tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6530814980831879102024-03-21T20:41:27.677-07:00Ramblings of a Stay at Home MomCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-59335684134875565362014-01-02T10:22:00.000-08:002014-01-02T10:22:30.230-08:00A Look Back at the Last of 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't posted in quite a while. Since the school year started its been pretty hectic. Not in a bad way either. It's just been busy. One things for sure, I have my hands full. The kids are growing so fast. The boys are so energetic...there are some days I wonder how we have any men! The boys are so adventurous and are constantly getting some sort of bump or scrape...it's a miracle they survive to adulthood. H has gotten huge! Growing like a weed. A2 had his yearly heart check, and got the all clear for the next two years! Doc said he's healthy and has no restrictions for now. The girls have certainly seen a lot of growth. K will be nine in two weeks. Can you believe that! She had definately left behind the "little girl" years and seems to be maturing quickly. She is quite the artist. She has taken up tap dance and has picked it up quick. We went to her first recital and she was amazing. Her love of archery continues to grow as well. She is mastering it very quickly. S is quite the character. She enjoys reading and picks most things up quickly. She is in her second year of ballet and we are looking forward to her big performance this spring. A1 is our little clown. She finds humor in anything! She is beginning to read as well and S loves to sit with her and teach her all the sounds and blends. The girls will be ridding a lot more soon. It's a bit icy now but as soon as spring gets here we will be investing more time into it. School is going well, we are sticking to it...for the most part. I love the flexibility of homeschool.<br />
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For the last two month I have been a crocheting machine! I made my parents a granny square throw, and pot holders...lot's of pot holders for the family. I have a VERY large extended family. My <a href="http://rantsandramblingsofastayathomemom.blogspot.com/2013/08/crochet-marine-dollfor-tater-tot.html" target="_blank">Marine Dolls</a> have become quite a hit. I get a lot of requests for the pattern, and they sell like hot cakes on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/knotinchains" target="_blank">Etsy</a>...I had to close my shop early for the holiday season..I was getting to overwhelmed with orders on top of the gifts I was trying to make.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My own personal arsenal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby blanket for our very good friends expecting their first.</td></tr>
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I have inherited the family Thanksgiving. I had a great time cooking and decorating! We had 17 people in the house! What a great day!<br />
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I turned 30! gasp! I know I'm soooooo old! (please note the sarcasm) I
certainly don't feel old. As a matter of face I'd much rather be where I
am at now than where I was ten years ago!<br />
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Christmas was awesome! The kids got much of what they wanted. We don't go to crazy, as Christmas, to us, is about Christ and family. Hubby really spoiled me! He bought me a designer purse. I have NEVER owned a designer purse...I'm feeling kind of fancy. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby's big gift...a new hat...goes well with the winter beard!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFtHcP0DTASN4F4q5jBuZITFsh1EgVzEuWGAWHd58b33V3zSvnwqQRNzRWpwUakpO-zH-1Jch8-Q70dvvkU-S0sE2TgfKNSQzoy-LNVqAVuZBFagxPKCwcsmkcOmcfaUMjA6Pm1T4I2l0/s1600/IMG_5718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxFtHcP0DTASN4F4q5jBuZITFsh1EgVzEuWGAWHd58b33V3zSvnwqQRNzRWpwUakpO-zH-1Jch8-Q70dvvkU-S0sE2TgfKNSQzoy-LNVqAVuZBFagxPKCwcsmkcOmcfaUMjA6Pm1T4I2l0/s320/IMG_5718.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that is my son crawling around in his underpants....at least he had those on!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iisrEmWExAPTL2H4i7YCWRHbyc08o5E9oqkdusiha6QfmNg5YrUXoMGu036va4_z_a5Jzj9FK1XR0zWg4fArQRzxFCgzSUUicN8TnzSMOwiywcMl-drvfWvF9zf7OeSf6_JFFKkQ0UKS/s1600/IMG_1810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iisrEmWExAPTL2H4i7YCWRHbyc08o5E9oqkdusiha6QfmNg5YrUXoMGu036va4_z_a5Jzj9FK1XR0zWg4fArQRzxFCgzSUUicN8TnzSMOwiywcMl-drvfWvF9zf7OeSf6_JFFKkQ0UKS/s320/IMG_1810.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S got the real deal! Leather Cowgirl boots.</td></tr>
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So here is a ton of pictures to some up that last few months! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeXhCNIwotYpgaThzSAqasqyMmkBcbP1YVr9zvJ4czKfWGI_dp9ouT6qLmgjaZSHoZae6fGEHinpR4cCiQkEgv7oTytgblr00wOVrWMMn8X3OCLDxuJYgYxAo2emsfzbzevXLrmq-JUYV/s1600/IMG_1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeXhCNIwotYpgaThzSAqasqyMmkBcbP1YVr9zvJ4czKfWGI_dp9ouT6qLmgjaZSHoZae6fGEHinpR4cCiQkEgv7oTytgblr00wOVrWMMn8X3OCLDxuJYgYxAo2emsfzbzevXLrmq-JUYV/s320/IMG_1675.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School fair</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKg9OpwGkARw9TgX2B1PBnADkQXvCWevVqtz2COnH7VN5sVVqCHSthvQxCAqCZPbslF1qayEOTp2HE0UWjBmDjSYGrgvvbWkoWVYJE6bDSUwYspgB3kjcKYL36Mi3CKBUP7LPIrshoZq3/s1600/IMG_1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKg9OpwGkARw9TgX2B1PBnADkQXvCWevVqtz2COnH7VN5sVVqCHSthvQxCAqCZPbslF1qayEOTp2HE0UWjBmDjSYGrgvvbWkoWVYJE6bDSUwYspgB3kjcKYL36Mi3CKBUP7LPIrshoZq3/s320/IMG_1684.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S turned seven...this is her "Daddy Date"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbhr7xb22oAENcSpJrk2u7q8Aj6zpRLjZFoX810iQPqudsWWmEUvTAxXhIwq4kTJESwBJOZWhDwzV60Pzlxec2fmY-19W1aCCnBj08SVQxIwI_z0xPyR2ptMhPCDo12rWbWV2vLwAnjCZ/s1600/IMG_5429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbhr7xb22oAENcSpJrk2u7q8Aj6zpRLjZFoX810iQPqudsWWmEUvTAxXhIwq4kTJESwBJOZWhDwzV60Pzlxec2fmY-19W1aCCnBj08SVQxIwI_z0xPyR2ptMhPCDo12rWbWV2vLwAnjCZ/s320/IMG_5429.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one store...one trip....feeding a family of seven</td></tr>
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-41346535024477533762013-10-19T23:10:00.001-07:002013-10-19T23:10:42.664-07:00Superhero Party<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhyphenhyphenskY13DGrK6Fxl1bt-ZQSXmvyYUzrGxVsiGnnNq4tXsQMS0d-_oo_czWgVml7jVr6DdAV22V8r25rVSBqwcHatdIsDCE6bk3Qq4QhAZNyLVEHUOYTwKqk2qI5CxuHngEwHPLSLsYqwg/s640/blogger-image-733835359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhyphenhyphenskY13DGrK6Fxl1bt-ZQSXmvyYUzrGxVsiGnnNq4tXsQMS0d-_oo_czWgVml7jVr6DdAV22V8r25rVSBqwcHatdIsDCE6bk3Qq4QhAZNyLVEHUOYTwKqk2qI5CxuHngEwHPLSLsYqwg/s640/blogger-image-733835359.jpg" /></a></div>
A2 turned 3! His latest infatuation is with Captain America, and anything super hero related. He and his sisters raid my pots and pans cabinet and use my pot lids for shields. What a better way to play on that than Super Hero Party! I sent out an evite to join us for super hero training camp. I purchased 6 yards of felt fabric and made 24 capes. My kiddos got custom made ones, they picked out their colors and patterns, but everyone else I just made a bunch of generic shapes. I ordered a pinata and some table covers from Oriental Trading Co. For the picture booth and jail I went to the Sears distribution center and got the super thick honeycomb cardboard. I cut out a city scape and covered it with a black plastic table cloth from the dollar store. For the front city, I picked up a presentation board that was already black. Add some post its for the city lights, and a blue table cloth behind it all and TA DA! Pictures from it turned out great. I made a bunch of cupcakes, and our family punch. <br />
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As kids arrived they decorated a mask and picked out a cape. They where then ushered over to the picture area. As soon as they where done they went outside. My oldest kids helped out. I picked up silly string from the dollar store and the kids played target practice with it. Hubby and his friends were given black capes. I told all the kids to keep an eye out for the bad guys in the black capes. Hubby would go around and harass the kids, then the kids would chase him around, catch him and take him to the cardboard jail.<br />
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They learned how to tie up the bad guys with paper streamers. They played this way for an hour or so. We then moved onto the pinata. I really build the suspense for it! Hubby and his friend hid behind the cars. I told the kids to keep a close eye out for those bad guys. As my back was turned and I was giving directions about the pinata, they snuck up and snatched it. They took off into the woods with 25 kids tearing after them. The men put up a good fight but where overpowered by the kids, tied up and hauled off to jail! The kids had such a great time, so did we. Watch all this kiddos laugh and play, no arguing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0N48tRPbO6336c_CEqsLKsexvVH7bf_97N45kirqmJlvmILWS-x-jEM4hVAJ8m4KsxNnY72PvFLOoJIRn42mIDkTXvdPoE1HgDdDjCoE1Y5DaKX_jTi2ptc1LrFQ6p53vC9ZgQdHAhST/s640/blogger-image-1935199772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0N48tRPbO6336c_CEqsLKsexvVH7bf_97N45kirqmJlvmILWS-x-jEM4hVAJ8m4KsxNnY72PvFLOoJIRn42mIDkTXvdPoE1HgDdDjCoE1Y5DaKX_jTi2ptc1LrFQ6p53vC9ZgQdHAhST/s640/blogger-image-1935199772.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids came in to make their masks and capes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubby and one of his friends getting tied up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was so sweet, having everyone sing to him embarrassed him.</td></tr>
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We are blessed with such an amazing group of families. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captured!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A and hubby with the pinata...He got a Captain America sweatshirt for his birthday.</td></tr>
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-55318347439212320552013-09-24T10:01:00.002-07:002013-09-24T10:05:00.288-07:00So starts another school year<br />
