVZ_c-y-U30Lc_QOpuhEvDHMlbB8Rg7fnb2D8RjOOLiITah-w0RFwWxjC-hntzrYs2xt-BrX79Owi61exxj1qA10i-xTrPpw/s1600/DSC_9688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFzXOrqBasGhVZAgHw-m69PB-5byEs2KZInIa4QoVZ_c-y-U30Lc_QOpuhEvDHMlbB8Rg7fnb2D8RjOOLiITah-w0RFwWxjC-hntzrYs2xt-BrX79Owi61exxj1qA10i-xTrPpw/s400/DSC_9688.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My living room got 2 new color additions, that of a delicious rosette pillow from Target (top) and an almost forgotten corsage pillow I bought years ago at Cost Plus/World Market (below). So glad I kept it around.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycvrm-euQtRg491mmDmsMaiLQiS-dyOLjoT2d1V8pcBPtV6Z6R2zv2xH42f9Pk-h8rnVUdBWfFzbmiH44BpM4HUKqFZYlRyRQBw6ce-Qvy0tnmOJrhviRyHtJbFhvQ34tjINeBw/s1600/DSC_9692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycvrm-euQtRg491mmDmsMaiLQiS-dyOLjoT2d1V8pcBPtV6Z6R2zv2xH42f9Pk-h8rnVUdBWfFzbmiH44BpM4HUKqFZYlRyRQBw6ce-Qvy0tnmOJrhviRyHtJbFhvQ34tjINeBw/s640/DSC_9692.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've also stated a collection of architectural, chunky, pillar candle holders. Hope to have a big jumble of them here one day.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One more new pillow from Target...</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out this lovely that my brother/sister-in-law gave me for my birthday! I love it so much.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5NuugHZPvL8Np3fR0cq3LUDbpr0Nxo1O6maiVCrE6rYltrjh4_FCOXETmt08Q8xrNxdd3TI73aVTDa1FuvTTqLH7jZ9_GVRgsSBOc1_8UI-LZXlwbu5gS58ptSbv87Hw5mx3WQ/s1600/DSC_9702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY5NuugHZPvL8Np3fR0cq3LUDbpr0Nxo1O6maiVCrE6rYltrjh4_FCOXETmt08Q8xrNxdd3TI73aVTDa1FuvTTqLH7jZ9_GVRgsSBOc1_8UI-LZXlwbu5gS58ptSbv87Hw5mx3WQ/s640/DSC_9702.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I finally bought myself some converse. I love them. Even with all my Texas-sized jewelry.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this is perhaps the creme de la creme of my recent finds. Of course my lucky charm mother-in-law was with me... she usually is when I discover something BIG. I have needed a desk - an actual desk - for my office ever since I redecorated it (<a href="http://accordingtolei.blogspot.com/2010/10/from-dining-room-to-design-room.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">HERE</span></a>). I had been sitting on a stool in front of an armoire banging my legs on drawers every, stinking, day, for months. But I couldn't find anything I loved. A short stop into Austin Consignment Shop and I stumbled upon this beauty... post 1950s (mid century modern) Steelcase desk. I am in love with it. It is in mint condition. I don't think the guy realized what it was worth. I came home and checked ebay for a ballpark figure. There is an exact replica of this one currently going for over $900. Guess how much I paid? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">$300.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3SRH_nK5e7l2t6WuoJXgSiJrWnFV71ScCNkOGNVAjAeUFct8Zd6JCzvBSe-I3VTm9y5AkSB0NukCLzgnpy8bnLfVHWuz5NZswWHZ5A4fmf74Yk5H0hAE95W03VcP_sbS6Dvv_w/s1600/DSC_9735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3SRH_nK5e7l2t6WuoJXgSiJrWnFV71ScCNkOGNVAjAeUFct8Zd6JCzvBSe-I3VTm9y5AkSB0NukCLzgnpy8bnLfVHWuz5NZswWHZ5A4fmf74Yk5H0hAE95W03VcP_sbS6Dvv_w/s400/DSC_9735.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Squueeeaaal!!! All I need now is a hot pink office chair. ;)</div>Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-10698368932054784562011-05-12T10:31:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:39:36.125-05:00Photography Questions answered at a blog near you...Hey! Just a quick reminder to any <a href="http://brownpaperpackages.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #999999;">Brown Paper Packages</span></a> readers that questions for Wednesday's post can be emailed to me at <a href="mailto:photosbylei@yahoo.com"><span style="color: #999999;">photosbylei@yahoo.com</span></a>. And for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, I am doing a photography series at BPP every other Wed. This next Wed. I'll be answering your photography questions! So if you have any, feel free to join in!!! <a href="http://www.brownpaper--packages.com/2011/05/photography-with-lei-candid-shots.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">HERE'S</span></a> last week's post in case you missed it.<br />
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Wish me luck, today I shoot my first wedding! And it's storming outside. :(<br />
