tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40106729857523067612024-02-22T11:08:03.437-05:00A Musing PotpourriLahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.comBlogger405125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-11386510971181874372013-03-31T11:46:00.002-04:002013-03-31T11:46:03.444-04:00Easter 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-5099243515828059152012-09-16T11:31:00.000-04:002012-09-16T11:31:37.717-04:00Italian Sausage and Veggie Soup<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hi There!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is a crispness in the air that can only be attributed to the approach of THE BEST season in Ohio: autumn. The sky is bright blue, there is football on almost every night, and my belly is craving comfort foods.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How 'bout you? Are you craving soup, pasta, gravy? I can't seem to get enough soup with its hot steamy goodness. I WANT IT ALL TO MYSELF! However, my mother's voice in my head says I must share, so share I will. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This recipe was originally from Rachael Ray, but I changed a few things to suit my family's tastes. It is so hearty, good and good for you. It is high in fiber and antioxidants so eat up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Italian Sausage and Veggie Soup</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 Pound Hot or Mild Italian Sausage (Remove from casing)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2-3 Tablespoons Olive Oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1/2 Large Onion, peeled and chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Handful of Shredded Carrots (I use per-packaged matchstick carrots)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2 Ribs of Celery, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 Medium-Large Potato, peeled and chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1-2 Bay Leaves ( I usually use 2)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 Teaspoon Dried Thyme or a couple sprigs of fresh</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1/2 Teaspoon Dried Rosemary or a sprig of fresh</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1/4 Cup Dry White Wine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">2 Quarts Chicken Stock</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 Cup Lentils</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">1 Bunch Kale, cleaned, stemmed, and chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Salt and Pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Fresh Flat Leaf Parsley for Garnish</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Add olive oil to preheated pan; brown and crumble the sausage. Add onion, carrots, celery, potato and herbs to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Add wine, stock, and lentils to sausage and veggies and cook for about 30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Before serving, wilt in the kale. (I think half a bunch of kale is more than enough). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you are trying to cut fat and calories from your diet, I suggest using Johnsonville pork and chicken sausages. They have 50% less fat and the taste is no different. Who needs added fat to clog our arteries and take up residence on our....um....body. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I hope you enjoy this soup if you try it. Make it a great week!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-87478064573700949052012-09-12T07:00:00.000-04:002012-09-12T07:00:03.469-04:00Resiliency<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Yesterday, I shared my trip to the National September 11 Memorial in New York City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shared photos of the pools and some of the artifacts from the attacks along with my personal and emotional experience, but I left something pretty significant out of my description of the memorial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">All but one of the trees planted throughout the memorial are swamp white oaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amidst this wooded area stands a Callery pear tree known as the Survivor Tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This pear tree was originally planted in the 1970s on the World Trade Center plaza near the WTC-4 and WTC-5 buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weeks after the 9/11 attacks, it was discovered amid the destruction at Ground Zero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that was left was an eight-foot charred stump with snapped roots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It was taken to a Bronx park and nursed back to health by the New York City Parks and Recreation Department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It grew to be 30 feet tall, sprouted new branches and began flowering in springtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As if this tree hadn’t been through enough, in March 2010, it was uprooted by severe storms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, the New York City Parks and Recreation Department came to its rescue and it survived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was returned to the WTC site in December 2010 and stands just west of the south pool. Today it is supported by temporary guide wires as it takes root.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I touched its branches, I felt a great sense of peace and belief for a brighter future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BJ and me at the Survivor Tree</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This wonderful little tree represents the resiliency of those who survived the attacks, the determination of those who helped rebuild this site and the hope of God’s promise for a better tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-20888030684578811982012-09-10T18:20:00.003-04:002012-09-10T18:20:57.715-04:00A Time to Heal<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tuesday marks the eleventh anniversary of the savage and senseless murders of 2,983 innocent men, women, and children from more than 90 nations in New York City, Washington DC and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It was <a href="http://amusingpotpourri.blogspot.com/2010/09/day-time-stood-still-911.html" target="_blank">the day that time stood still</a> as we were all in shock at what unfolded on TV and for many, in their own neighborhoods. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrH9N7ZpcYiNRdakLprwg7Pd3TevpEUeNciB72IIriIpidltu4t0rQHcUBlpBxGlCof2rUpCR2EYih31uBOiR8hrqbfGx13FUGRWV5oHCbQEO5Pb_vwKBosNpkWiSQ4uh_BxdgKYnAPWc/s1600/wtccnn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrH9N7ZpcYiNRdakLprwg7Pd3TevpEUeNciB72IIriIpidltu4t0rQHcUBlpBxGlCof2rUpCR2EYih31uBOiR8hrqbfGx13FUGRWV5oHCbQEO5Pb_vwKBosNpkWiSQ4uh_BxdgKYnAPWc/s320/wtccnn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by CNN</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Although we must never forget the horror of that day and how our sense of security was shaken, today I want to talk about healing.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiPQXPBCIb_sdxvA66JPvjyrmaTASF7GAu1jpelD9bPTEdN8VhSkm-nYIEUBKh4sQGgUN9g3gho11bmb1MfMjfhJ-N0XvupIrXT9mDq4NgX15DjVa9WemcEcAYu-7SvmgssI8N4jje9GL/s1600/aerial1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiPQXPBCIb_sdxvA66JPvjyrmaTASF7GAu1jpelD9bPTEdN8VhSkm-nYIEUBKh4sQGgUN9g3gho11bmb1MfMjfhJ-N0XvupIrXT9mDq4NgX15DjVa9WemcEcAYu-7SvmgssI8N4jje9GL/s320/aerial1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Squared Design Lab</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In July, we visited New York City and the National September 11 Memorial, which honors those who fell prey to evil in all three cities on September 11, 2001, as well as those who died as the result of the February 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">First, we entered a small building where we picked up our tickets. The building also houses some relics from the World Trade Center and offers memorabilia for purchase. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This fiberglass replica of Lady Liberty stood outside an FDNY fire station and was adorned by tributes including a pair of United Airline wings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">These two displays honor the volunteers and the police officers who rushed to the site to rescue survivors and recover victims. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">From this temporary museum, we moved on to visit the memorial. After extensive security screening, and weaving back and forth through a maze, the path opens up to the memorial itself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At first glance, it appears to be a simple inner city park...until I walked a little further to find the South Pool. The memorial includes two pools that serve as footprints of the Twin Towers that once stood here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Although I expected this to be a solemn experience, nothing prepared me for the rush of emotions I experienced as tears streamed down my cheeks. There is a palpable energy, on these hallowed grounds, greater than anything I have ever known. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As I ran my hand over the names engraved on the memorial, like Vernon Paul Cherry and Ssu-Hui Wen, I thought about those who felt that jumping from a skyscraper window was a better alternative than what they were experiencing in those burning buildings. These were people who were trying to make a living to support their families; who loved and were loved; who were just like you and me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After spending some time reflecting on what was and what will be, we visited a second temporary museum. There was a moving video and more relics from the Towers displayed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On exhibit, is a firefighter's helmet covered in dust and debris from the Towers and a man's very personal effects, which included his wallet, ID, and wedding band. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Please take a moment this week to remember those who were murdered, assaulted, or left to mourn loved ones eleven years ago. If you pass upon a police officer or firefighter, thank them for doing what they do best: serve and protect. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTP3nyo0ytkDCVlHh5CKrJugmV565HmA5x8_0Ir_NtJ0euJzb2mAbeOCxB61XMaaD80nOdup-XRs84MbtDTxjHaNLVyvLO_vawrpb8VdFPqaimuVwU8gIKQNBAFipUPMw5aIfRLQf4Enf/s1600/BJ+and+J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTP3nyo0ytkDCVlHh5CKrJugmV565HmA5x8_0Ir_NtJ0euJzb2mAbeOCxB61XMaaD80nOdup-XRs84MbtDTxjHaNLVyvLO_vawrpb8VdFPqaimuVwU8gIKQNBAFipUPMw5aIfRLQf4Enf/s320/BJ+and+J.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My heroes: Lt. BJ Gruber and Firefighter Jason Gruber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-65363450999238540452012-09-09T14:59:00.001-04:002012-09-09T14:59:24.293-04:00Under Construction<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am having some serious formatting issues. I can't seem to find a template that fits. I've never had issues with Cutest Blog on the Block, but it is giving me fits today. </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Please excuse the dust. </span></h3>
Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-27160411727632096322012-07-11T07:30:00.000-04:002012-07-11T07:30:03.859-04:00Gone Hunting<span style="font-size: small;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.9611536823458682" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Several Saturdays ago I drug my tired body out of bed relatively early and went hunting. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Not for lions…tigers…or even bears…. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">On
this beautiful summer morning, I went on an expedition to find barns.