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Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-17482318262914486712013-09-19T19:53:00.002-07:002013-09-19T19:53:48.979-07:00Smells like Heaven<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS66czNzLMAoyS0-VuVDowgfSh9GMuJJzgocFAmfC-nXHWxBvAaB0ERAv5JHqcOLc5JO4Th5rLpXxAGy7HPjrW3SWy_liUT4miXkfxEf-0KmUMcU5im3Egj_NJv7Imw-rd8KiGdZQNfVPI/s640/blogger-image--553828775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS66czNzLMAoyS0-VuVDowgfSh9GMuJJzgocFAmfC-nXHWxBvAaB0ERAv5JHqcOLc5JO4Th5rLpXxAGy7HPjrW3SWy_liUT4miXkfxEf-0KmUMcU5im3Egj_NJv7Imw-rd8KiGdZQNfVPI/s200/blogger-image--553828775.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzR26_gbqdJH-Q7YqSkVyvQnYFSEfrRGaK-renq3AQ6Jo7gM7G21qzo-a8tPUpMJ4itsic0VhU026UM8CLJVcI-tp5yPYA0hHi9DQQDH6_mHHxQoums5sJPhqVhsn7DP6RI6ggrHTT83v/s1600/blogger-image--1344460637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyzR26_gbqdJH-Q7YqSkVyvQnYFSEfrRGaK-renq3AQ6Jo7gM7G21qzo-a8tPUpMJ4itsic0VhU026UM8CLJVcI-tp5yPYA0hHi9DQQDH6_mHHxQoums5sJPhqVhsn7DP6RI6ggrHTT83v/s320/blogger-image--1344460637.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14Jhg5efophyU0CPSGd4Fw2GED8AFfF8oaId1jnYivF9UTnaM1Sxlx07P7WD_-2Jv6PH4g0GBiCLsX_81AavQWlXgZJBoZ2FblAvmidlaNnNFZqgQ15ewWZ1jtHkZJJD_HeAR8nrkSPnv/s640/blogger-image-437658076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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My house smells like heaven right now! Surely, spiced pear butter, spaghetti sauce, and cinnamon pear sauce are God ordained smells! I have all three! It's that time of year, harvesting, canning, schooling. It's kind of a crazy time, but it's nice to appreciate the small stuff. I canned 100 lbs of peaches and 60 pounds of pears! I take the peals and cores from the pears, run them through the mill and made pear butter and pear sauce. If you have never had the privilege of eating Vanilla Spiced Pear Butter...you have no idea what your taste buds are missing! And the spaghetti sauce! mmmm mmmm mmmm! I grew up in an Italian family. Our Christmas Eve was never a turkey or ham dinner...oh no..it was Nana's homemade manicotti and lasagna...don't ever mention the one year she made a frozen lasagna, let's just say it'll never happen again! Dad made spaghetti sauce from scratch...I'm talking the biggest stock pot I've ever seen! He'd freeze it, then when it was spaghetti night we'd defrost some. You'd think it would get boring after awhile but oh no. Our spaghetti was always different, he'd add leftovers to the sauce. You heard me, left overs. Like chicken or steak, pork chops...you name it. So tonight, I am thinking of him as I add last nights chicken and squash to my sauce, and it will be amazing! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYCA4gR7xTgJLR1W4e3GOMQLJUQ0f8W1nhTa60mOlYMt7epmK90RM0Z1irurLbvTiUGadafELw5-914gbCvslHtiY4zB_h0iZUibBxF_C3uur5g8SAqc4JtUdOi64Li9S_6yi90rC0HaL/s640/blogger-image--433664398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYCA4gR7xTgJLR1W4e3GOMQLJUQ0f8W1nhTa60mOlYMt7epmK90RM0Z1irurLbvTiUGadafELw5-914gbCvslHtiY4zB_h0iZUibBxF_C3uur5g8SAqc4JtUdOi64Li9S_6yi90rC0HaL/s640/blogger-image--433664398.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saucy awesomeness</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmwTa3HMy6BWwW3mUaLG98-RmVjmohU8CMiQWln7iy56JGMnaewzsHZ_bVzP-XpOegSBKk3Brkp9OW6_vAE3Sv1aDlwhSOlIjfHZ2Vu6e-Mq06kdgNZNgdKbEK2c98GQzFP704P7uWQSu/s640/blogger-image-1863234581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmwTa3HMy6BWwW3mUaLG98-RmVjmohU8CMiQWln7iy56JGMnaewzsHZ_bVzP-XpOegSBKk3Brkp9OW6_vAE3Sv1aDlwhSOlIjfHZ2Vu6e-Mq06kdgNZNgdKbEK2c98GQzFP704P7uWQSu/s640/blogger-image-1863234581.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pear sauce</td></tr>
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-64622090361815556332013-08-30T12:45:00.000-07:002013-08-30T12:50:40.992-07:00We have Kittens!<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HIkz-BSRvnllnxqh3GWsoWRY01YzFa4IJ11AtCth8zSajlA3zuOXJ15AyQXRTxb5dBmEQh_pvuycAT0Xmw0Vhp4rYEDd-GDr5pY_6h3C7v_anwtebzEBOVgp9O0MbVUpoY9WgTckq_Vv/s1600/blogger-image--1626251287.jpg" />This is Bangle, we adopted her a month and a half ago. I was definitely not in the market for a cat. We already have Zippy and Lucky. Zippy was a moment of weakness, kids giving away kittens outside my kids Co-Op. Lucky I inherited from my parents. We were outside playing when my neighbor pulled in our driveway. The teenager got out and came to me, "I have something to show you." We walked over to their van and he opened the door to reveal this scrawny cat sitting on the seat. He (the teenager) had big crocodile tears in his eyes, "I can't keep her, we have to many pets. I found her behind a dumpster. Can you keep her?"<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLe4IWtV8DwiGXOyrzLxVcXBigqxbY0cXykq8FKd3keN03iuxAmEOX2TQyChcdQcMvTHZWcrQOXopyZlwSXHpRlCYjDel5Om90QgNVTDCHUHTXVbekAyCBVJYtbZBkA3Ha-tKc-maY9jq/s640/blogger-image-766489217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLe4IWtV8DwiGXOyrzLxVcXBigqxbY0cXykq8FKd3keN03iuxAmEOX2TQyChcdQcMvTHZWcrQOXopyZlwSXHpRlCYjDel5Om90QgNVTDCHUHTXVbekAyCBVJYtbZBkA3Ha-tKc-maY9jq/s200/blogger-image-766489217.jpg" width="180" /></a>At this point, the kids hadn't came out yet, it was my one window to say no. I was going to, but looking at his face...I faltered for just a second, and made the mistake of picking her up. Busted! My kids spotted me with her with their eagles eyes. They came running out..."Mommy can we keep her, can we keep her ..pleeeeeaaaaase." "You can't say no Mommy, what'll happen to her?" Insert deep sigh here. Stuck between my teenage neighbor with a big heart, and my kids I caved. So I said, "Fine, but she can't come in the house, she can live in the barn with Lucky."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K named this one "Vanilla Bean."</td></tr>
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That lasted about oh, two hours. She got into the house when Zippy came in, and met Hubby. It was love at first pet. So, now we have this cat, and she starts getting fatter and fatter. At first I thought she had just be emaciated and was putting weight on. When she became ROUND I knew. I told Hubby, "Well, it looks like we'll be having babies soon." He took that as "Your pregnant?!?" "No Honey, the cat, she's pregnant."<br />
She was restless yesterday, poking her head into all the dark corners of the house. The kids found her under K's bed this morning. I have since moved them to a comfy box in the laundry room...with a lock on the door to keep A2 out. So now we have four new additions to the farm...We wont be keeping them though. Maybe I take them to the Co-Op where another sucker, (like myself) will fall victim to their kids big round eyes and pleas for a cute little kitten. <br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-66278743214896633142013-08-22T14:02:00.000-07:002013-08-24T10:55:02.893-07:00Crochet Marine Doll...for the Tater Tot<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi0DIY5VVNGC9MBiOpGjRti2MKThlb8YIAuRiKxoHLCPplZoKEQy36R1iKS0qgkbCQjbNH8jiNigbjehEQnIaslGVaYw1rOtJ2_W1MRO_uYJoPjkF4W1Vev-m37OIf14pF87eFZs52yHN/s640/blogger-image-2137200593.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi0DIY5VVNGC9MBiOpGjRti2MKThlb8YIAuRiKxoHLCPplZoKEQy36R1iKS0qgkbCQjbNH8jiNigbjehEQnIaslGVaYw1rOtJ2_W1MRO_uYJoPjkF4W1Vev-m37OIf14pF87eFZs52yHN/s640/blogger-image-2137200593.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOX9K9iqbWjA5PUA2t3QwPBcekdZbCe6-_Hd2ID6d2kTwcRoY0jOkl9wOc0dzhZcqi5uqNh1hhalmhl8D2ryJBGFEeo1C8gqz2A8-R1bQw9gFaaevKrxAtnfTDua4Wt4CaDgbaWNgJOhA/s640/blogger-image-1282261662.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOX9K9iqbWjA5PUA2t3QwPBcekdZbCe6-_Hd2ID6d2kTwcRoY0jOkl9wOc0dzhZcqi5uqNh1hhalmhl8D2ryJBGFEeo1C8gqz2A8-R1bQw9gFaaevKrxAtnfTDua4Wt4CaDgbaWNgJOhA/s640/blogger-image-1282261662.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris and Megan</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-d0X6aXkEMPATccLXwyhjC7JfKnGbfuxHgQefgiTztU_vaAwR1I8SIiJEFoEGYrrO0oJtJGGwQcHNQwTOUlwRxpAl1RDuHkcpVi34oPFEtVEYlfdTJXRMleZsEtD53pkh2mccNZi-_LtO/s640/blogger-image--1707485144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Have I mentioned my brother Chris? He is our family hero. My kids adore him and his wife Megan. He just deployed, it's not his first but this time, he not only leaves his wife behind but his one year old son. I can't imagine what that must be like for them. Chris is definitely a hero, but so is his wife. She is one of the strongest women I know. Rarely will you hear her complain, she carries on.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdEow_TPpDAEc7dl-7-D11xe2vD1FwyqAkh70RrJ5zMFMfmX0QS6AlGG-Mw44_LZDfgfBW3tXtc1SKxt_xKOXf0hk2wwb_-PJ_sQOM6FEkDL4GSya723SzbDidGMzmyYPwXXteTrREsK1/s1600/IMG_1410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicdEow_TPpDAEc7dl-7-D11xe2vD1FwyqAkh70RrJ5zMFMfmX0QS6AlGG-Mw44_LZDfgfBW3tXtc1SKxt_xKOXf0hk2wwb_-PJ_sQOM6FEkDL4GSya723SzbDidGMzmyYPwXXteTrREsK1/s200/IMG_1410.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother and me.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />
My sister in law often inspires me to make new things. I get a text with something, "Hey, could you make this..." I think HECK YEAH...challenge accepted. I Googled the picture she sent me and found <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/eureekaswindow/3598327079/" target="_blank">this. </a><br />
Try as I might, I could not find a pattern or even where that particular doll was sold on Etsy. So, I set out to make my own pattern.<br />
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Here is the final product....He's cute. Just the right size for a one year old missing his Daddy. I wish I could give him more than this. But, it'll have to do.<br />
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Hubby built me a beautiful gate between the two trees at the top of the garden. I read and read and read and read...you get the point. I talked to my Nana, my garden guru, and read some more. My husband built me a nice gate and we went to town. I already know a few changes for next year. The dry spots and wet spots. The highs and lows of the garden. It has been a family project for sure. The kids had a major role in planting. Hubby really enjoyed tilling on his tractor. I dug the rows, then poked the holes. The kids came along behind me and dropped in the seeds, then filled the holes. Now we are seeing the harvest! Corn, carrots, zucchini, squash galore! To much to list. We've already harvest 30 lbs of potatoes, and daily the kids and I are pulling green beans out. We bring them in, blanch them and freeze them. I'll post soon about the harvest.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginning!</td></tr>
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I left the very middle un-planted and the kids drive their trucks in the mud and dirt.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huckleberry</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kids planting</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grafted Apple Tree</td></tr>
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At the north side of the garden I am making it a grand little area. Not sure what to call it but I planted an apple tree in the middle and put my vintage 1940's tree bench around it. That tree is a true work of art. It has four varieties of apples grafted to it: Honey Crisp (my FAV-OR-ITE!), Gala, Granny Smith, and Fuji. I have a ...are you ready for this...huckleberry bush, yes I said it! There is a nursery here that has developed a huckleberry for lower elevations. I was skeptical but intrigued so I bought one. Now I am kicking myself, I want to plant a whole hedge along the north fence. I am sinking flat boulders into the ground at the top of the garden. It will be amazing when its done. The boulders will surround the hedge of huckleberry and a hedge of blueberries.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the sugar pumpkin before it went crazy! Now it covers a good ten ft area!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrots and green onions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our First corn harvest! Oh my sweet glorious taste buds!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgYXGq_wS1IjccyRcs5_U6zKIJ6RB0ZQPJe5BqlLtnoEu8A6xLaTeL_R9B6eBr5b33sKeChQ1VgI6ca-SzjD2BEUlPAQZ9bcvgSeZrsi0T10J8Ujv5F7QF30JqlYzABJiBb5lk4V5w5ND/s640/blogger-image--106190066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgYXGq_wS1IjccyRcs5_U6zKIJ6RB0ZQPJe5BqlLtnoEu8A6xLaTeL_R9B6eBr5b33sKeChQ1VgI6ca-SzjD2BEUlPAQZ9bcvgSeZrsi0T10J8Ujv5F7QF30JqlYzABJiBb5lk4V5w5ND/s640/blogger-image--106190066.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poles Beans, Spaghetti squash and zuchinni in the back ground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMaKkUgO0o6EmAAHAD06pFb8hhZBjuaXn1_6uobXHc8EUKI8EZnoj85VTjJEoVIeEe93sp8ByCeygKBt4bU5f6taP9fuQ2ZHZblgb6NEucyh706N6DtBCB8AeWa6uowfg4zULKfihpuEP/s640/blogger-image-1289357317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMaKkUgO0o6EmAAHAD06pFb8hhZBjuaXn1_6uobXHc8EUKI8EZnoj85VTjJEoVIeEe93sp8ByCeygKBt4bU5f6taP9fuQ2ZHZblgb6NEucyh706N6DtBCB8AeWa6uowfg4zULKfihpuEP/s640/blogger-image-1289357317.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K looks terrified...we have a lot of bees! These acorn squash plants are huge!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoP2Xbi-0uyPpdZVvs_a6XmEibCYnIHhykZw4v7Yqntk4UEIv9kaXOa4TTzeUHD-bX9fE_teTU7U-5HX8AbdHjYxgUP3jgt7RKr2FXfqxZ3MnRncw29hHkdwR3Akh-ZD2jnpaivCLuXIgb/s640/blogger-image--410819483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoP2Xbi-0uyPpdZVvs_a6XmEibCYnIHhykZw4v7Yqntk4UEIv9kaXOa4TTzeUHD-bX9fE_teTU7U-5HX8AbdHjYxgUP3jgt7RKr2FXfqxZ3MnRncw29hHkdwR3Akh-ZD2jnpaivCLuXIgb/s640/blogger-image--410819483.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar pumpkin! They are getting huge!</td></tr>