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Since every post is better with pictures, enjoy these of my brand new niece:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfpvudrZTmEN10r_K6qXbCoWlctiUNsc-656Obf4rrn3cVvf8pqK4vafs6lhP62athP9wu46RO-NSTGBsx1oeQpm2JvCr8KCnrwMEtN-FlZMh8tmXZclxcNVdIJq3H1RUn8wW_A/s1600/DSC_7044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfpvudrZTmEN10r_K6qXbCoWlctiUNsc-656Obf4rrn3cVvf8pqK4vafs6lhP62athP9wu46RO-NSTGBsx1oeQpm2JvCr8KCnrwMEtN-FlZMh8tmXZclxcNVdIJq3H1RUn8wW_A/s640/DSC_7044.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDhHkkE8G2G_iXN2TAznNW-F16BBXa1LGLT4w1Ngmyg1bA545lx6L-S-imU2mkpfUdoGn4Afc4w-j-_XxjHEEV_2dQpJBW52R2f8ofAEqGr0xxzLCeH02iA1u1eW6gm3yQ0JarQ/s1600/DSC_7182a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDhHkkE8G2G_iXN2TAznNW-F16BBXa1LGLT4w1Ngmyg1bA545lx6L-S-imU2mkpfUdoGn4Afc4w-j-_XxjHEEV_2dQpJBW52R2f8ofAEqGr0xxzLCeH02iA1u1eW6gm3yQ0JarQ/s640/DSC_7182a.jpg" width="430" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKktPm-LIoXSZLQKyDlBpeTxsZd5gBjlAHI6r6NpabMOgk1i4OSGc7QQwu-XKCV6LHTXwk2l7SaYSMRqbUIWQexqiYFY8XxKn5_7wwJw2bRNZ2Cm9wWjAoObSjnjK3ZCU26cUKGQ/s1600/DSC_7282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKktPm-LIoXSZLQKyDlBpeTxsZd5gBjlAHI6r6NpabMOgk1i4OSGc7QQwu-XKCV6LHTXwk2l7SaYSMRqbUIWQexqiYFY8XxKn5_7wwJw2bRNZ2Cm9wWjAoObSjnjK3ZCU26cUKGQ/s640/DSC_7282.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKktPm-LIoXSZLQKyDlBpeTxsZd5gBjlAHI6r6NpabMOgk1i4OSGc7QQwu-XKCV6LHTXwk2l7SaYSMRqbUIWQexqiYFY8XxKn5_7wwJw2bRNZ2Cm9wWjAoObSjnjK3ZCU26cUKGQ/s1600/DSC_7282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf3AxM_IM46ZziQBWAcu0kqA4_R7l-4wTgtHTtI7tHgmDMMzgxcXkXTq5Kn85BWPuikvr-MoWkUycyiYf_Dto-8WiERTdO5mmuMBOpgQ6S_hUcm6QVJZiBjhXDkWb4ukIYohO5g/s1600/DSC_7077b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf3AxM_IM46ZziQBWAcu0kqA4_R7l-4wTgtHTtI7tHgmDMMzgxcXkXTq5Kn85BWPuikvr-MoWkUycyiYf_Dto-8WiERTdO5mmuMBOpgQ6S_hUcm6QVJZiBjhXDkWb4ukIYohO5g/s640/DSC_7077b.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{the last one was entered at <a href="http://iheartfaces.com/">i heart faces</a> this week - the theme being "motherhood"}</div><br />
<span id="goog_143691622"></span><span id="goog_143691623"></span>Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-69908784005712971922011-05-10T13:37:00.000-05:002011-05-10T13:37:50.485-05:00Creating Really Awesome Free Trips at C.R.A.F.T!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopq_-7TSB0lK84a36Ncv-IyH3fZujJaPqhoPB6A8A2tb2g-sXGU5gj37LxkvEcwc267S_NqwCsAdi55HBTkTbLEK-SUEX-GLnrBwDBJ41JSmmPCMjo3_q-jq9OJJDbTNwiJZ1Yg/s1600/us_outline-1.gif" /></div><br />
<br />
Hey friends! I'm over at<a href="http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/2011/05/creating-really-awesome-free-trips_10.html"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">C.R.A.F.T.</span></a> today participating in Jamie's free trips series. Come read all about Austin, TX!!! She's got quite the line-up from about <a href="http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/2011/04/creating-really-awesome-free-trips-and.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">11 other cities</span></a> featuring other crafty bloggers. You should go check it out, especially if you are trying to decide where to vacation this summer!!!Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-87084817257321982272011-05-10T08:10:00.000-05:002011-05-10T08:10:23.534-05:00Things I don't have time to do...There is nothing more torturous than coming across a great idea and not having time to execute it. I've got a lot of pent up creative energy right now; ideas swirling around in my head. Some of that energy has been released in my photography (which has became a full time job lately). And some of it has been getting catalogued in my not-so-reliable memory. So I thought I'd start a new series called "Things I don't have time to do". It's not going to be on any certain day of the week, or even every week... just when I feel like remembering something for later. And hey, maybe some of you will get to execute on my behalf! ;)<br />