Not just any barn. You can keep the shiny new high tech barns of the
modern farmer. I find myself in a blossoming love affair with old,
weather-worn barns. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So
after a healthy (ahem) breakfast at McDonalds, off I went into rural
Marion and Delaware Counties of Ohio in search of these treasures. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I was not disappointed. Feast your eyes on some of the beauties found.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I almost missed this gem hidden deep behind some foliage. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And this little one is my favorite. I pass it each day on my way to and from work. I think it has so much character. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSZdwTxGD-JLxjemx57URcyObXMYR3ud5XKqC8N48jpoV4pk-sViWgh9cnElehkKDrhvMg4SMcxLP5vqV6w34ZHj6Q5zF9_Pbnc3bIEVUCBPrB3QwJtVLxKRA7wzJsVX8AfU1_csioR5c/s1600/DSCN0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSZdwTxGD-JLxjemx57URcyObXMYR3ud5XKqC8N48jpoV4pk-sViWgh9cnElehkKDrhvMg4SMcxLP5vqV6w34ZHj6Q5zF9_Pbnc3bIEVUCBPrB3QwJtVLxKRA7wzJsVX8AfU1_csioR5c/s320/DSCN0362.JPG" width="309" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Recently
I came across a beauty in eastern Marion County that I am eager to
photograph, if I can just find it again. Hopefully, I will be able to
share that with you very soon. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-13781868467702759772012-07-08T16:17:00.000-04:002012-07-08T16:17:15.300-04:00Glad to be Here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgSt8D2mcNDU27y2oGhQ9NELC4ppi4qQTH-_JfUmJMXHuO7flG1Ovpw9UahzoQsvL6WXnVplr61kW9-sU1YO9MDwme500Z36ekfxSFVWzpSDqrEYKBLHjFoyzY24-a1zKzEZ4v86qBDEY/s1600/Storm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.37597276333848295" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hi there!</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How’s
the weather in your neck of the woods? We are in the midst of a record
breaking heat wave with heat indices well into the hundreds. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m
not complaining, however, because there are thousands of people in
Central Ohio without power. They have been without power since June 29
when much of the state was hit with severe thunderstorms packing winds
in excess of 70 mph. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">During
the storm, I was driving home from work on the winding tree-lined route
I normally take. There were times when I could barely see two-three
feet in front of the car. I was afraid to pull over due to the high
winds. I didn’t want to risk having a tree fall on me. Cautiously, I
crept along hoping for a respite from the winds as they were rocking my
car significantly. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As the rain let up, I was able to see 20-30 feet ahead of me and I increased my speed slightly. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There’s a lot of leaves down ahead….Sh*t! That’s a tree!</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I slammed on my breaks, the car slid sideways and I braced myself for an impact. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">No…no…no!</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
side-swiped the tree and ended up in the yard of a farmhouse. Just
then, my cell phone rang. Shaking uncontrollably, I answered it. The
phone went dead. The caller ID showed that it was Jordan so I tried to
call him back. It went straight to voicemail so I left him a message. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Should I get out and assess the damage?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lightening struck nearby and I decided to see if I could back away from the tree and onto the road. Success.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There are headlights coming toward me. I hope they see the tree. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I flashed my lights at the oncoming truck and they stopped. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Go home! You can assess the damage at home after the storm. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I turned around and made my way home. Every so often I would have to change directions due to downed trees and power lines. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jordan
tried several more times to contact me and Ashlee sent me a text asking
me to let them know I was OK. She said the storm was crazy and they
were freaking out about me being out on the road. Jordan finally tried
calling me from a land line and was able to reach me. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">During
14 years of commuting, I’ve had many nerve-wrecking drives due to snow,
ice, fog, near misses with deer and cows, but this is the first time I
was SCARED that I may not make it to my destination alive. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
fury of Mother Nature amazes me. Once I was safely home and the storms
had passed, we assessed the damage to the neighborhood and my car.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgSt8D2mcNDU27y2oGhQ9NELC4ppi4qQTH-_JfUmJMXHuO7flG1Ovpw9UahzoQsvL6WXnVplr61kW9-sU1YO9MDwme500Z36ekfxSFVWzpSDqrEYKBLHjFoyzY24-a1zKzEZ4v86qBDEY/s1600/Storm.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgSt8D2mcNDU27y2oGhQ9NELC4ppi4qQTH-_JfUmJMXHuO7flG1Ovpw9UahzoQsvL6WXnVplr61kW9-sU1YO9MDwme500Z36ekfxSFVWzpSDqrEYKBLHjFoyzY24-a1zKzEZ4v86qBDEY/s320/Storm.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've had this steel flagpole for years. Mother Nature sheered it off like it was a twig.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPoG86y1eZKZSkQhpNTNZOWAxxYdnt-T_gdyeg8ty4jW7vxQL98ygdW5drs68JQiUm5qW7aMfp0t59nJdYxPpzg-H5c6Nk0mJrOGcN8d8TmxQ2e_ETOybZvcL_8hcSOrF7tSyEIulv_2u/s1600/Storm6.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPoG86y1eZKZSkQhpNTNZOWAxxYdnt-T_gdyeg8ty4jW7vxQL98ygdW5drs68JQiUm5qW7aMfp0t59nJdYxPpzg-H5c6Nk0mJrOGcN8d8TmxQ2e_ETOybZvcL_8hcSOrF7tSyEIulv_2u/s320/Storm6.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This old tree was topped off by the strong winds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMMqaHVQsMnTueNwCXzuVxNj85YP31QIpom5lUZ5EQPS7AN-n-ew3U1j04Rht4s1E9T8Id6PDXmlwCj6uKStJAgLdeSQN1FlnKOwfXkbj8Ut8XzmRz9X2TDViLVCXHRcn7lhexaahKw3Z/s1600/Storm+4.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMMqaHVQsMnTueNwCXzuVxNj85YP31QIpom5lUZ5EQPS7AN-n-ew3U1j04Rht4s1E9T8Id6PDXmlwCj6uKStJAgLdeSQN1FlnKOwfXkbj8Ut8XzmRz9X2TDViLVCXHRcn7lhexaahKw3Z/s320/Storm+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The siding on our garage was bent and pulled away from the structure. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye1rCv7xgGpFU4W2-Bm8BPbQc4iPsiVeUlr6GjxDryL44AhVPhcH9mgB7Z4iak5k0WLDZsSyfBEhXOKb4A5a8zo1-exM7Pe2VE8ZaAkhSUIXtOjGppuUyQKOL37H7ujo6rmPnlwOIUGIk/s1600/Storm5.