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Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-4195800593875108562013-08-15T09:10:00.001-07:002013-08-15T09:13:13.044-07:00DIY: Rescuing a Classic<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50MiXiBlrTPZrBwhY0QNcvib0bAfn2Xy3o9e9Gfyq71W269NsRXh8RQrTuMvGaT5YYHkPRchpWyGbGVUAEI5wwBfiGifF8qrKsb25tCT0AGhcnNMCxlDfmNiz4jUJ171b_KQlmM1P_-M_/s640/blogger-image--291594713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50MiXiBlrTPZrBwhY0QNcvib0bAfn2Xy3o9e9Gfyq71W269NsRXh8RQrTuMvGaT5YYHkPRchpWyGbGVUAEI5wwBfiGifF8qrKsb25tCT0AGhcnNMCxlDfmNiz4jUJ171b_KQlmM1P_-M_/s200/blogger-image--291594713.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjzsgxH7NkuKUBz8YX4MNvR3tb6hK5SyxInkyenV6H5ldHFU_kiVT57MJyZ1sh6uq-XAcWOkiVldFLT-Xosm959Fx-YyhJB_O0Dlv6Jt24gxM3ZfFH9nrYnSG74tH64IKnWpLi7gshJdb/s640/blogger-image-480620635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjzsgxH7NkuKUBz8YX4MNvR3tb6hK5SyxInkyenV6H5ldHFU_kiVT57MJyZ1sh6uq-XAcWOkiVldFLT-Xosm959Fx-YyhJB_O0Dlv6Jt24gxM3ZfFH9nrYnSG74tH64IKnWpLi7gshJdb/s640/blogger-image-480620635.jpg" /></a>I picked up this little gem a few years ago, at a thrift store for $15. It's a old folding top Sears Roebuck sewing machine table ....It's three different colors. I hadn't done anything with it because I didn't have time and frankly, I wasn't sure how I wanted to do it. Ace Hardware does a promo; a quart of paint...FREE! They must hope that you either get a color and get hooked on it, therefore buying more, or that you buy painting supplies while you're there...or they're just awesome. I'll go with they're just awesome.... A DIY'ers dream right! So I went in and picked out a color called "Pickup Truck Blue." I had intended on painting my front door this color, but Hubby vetoed that (it wound up being "Sun Dried Tomato") So I had a quart of paint...light bulb! This poor table. I took it out side and started sanding it...Oh my word....a million layers of paint later, okay four layers of paint later I got the top sanded.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwh_ovvhP0GaBNE3pWKj9ilyxJwTR6QBzOImA5sWCennBO46uMOzg5K4xCnjk4WcCLi2oH6Gip1E6CXljU0Nm1CPGXmiWmniehMjV1vHF8UhRG1K4EQ9aKLSoBHVnSEybqWNtRvyKwKmq/s640/blogger-image-484687485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwh_ovvhP0GaBNE3pWKj9ilyxJwTR6QBzOImA5sWCennBO46uMOzg5K4xCnjk4WcCLi2oH6Gip1E6CXljU0Nm1CPGXmiWmniehMjV1vHF8UhRG1K4EQ9aKLSoBHVnSEybqWNtRvyKwKmq/s320/blogger-image-484687485.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Mhc7vvC6kJgVaP67_BbsNYsHJdnlteyyf1yhPddNA5QUGbvTbyuPoOdzEY_5mxpshCAzXAVK-mUCNoUdTFxx8-YE8_TuYl71PF9Qvny6sr8r-KSnRxZJipEmdZqD5aeu_7ai5cKFbB8t/s640/blogger-image--736919431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Mhc7vvC6kJgVaP67_BbsNYsHJdnlteyyf1yhPddNA5QUGbvTbyuPoOdzEY_5mxpshCAzXAVK-mUCNoUdTFxx8-YE8_TuYl71PF9Qvny6sr8r-KSnRxZJipEmdZqD5aeu_7ai5cKFbB8t/s320/blogger-image--736919431.jpg" width="240" /></a>Next to paint the bottom. I scuffed the existing paint so my paint would hold well...I didn't do the inside yet because I haven't decided this tables fate yet. I saw a beautiful one, just like mine, that had been converted into a beverage cart. Any who...I painted a total of three coats.<br />
Now the top. I still have some of my stain from the kitchen and school table. What a great way to tie them all together. I left a bit of turquoise paint on the edges (one of the million layers). I thought it would look awesome with the stain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoH6vq89nlV1shiROu565T97I6eHrFNCvhsYEzOJJTbUUXHMeoShNUQWzFX60CBDte0HbE4xMct6VRJxZcFUdl-OP-KZazt99IEhPpMujE8uwvIc8UtfMNjwZgeSyQ0fFIhIp-z6Lo-dL/s640/blogger-image-1957481894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoH6vq89nlV1shiROu565T97I6eHrFNCvhsYEzOJJTbUUXHMeoShNUQWzFX60CBDte0HbE4xMct6VRJxZcFUdl-OP-KZazt99IEhPpMujE8uwvIc8UtfMNjwZgeSyQ0fFIhIp-z6Lo-dL/s640/blogger-image-1957481894.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0Q19VY1ZT4MmUqCaxif50eDwF7fsWDmNKKlr_Gyz4HT1BKZvu4rHCBaB8oDQ1eAx4zlO8uBu6yUKZMp6o_YDZWeadMWaPpQmLtA_O160uaqeGpS6uI1TZv6mLHoHlm29QOZskku8_Sun/s640/blogger-image-1784303308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0Q19VY1ZT4MmUqCaxif50eDwF7fsWDmNKKlr_Gyz4HT1BKZvu4rHCBaB8oDQ1eAx4zlO8uBu6yUKZMp6o_YDZWeadMWaPpQmLtA_O160uaqeGpS6uI1TZv6mLHoHlm29QOZskku8_Sun/s200/blogger-image-1784303308.jpg" width="150" /></a>After two coats of stain, I sealed it and....TADA! This table cost me a grand total of......15 DOLLARS! Yep, between the free paint, left over stain, and I reuse my brushes...These things sell re-purposed for between $75-$200 (That beverage cart I saw was the exact same model and it was $175). I barely skimmed the top of the paint, so I have almost a whole quart left. I am just a bit proud of myself.<br />
I thought about distressing it, but I promised Hubby clean lines. He isn't a big fan of the shabby chic look. So now I have a beautiful functional side table. Maybe someday I'll get ambitious and finished the inside, maybe do one of those fancy beverage carts like <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/157147489/beverage-bar-cart?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_query=beverage+cart&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=beverage+cart" target="_blank">this one</a>. Or, even better, find an old sewing machine and return this beauty to her true mission!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxJAlYRevLhp0RtF19biUo9cwELQP_ayM7wWq7vgjw3mxOE-Dz1ADOrY8v6tQEngcDgFkwZ03g6tCVT-RZzFQvMKvUTd9vBBn0u0SmsjU-TYLHOptyMIUAsn6O2SHJ2VKtJiN2hdGhfKH/s640/blogger-image--1133778814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmxJAlYRevLhp0RtF19biUo9cwELQP_ayM7wWq7vgjw3mxOE-Dz1ADOrY8v6tQEngcDgFkwZ03g6tCVT-RZzFQvMKvUTd9vBBn0u0SmsjU-TYLHOptyMIUAsn6O2SHJ2VKtJiN2hdGhfKH/s320/blogger-image--1133778814.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I do a light first coat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZerg3xbD-t9HFcdafvYoZHBnq5GMBqM0zD2bT3R0pb0DV1vWhguQFhbJDbrMWeSBGKnyQzvhN1nikbPqgiW347wS8lIHKgFzNEaeu7-z64kWlyzbiisR9wAAtExf57MVe1ROKGFf2uFmn/s640/blogger-image-1465256892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZerg3xbD-t9HFcdafvYoZHBnq5GMBqM0zD2bT3R0pb0DV1vWhguQFhbJDbrMWeSBGKnyQzvhN1nikbPqgiW347wS8lIHKgFzNEaeu7-z64kWlyzbiisR9wAAtExf57MVe1ROKGFf2uFmn/s640/blogger-image-1465256892.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love it! The milk glass lamp was my grandmothers, the base anyway. I had to hunt down a lamp shade, found it at an estate sale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhwbpzTM1FpU5XPwAdNdkpwY_jIXsfHU70fUQ-J1OSwVGHDoWR3BpPgF7eov36xyTOpptphmdyjBszqlMPN-RRlLoSFECN8HpmAdZ2Jky5HDAZWhVUUKYeU7Yl_ymEt0OAvo2AkV-DZFx/s640/blogger-image-852006563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhwbpzTM1FpU5XPwAdNdkpwY_jIXsfHU70fUQ-J1OSwVGHDoWR3BpPgF7eov36xyTOpptphmdyjBszqlMPN-RRlLoSFECN8HpmAdZ2Jky5HDAZWhVUUKYeU7Yl_ymEt0OAvo2AkV-DZFx/s640/blogger-image-852006563.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that gorgeous wood grain! Why would anyone want to hide that under a million coats of paint?!?</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9I_BtTLPVYNkJ2jHh_KLoBgvljuaJChqQm0WnHEjHBNzyCQj5FdalRZ2QT6wbBKFwQV7yurKKd2JrYL6s-0rdcO5WePzLy15YAJWY1iFTfrhrJlu4R9xbqn10ZxO7iEDSY5-8_QXoEXQ/s640/blogger-image-414679693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9I_BtTLPVYNkJ2jHh_KLoBgvljuaJChqQm0WnHEjHBNzyCQj5FdalRZ2QT6wbBKFwQV7yurKKd2JrYL6s-0rdcO5WePzLy15YAJWY1iFTfrhrJlu4R9xbqn10ZxO7iEDSY5-8_QXoEXQ/s640/blogger-image-414679693.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio04izu-rNKyv6L3kmA13R6cOQpV3ocbKjHOonJp3qr6NH27hLneUOmNmnqwRehUwxqIJj_F0fQy9J0YFYpF2mpP4_e0PpNp7C9N4KS3_bilpKQAUNlBfeva9qc2WDncZbQ4ukgBvwuYG1/s640/blogger-image-510492501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio04izu-rNKyv6L3kmA13R6cOQpV3ocbKjHOonJp3qr6NH27hLneUOmNmnqwRehUwxqIJj_F0fQy9J0YFYpF2mpP4_e0PpNp7C9N4KS3_bilpKQAUNlBfeva9qc2WDncZbQ4ukgBvwuYG1/s640/blogger-image-510492501.jpg" width="457" /></a></div>
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-15657563482463909992013-08-08T08:00:00.001-07:002013-08-08T08:04:20.204-07:00Amber Waves! The Beauty of Summer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvaDUoF2syi5-3o62aeHMj-bR5PAZLlI6hwXaJk-s82m-00CwhQyIVObF1gPhDqCVGSzsLqHg9DCh1zyx9DJv830XmPZs2n9oaeVlz-5TVgx5rfNzhqt6YTNa5r39tJILSRbLPm7pTUci/s1600/IMG_4002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvaDUoF2syi5-3o62aeHMj-bR5PAZLlI6hwXaJk-s82m-00CwhQyIVObF1gPhDqCVGSzsLqHg9DCh1zyx9DJv830XmPZs2n9oaeVlz-5TVgx5rfNzhqt6YTNa5r39tJILSRbLPm7pTUci/s640/IMG_4002.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87toHSvV_J0gDJkXx-zi-CYrKdDwWDtbSrE9dK_0EY-_eXKVt5kt6WdszS2f0qnNkc6D-_vP9DCDLECvYE_uPs4BCI6u7XAL4DDZ1nUkuVzoUZKBBIjnzNQT4g2hN2bw3yoBIBsa4hVkJ/s1600/IMG_3996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87toHSvV_J0gDJkXx-zi-CYrKdDwWDtbSrE9dK_0EY-_eXKVt5kt6WdszS2f0qnNkc6D-_vP9DCDLECvYE_uPs4BCI6u7XAL4DDZ1nUkuVzoUZKBBIjnzNQT4g2hN2bw3yoBIBsa4hVkJ/s640/IMG_3996.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div>
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Oh the beauty of the Northwest! Our Country in general! Where else in the World can you find such diversity, and differing climates. I am, of course partial to the Northwest. I lived in the Mid-West for a few years and couldn't wait to get home. No offense to Mid-Westerners but, I missed the mountains and the lilacs. I live outside of a beautiful city, where you can go downtown and stick your kayak in the water, with in five minutes you are hitting rapids. You can "float the river" all the way through the city! I grew up going to the lakes (yes plural...there are quite literally hundreds of lakes and creeks and ponds out here.) after school and cliff jumping, swimming, boating, tubing, water skiing....sometimes during school, but that is another story for another time.</div>
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This sunflower field is just up the road from us. You just pull over and walk right up. What an amazing photo opportunity. My girlfriend has a professional camera and agreed to take pictures of the kids for me. She's still editing, these I took with my iPhone.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UZVfk6iCKDsj1Lag3bwu0kPspFpaNAk97YsJUIlFrb093MV6jfBezaGNLfQkbXEgjDz2SW8Ch9sIWaXAnFogRbHPgCzjcOIqauaDune4oVkcuCXQCytBdP9zDfUZQLaOwB8Ycd6moGet/s1600/IMG_4140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UZVfk6iCKDsj1Lag3bwu0kPspFpaNAk97YsJUIlFrb093MV6jfBezaGNLfQkbXEgjDz2SW8Ch9sIWaXAnFogRbHPgCzjcOIqauaDune4oVkcuCXQCytBdP9zDfUZQLaOwB8Ycd6moGet/s640/IMG_4140.JPG" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not a photo expert but I thought this turned out pretty freaking cool!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BXIokOmToHaTCSsUDVkhr7YL_w3_OBjfV_tTWHDzJe7bpJL-hF0UJy93X3ACQKt3yrmxJX43Ub9gBYglFwOi-AeIOlcGPTUCyWniPSeXYkgVzz7Kq-3RinGk-lonjdANAc2EnSuxCHDc/s1600/IMG_4005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BXIokOmToHaTCSsUDVkhr7YL_w3_OBjfV_tTWHDzJe7bpJL-hF0UJy93X3ACQKt3yrmxJX43Ub9gBYglFwOi-AeIOlcGPTUCyWniPSeXYkgVzz7Kq-3RinGk-lonjdANAc2EnSuxCHDc/s640/IMG_4005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love my girls, they thought this was just the neatest thing ever. Usually this field is planted with wheat. What a pleasant treat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3TA24NqbPNeg57FL2SPS1PKqAevW0xlvMTrCBdnb_ouFtAnDre9pCobz2b_4SeRu4Od4XcJ7QXgeYeCyc1aLcy4lMeR26M9sS0MfihbFPDiF_zh7-7IBXcLpc1fMjsY2WWqPWdN8BILk/s1600/IMG_4048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3TA24NqbPNeg57FL2SPS1PKqAevW0xlvMTrCBdnb_ouFtAnDre9pCobz2b_4SeRu4Od4XcJ7QXgeYeCyc1aLcy4lMeR26M9sS0MfihbFPDiF_zh7-7IBXcLpc1fMjsY2WWqPWdN8BILk/s640/IMG_4048.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a sweet boy. He seems to just love life. I could, and have, learn a lot of life lessons from him.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxI8M0s5Xv2-GBOqApvizNDz7pzMSthi_VmNzU89AM5I2JPTnI_GmUMKzKUdL2IRMNNs7PXRNpkWjtQuIjfKVsjiQ6ij5qRbGTjS6x2oDETrXrXSkxUkDYkAxVM1dacUl5S0Bc0KQ6QcY/s1600/IMG_4050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxI8M0s5Xv2-GBOqApvizNDz7pzMSthi_VmNzU89AM5I2JPTnI_GmUMKzKUdL2IRMNNs7PXRNpkWjtQuIjfKVsjiQ6ij5qRbGTjS6x2oDETrXrXSkxUkDYkAxVM1dacUl5S0Bc0KQ6QcY/s640/IMG_4050.JPG" width="480" /></a>She see's life in such a sweet innocent way. She has a sense of humor that keeps us laughing all the time. That is her gift. We are really striving to show the kids what their gifts are. As they get older it gets easier to identify them. I believe one of hers will be a sense of humor. She reminds me of my brother. He has the best sense of humor I've ever met. <br />