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I spotted these awesome napkins in the recent Pier 1 catalog. How fun and EASY would it be to make your own knock-offs? You could mix and match fabric and ric rac. Some with patterns (chevron would be cute!), some plain. I just love them!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XZXDttdCLcN-L9FcdQXrQfbsOcsfOBmSvpHZv5f_wgOqZrukdlFHbHfDMWyLJo-ZUxlrVC_sw8iHFNt8xom9YTGRN2GlmXuVlLI2QQmOdA3IqiY-ggRh3YpzUqhOxWVBE1WzDg/s1600/ric+rac+napkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3XZXDttdCLcN-L9FcdQXrQfbsOcsfOBmSvpHZv5f_wgOqZrukdlFHbHfDMWyLJo-ZUxlrVC_sw8iHFNt8xom9YTGRN2GlmXuVlLI2QQmOdA3IqiY-ggRh3YpzUqhOxWVBE1WzDg/s400/ric+rac+napkins.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-58606829848327807412011-05-05T09:58:00.005-05:002011-05-10T16:25:05.106-05:00Happy Cinco de Mayo! Arroz con ZanahoriasThis is a holiday you just can't escape in Tejas! I have such fond memories of making tissue paper flowers in elementary school in honor of this day. And seeing performances by dancers and musicians - so colorful and festive.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDFqodTfNcQNBIzUo30N85P1TAsNCt1Rt0v9oymkm60TMmKwhf4DDImcEjlw3mlIEGplhiM_Q8mmovsr1Gj3JA3vz2yU-0gLmzI7At2j3-DykXuWmC2wKWSuCTVz9K-y6BzWtjg/s1600/mexican+papel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDFqodTfNcQNBIzUo30N85P1TAsNCt1Rt0v9oymkm60TMmKwhf4DDImcEjlw3mlIEGplhiM_Q8mmovsr1Gj3JA3vz2yU-0gLmzI7At2j3-DykXuWmC2wKWSuCTVz9K-y6BzWtjg/s640/mexican+papel.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://madamebonbon.com.au/blog/archives/5886"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">{source}</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of these days I am going to sit down and make some of these flags, or <i>Papel Picado</i>! They make me smile!</div><br />
Today I'm going to share one of my favorite recipes, shared with me by an old college roommate (Hi Isabelle!). It's great with burritos!!! My family eats it about once a week, picky kids included.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFWhvgU385qleohK9qcR-78HnbrYridv47qZIh0WMMYv8_x7V9BBBMS-Okq_rFqtN1QlQbJONGneizLEnPiuORAp-zLoMYsCs2lblhKNNhKzXAkKs064yMZUhooMuSxCjrHXFcg/s1600/carrots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFWhvgU385qleohK9qcR-78HnbrYridv47qZIh0WMMYv8_x7V9BBBMS-Okq_rFqtN1QlQbJONGneizLEnPiuORAp-zLoMYsCs2lblhKNNhKzXAkKs064yMZUhooMuSxCjrHXFcg/s400/carrots.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flanboyanteats.com/cooking_recipes/carrot-mojito-mojito-de-sanaoria/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">{source}</span></a></div><br />
ARROZ CON ZANAHORIAS<br />
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2 cups of rice<br />
2 1/2 cups of water<br />
carrots, shredded<br />
2 T butter<br />
2 chicken bouillon cubes<br />
Season All<br />
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Shred carrots in bottom of a saucepan. As many as 2c if you'd like! Saute in butter, add bouillon cubes and mash into mixture. Sprinkle some Season All in as well. Add water and bring to a boil. Add rice and sprinkle some more Season All (you can be pretty generous with it). Cook as instructed on rice package. Enjoy!Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-45107603700927557912011-05-05T08:47:00.002-05:002011-05-05T09:15:31.995-05:00Teacher Appreciation, Children are like cookies...I literally threw this together at the last minute today. But it came together so awesomely! <br />
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I got this from a friend YEARS ago. If your LDS, this will make sense... we gave this away with some homemade cookies for a Stake Leadership Training meeting one year. {I adapted it to say the following for my kids' teachers.}<br />
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<i>Children are like cookies, they require certain ingredients and need to be baked.</i><br />
<i>However, they come in different textures and flavors...</i><br />
<i>Some are hard and need to be softened in milk.</i><br />
<i>Others are soft, chewy, and melt in your hands.</i><br />
<i>Some have little surprises tucked inside.</i><br />
<i>Some are rolled and cut into perfect little shapes.</i><br />
<i>Others are dropped in big spoonfuls but take a shape all their own.</i><br />
<i>They are all wonderful and delightful, each in their own way.</i><br />
<i>We just need to find out how to "eat them up"... with milk, one bite at a time, or gobbled all at once. They are individuals, which makes them interesting and fun. It is our job to savor each one, like a sweet mix of cookies in a jar.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Thanks for taking such great care of my "little cookie"!</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
I gave each of my kids' teachers' their favorite cookies and tied on a cute red polka dot ribbon, this quote and these darling printables from <a href="http://dimpleprints.blogspot.com/2010/05/free-dowload-teacher-appreciation-week.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Dimple Prints</span></a>. <br />