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye1rCv7xgGpFU4W2-Bm8BPbQc4iPsiVeUlr6GjxDryL44AhVPhcH9mgB7Z4iak5k0WLDZsSyfBEhXOKb4A5a8zo1-exM7Pe2VE8ZaAkhSUIXtOjGppuUyQKOL37H7ujo6rmPnlwOIUGIk/s320/Storm5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of our street was blocked from a fallen tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamQScY6popUmF_zFyQtAhbeAJkUaDzlCwZU621BZt8PcxsC-kjEjQAaDuO1kg3d_7I8I6Xd8OwF6gosv9Lj1XwqHy-1WM5P3fO47Qq7EnOlWlkr02im7uwZlJGXroF4m-d4KSVcp283bS/s1600/storm3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamQScY6popUmF_zFyQtAhbeAJkUaDzlCwZU621BZt8PcxsC-kjEjQAaDuO1kg3d_7I8I6Xd8OwF6gosv9Lj1XwqHy-1WM5P3fO47Qq7EnOlWlkr02im7uwZlJGXroF4m-d4KSVcp283bS/s320/storm3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This huge tree at the church down the street was split into three.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Have you had any severe weather or power outages in your area?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-46802200756150226602012-07-06T10:06:00.000-04:002012-07-06T10:06:05.788-04:00Blast from the Past: Heat Wave<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Whenever I'm with him<br />Something inside<br />Starts to burnin'<br />And I'm filled with desire</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Could it be the devil in me<br />Or is this the way love's supposed to be</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Just like a heatwave<br />Burning in my heart<br />Can't keep from cryin'<br />It's tearing me apart</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Whenever he calls my name<br />So slow, sweet and plain<br />I feel, yeah, yeah, well I feel that burning flame</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Has my blood pressure got a hold on me<br />Or is this the way love's supposed to be</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Just like a heatwave<br />Burning in my heart<br />Can't keep from cryin'<br />It's tearing me apart</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I stare in space<br />Tears all over my face<br />I can't explain it, don't understand it<br />I 'ain't never felt like this before</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
But that doesn't mean it has me amazed<br />I don't know what to do, my head's in a haze</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Just like a heatwave<br />Burning in my heart<br />Can't keep from cryin'<br />It's tearing me apart</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Don't pass up this chance<br />This time it's a true romance</div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;">
Heatwave</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
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I hope you are keeping cool during this crazy heat wave. The weatherman is promising relief Sunday. Remember to stay hydrated! Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-35724634859619142882012-04-29T11:02:00.000-04:002012-04-29T11:02:19.901-04:00Wedding FlowersLast fall when we went to the Renaissance Festival, Jordan bought Ashlee a beautiful rose. Now, Ashlee wants these for her wedding flowers. Aren't they beautiful?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMoH2th33HmKg3qgfRWKdDd9qVg7SvDqhaMkOSwBpiu6FCK2Y3yAYXMeXhb1RKIrhxH27p-53E6kIoLd5i8nNwWvk61mdqsfPT1o0SIXX7ao5dCN4uOwQoQm1Oz5NkNwG5-ExLJAqUF1P/s1600/DSCN8676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMoH2th33HmKg3qgfRWKdDd9qVg7SvDqhaMkOSwBpiu6FCK2Y3yAYXMeXhb1RKIrhxH27p-53E6kIoLd5i8nNwWvk61mdqsfPT1o0SIXX7ao5dCN4uOwQoQm1Oz5NkNwG5-ExLJAqUF1P/s320/DSCN8676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The only problem is High and Magic Roses are difficult to find. To cut costs, Ashlee wanted to avoid the big name floral companies who charge exorbitant amounts of money for wedding flowers. She had two thoughts: we could make them ourselves or hire someone to make the bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages. <br />
<br />
We wanted to use silk so we wouldn't have to worry about the wilt factor. Try as I might, I am unable to find them in silk. I have found fresh High and Magic roses in bulk 100 stems for $149. That's a great price, but I worry that they will not hold up and we'll have wilted flowers or will be scurrying around at the last minute looking for replacements.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjps1CuMvPapuhOe2E-iRSb49UsH3NTvnKXYTc2Kh4tPuX_WDwiaGMW3f9vqAaa20ahc0SPsHRZ8gAockr2nzH1pdQH2o1FaHFLNeFtm69pYjjgmnpEQxGB4r8DKWZD_fWjDLhgk6r57ioF/s1600/DSCN8677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjps1CuMvPapuhOe2E-iRSb49UsH3NTvnKXYTc2Kh4tPuX_WDwiaGMW3f9vqAaa20ahc0SPsHRZ8gAockr2nzH1pdQH2o1FaHFLNeFtm69pYjjgmnpEQxGB4r8DKWZD_fWjDLhgk6r57ioF/s320/DSCN8677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We are open to any and all suggestions. Please share your thoughts and experiences. Know of a place where we may be able to find silk High and Magic Roses? Do tell. <br />
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<i> GREET EACH DAY WITH GRATITUDE</i></div>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-88743040405412545042012-04-04T09:00:00.000-04:002012-04-04T09:00:15.712-04:00Tropical<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNgAPPnlutdElFVtM_e6RMBvu4nzrzLPtuxxXtsvvCIYRIvBlaSwHxCYjlCSx9MUd_OpMpdkh_MxtCN80al9NgtIiwptUhM3zuzhEqP6L_8NqubrR4B-k24g7EJGJku_wb8vAFCP9k1vM/s1600/Tropical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">Although it has been a mild winter, </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNgAPPnlutdElFVtM_e6RMBvu4nzrzLPtuxxXtsvvCIYRIvBlaSwHxCYjlCSx9MUd_OpMpdkh_MxtCN80al9NgtIiwptUhM3zuzhEqP6L_8NqubrR4B-k24g7EJGJku_wb8vAFCP9k1vM/s1600/Tropical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNgAPPnlutdElFVtM_e6RMBvu4nzrzLPtuxxXtsvvCIYRIvBlaSwHxCYjlCSx9MUd_OpMpdkh_MxtCN80al9NgtIiwptUhM3zuzhEqP6L_8NqubrR4B-k24g7EJGJku_wb8vAFCP9k1vM/s320/Tropical.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"> I still long for the tropical weather and foliage of Florida.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNgAPPnlutdElFVtM_e6RMBvu4nzrzLPtuxxXtsvvCIYRIvBlaSwHxCYjlCSx9MUd_OpMpdkh_MxtCN80al9NgtIiwptUhM3zuzhEqP6L_8NqubrR4B-k24g7EJGJku_wb8vAFCP9k1vM/s1600/Tropical.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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GREET EACH DAY WITH GRATITUDE</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">I will be joining Jenny for Alphabet Thursday.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNgAPPnlutdElFVtM_e6RMBvu4nzrzLPtuxxXtsvvCIYRIvBlaSwHxCYjlCSx9MUd_OpMpdkh_MxtCN80al9NgtIiwptUhM3zuzhEqP6L_8NqubrR4B-k24g7EJGJku_wb8vAFCP9k1vM/s1600/Tropical.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNgAPPnlutdElFVtM_e6RMBvu4nzrzLPtuxxXtsvvCIYRIvBlaSwHxCYjlCSx9MUd_OpMpdkh_MxtCN80al9NgtIiwptUhM3zuzhEqP6L_8NqubrR4B-k24g7EJGJku_wb8vAFCP9k1vM/s1600/Tropical.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-40103548432020488012012-04-01T10:36:00.000-04:002012-04-01T10:37:46.748-04:00Palm Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVahkbBbkbndtyODE8SndOB9WXNWe6ynFY2O6_GW1GExuvSSGf9LSfHqnjDE0-9uHUcS-wnGbIdRbhUONMaBnX3YpemBGpaQaM3-xUkOj7dIlndj95bPJ9AQaBUJ1Cw9CZNTVOIodVVtV/s1600/Palm+Sunday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVahkbBbkbndtyODE8SndOB9WXNWe6ynFY2O6_GW1GExuvSSGf9LSfHqnjDE0-9uHUcS-wnGbIdRbhUONMaBnX3YpemBGpaQaM3-xUkOj7dIlndj95bPJ9AQaBUJ1Cw9CZNTVOIodVVtV/s400/Palm+Sunday.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>I hope the sun is shining on you this Palm Sunday. </b></div>