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This is my little "bug." (Short for "Cuddle Love Bug") One of her biggest gifts is compassion. If anyone is down, crying, hurt....she's right there to tend to their heart. She laughs at just about everything and is one of the most expressive kids I have ever met. She paints her stories with animated gestures and words!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlzJ10CQMDJ0ioSo_lwLMlHi_fEj21Ql4V42ZWa6DGpatxLoP1s3QF9Vt0oWDnY5qc_UQ7nDAMJFdo_pgPPqCZ6y-yRBkVVW-8TFsV3QozmiezPHSPHoAHwrvsL4sgqrrsB8Zk5Az6JsA/s1600/IMG_4067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlzJ10CQMDJ0ioSo_lwLMlHi_fEj21Ql4V42ZWa6DGpatxLoP1s3QF9Vt0oWDnY5qc_UQ7nDAMJFdo_pgPPqCZ6y-yRBkVVW-8TFsV3QozmiezPHSPHoAHwrvsL4sgqrrsB8Zk5Az6JsA/s400/IMG_4067.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To get this picture, I ducked down below the flowers and held him up...my arms where shaking by the time we were down....but it was worth it...look at that picture. The ones my girl friend took are even better....</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bug is twirling through the flowers!</td></tr>
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Another crop in our area....Wheat! This particular field was so white and with the green trees and blue skies behind it, it's breath taking! Those "Amber Waves of Grain" we sing about!<br />
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My oldest son, our miracle. Getting him to take a picture was difficult, he was more interested in this grasshopper! He is also very compassionate. He has many qualities, and we are still trying to nail down what his gifts are. He is only two after all. We have started sharing with him his story. How Jesus spared him, let him stay here with us. When he had his episode (a Coarctation of the Aorta that was not caught when he was born until he was coding in the hospital) he had a 5% chance of survival. The doctors told us he would die, and we watched them perform CPR 12 full minutes. After surgery he was in a coma, and all his organs had shut down. He made a full recovery. I tell, you what, that'll change your perspective on life. He has scars from his heart surgery and from all the needles and tubes they had to shove in him to try to save him. This son of mine loves life! Everything is an adventure to him! It is exhausting trying to keep up with him.<br />
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My oldest. She scares me, only because we are so much alike. She is a natural leader, and has a servants heart. That is one of her gifts. She loves to serve others, and puts them before herself. Selflessness, how many of us could stand to use a little of that. I know I could. She's very sensitive, a very tender heart. She loves animals, and wouldn't ya know it, they love her!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture of a picture, my girlfriend was editing pics on her computer...I can't wait to get them!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-69271003826244187312013-08-03T09:48:00.001-07:002013-08-03T09:48:24.116-07:00The Battle of the Coffee Creamer!<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/AVvXsEhQJG9luyTvZfpyiodbpKlDc9Pg8W4xarWkvOjLDjjFetOtMmf6N-3_yzKnZMZRlB1A_YdAQG66GyNztNbAMlwSw3nj3eV3bUiaCKAqcnYBzsylEsQplUc9urZy1Ixp-VzsUcetU9ASSgVi/s640/blogger-image-1000806339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJG9luyTvZfpyiodbpKlDc9Pg8W4xarWkvOjLDjjFetOtMmf6N-3_yzKnZMZRlB1A_YdAQG66GyNztNbAMlwSw3nj3eV3bUiaCKAqcnYBzsylEsQplUc9urZy1Ixp-VzsUcetU9ASSgVi/s640/blogger-image-1000806339.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A boy and his Creamer..</td></tr>
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Do any of you have a two year old....not just any two year old...a wild two year old boy. A two year old boy who tests, pushes, and explodes every boundary? Whose stubbornness rivals that of a mule? I do. He's adventurous, fearless, and just down right crazy sometimes. I love my son, there is no question about that! I love him passionately, maybe its that passion he has inherited from me. I look at my husband, so laid back and easy going, and I think....how in the world did ALL our kids get my energy? Ack! Lately, A2 has taken to sneaking into the fridge. His item of choice? Coffee Creamer.<br />
Every morning, before I go out to milk the goat, I make a pot of coffee. There's something magical about coming in, from the cold or wet and sitting down with a mug of coffee. What's not so magical....opening the fridge to retrieve my creamer and its not there! It has disappeared! One time I didn't find it for two days! A2, with the stealth of a thousand ninjas, opens the fridge, climbs to the top, snags the creamer and makes off with his bounty. He hides in his closet and takes nips off it through out the day...it's like an addiction...he goes and gets his fix and he's set for a few hours. I open the fridge, see it missing and immediately go to him...."A2, where is my creamer!?" He gets this look on his face.... remorse you say? Nope, a mischievous all knowing look, borderline....like what do I get out of this exchange....."Your LIFE!" I think. He usually brings it out to me, big tearful eyes, lip hanging to the floor. <br />
And, heaven forbid I leave my coffee sitting out...That's like a blaring beacon of awesomeness! He will run off with my coffee....with giggles of joy. <br />
I love this boy of mine....Solution....I put some vinegar in an empty bottle....now we wait. One nip off that problem solved.<br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-7698885400124924502013-08-02T23:11:00.001-07:002013-08-02T23:15:34.357-07:00Quick and Easy French Beret Hat Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezhKZPVcN-0Vy2Y81zBQCd2FzRmeyUaIGXUSxmhIdQWzrOJ3wt6_R4_HW02hgvf9JrBP-WlR8SkEQigfNroN2oA-hhSp0W7vRiJ5N-ZzqEgEXTVlJcBLthfufbLYHUahrXC14A7LZdNIA/s640/blogger-image-760866171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezhKZPVcN-0Vy2Y81zBQCd2FzRmeyUaIGXUSxmhIdQWzrOJ3wt6_R4_HW02hgvf9JrBP-WlR8SkEQigfNroN2oA-hhSp0W7vRiJ5N-ZzqEgEXTVlJcBLthfufbLYHUahrXC14A7LZdNIA/s640/blogger-image-760866171.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphct451fjc4sFJnVAztCTYkdUz44OtA6cGIxYUg1g8jHqU_HyQW5FDf7OZQJB_8-tjNQOJSHgxZFi46yCi8xAeTTOeE8GA3PVGCKfd5LvBiOIJpyDeNRq0pUKrY-UPr9kPtCuDLSk7zol/s640/blogger-image-1740402777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphct451fjc4sFJnVAztCTYkdUz44OtA6cGIxYUg1g8jHqU_HyQW5FDf7OZQJB_8-tjNQOJSHgxZFi46yCi8xAeTTOeE8GA3PVGCKfd5LvBiOIJpyDeNRq0pUKrY-UPr9kPtCuDLSk7zol/s320/blogger-image-1740402777.jpg" width="240" /></a>Every summer my dear friends put on a "camp" for our girls. We have an over abundance of young ladies in our circle! This years camp is "Camp Francias" (say that with a French accent). There where 25 young ladies there! Every year my two friends out do themselves, they really put a lot of thought and effort into it! It has become a annual tradition, with a new theme each summer. To say thank you, I wanted to make something quick and simple, that would compliment the theme. Que: French Berets! They scream FRANCE! So I just sat down and started to free hand it. When I say that this pattern is easy...it's an understatement. I'm serious.<br />
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You will need:<br />
A chunky yarn<br />
N-Hook (9MM)<br />
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You will need to know how to: <br />
Single Crochet: sc<br />
Double Crochet: dc<br />
<a href="http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-decrease-double-crochet.html" target="_blank">Double Crochet Decrease</a>: dc2tog <br />
Slip Stitch: ss<br />
Chain: ch<br />
<a href="http://www.stitchdiva.com/tutorials/crochet/crochet-in-the-front-or-back-loops-of-a-stitch" target="_blank">Crochet front loop</a><br />
<a href="http://www.stitchdiva.com/tutorials/crochet/crochet-in-the-front-or-back-loops-of-a-stitch" target="_blank">Crochet back loop </a><br />
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And you need to know how to do the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLuSVyKvoUg" target="_blank">magic ring</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtifdq7Ha4rhcp2aOFa8ws-5-dI58XSKQAV6952YK50Usus9TMDWN4mNeLiXLyPr74Xqxl9zf4mBPR5zGWrOgdBHHSnmJYcx1hWkw7J2WKE5x1I71miaVyMXSVvUr8YKFZZO2TfmmnDQ7/s640/blogger-image--1442319430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtifdq7Ha4rhcp2aOFa8ws-5-dI58XSKQAV6952YK50Usus9TMDWN4mNeLiXLyPr74Xqxl9zf4mBPR5zGWrOgdBHHSnmJYcx1hWkw7J2WKE5x1I71miaVyMXSVvUr8YKFZZO2TfmmnDQ7/s320/blogger-image--1442319430.jpg" width="320" /></a>Row 1: To Start make a magic ring, ch 2 (first dc), 11 dc, ss to 2nd ch of ch2, ch 2, turn<br />
Row 2: dc into same stitch as ch2 (your first increase), 2 dc into each stitch (24 dc), ss into 2nd ch of ch 2, ch 2, turn<br />
Row 3: dc into same stitch as ch2, *dc, 2 dc, repeat * to end, ss to 2nd ch of ch2, ch 2, turn (36 dc)<br />
Row 4: dc into same stitch as ch2, *dc, dc, 2 dc, repeat* to end, ss into 2nd ch of ch 2, ch 2, turn<br />
Row 5: dc into same stitch as ch2, *dc, dc, dc, 2 dc, repeat* to end, ss into 2nd ch of ch 2, ch 1, turn<br />
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Now if you want to make a lovely trivet, this would be a good stopping point! If you want to finish your beret read on...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZ6NX6g3hM13fMiftrBS_7Yf3ZVbExy3ynUdxJnJ6jkstQ-lNPOK70CdZQNVXDk7OlhTwF2OM4FZqVOH_xixU5aAF74HTTsOzqgSMTPV7RLAmokkn-O2awDeO9Jm7kkYoZMCoQtmd2XvX/s640/blogger-image--1958743176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZ6NX6g3hM13fMiftrBS_7Yf3ZVbExy3ynUdxJnJ6jkstQ-lNPOK70CdZQNVXDk7OlhTwF2OM4FZqVOH_xixU5aAF74HTTsOzqgSMTPV7RLAmokkn-O2awDeO9Jm7kkYoZMCoQtmd2XvX/s320/blogger-image--1958743176.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Single crochet into the back loop.</td></tr>
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Row 6: This is where it could get tricky! sc into the back loop of the same stitch as ch1, sc in back loop all the way around. ss into first sc, ch 2, turn<br />
Row 7: dc into same stitch as ch2, *dc, dc, dc, dc2tog, repeat* to end, ss to first dc, ch 2 turn<br />
Row 8: dc into same stitch as ch2, *dc, dc, dc2tog, repeat* to end, ss to first dc, ch1, turn<br />
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Now if you wanted to change colors for the band, this would be a good spot! You will crochet in the back-loop for row 9, it will make the band more prominent.<br />
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Row 9: sc into front loop of same stitch as ch1, sc front loop all the way around, ch1, turn<br />
Row 10-12: sc same stitch as chain one, sc all around (no longer back loop)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2119mIj0S-WzgBu4_d43I5mgxeb9nyQ26ThgUvhLxOJch9Bxfa_V11S4CU_jnC5nBt3jZOpL4glUEuZ66VxKL9PatHjbp8l63TrWg6BGqeEy0-x-L-MtpRKRGyu2YofdUUPRJ9SIblCMb/s640/blogger-image-16895010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2119mIj0S-WzgBu4_d43I5mgxeb9nyQ26ThgUvhLxOJch9Bxfa_V11S4CU_jnC5nBt3jZOpL4glUEuZ66VxKL9PatHjbp8l63TrWg6BGqeEy0-x-L-MtpRKRGyu2YofdUUPRJ9SIblCMb/s320/blogger-image-16895010.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Single Crochet into the front loop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eflNhGpPBPBZh_8NtMPEtDafmIt8e4EA0W02MK51l283E68F-PFJR41jed3FjpKGC1XK0zonC0DG_Uqx7KX7b3aiKu6M9PuGo-r73o8H2oC8ncn-Z6oCgdlRmMWkfVneEPcY1fqXqww3/s640/blogger-image--1519854585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7eflNhGpPBPBZh_8NtMPEtDafmIt8e4EA0W02MK51l283E68F-PFJR41jed3FjpKGC1XK0zonC0DG_Uqx7KX7b3aiKu6M9PuGo-r73o8H2oC8ncn-Z6oCgdlRmMWkfVneEPcY1fqXqww3/s200/blogger-image--1519854585.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After you have finished decreasing...looks like a deflated doughnut.</td></tr>