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How fun would it be to find miniature cookie jars for this? Perhaps I will remember that for next year!Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-74011851169882943202011-05-04T10:48:00.002-05:002011-05-04T10:51:29.041-05:00Photography Guest Post at Brown Paper Packages!Hi guys. I know it's been quiet around here, but come say hi to me over at <a href="http://brownpaper--packages.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;">Brown Paper Packages</span></a> today. I am talking about how to get great candid photos! You can find me talking about all things photography at Brown Paper Packages every other Wednesday. And my next post (in 2 weeks) will be answers to all your burning photography questions. Just email them to me at <a href="mailto:photosbylei@yahoo.com"><span style="color: #666666;">photosbylei@yahoo.com</span></a><span style="color: #666666;"> </span>!<br />
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Have a great day!!!Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-7713488514805680322011-04-26T16:39:00.001-05:002011-04-26T16:40:16.148-05:00Easiest Birthday Party EverNow you all know how I love a good birthday party. And I spend weeks planning and preparing for them. Because I put so much effort into them I kind of drew the age limit for birthday parties at 12. Between 12 and 16 my kids may invite a friend over for dinner or a movie or a concert or something like that, but the partying prep for me is over until their Sweet 16.<br />
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I have fond memories of a hotel party with one of my childhood friends. Her mother got us a room (and stayed there with us). We had junk food, went swimming until late, watched a movie in bed, and slept in. It was the greatest fun ever. So I offered to do that with my daughter for her 12th birthday this year. Kind of a last hurrah to birthday parties. She didn't hesitate in screaming "YES"! And I knew it was going to be the easiest thing ever! <br />
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I made hotel reservations a couple weeks in advance. Sent out evites with the address and a map to the hotel, so the parents would know exactly where we were. Everyone dropped their girls off at my house at 8pm. We got checked in around 8:30pm (I chose a hotel far enough away that it felt like a mini vacation, but close enough should there have been any emergencies). <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">{The room was all decorated as a surprise for the birthday girl!}</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each one of them had a goody bag laying on their pillow:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{all stuff from Target's party aisle: ice cream shaped bubbles, slinky bracelets - yes, they are back, pastry shaped erasers, cupcake stickers and a funky ring}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">First up, we had pizza and cupcakes and soda. Well, more like bites of pizza, cupcakes, and sips of soda before rushing to get out swimsuits on. And then we went swimming until 10? 11? After that we went back to the hotel room and finished eating, and they played Monopoly until midnight. </div><div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{have you ever tried nothing bundt cakes? so delish!}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{let's toast to the birthday girl! the small soda cans are so cute and perfect for parties!}</div><br />
We turned off the lights at that point but they giggled and chattered for a while. Of course. Surely thought they would sleep in, but nope! Had to have one more dip in the pool! And we ate our breakfast (which I'd brought from home - donuts, juice and fruit), packed up, and went swimming until checkout time.<br />
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We arrived back at our house at 10:30 and the parents came and picked up their girls! We had so much fun. Definitely a splurge, but I just couldn't resist giving my daughter the same fun memory that has stayed with me all these years!!!Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21512526.post-60495006316684628462011-04-25T07:50:00.001-05:002011-04-25T07:51:03.862-05:00Springy Votives on Mod Podge Rocks<div style="text-align: center;"><a border="0" href="http://modpodgerocks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4919289299_22893082f4_m.jpg" /></a></div><br />
A hearty thanks to Amy for featuring my <a href="http://accordingtolei.blogspot.com/2011/03/make-mine-spring.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Springy Votives</span></a> on <a href="http://www.modpodgerocksblog.com/2011/04/decorate-some-fun-spring-votives.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Mod Podge Rocks</span></a> today!!!Leihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13602022032114765911noreply@blogger.com1