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GREET EACH DAY WITH GRATITUDE.</div>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-82629219171015371462012-03-30T08:00:00.000-04:002012-03-30T08:00:06.884-04:00Happy Friday!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you have a Blueberry Pancake </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">kind of weekend.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">GREET EACH DAY WITH GRATITUDE</span> </span></div>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-79750288917259912822012-03-29T09:00:00.000-04:002012-03-29T09:00:13.683-04:00Spring 2012 has Sprung<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKfyF3GUoz5NeuEVA1IEoxXE7CyN4CEVuxJyi8De6wWjlPbJIjlV9bhDGdJCDBjNoVZY5u63oZuo3CkB57Lw3KHspxgtODSehLKsk3RhC3HWFpKyWNYY2JIMOw5aX40G8QqtkIwfuADF0/s1600/DSCN3596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKfyF3GUoz5NeuEVA1IEoxXE7CyN4CEVuxJyi8De6wWjlPbJIjlV9bhDGdJCDBjNoVZY5u63oZuo3CkB57Lw3KHspxgtODSehLKsk3RhC3HWFpKyWNYY2JIMOw5aX40G8QqtkIwfuADF0/s320/DSCN3596.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Winter 2012 was the winter that never was here in Ohio. Temperatures only dipped below freezing a handful of times. <i>This is my kind of winter! </i>More often than not, temperatures were in the 50s, 60s, and sometimes 70s. Still, it is wonderful to see the grass turn bright green, the spring flowers bloom, and the trees start to bud.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Spring!</span></div>
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GREET EACH DAY WITH GRATITUDE</div>
<br />Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-44271394657518614972012-03-27T07:00:00.000-04:002012-03-27T07:00:01.470-04:00Over the MoonHello Friends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBBEc0TWtuk9QRrMC_tFpjAtZAihxsPahWg3WXm6M-j1eX1fneVDlMnLt9EBJ6aQDnxnlZJO8CStcc-tZZ3mXtbQUhIDni8eUmriB3j8XCUv24zRZg0eSTxhkZ_uquLdcdvO3jgm4tpt-/s1600/Young+Love+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBBEc0TWtuk9QRrMC_tFpjAtZAihxsPahWg3WXm6M-j1eX1fneVDlMnLt9EBJ6aQDnxnlZJO8CStcc-tZZ3mXtbQUhIDni8eUmriB3j8XCUv24zRZg0eSTxhkZ_uquLdcdvO3jgm4tpt-/s320/Young+Love+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I am over the moon with excitement as I announce the engagement of my son, Jordan, to his love, Ashlee. He proposed to her on their third anniversary as a couple. He was determined to ask her on that date. Unfortunately, the only time they saw each other that day was on her lunch break and his dinner break at work. So he asked her during lunch....and she said YES! <br /><br />
I could not imagine a better wife for my son. She is beautiful, caring, and loving. We love her very much. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs029bXD3kqrYMPeaP1VcyGdyvB2w2NgXZiMpq1pbiXOXh09k9iVqvsHd_qarA5Z1q8N8jHC0z-Bcj7MNr_yEBYt__kD1OeQfm7xw4GFjMjPKC5EWRNdNqtS4RoHtxPEWUE1EIJ_fbGTf/s1600/Reflection.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvs029bXD3kqrYMPeaP1VcyGdyvB2w2NgXZiMpq1pbiXOXh09k9iVqvsHd_qarA5Z1q8N8jHC0z-Bcj7MNr_yEBYt__kD1OeQfm7xw4GFjMjPKC5EWRNdNqtS4RoHtxPEWUE1EIJ_fbGTf/s320/Reflection.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The blessed event will happen on May 18, 2013 so the next year will be busy with wedding preparations. Then we are going to CELEBRATE!<br />
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So, I am officially on the Mother-of-the-Groom diet. If this doesn't motivate me, nothing ever will. <br />
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Please join me as I make this journey: not to lose a son, but to <i>officially</i> gain a daughter. <br />
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GREET EACH DAY WITH GRATITUDE</div>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-23366940103111655952012-03-26T07:00:00.000-04:002012-03-26T07:00:15.192-04:00Bentley<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEa1H_Ifr1qVfOboZocu2iw0orHjlOD6d8cwcQGFh_17G_qqhFUqO6BoDFi7oRE_rBCpuFj-3gw7kQHY25Vro3PulPiJlCrMEt7GzFQTDo-L0Rl0EpeI9NQi-u1CTX0zlCdNswv9A8qT8/s1600/mail.google.com.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.216178863720626" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a><span id="internal-source-marker_0.216178863720626" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hello Friends ~</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.216178863720626" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank you all for your kind thoughts and comments on my previous post. It has boosted my spirits greatly. </span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.216178863720626" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Speaking of a spirit boost, Friday,
March 2 the world was made better by the birth of my new Grand-Godson, Bentley
Mathew. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgxHbHk98vi8-YHYKaoz734ClAOjmCjtVun1ng8qhLRIZRYs9dVdDHWMljPNM-b6pduKXoTdgjdtV8J0DZpUheji1Omi_aLAmINskuLYvSrFMB2nsao256Z8cLUB99DicvnKH8KOPNzv4/s1600/Sky+and+Jordan+3-2-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmd3FSS0uMz-E13bZ3jFSthL5SAIbqHl_N8OcBsJUTEnafMIPYgG5SjfK5CQHdf8Qj2ixkPZePktLb5kbRiBTVFGCQuspKLGi3yb0K6Xlsp9L2IDqptstWwcANq5UHvbr3wA0KMVnGynl/s320/Bentley.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Our home was abuzz with activity as big brother, Skylar, spent
the weekend with us while his mommy was in the hospital.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Skylar…</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgxHbHk98vi8-YHYKaoz734ClAOjmCjtVun1ng8qhLRIZRYs9dVdDHWMljPNM-b6pduKXoTdgjdtV8J0DZpUheji1Omi_aLAmINskuLYvSrFMB2nsao256Z8cLUB99DicvnKH8KOPNzv4/s1600/Sky+and+Jordan+3-2-12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgxHbHk98vi8-YHYKaoz734ClAOjmCjtVun1ng8qhLRIZRYs9dVdDHWMljPNM-b6pduKXoTdgjdtV8J0DZpUheji1Omi_aLAmINskuLYvSrFMB2nsao256Z8cLUB99DicvnKH8KOPNzv4/s320/Sky+and+Jordan+3-2-12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">hung out with Uncle Jordan…</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">baked cupcakes to take home and helped </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">clean </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">the spoon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">…</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">visited Mommy, Daddy, and Bentley at the hospital...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkNaXlxsnlZdWpb_PD1knAu_t4sVQ9gifVQzfNO9_D6crcsVW3hAJRChWl4q0XqJ1oq980IJxFree3kh-1MOiccy9gf4X9Pt7_lgiP-L0daKbME5a1_TCHiqHxhzRXjEc_s6x5VXASMBF/s1600/Kiss.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkNaXlxsnlZdWpb_PD1knAu_t4sVQ9gifVQzfNO9_D6crcsVW3hAJRChWl4q0XqJ1oq980IJxFree3kh-1MOiccy9gf4X9Pt7_lgiP-L0daKbME5a1_TCHiqHxhzRXjEc_s6x5VXASMBF/s320/Kiss.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">and bonded with his baby brother. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">He