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Fasten off and weave in ends. Add some embellishment if you wish, I wove ribbon into one, maybe add a pom to the top. Make it as Frenchy-French as you like! <br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-25873933369089249802013-07-20T21:51:00.002-07:002013-08-15T16:12:51.573-07:00Crochet Bodice DressThis is a super easy pattern, and if you have basic sewing knowledge you can do it! My goal with this pattern is to really explain the how's...not just throw a pattern out there at you. The beauty of this dress is there are so many ways you can do it. You can keep it simple or go crazy. This comes from my own trial and error.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first dress I made, my eight year old was my guinea pig!</td></tr>
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What you need: (This pattern is for a children's size 7)'</div>
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<li>About a yard of fabric (I used a cotton)</li>
<li>Worsted weight yarn in the colors you want, sometimes I edge the bodice in a different color (This yarn is from Hobby Lobby)</li>
<li>Size H hook</li>
<li>Sewing machine with what ever thread color you need </li>
<li>Pins</li>
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The Bodice:</div>
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Chain 72</div>
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YO HDC second Ch from hook, HDC across, Ch2 turn</div>
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Repeat for a total of 16 rows (I told you this was easy!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszg0dA3L7rN32fil971nef-Ql_UPud8EHcAS89qfGA5xKCTCz_p22Sg5PAokchqVFaVgLqRLcZIMkQ9uAf0fTvyYZdA9AWVW-qDSRBnGdWGGoSuciF5fEpce6NU1ulQdLo2pyyrqXWRgE/s640/blogger-image-836773547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszg0dA3L7rN32fil971nef-Ql_UPud8EHcAS89qfGA5xKCTCz_p22Sg5PAokchqVFaVgLqRLcZIMkQ9uAf0fTvyYZdA9AWVW-qDSRBnGdWGGoSuciF5fEpce6NU1ulQdLo2pyyrqXWRgE/s200/blogger-image-836773547.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwcC9pCi_GDTBcbe7M59eFvpwUj03WCS0MDp_6_I5WnNOub0tBALrW18lvgKKiQwhMIaZgEqQZvse1QOgaYbROTqfsJWiGrW_Uq9dBWEOiAS_3N9bgQY0uEgLmc2E0JxCWxCLGbWpRhhy/s640/blogger-image-1452431758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwcC9pCi_GDTBcbe7M59eFvpwUj03WCS0MDp_6_I5WnNOub0tBALrW18lvgKKiQwhMIaZgEqQZvse1QOgaYbROTqfsJWiGrW_Uq9dBWEOiAS_3N9bgQY0uEgLmc2E0JxCWxCLGbWpRhhy/s200/blogger-image-1452431758.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_taQXMVnDx7Tm5OhQsHnyLbGOgLPBP9wwJZnDWs_zGVZMK2gLCEEuNsU5fETxvf7zxdeBBNOacQ6tTL-Nzn80zvS2aAwVfJO-eO4ktNH_qDxFGs2ED8mfBUfDLYU8K8IIVO7VNFvwnogY/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_taQXMVnDx7Tm5OhQsHnyLbGOgLPBP9wwJZnDWs_zGVZMK2gLCEEuNsU5fETxvf7zxdeBBNOacQ6tTL-Nzn80zvS2aAwVfJO-eO4ktNH_qDxFGs2ED8mfBUfDLYU8K8IIVO7VNFvwnogY/s200/photo.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finished seam</td></tr>
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Now you need to sew the bodice together to make a tube, I like to fold it in half and crochet down the edges rather than whip stitch it together. I find it holds better and doesn't stretch.</div>
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Once you have it together its time to do the straps.</div>
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Straps:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQtIVqEjUCD4cMct5BOTlpD67QF-pXFkM_O7zg7t5sGKRIkSQfxsbEOfJ405sd_sHQk0AxJRch8TlfPowGQz5KeGRbJsmx7Ub4GuNIvK741C7fpI-zpbz8Dy2C19r0QYWQ2MQE6_MyP4s/s640/blogger-image-622482727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQtIVqEjUCD4cMct5BOTlpD67QF-pXFkM_O7zg7t5sGKRIkSQfxsbEOfJ405sd_sHQk0AxJRch8TlfPowGQz5KeGRbJsmx7Ub4GuNIvK741C7fpI-zpbz8Dy2C19r0QYWQ2MQE6_MyP4s/s400/blogger-image-622482727.jpg" width="400" /></a>Count 4 stitches away from the seam in both directions (8 stitches in between straps) Ss, ch2, hdc 6 stitches, ch 2. repeat for a total of 16 hdc rows. Do not finish off if you are going to crochet the seam (see below)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzwEHSd7J12XmXse0j64OVWBpnPml4hrapmHcXxKBIjA42sZJQmxkSa6KlPmPkDMLhJ8seH8V0pzA2InnEqnQzUW1rQim7YOrScZ7HOnshYQzLKY9ejliDbJqFyzBR72RCj8qAuif747e/s640/blogger-image--963277718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzwEHSd7J12XmXse0j64OVWBpnPml4hrapmHcXxKBIjA42sZJQmxkSa6KlPmPkDMLhJ8seH8V0pzA2InnEqnQzUW1rQim7YOrScZ7HOnshYQzLKY9ejliDbJqFyzBR72RCj8qAuif747e/s400/blogger-image--963277718.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress with ruffles and small flowers added to bodice.</td></tr>
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No, I have no magic trick for sewing the strap to the front, You can sew it together but, again, I crochet it on. Turn the bodice inside out, lay the two edges together and crochet across. Again, a stronger seam than a whip stitch. To line up where to sew it on the front, simply make sure the back seam is centered, and line up the straps evenly with the front, make sure there are 8 stitches between the two.</div>
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Now all you need to do is finish the edges (sc), You'll have to do it in three places; the outsides and armpits of the dress, and the neck and inside of the straps. This is where you could add another color or even ruffles. Make sure you 2sc in the corners</div>
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To do ruffles:</div>
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On the outside of the strap, starting at the base: sc, 5dc, sc* repeat until you reach the other side (you're just doing a shell) </div>
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Now its time to prepare the skirt:</div>
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I am going on from here assuming you know how to sew :)</div>
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Sew an 1 inch hem</div>
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On the opposite edge, fold and iron a 1/4 in then fold over again a 1/2 in and sew. (this is the edge that goes along the bodice)</div>
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Fold in half and sew together with a 1/2 in seam.</div>
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Iron seam edges flat</div>
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Sewing the bodice to the skirt:</div>
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Now here's where it can get tricky. There's no real easy way to explain this so I'll do my best. </div>
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Turn the bodice and the skirt inside out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAviX15BZCUjk4lj15hlQRbCQbwhSBcID0CzpVz2GbNISuCdVTK76wkKqfbWMwDzvZ8j16QyoGppvnXnHQs7mEws7_ExeMFPPkqXtlaJjLAkYEtE3xZ4LpcI1kpP6E3HXDIKDW7pNU5JjE/s1600/blogger-image-517943711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAviX15BZCUjk4lj15hlQRbCQbwhSBcID0CzpVz2GbNISuCdVTK76wkKqfbWMwDzvZ8j16QyoGppvnXnHQs7mEws7_ExeMFPPkqXtlaJjLAkYEtE3xZ4LpcI1kpP6E3HXDIKDW7pNU5JjE/s320/blogger-image-517943711.jpg" width="240" /></a>Line up the bodice and skirt seam and pin. Now you are going to make two pleats in the front and two in the back, or if you're an over achiever you can make a bunch of little pleats all the way around...basically you're making the skirt fit the bodice... to make the pleats you fold the fabric over on itself and pin it. Line the edge of the fabric up with the top of first HDC row (so you'll have a full row under the edge)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhyk8AqDGPVDLqhSWh4PIkkmcFSd3yDPGuynV7MBxtIO7927zhHCa5LEqLwI3qZv9goeo3qxVClsB9afDFihuv9hHjH8NRiSoYPLrFSSDhuF27m82orv7QJCjIfonA2C0JN4pScd5zail/s640/blogger-image-1528278777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhyk8AqDGPVDLqhSWh4PIkkmcFSd3yDPGuynV7MBxtIO7927zhHCa5LEqLwI3qZv9goeo3qxVClsB9afDFihuv9hHjH8NRiSoYPLrFSSDhuF27m82orv7QJCjIfonA2C0JN4pScd5zail/s320/blogger-image-1528278777.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This dress I pleated all the way around instead of two large pleats.</td></tr>
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Once you have pinned all the way around, (I recommend pinning A LOT! You don't want that baby to move.) set your sewing machine to a zig zag stitch and sew the skirt and bodice together. Go slow, My machine did well, the crochet seem is pretty thick so I am extremely cautious here.</div>
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Whew! the hardest part is over...now to accessorize!</div>
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For this pink and white dress I crocheted ties onto it...easy enough..</div>
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Chain 70, ss along whole front just above the zig zig stitch, chain 70, ch2 turn now HDC all the way across. Make it as thick as you want! On you last row, line up the rows of the band with the dress and crochet to the dress at the same time...or you can leave it loose...or sew it on.<br />
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The flower is a three tier flower, I found the pattern for this one<a href="http://rosehip.typepad.com/rose_hip_blog/2007/09/september-blur.html" target="_blank"> here</a></div>
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Pocket: Okay the pocket was my first ever and I free handed it...<br />
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If I missed something or you have a question please feel free to ask!<br />
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This dress is an example of a simple belt and ruffle sleeve. (Ignore my horrible messy house in the background) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtkbyTKGQFKzFMdwMMA-oylFtGgvkHCC37MLb1CCitJxQAQu1xuzF4ybPGpGYOX3LMTrGDbD0FKz1VYrO0WD9iIdH0kxa0R_zbKp1dTU_k4WJrGyHlLEaKwK0pCLrXolLTp4eawpNsfi7/s640/blogger-image--877113811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtkbyTKGQFKzFMdwMMA-oylFtGgvkHCC37MLb1CCitJxQAQu1xuzF4ybPGpGYOX3LMTrGDbD0FKz1VYrO0WD9iIdH0kxa0R_zbKp1dTU_k4WJrGyHlLEaKwK0pCLrXolLTp4eawpNsfi7/s640/blogger-image--877113811.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Another variation on the belt. This particular dress I made the bodice shorter, more of an A-line dress. I used a wide ribbon for the tie and its crocheted in a herringbone half-double.<br />
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Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-63693168352141911292013-06-24T16:57:00.004-07:002013-06-24T17:00:04.592-07:00Lady Bug Study Part 1<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCP2c2O7lzGvFsNDw-bMvVeoZdTu-mTQeNWTNrKuG4vXXLw9vVynzn3Mu3wYTKLz4gdET4mXe8PS32YAnDUXnR1O67hUIMqn4roY_UkKfHvL3qCYv5oeNJ8LvYJZV2VwSMFWbfB9PC8dAd/s640/blogger-image-1322699582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCP2c2O7lzGvFsNDw-bMvVeoZdTu-mTQeNWTNrKuG4vXXLw9vVynzn3Mu3wYTKLz4gdET4mXe8PS32YAnDUXnR1O67hUIMqn4roY_UkKfHvL3qCYv5oeNJ8LvYJZV2VwSMFWbfB9PC8dAd/s320/blogger-image-1322699582.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K's jar, every other day she adds a leaf with aphids.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq55gsuNXujoAAJVj8FFlrJrZrjLuDKnoJrMl7ivIMARTnSIu_5IRh7lUGPK0WlVzlUq3vPRSHz9-YcglPLmO_73tXvJ05MBzaeSgjA5K2-GKDGbkaOmQwuvbupWM7YrZenZWNDCpVhfzZ/s640/blogger-image--2059560096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq55gsuNXujoAAJVj8FFlrJrZrjLuDKnoJrMl7ivIMARTnSIu_5IRh7lUGPK0WlVzlUq3vPRSHz9-YcglPLmO_73tXvJ05MBzaeSgjA5K2-GKDGbkaOmQwuvbupWM7YrZenZWNDCpVhfzZ/s1600/blogger-image--2059560096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq55gsuNXujoAAJVj8FFlrJrZrjLuDKnoJrMl7ivIMARTnSIu_5IRh7lUGPK0WlVzlUq3vPRSHz9-YcglPLmO_73tXvJ05MBzaeSgjA5K2-GKDGbkaOmQwuvbupWM7YrZenZWNDCpVhfzZ/s640/blogger-image--2059560096.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Larva is munching away on an aphid. They are veracious eaters!</td></tr>