was a little angel and enjoyed being the center of attention. By
Saturday afternoon, however, he was ready to be home with Mommy and
G-ma-la was ready for a nap. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4m33mOtZm2ghetLIMNc9H1FEWaglTZvtlFnZQH_k7KLynyFWaW1zd4oL9jSxEp6O_PPTCGk-Cc_WVu0Lwc9rLd2paO9jSUiBsIyuM-xcd1R0idzzD7MxWO9qGJouECvCk_JLIRl-RR6nD/s1600/Heart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4m33mOtZm2ghetLIMNc9H1FEWaglTZvtlFnZQH_k7KLynyFWaW1zd4oL9jSxEp6O_PPTCGk-Cc_WVu0Lwc9rLd2paO9jSUiBsIyuM-xcd1R0idzzD7MxWO9qGJouECvCk_JLIRl-RR6nD/s320/Heart.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <b>GREET EACH DAY WITH GRATITUDE</b></span></div>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-85096214130063320922012-03-25T10:17:00.001-04:002012-03-25T10:17:56.653-04:00Remember Me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEa1H_Ifr1qVfOboZocu2iw0orHjlOD6d8cwcQGFh_17G_qqhFUqO6BoDFi7oRE_rBCpuFj-3gw7kQHY25Vro3PulPiJlCrMEt7GzFQTDo-L0Rl0EpeI9NQi-u1CTX0zlCdNswv9A8qT8/s1600/mail.google.com.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After
a very long hiatus, I am back. I missed all of you so much…even those
of you who visit, but never leave your calling card. Knock on wood, I
think my life is starting to resemble normalcy…or at least as close as
it ever has. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After
back surgery, congestive heart failure, a major heart attack, three
weeks in two hospitals, and six weeks in a physical rehabilitation
center, look who is home! Dad came home on Friday, February 17.
Although it has taken a couple weeks to acclimate to our new normal,
things seem to be settling down. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXOEHK2l_2LWEiPAxZfKVWY8tLL3Jhf_FLRV-5NBQoB-Kuph23PBJlgOwCEmlTlIadvyfPvlbwJqVNkfmYEvjMZKUTRTGmbC1KjQv-Y91uLfwE67DH2IfeAswpDGUk8N6ESJWRid_16oi/s1600/Feb+17+2012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXOEHK2l_2LWEiPAxZfKVWY8tLL3Jhf_FLRV-5NBQoB-Kuph23PBJlgOwCEmlTlIadvyfPvlbwJqVNkfmYEvjMZKUTRTGmbC1KjQv-Y91uLfwE67DH2IfeAswpDGUk8N6ESJWRid_16oi/s320/Feb+17+2012.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I am now playing </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">doctor</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
with my Dad three times a day. <i>There is something totally wrong with
that sentence. </i> What I mean is I take vitals, administer breathing
treatments, and dispense medications. Dad is still making great
progress and is now able to walk up and down the stairs alone. God has
truly blessed us with answered prayers. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">STOP THE PRESSES!</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
wrote this post three weeks ago. Before I could publish it, Dad fell
and dislocated his elbow. It was a setback for which we weren’t
prepared and it knocked the air out of his sails. He, again, had to
make adjustments and today he is improving and looking forward to
getting his splint off Tuesday and being fitted for a hinged brace. </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEa1H_Ifr1qVfOboZocu2iw0orHjlOD6d8cwcQGFh_17G_qqhFUqO6BoDFi7oRE_rBCpuFj-3gw7kQHY25Vro3PulPiJlCrMEt7GzFQTDo-L0Rl0EpeI9NQi-u1CTX0zlCdNswv9A8qT8/s1600/mail.google.com.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEa1H_Ifr1qVfOboZocu2iw0orHjlOD6d8cwcQGFh_17G_qqhFUqO6BoDFi7oRE_rBCpuFj-3gw7kQHY25Vro3PulPiJlCrMEt7GzFQTDo-L0Rl0EpeI9NQi-u1CTX0zlCdNswv9A8qT8/s1600/mail.google.com.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So, that is what I have been up to…so how ‘bout you? What is keeping you busy? </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Greet each day with Gratitude!</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-58107135164618688132012-01-17T07:00:00.000-05:002012-01-17T07:00:09.851-05:00Warming up the Cold<div style="text-align: center;">
Nothing warms up a cold winter day like Chili Mac n' Cheese. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLG-w9PgUDIKwrVX_xoXpfU43DFThU7wgw4woF_eCvdIdZm8BEhSx2U2nnbY_iQNnbY-_LRCtHlmV8gXfMmHJnaNq-FPLRUrBxIjHiSL2SQKCQg3QYZfh9KJy1wL2RKB1Znbbmmf05prV/s1600/Chili+mac.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLG-w9PgUDIKwrVX_xoXpfU43DFThU7wgw4woF_eCvdIdZm8BEhSx2U2nnbY_iQNnbY-_LRCtHlmV8gXfMmHJnaNq-FPLRUrBxIjHiSL2SQKCQg3QYZfh9KJy1wL2RKB1Znbbmmf05prV/s320/Chili+mac.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 pound pasta (Cavatappi) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Leftover Chili</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dinner is done in less than 30 minutes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XNfc-lJQLuocJpGu4iJsyYrlpWaM034lhtP_WcbaGIRMHD589mX4JDJBpjp551y9gmmFRZCmnvKb4SxdMDgcGZJP-W32ISYsz7BYvzp5d-SDQCaj2XzKFUZJviHGDB_Cz13B4GTeZYT_/s1600/Chili+mac+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XNfc-lJQLuocJpGu4iJsyYrlpWaM034lhtP_WcbaGIRMHD589mX4JDJBpjp551y9gmmFRZCmnvKb4SxdMDgcGZJP-W32ISYsz7BYvzp5d-SDQCaj2XzKFUZJviHGDB_Cz13B4GTeZYT_/s320/Chili+mac+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLG-w9PgUDIKwrVX_xoXpfU43DFThU7wgw4woF_eCvdIdZm8BEhSx2U2nnbY_iQNnbY-_LRCtHlmV8gXfMmHJnaNq-FPLRUrBxIjHiSL2SQKCQg3QYZfh9KJy1wL2RKB1Znbbmmf05prV/s1600/Chili+mac.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b>Greet each day with Gratitude!</b></a></div>
<br />Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-69160987274747222372012-01-15T12:31:00.000-05:002012-01-15T12:32:06.637-05:00Martin Luther King, Jr.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAFv0-zjJ6eR9be3tbh6WUZiO0HBnQQS8V5pPqTa0f8Upa83xHlfaT7CDBQzXB9rMWfNOj43vhoAf9-wNALS8lhuWn65iE_78oMxrPsR4c6XTavnEOQyx6jc7h91mvAiULBKbwwHnLHq_/s1600/MLK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAFv0-zjJ6eR9be3tbh6WUZiO0HBnQQS8V5pPqTa0f8Upa83xHlfaT7CDBQzXB9rMWfNOj43vhoAf9-wNALS8lhuWn65iE_78oMxrPsR4c6XTavnEOQyx6jc7h91mvAiULBKbwwHnLHq_/s320/MLK.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/special/mlk/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Injustice anywhere is a </span></span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">threat to justice everywhere. </span></span></b></i></div>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-11195286150797603842012-01-06T12:30:00.000-05:002012-01-15T11:38:09.242-05:00HAPPY NEW YEAR!<span id="internal-source-marker_0.7429455181652176" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Happy New Year Friends!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I hope you each had a wonderful holiday season. Did you make any resolutions for 2012?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Last year I resolved to <a href="http://amusingpotpourri.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-years-resolutions.html" style="color: red;" target="_blank">MAKE</a> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">each day a good day....even when it's not.</span> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For
the most part I was able to do just that. Although, the last few
months of the year were <a href="http://amusingpotpourri.blogspot.com/2011/12/update-different-kind-of-christmas.html" style="color: red;" target="_blank">challenging</a> and full of very high ups and very
low downs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
welcome a new year and the possibilities it will offer. Yes, like 2011
there will be highs and lows….curves and bumps…achievements and
challenges, but that is what life is all about. Without the tough
times, would we truly appreciate the joys life offers?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We tend to take our blessings for granted until our eyes are
opened by a wake-up call. So in the spirit of the season, I intend to
build on the positive initiated by my personal </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Make it a Great Day </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">campaign by </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Greeting</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Each Day with Gratitude</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> in 2012 and I hope you will join me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">GREET EACH DAY WITH GRATITUDE!</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-55195072079364696282012-01-05T20:40:00.000-05:002012-01-05T20:51:17.821-05:00Special Thank You to My Secret Santa<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5843669607852022" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hello Friends!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This
Christmas, I joined a fantastic group of bloggers in a Secret Santa
gift exchange. Oh what fun it was to peek in and get to know a new
blogger and try to figure out what she may like. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
received my care package while my Dad was in the hospital and my
spirits were pretty low. Although my Secret Santa has remained
anonymous, I want her to know just how much my mood was lifted by her
generosity and thoughtfulness. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Without further delay…as I am already quite tardy…allow me to show you the plethora of goodies I received. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXn_-ITEK_-tDMB_P6HZ3epDabJjXiIWCPIn_om4QNQtJfvPMqp6YqtWB2d262yo9cLY1Mb99JshBFXKakyT2b-eILhNIXQC2kfMgg_ojhm7byAEZdeOflMR60del9hVA6MFwMAqMS0pY/s1600/Secret+Santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXn_-ITEK_-tDMB_P6HZ3epDabJjXiIWCPIn_om4QNQtJfvPMqp6YqtWB2d262yo9cLY1Mb99JshBFXKakyT2b-eILhNIXQC2kfMgg_ojhm7byAEZdeOflMR60del9hVA6MFwMAqMS0pY/s320/Secret+Santa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Goody List </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">M&M:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> To know me is to know few things make me happier than chocolate.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Floral Post-it:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> These will remind me that warm weather WILL return. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ID Protector Stamp:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> I didn’t even know there was such a thing. BRILLIANT!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bumpits: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I just cut all my hair off, but Jordan has been trying to get Ashlee to try these. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Disney Snowglobe: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Isn’t this adorable? Who doesn’t love M-I-C-K-E-Y??</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Green Cup with Straw: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This is perfect to hold cold drinks for my daily commute.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Christmas Socks: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I love these! I will wear them every year. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Nail Polish and Pedicure Set: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">See! I’m prepared for the warm weather and SANDALS!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hazelnut Scented Candle: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hazelnut is my favorite flavor of coffee and scents. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1001 Recipes </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cookbook: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I love to cook and can’t wait to try some of these wonderful recipes like </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Souper-Sausage Cornbread </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">made with cream of celery soup. YUM!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She even included a special gift for Bosco: a red and white striped rope that reminds me of a candy cane. He loves it! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m
not sure whether my Secret Santa is a long time friend or new, but she
definitely put time and thought into her shopping as everything is
perfect. THANK YOU SO MUCH!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank you also to Susanne for hosting this fun and festive gift exchange. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">GREET EACH DAY WITH GRATITUDE!</span></div>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-1199213658693523752011-12-24T10:04:00.000-05:002011-12-24T10:04:00.858-05:00Merry Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw5upat4pmbLdifijmVlGj3Faa0tVNs2KElb-uzwq2ypsQ84Onx5hSU_1Rjlm4ceGq5e4I5oRLDEUV_uIrXQszZ5acuYKHurD6gk2Zz37dMDlSjA1nGtVYW4LDkRS7C_Jndp7lB-9eXLC/s1600/Bosco+Nubs+Santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw5upat4pmbLdifijmVlGj3Faa0tVNs2KElb-uzwq2ypsQ84Onx5hSU_1Rjlm4ceGq5e4I5oRLDEUV_uIrXQszZ5acuYKHurD6gk2Zz37dMDlSjA1nGtVYW4LDkRS7C_Jndp7lB-9eXLC/s400/Bosco+Nubs+Santa.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.18339954376760081" style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Merry Christmas </span></div>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.18339954376760081" style="background-color: transparent; color: red; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">and Happy New Year!</span></div>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-58937548640485070582011-12-23T12:00:00.002-05:002011-12-23T12:00:54.886-05:00Update: A Different Kind of Christmas<span id="internal-source-marker_0.18339954376760081" style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hello Friends. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I hope you are all enjoying your pre-holiday festivities. Christmas is going to be different for our family this year. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As
many of you know, my 87 year-old father underwent back surgery earlier
in the month at a Columbus hospital. If you or anyone you know has had
lower back surgery, you know the road to recovery is long and arduous. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
anesthesia and pain meds left my dad very confused and, at times,
combative. Thankfully, most of that has since worn off. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Monday,
we were able to move him to a rehab center in Marion, where we live.