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</a>If you want to raise ladybugs as a unit study or just for fun you don't have to buy a kit! This happened by accident, K brought in some lady bugs and put them in a mason jar. I was telling her to take them back outside when K said;" Mom! She's laying eggs!" Sure enough there was a neat bunch of lady bug eggs! The female was the giant one. So we let the momma ladybug go and I began researching all the things ladybug. They're pretty easy to raise. We have an aphid infestation right now so we have a steady food supply. So we grabbed some aphid covered leaves and threw it in the jar. Three days later they began hatching! They remain in the larval stage for 5-7 days, during which the have a veracious appetite! They are machines! We spent a lot of time watching them hunt down aphid after aphid. I must say, they are ugly in the larval stage...not what you would think a pretty ladybug would look like. A true ugly duckling story. We're still waiting for them to go to the pupa stage, it's been 6 days since they hatched so I will post a part 2! In the mean time here are the resources that I have used:<br />
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<li>This link is for the booklet and cut out time chart. You will have to sign up to download, but its a great resource website anyway! <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Life-Cycle-of-a-Ladybug-Freebie-654678">http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Life-Cycle-of-a-Ladybug-Freebie-654678</a></li>
<li>Some good reading:<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?media=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ladybug-life-cycle.com%2Fgraphics%2Fladybug_adult.jpg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ladybug-life-cycle.com%2F&description=Articles%20covering%20the%20life%20cycle%20of%20a%20Ladybug%20including%20fun%20facts%2C%20anatomy%20and%20more.">Lady Bug Life Cycle</a> </li>
<li>Life Cycle wheel wheel with out answers: <a href="http://akidsheart.com/animals/bugs/ladybugcycle.html">http://akidsheart.com/animals/bugs/ladybugcycle.html</a></li>
<li>I used this one for the answer life cycle wheel: <a href="http://www.ladybug-life-cycle.com/ladybug-coloring-pages.html">http://www.ladybug-life-cycle.com/ladybug-coloring-pages.html</a></li>
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There are so many things out there you can do! Make ladybug crafts, reading, etc! <br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-70645724405890022622013-06-24T10:17:00.002-07:002013-06-24T14:28:37.528-07:00Homeschool Room Evolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuYJYB8FHWZyI5eZn0CLBhBx4o7eiM-PP3j6bZX-TITT8P7i8opXbUAUyJOa_mIwDN63MaBV_X0XzCyR_qrUkwxWvofZfZ1PaUxRXAzZuR_5H0MrgKS3TqAOyyiKNUkIeFb9nZjOeOmhz/s1600/P1010725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuYJYB8FHWZyI5eZn0CLBhBx4o7eiM-PP3j6bZX-TITT8P7i8opXbUAUyJOa_mIwDN63MaBV_X0XzCyR_qrUkwxWvofZfZ1PaUxRXAzZuR_5H0MrgKS3TqAOyyiKNUkIeFb9nZjOeOmhz/s640/P1010725.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
When we bought our house I was very excited about the family room off the kitchen. Our house is basically split at this point, one side is the kids rooms, bathroom, and laundry room. The other half is the dinning room, living room and the master room/ bathroom. I love that this room is the central location of the house. When we first started homeschooling we had a couch in here and the toys. We would do school work at the counter or in the dinning room. Those of you that homeschool know, there is always a mess. Always! Be it books, projects left to finish the next day, etc. I was tired of trying to hide evidence of that days schooling; for guests, my husband, whatever. This is our lifestyle right, no need to be ashamed of it.<br />
I started searching the internet for homeschool room ideas. Some of them where pretty elaborate. I loved the look, but elaborate none the less.....and pricey. I wanted my room to be functional, not just for school but the younger kids as well. And what about when we had guests over?<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hX1gAS42RMbQYm-r6LYo0ZOuMtbkQng1WyuEkRGn0x28ueCSrwl_SRtAo6nmO66jnu1dJ8grKZFT8kx-mxv-_OsP_ONLTC0HlRVbrqG5lFrO5pBaVQC5oJZSVDHb1f0TU79tHFlHtaXY/s1600/P1010730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hX1gAS42RMbQYm-r6LYo0ZOuMtbkQng1WyuEkRGn0x28ueCSrwl_SRtAo6nmO66jnu1dJ8grKZFT8kx-mxv-_OsP_ONLTC0HlRVbrqG5lFrO5pBaVQC5oJZSVDHb1f0TU79tHFlHtaXY/s320/P1010730.JPG" width="320" /></a>So I ditched the couch (donated it) and started searching Craigslist. I made a list of the items I felt I would need:<br />
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<li>Table/ Chairs</li>
<li> Bookscase</li>
<li>Chalk Board</li>
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I found the table on Craigslist for $40. The woman I bought it from started to sand the top and had already painted the bottom. Most of the work was already done. I love a good DIY so I broke out the sander and finished the top. I had plenty of stain left from when I did my dinning table. So it matched perfectly. When I saw the color she had painted the bottom I knew it was meant to be....it matched my decor. It's a drop side too, so if I need the whole room (like during a party) I can push it up under the chalkboard, nice and flush with the wall.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxBseU80SnIJisWWPT1HdradACytprwj-fl3CVXAYmv_acc3OF-GicjOdl4oKtIkY_O850UcvKduzieCeRRRGHyzUgxL3f-tTIqAXgs38fvbF1QSXL7u4Kpi_l9AchTJ2We5YS0XQbyDj/s1600/P1010729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxBseU80SnIJisWWPT1HdradACytprwj-fl3CVXAYmv_acc3OF-GicjOdl4oKtIkY_O850UcvKduzieCeRRRGHyzUgxL3f-tTIqAXgs38fvbF1QSXL7u4Kpi_l9AchTJ2We5YS0XQbyDj/s400/P1010729.JPG" width="400" /></a> I looked into making my own chalk board, which is pretty easy, but
honestly even that, to me, was to much money. (I'm trying to be
frugal). That was a lucky find. My friend called me from a yard sale: "Hey Crystal, aren't you looking for a chalkboard, there's one here for $3. Want me to snag it for you?" Heck YEAH! I picked it up from her....lets just say it was rough. The varnish on the trim was pealing and it stunk...like cat pee. I sanded that bad boy...doused it in vinegar to kill the smell, and stained it to match the table...voila! The one mistake I made, I taped the board with painters tape to keep the stain and clear coat off the board....When I peeled it up, it took the chalk board finish up with it. Thankfully my house has a lot of "shabby chic" (code for beat to hell) furniture so it turned out okay.<br />
The Bookcases I got for a killer deal at Target. They where on sale. I asked a clerk to grab one from the back and took the one that was on the floor. When I got up to the front to pay, it wasn't there. The clerk had gotten busy and forgot. He was very sweet and apologetic, I told him no biggy, as my kids where pulling at me. He said; "You know what, since you're being so sweet about it, we'll take an extra 10% off." It pays to be nice folks! On the bottom shelves are coloring books, and reading books for the little kiddos. <br />
I am so glad we did this. I have a functioning room now, the little kids can play while the big kids school. I can see the back yard from the room too, so I can basically watch all the kids in different areas from one spot! When we have guests over we have an extra table if we need it.<br />
The pictures are deceiving....I cleaned up before up took them. Normally you will see books scattered across the table, toys littering the floor (accompanied by the children playing with them). the chalkboard, when not being used in a lesson has become the family message board, and of course a canvas for the kids.<br />
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So...you can throw together a great school room, that functions for cheap! I spent about $83 for the table, chairs, bookcases, and chalkboard. One note for the table....It's not big enough. I have one kid who loves to spreeeaaaaaad out while she works. So I will be watching for a bigger one. I am also on the lookout for more bookcases, smaller to fit under the chalk board, and my husband will be building bench seats under the windows....Still evolving. Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-13134584194301236002013-05-14T14:55:00.003-07:002013-08-04T11:02:56.103-07:00Lessons on Character.....from Spiffy the Goat.<div style="text-align: right;">
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Meet Spiffy and Spy, the latest additions to our mini farm. I had grand ideas about bring home a milk<br />
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goat, provided by my dear friends, and her jumping straight into the stanchion , eager to be milked! HA! Goats may be simple minded but that does not mean they are dumb! We built our pen, we built our stanchion, all was ready and beautiful.... I went to my friends house the morning of the pickup, milked multiple goats, including Spiffy, to sharpen my skills before the grand moment when I would milk her on my own at home. It went well. I loaded her into the crate in the back of my Yukon, K held Spy in her lap in the back seat. I brought them home, put them straight in their pen with super yummy alfalfa and grain to help them adjust. I put down a ton of straw bedding...my first mistake...you don't need a lot...and they will pee on it...immediately...oh no not in their goat yard....in their bedding. Okay, moving on. My girlfriend told me to pick up just plain ol' grain. I heard regular cob...not sweet cob. Oops....lets just say Spiffy was less than impressed. So the next morning it was the big moment...my first milking, solo. I was up and ready...supplies ready the night before...teat dip, check....cleaning solution...check....milking pail...check. That was about as smooth as it would get...I opened the pen door and she just stared at me...like "what do you want me to do lady.." So I wound up dragging her to the stanchion....she stared at it...so I picked her up and set her on it...to which she promptly jumped off. Okay, round two...this time I picked her up and forced her head into the lock. At this point her patience and mine were gone. I filled the bucket with the not so impressive cob, to which she immediately knocked of the stanchion....an accident I thought, so I picked it up and put it back....down again....hmmmm so I tied it to the stanchion....to no avail she still knocked it down. Oy...note to self by over the rail bucket. Okay, finally time to milk....or so I thought, lets just say I had to hold her up with one hand and attempt to milk with the other...remember I am a novice here. I couldn't even get the bucket under her...i basically manhandled her and milked straight unto the stanchion. It was one of the most frustrating experiences in a long time! To top it off she had diarrhea! I called AW near tears. I didn't understand...at her house she jumped right in, let her milk happily...what was I doing wrong!?!? So here is where I learned lessons on character from, of all things, a goat. I tend to force things, make them happen....not always a good quality. This goat was just removed from her heard, brought to a new home, and then expected to perform with no training (or re-training) what so ever. I remember when AW had moved her stanchion and all her goats were confused, they are a creature of habit and routine.<br />
So day two comes around, sure enough, she is not happy. Since last time she was forced onto the stanchion she was ready for a fight. I came out and talked to her gently...(I also picked up the right grain so that helped). She would not budge and she had to be milked...my frustration grew, and grew, and I wound up picking her up again and the fight was on...she stomped she kicked....she shuffled..She even sat down..she threw the grain bucket on the floor. Oy...Okay back to the store for the right bucket....and another couple days of this and I was done! I was ready to do what all the other blogs say to do with a "bad goat." Hobble her, strap her to the stanchion etc....But I remembered what my dear friend said. "Make it a good experience for her...she'll WANT to be up there."<br />