He seemed very comfortable there and everyone relaxed a bit. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday
was perhaps the most peculiar day of my life. I received a call, while
I was driving to work, from the nurse at the center saying they were
rushing Dad to the local ER because his breathing had become labored. I
turned around to head back to Marion and started trying to contact my
brothers. No one answered their phones so I finally called my nephew,
who is a police detective and used to getting calls in the night.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When
I got to the hospital BJ and Jordan were there, but the ambulance was
not. Jordan offered to drive to my oldest brother's house to awake him.
When he returned he said something is wrong with Uncle Chuck. He is
bloated and can't talk right.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I called him and his speech was slurred. I asked him if he was ok and told him he should come out to be checked. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Before
he could get there, some family friends came into the ER. Their
children were driving to school and the car was struck by a truck. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dad had sustained a small heart attack and was in congestive heart failure. He was admitted to ICU for observation.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Chuck's
kidneys were not functioning correctly due to a change in medication.
He was admitted to the hospital in a room just outside of the ICU. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The children who were in the accident are fine. They are very sore and shaken up, but are home recuperating. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Needless
to say, Christmas will be different this year. There will be no
cookies, no big family celebration, no day of playing. It is
disappointing, but we are very thankful that everyone is healing. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
would like to thank my Secret Santa for all the wonderful treats she
sent me. As soon as life settles a bit, I will share my box of goodies
with all of you. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Until then, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday. I think of you often and hope to rejoin you in the very near future. La</span>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-60134611883174836002011-12-09T20:20:00.001-05:002011-12-09T20:38:13.435-05:00It's a Girl!<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bosco has been an only pet for 8 years. He is sweet, loving, and spoiled. He lives blissfully at the center of our household.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bjhKFFq8cTMhIAEEB82qNwuOPND3_lC-uc1OqK24RL-C43dQYd58R0g-PQBNk5-p4GF-Di6qgkmiRkKwB2pq4oumz9JMP_5k48LbqmZO0F8txQE4jARBqS4nfvAVV_Jhyphenhyphenk_rPWXhH6vs/s1600/Bosco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bjhKFFq8cTMhIAEEB82qNwuOPND3_lC-uc1OqK24RL-C43dQYd58R0g-PQBNk5-p4GF-Di6qgkmiRkKwB2pq4oumz9JMP_5k48LbqmZO0F8txQE4jARBqS4nfvAVV_Jhyphenhyphenk_rPWXhH6vs/s1600/Bosco.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For many months, I wanted to introduce a little brother or sister to his world. I always thought he or she would be of the canine variety, but you may recall Bosco suffers from Cynophobia. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cynophobia: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">sī’-nə-fō’-bē-a) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Noun. A morbid fear of dogs.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Cynophobia results from Bosco’s harrowing encounter with my brother and sister-in-law’s Golden Retriever, Lola. She was excited to see him and jumped on his little head. Since then, he has been afraid of all dogs, including puppies. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Last week I went on <a href="http://www.petfinder.com/index.html" target="_blank">Petfinder</a> and found the Purrrfect little sister for Bosco. She was located at our local humane society. Ashlee called to see if she was still available and we were pleased to find that she was. The director at the <a href="http://www.mahspets.org/" target="_blank">Marion Area Humane Society</a> suggested we bring Bosco out to see whether they would get along. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">That evening we took Bosco to meet her. They immediately became buddies and she came home with us that night. Without further ado, please meet Nubs, formerly known as Cinders. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><div align="center">
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUXFiXQW1n4SFvkgg3fxzTGTUBb5UYGgdY69HB937WyjyMOMqGufSe3CWfcrztL5MXPGi0VJWr4pX5-A7uRGYG9Ixf0ib4mK4zwPZaE0MZzaNiAea5VhkbrwYaV80FqmOOVZtfHsVDSHn/s1600/OH70_20092941-1-x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUXFiXQW1n4SFvkgg3fxzTGTUBb5UYGgdY69HB937WyjyMOMqGufSe3CWfcrztL5MXPGi0VJWr4pX5-A7uRGYG9Ixf0ib4mK4zwPZaE0MZzaNiAea5VhkbrwYaV80FqmOOVZtfHsVDSHn/s320/OH70_20092941-1-x.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFqTEpguVyPcd184zgSVwwqbjlTv5-yxRZrs5ZtxYn5udfN4QUgSYW_n6eG4FgZ5FR1zMzq4eqpFaOLWV50ikYe5uru8xdqTCmaxHuOlErvP-Z1KSGiNumnptiZ7XJAF6vVQWv584vflN/s1600/OH70_20092941-2-x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFqTEpguVyPcd184zgSVwwqbjlTv5-yxRZrs5ZtxYn5udfN4QUgSYW_n6eG4FgZ5FR1zMzq4eqpFaOLWV50ikYe5uru8xdqTCmaxHuOlErvP-Z1KSGiNumnptiZ7XJAF6vVQWv584vflN/s320/OH70_20092941-2-x.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Why Nubs?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> This beautiful little kitten has no tail…to speak of. There is a little nub about 2 inches long. Thankfully, her lack of tail is not due to abuse; she was born with a bobtail. Apparently, she came to the shelter as part of a litter in April and all her siblings had normal tails. She was the last of the litter to be adopted. I guess most people don’t want a cat without a long tail. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When people ask me where we got her, I tell them I got her from the Island of Misfit Toys. We love her and she is very happy, which is evident when she wags her little bobtail like a dog. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She is like Bosco in many ways. She is sweet, loving, and spoiled….</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">BUT!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> This sweet little mild-mannered kitty becomes mischievous come nightfall. THAT is subject for another post. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhc2IuLZ_P9QFxk_9fcuY7L5rkL4LtFuE6WSX7Cef28sNE3PABZbWqzDM0Ne0xuTTXfkmbRiPCnhYMrJ_q4UEmW_SRPpPjMzvJwzm1SQOIpzUVi090iw3cTBI-lQoqdMOXWX1FB7C0bZzG/s1600/375341_326495794030179_100000092826924_1491375_884341023_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhc2IuLZ_P9QFxk_9fcuY7L5rkL4LtFuE6WSX7Cef28sNE3PABZbWqzDM0Ne0xuTTXfkmbRiPCnhYMrJ_q4UEmW_SRPpPjMzvJwzm1SQOIpzUVi090iw3cTBI-lQoqdMOXWX1FB7C0bZzG/s320/375341_326495794030179_100000092826924_1491375_884341023_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wanna be my friend?<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Do you have room in your heart for a little furry friend? Are you unsure what to get the kids? Are you an empty nester who needs companionship? Visit your local humane society or rescue and bring home a sweet pet who needs a loving home. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We’re so glad we did. </span><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!</span></div>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-56858385553652361562011-11-30T07:00:00.000-05:002011-11-30T07:00:11.337-05:00Black Friday 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYUf61gUxhMFQu0DJk4c4n0lImj39AopHACRJHiwhrk_xHhdZXO-jcr5KYWWopu6YyhSOMvnLkhw1QfGlv79NCE7JAnkt_LUTvyx7uYyQBccXO9dSrq6CHQLtrduM_GqyT-AIs3dPRRUh/s1600/Mantle11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.2579453239471161" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hello friends. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
think winter is finally rearing its ugly head in Ohio. We have been
enjoying unseasonably warm weather and sunshine. Now, it has been
raining for three days and was sleeting a few moments ago. Time to post
my Days Until Spring countdown. Alright...ALRIGHT! I’ll wait until
after Christmas before looking toward Spring....if I must. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
house is as decorated as it is going to get. There’s just too much
going on for me to go all out this year. I just need to store the boxes
and clean up after myself. Hopefully, I can get that done before
Christmas Day. </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYUf61gUxhMFQu0DJk4c4n0lImj39AopHACRJHiwhrk_xHhdZXO-jcr5KYWWopu6YyhSOMvnLkhw1QfGlv79NCE7JAnkt_LUTvyx7uYyQBccXO9dSrq6CHQLtrduM_GqyT-AIs3dPRRUh/s1600/Mantle11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYUf61gUxhMFQu0DJk4c4n0lImj39AopHACRJHiwhrk_xHhdZXO-jcr5KYWWopu6YyhSOMvnLkhw1QfGlv79NCE7JAnkt_LUTvyx7uYyQBccXO9dSrq6CHQLtrduM_GqyT-AIs3dPRRUh/s320/Mantle11.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Did
you go out shopping on Black Friday? I did for a bit. I prefer the
midnight shift so I can get done and then go home to bed. I arrived at
Kohl’s at 12:10 AM with my own shopping bag. They were still corralling
people through the doors. It was fairly warm and everyone was
courteous. No knives or pepper spray, thankfully. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
am a strategic shopper...no browsing for me. I know what I want before
I leave the house and like a Stealth Fighter Pilot, I fly in-strike-and
go. According to plan, I </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">flew</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> in and within 20 minutes had zig-zagged through the store and found the items on my list. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">GREAT!</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Time to get in line...</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There’s the line...</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">No
wait; there’s the line...but it’s going in a different direction.
Where’s the end of the line??? After several minutes, I heard a Kohl’s
associate yell the end of the line is right here. Droves of people
clamoured toward her voice.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’m in line! GREAT!</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
line...that I was so happy to be in...wrapped around the entire store,
TWICE! Needless to say this left lots of time for browsing. I guess
browsing IS for me. I was good and only picked up one item that was not
on my list, a remote controlled car for one of my nephews. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
stood in line for an hour and 40 minutes. I was thirsty, tired, and
more than ready for bed when I got home just after 2:00AM. Everyone was
snuggled in bed except for Jordan’s girlfriend, Ashlee. She was up and
ready to out on the morning shopping shift with her aunt. Good night
Ashlee. Have fun! </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!</span></div>
<br />Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4010672985752306761.post-91353503730077830452011-11-29T11:13:00.001-05:002011-11-29T13:12:30.801-05:00Pumpkin Bread and Butter<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hello Friends.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">How was your Thanksgiving? Did you get your fill of turkey and stuffing, potatoes and gravy, pumpkin pie and whipped cream? Our family certainly did. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have two recipes that I came across from <i>Better Homes and Gardens. </i>Both are delicious and go hand-in-hand like bread and butter...pumpkin bread and pumpkin butter that is. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.3945276842894838" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I have two recipes that I came across from </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Better Homes and Gardens. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Both are delicious and go hand-in-hand like bread and butter...pumpkin bread and pumpkin butter that is. </span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><img height="315px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Wm_RDDvUkCxrFdFYCFFRNgW5E5mQDRr-ByzFBtEXLyhervKvLTBCvzizxir26n6KJ-_-c-Iz6XiEzSoyKe7dWQqxrPR2CVK8IBrWGlIBOJpgCM4nwtA" width="427px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The coffee is on and I still have some pumpkin bread and butter in the fridge so have a seat and share some with me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Double Decker Pumpkin Bread</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 Ounces Cream Cheese</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1/4 Cup Sugar </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8 Ounces Sour Cream</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 Egg</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Tablespoons Crystallized Ginger, finely chopped</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 Cups All-purpose Flour</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Teaspoons Baking Soda</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1/2 Teaspoon Salt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 Eggs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">15 Ounce Can Pumpkin Puree</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 Cup Oil</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1/3 Cup Water</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preheat
oven to 350* F. Spray the bottom of 2 loaf pans (9"x5"x3") with
cooking spray. (I line the bottom with parchment paper and then spray)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In
a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and 1/4 cup sugar. Beat with
electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Add sour cream and 1
egg; beat until combined. Stir in the crystallized ginger and set
aside. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In another medium bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and salt; set aside.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In
a large bowl, combine the 2 cups of sugar, 4 eggs, pumpkin, oil, and
water. Beat on low speed until combined, scraping the side of the bowl
occasionally. Gradually add flour mixture, beating until combined. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Spoon
1-1/2 cups of pumpkin batter into each prepared loaf pan. Divide the
cream cheese mixture between pans and spread evenly. Spoon the
remaining pumpkin batter onto cream cheese layer, spreading evenly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bake
for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out
clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove bread from
pans and cool completely on wire racks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes 32 servings. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><img height="320px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1KkUe98nvoxZPMYVajim64wtEdNhQ-_vQNVssCvVaGSpDWld5wfKdfWq-6LZA12RvIef9qEAthLTXgYwbyF8qMTnE4vNIx8XjiozXhVA4dJhuDhaYkM" width="427px;" /></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What is bread without butter? No worries. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Better Homes and Gardens </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: small;">also
had a recipe for pumpkin butter. If you like apple butter, you will
like this spicy butter. It is such a pretty color; perfect for your
holiday table.</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Spiced Pumpkin Butter</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 Cups Pumpkin Puree</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1-1/4 Cups Maple Syrup</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1/2 Cup Apple Juice</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 Teaspoons Ground Ginger </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1/4 Teaspoon Salt</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In
5-quart Dutch Oven, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce
heat. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat, stirring frequently,25 minutes
or until thick. (If mixture splatters, lower heat to medium-low).
Remove from heat and cool.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ladle
into jars or freezer containers, leaving 1/2 inch head-space. Cover
and refrigerate up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">These
recipes are so simple and very tasty. What a wonderful gift this pair
would make for co-workers, teachers, neighbors....or yourself! ENJOY ~ </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><img height="320px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1k0h4Y-x9UWTKB9ucWyYlgdAfnyJs-iKMG5lgEXOMX_1cZ06qr2AXa6j90ToFmBzEJGsyIxKJRd3KBy-4owBstYBvKnxt0qfVNubgFNp7gmfRU3E93s" width="427px;" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><img height="253px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/xMbwufSCRaiPaPHCMo7b6VzK1M94exb3kda8xSOzsP3ea2YMCJ4JGBRp_oDtoXkEqTWkNG_zXhAvDcprvImEKf7Sf8vHa0aXGc0GfhpJuglPAYRdVLs" width="427px;" /></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>Lahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05069302462087366566noreply@blogger.com6