The next milking I took Spy with me, slowly wrestled her into the stanchion, now up to this point she was refusing even grain! If you know goats, they love their grain. I put Spy up on the stanchion and let him nurse for a second...I could instantly see her relax. I quietly removed him and put him in the pen next to us. I quickly sat behind her and tried to milk...oh no! She began her dance. I backed off and pet her and talked to her. Picture a grown women, all by her self, talking to a goat. "I WILL milk you Spiffy...it has to be done." I began again, she sat one me....but i would not stop. There was no bucket I just milked straight onto the stanchion. She had learned that if she danced around enough I would give up. It had always been a battle of the wills and I may be stubborn but not as stubborn as a goat! I just kept on milking away! A comical sight I'm sure, a goat sitting on my arms as I milk away. The next day, I did the same routine, put Spy on the stanchion and let him take a quick sip. But this time...oh sweet joy this time she let me milk, as long as I was talking to her. It seemed to calm her...and to be honest made me less timid...I mean come on, how can you focus on being timid when you feel crazy enough to have a conversation with a goat! So I talked away, prattled on and on. Oh to be a fly on the wall right. The next day, I went out, put Spy straight into the pen and started talking to Spiffy, by this point I wasn't having to lift her into the stanchion. She was still a bit timid, and a bit prancy towards the end...it was taking me a good 15 minute to milk her out. She even pooped in my milk a few times..I just kept on milking as if she hadn't done anything. (We didn't drink that milk) She knocked the bucket a few times with impatience. But, now with practice I finish milking before she even finishes her grain. It became a race for me! And now, when I open the pen...I can't keep her OFF the stanchion. She gives a a quart and a half of sweet yummy goodness every morning. This June we'll get a half gallon and a quart daily when Spy weans. And yes, I still talk to her while I'm milking...or just pray a loud. The kids ask to come out with me, and yes its good for them to learn, but sometimes I say no, so I can have a moment to voice my thoughts with out eager little ears around.<br />
Moral of the Story: Force is not always the answer, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness and Peace, are Fruits of the Spirit for a reason! Spiffy showed me where I was lacking in these areas. Not just with a goat, but in life...with my kids, my husband, and those around me. Lesson well learned, thanks Spiffy. <br />
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Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-41457897239692029662013-05-14T08:32:00.000-07:002013-05-14T08:32:02.881-07:00A Journey From Pumping to Nursing....<br />
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H was born in mid November, that's why I haven't been blogging as of late. Not just because I had a newborn but the circumstances that followed. As I'm writing this out I am nursing him, oh the simplicities of life, right....wrong. He is four months old and has just started nursing! I have pumped for the last four months, but I am one dogged person...I was hell bent and determined to nurse my son. H was born two weeks early, from the start he was a strong nurser. I was quite surprised at how well he latched. With in 24 hours I noticed he was not latching as well, it got progressively worse and worse. But he was so content, it seemed, that I didn't chalk it up to much...that is until he started to get the "brick dust" in his diaper. A sure sign of dehydration. He also developed jaundice, which I have had with two of the other kiddos, so he was sleepy, and more and more difficult to wake him to eat. He was two weeks old by this point. I took him to the emergency room and he was quickly admitted. I am not usually a crier but I tell you, seeing your sweet new boy get poked and prodded, and he's crying for you; hungry, exhausted...it'll break your heart. Once they started getting him some fluids and his blood work was done, his numbers weren't pretty..he was jaundiced and extremely dehydrated. I felt like a monster...guilt right, a mothers worst enemy. I know I did nothing wrong, and knew that as soon as I saw the "brick dust" brought him in...but I still felt like I had failed him somehow. So he lay there, getting hydrated and it was decision time. A two week postpartum Mom is not always good at decisions...He needed to eat...they didn't want me to nurse because they wanted to monitor what he was taking in, I tried to pump but was getting next to nothing. My milk had "come in" when he was still nursing strong but try as I might...not much, maybe a half ounce all together....next problem...how to give it to him. I was desperate to make my son feel better...So we gave it to him in a bottle along with some formula...he was whole new kiddo. So we continued this for four days. I went down to lactation, the consultant said he had a "perfect latch" but didn't have the right tongue motion. He was gumming me like I was a bottle nipple. Once he was back to birth weight we where discharged and we headed home. My girlfriend gave me a pump to use and I set about pumping every hour for 20 minutes and giving it to him in a bottle, adding formula when necessary...a week later we went to his pediatrician and I was given the green light to nurse exclusively again. But low and behold it did not pan out well, I noticed the same trend as before. Loss of weight, and sleepiness. My doctor said that he most likely wouldn't nurse and I ought to plan on bottle feeding him. I was utterly devastated. I wanted nothing more to be his source of comfort and nutrition. So I immediately set about educating myself on everything breast! I found some great resources and encouragement from my dear friend AW. There where a lot of naysayers as well. There where times I questioned my own sanity! Here's how it went. At first I tried the nurse, bottle, pump routine...but with four other kids to care for it got exhausting and I wasn't being a very good mommy. So I resigned myself to exclusive pumping and bottle, thinking when he gets bigger and has better head control maybe I would be able to switch him over. I researched and researched....Continued going to lactation. The consultant was skeptical...she was puzzled too, he would latch but wasn't getting much out. I took herbs, which, by the way, where a big help (Fenugreek, fennel, alfalfa, and brewers yeast) when ever I felt my supply was dwindling. And I pumped and pumped and pumped. I tried supplemental systems with little success, I could never get the tubes right and he would only get frustrated. I found this bottle, the <a href="http://www.thefirstyears.com/wps/portal/breastflow">First Years Breastflow</a> at Burlington, I bought it on a whim and when I got home did some research. Boy did I like what I heard. A bottle that mimicked let down! Could it be!?! I used it for a few weeks and thought, okay lets do the real thing.... success..at first while I was full and engorged but as soon as my milk adjusted to the supply things seemed not so good, he began losing weight...AGAIN!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM58puNiYwbr59cz_PDzC1gPll-nM3ezwKfJ_TgJQrGZ0szFeuh7fOp_I3Dt86AIcy1aQliG9VdX3rgUeWQahdbiIdSL9oGv4boDeFRkBosvxBNK_olXYRduqOuNSK5qspb9Kziq4ACFo/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM58puNiYwbr59cz_PDzC1gPll-nM3ezwKfJ_TgJQrGZ0szFeuh7fOp_I3Dt86AIcy1aQliG9VdX3rgUeWQahdbiIdSL9oGv4boDeFRkBosvxBNK_olXYRduqOuNSK5qspb9Kziq4ACFo/s1600/photo.JPG" border="0" class="decoded" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM58puNiYwbr59cz_PDzC1gPll-nM3ezwKfJ_TgJQrGZ0szFeuh7fOp_I3Dt86AIcy1aQliG9VdX3rgUeWQahdbiIdSL9oGv4boDeFRkBosvxBNK_olXYRduqOuNSK5qspb9Kziq4ACFo/s1600/photo.JPG" /></a>So I panicked and went back to pumping...my girlfriend AW said some very encouraging words to me. "Give it a chance, his weight is healthy, don't panic right away and just keep trying." She said this to me after I called her in tears, thinking I would be pumping for the entire first year! So I listened to her,,...I took a major step of faith. I was reminded of when my others would have their growth spurts and would seem insatiable and I would just nurse and nurse and nurse until it passed. It was time for a "nurse-cation." So I took a weekend and with the help of my husband went off pumping to nursing cold turkey...no transition just a "we can and we will do it," attitude. So I nursed every chance I got that weekend, I put him to breast every chance unless he refused. I was exhausted, I was engorged for a bit, when I adjusted fought the panicked feeling of not "making enough." Success! He's been nursing steady now, I started to write this post two months ago...he's six months now. I donated all my extra milk, about 400 ounces to <a href="http://www.eatsonfeets.org/">Eats on Feets</a>, an amazing group of women who donate their milk to babies who need it, not for profit, the milk is not altered in anyway. I know its not for everyone and of course everyone has an opinion of it. (Note, I had blood work done before, so I know my milk is safe)<br />
My goal with this post is to encourage mom's who are in the throws of a battle like mine. You are not alone! You can do it, you will have moments when you are discouraged and when you feel like you are crazy to do what you are doing. But you are sacrificing for your sweet baby, you are doing the very best thing you can for them. Good for you! And for those of you that can't keep it up, that have to go to bottle, know that there are resources out there for you like <a href="http://www.eatsonfeets.org/">Eats on Feets</a>, so if you can't give your baby your milk you can still provide breastmilk for them.<br />
I know there is a lot of information I am leaving out. Please feel free to ask questions! Below is a list of sites where I gleaned A LOT of information. I also read: "Making More Milk." I got it at my library. It doesn't just cover making milk, it is a great source of encouragement, and covers many situations. I highly recommend anyone, having nursing troubles, read this book!<br />
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This site is a great encouragement:<br />
<a href="http://www.exclusivelypumping.com/">http://www.exclusivelypumping.com/</a><br />
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Kelly Mom is awesome, so much info!<br />
<a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/pumping_decrease/">http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/pumping/pumping_decrease/ </a><br />
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This is a well written blog about pumping:<br />
<a href="http://www.naptimetales.com/2012/05/pump-pump-it-up.html">http://www.naptimetales.com/2012/05/pump-pump-it-up.html</a><br />
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I used this site A LOT!<br />
<a href="http://www.lowmilksupply.org/index.shtml">http://www.lowmilksupply.org/index.shtml</a><br />
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There are a ton of online communities out there that have great information as well. <br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-57018311508686807852013-01-16T17:50:00.001-08:002013-01-16T17:55:05.553-08:00Sweet and Sour Balsamic AsparagusThis is my Nana's recipe, and it'll change any asparagus haters pallet! It's very quick and easy to make, but trying to nail down exacts in my family is not always a simple task. We're a 'little of this, handful of that kind of family," not the easiest to interpret into recipe form.<br />
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You'll need:<br />
Bushel of fresh asparagus <br />
3/4cup balsamic vinegar<br />
1/4 cup olive oil<br />
1/2 cup water<br />
1/2 cup sugar<br />
Tbsp whole cloves <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZiSfpKxAfwnPSDJb_bs2UEqZCkXiU_AF_C0v7USnk9NMALT4_MKxbH2FGvztc4P8xMdt5MGOGMcSVisLV9G5vVLobWRUgL3762X_ifR0gxXEDaewVpff_oHNN2TMRUc8wIkgORtrmL08/s640/blogger-image--1286368199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZiSfpKxAfwnPSDJb_bs2UEqZCkXiU_AF_C0v7USnk9NMALT4_MKxbH2FGvztc4P8xMdt5MGOGMcSVisLV9G5vVLobWRUgL3762X_ifR0gxXEDaewVpff_oHNN2TMRUc8wIkgORtrmL08/s320/blogger-image--1286368199.jpg" width="240" /></a>1 cinnamon stick (you can use loose cinnamon, about a tablespoon but it can give the reduction a gritty feel)<br />
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Combine your reduction ingredients in a sauce pan and whisk together, simmer on medium until it reduces to the consistency of table syrup... I personally like it thicker, more like molasses. Make sure you watch it and stir often so it doesn't burn.<br />
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Steam your asparagus to your desired crispness, I like mine soft with a bit of a snap in the middle.<br />
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Plate your asparagus and pour your reduction over the top. Voila! Delicious awesomeness! <br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-65210414897230371232012-09-25T19:03:00.002-07:002012-09-25T19:03:24.547-07:00Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup and Biscuits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsX_SOZ3y87JSHwnr6V9o6xQ_O9fODIMtL32slXr_aKxcXCsKZXDcmygUzVT4Rknqt0-uvKIWRr2Ncd-I526mBHL1E4UJ2CK1tYPdPi2Wlhd2yF_Jw5GrsGT6aPNIRK6qkuEEoflj0C6zt/s1600/P9250065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsX_SOZ3y87JSHwnr6V9o6xQ_O9fODIMtL32slXr_aKxcXCsKZXDcmygUzVT4Rknqt0-uvKIWRr2Ncd-I526mBHL1E4UJ2CK1tYPdPi2Wlhd2yF_Jw5GrsGT6aPNIRK6qkuEEoflj0C6zt/s640/P9250065.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">What is it about this time of year and a good hearty chicken soup? This is a relatively easy recipe, requires not to much work, and is delicious! I make this every time I cook a whole chicken.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">First things first, your chicken stock. This is where the crockpot comes in. I take my left over carcass, with all the left over meat and put it in the fridge. This is real easy because I usually cook my whole chicken in the crockpot. The next morning I add water so it is about 2/3 full (it is going to reduce down) and turn it on low. I let it go ALL day. This is great to do before you leave for work. But Crystal....I didn't cook a chicken the day before...grab some chicken legs from the freezer or fridge and throw them in the crockpot all day instead of a carcass...same results. When you get home, or its that time of night for us stay at home folks, put your strainer in your soup pot and pour the entire contents from the crockpot in, pick the meat out and throw it in a bowl...toss the bones and other parts, add the meat to the stock...boom! Instant soup. And the meat...oh man...so tender it will literally fall off the bones! Now we don't leave it there of course, you need some flavor!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOU6Sdz8mJEXkjwAgWvOK6t1i0oxtvYDUlbmpw9NlfLXstpDfRs3T7mCa6QwYu9DeXGcslgvSLFS914XBQv62xBqXUfHG7SzdPNOL2U8Nq89ef35VT8uwFUoWpETmq-s3t-nJkD6cVEXZ/s1600/P9250061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOU6Sdz8mJEXkjwAgWvOK6t1i0oxtvYDUlbmpw9NlfLXstpDfRs3T7mCa6QwYu9DeXGcslgvSLFS914XBQv62xBqXUfHG7SzdPNOL2U8Nq89ef35VT8uwFUoWpETmq-s3t-nJkD6cVEXZ/s200/P9250061.JPG" width="152" /></a>Okay, here's my secret weapon! Farmhouse Long Grain & Wild Rice, herb and butter flavor.....ouch you got me....no crazy concoctions.....some carrots, some celery, a good dab of butter, salt and pepper.... simmer that all together for an hour or so and bing-bang-boom....delicious homemade chicken soup! Now I know what you're thinking chicken NOODLE soup right....I boil some egg noodles and throw them in about 15 minutes before dinner. I love to make this as a meal to take to family and friends in need...its so easy to make more or less according to how many you are feeding.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Okay the offical recipe:</span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrLsjJx-LQUW0PAtIjIQJ9zvL1DQ6NzJ-vR1oDRfsEa06feSoerUQSOZkNfigndtG0x0LEhySEdVLqmgTD-iwBeITsIFxnQEH53q_QeSsSJRLZRXZwKmW_OqVeLlVw7Ow_K7HuG5JVCJT/s1600/P9250059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrLsjJx-LQUW0PAtIjIQJ9zvL1DQ6NzJ-vR1oDRfsEa06feSoerUQSOZkNfigndtG0x0LEhySEdVLqmgTD-iwBeITsIFxnQEH53q_QeSsSJRLZRXZwKmW_OqVeLlVw7Ow_K7HuG5JVCJT/s320/P9250059.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Simmering away...looks yummy already!</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="color: #0b5394;">*Chicken stock + the meat (as described above) </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394;">2 boxes Farmhouse Long Grain & Wild Rice; Herb and Butter Flavor (or any other boxed rice with a flavor packet)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394;">2-3 carrots sliced</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394;">2 stalks celery sliced</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394;">a big dab of butter</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394;">salt and pepper to taste</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394;">A pinch of granulated garlic </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394;">cooked egg noodles</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Once stock is ready all the ingredients except the egg noodles (no one likes soggy noodles). Simmer for at least one hour, so the flavors can meld together. Just before serving add egg noodles. Not to much though! Voila! Serve with your favorite bread for sopping up the juices! I love this<a href="http://southern.food.com/recipe/southern-buttermilk-biscuits-26110"> biscuit recipe</a>. His directions are phenomenal, and they are delicious! I also like to serve with home made french bread. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Hope you enjoy</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">*If you absolutely do not want to make your own stock...you can buy it at the store, and some canned chicken meat. I have done this before...it was still pretty good. </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Reheating:</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">The noodles and rice soak up the broth, so add some water when you reheat.</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-55690268395398944052012-09-24T20:11:00.000-07:002012-09-25T12:41:06.572-07:00A Plethora of Peaches! (plus a yummy pumpkin spice peach strussle recipe)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of three boxes!</td></tr>
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I love the Nothwest. We have so much to offer; beautiful scenery, bountiful harvests, the weather is never to 'extreme' save the wildfires here and there. This time of year, especially this year, is a time of transition for us. You begin preparing for the winter snows, the frosts, and cold. This time of year we are busy outside, we go to the 'bluff' to pic fresh ....you name it...apples, peaches, pears, cherries, berries, etc. I have learned a new art....canning! <br />
I wound up with 60 lbs of peaches this year! 60 lbs! Not even I can get creative enough to bake all those peaches into some sort of delicious treat. My girlfriend suggested I invest in a water bath pot, and some jars. I thought, this will be a great learning experience for my kids. So off I went to purchase the supplies. Holy Mooly, a word of advise: NEVER wait until canning season to purchase your supplies. Even Wal Mart was picked clean. I managed to find the supplies I needed and headed home to get started. I researched, made phone calls, even my neighbor came over to give pointers. You see, I like to know what I am doing before I...well....do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm8w8x0SPEuL4e7wM4gEZIYyIlMgvvF_Lsyxb4rx7vgc0-_xYcpa1h9ZhERHV167ol9-bIbkNtqjudwCoC8NXh88AkcUOQOllAPseR4s368a7mT-1qGX-vIPzPxKkHtgkEE9F5H3vKX79/s1600/P9160022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtm8w8x0SPEuL4e7wM4gEZIYyIlMgvvF_Lsyxb4rx7vgc0-_xYcpa1h9ZhERHV167ol9-bIbkNtqjudwCoC8NXh88AkcUOQOllAPseR4s368a7mT-1qGX-vIPzPxKkHtgkEE9F5H3vKX79/s320/P9160022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls are eagerly awaiting the first batch of peaches!</td></tr>
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It was a learning curve, I wont deny that, and sticky...just plain sticky...partially because my girls "slipped" the peaches for me. Lots of peachy juiciness running down arms and elbows to the floor below. Husband wasn't to thrilled with the mess (that is until he later had a chance to try the finished product...now he's hooked). <br />
I went with a light syrup<br />
<ul>
<li>1 Cup Sugar to 3 cups water</li>
<ul>
<li>I use organic evaporated cane juice (the big bag from Costco)</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY46Kbo_mvN8OeBh2jzjEJRnWPfRPvPhieYh2Hwb1yDhRY0hxyjS-jyvHXRITkP9kCsA99H2GxFlx-G2BdMfiPchrAWroimXfCxaAQpL5j85Ue60VSo00DrCbyDaKQrnE2KuejbxZuPzO/s1600/P9160024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfY46Kbo_mvN8OeBh2jzjEJRnWPfRPvPhieYh2Hwb1yDhRY0hxyjS-jyvHXRITkP9kCsA99H2GxFlx-G2BdMfiPchrAWroimXfCxaAQpL5j85Ue60VSo00DrCbyDaKQrnE2KuejbxZuPzO/s320/P9160024.JPG" width="320" /></a> While the girls slipped I sliced, coated in lemon juice and threw them in the awaiting syrup pot, where I simmered them for 10 minutes, then into the awaiting jars.... I washed my jars ahead of time in the dishwasher and left them in so they stayed warm. From there into the hot bath for another 20 minutes. In some jars I sprinkled pumpkin spice seasoning for future pies and crisps. I happened to make a crisp for breakfast this morning...oh my yummy awesomeness! The pumpkin spice had infused into the peaches, add some cinnamon strussel topping...(recipe below) <br />
All in all we did pretty good. 24 quart jars full to the brim, some frozen slices, and a yummy large crisp. Good Stuff! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "fruit" of our labor....bad pun I know.</td></tr>
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Pumpkin Spice Peach Strussel<br />
<br />
1 quart canned or fresh sliced peaches (my peaches are already "infused" with the pumpkin spice)<br />
1 tbsp pumpkin spice<br />
<br />
topping<br />
1/2 cup flour<br />
1/2 cup rolled oats<br />
1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
cinnamon to your liking (I use about 1 1/2 tbsp)<br />
stick of butter<br />
<br />
mix the pumpkin spice with your sliced peaches and place in your pan juices and all. Its easiest to just sprinkle it across the top then give it a good toss.<br />
Mix topping, melt butter and pour into topping mixing until wet. Sprinkle on top of peaches and bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until topping is crunchy. <br />
Let sit for about 10 minutes and serve!<br />
<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-10182547828991522382012-09-20T17:02:00.000-07:002012-09-20T17:03:45.449-07:00First Day of School 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, I know what you're saying..'wait, don't you homeschool?' Answer yes, but we also participate in a co-op, where the kids go to school for a full day once a week. I love it! They take up to five classes, the offerings are amazing. From gymnastics to piano, computer labs, science classes, dance, horsemanship, etc.<br />
I digress....<br />
The kids where so excited they couldn't go to sleep the night before. Therefore, the next morning, we all had a hard time getting on our way.<br />
I woke the kids, shoveled food down them and tried to get some adorable pictures. In a perfect world, it would have went smooth. This is NOT a perfect world folks.<br />
I was doing S's hair with about 20 min to get all five of us loaded and on the road, I still hadn't taken pictures, I was feeling a bit frantic. I happened to see a streak of grey fly past my window. Some how our husky got off his run and was streaking towards the chicken coop, or the horse. He enjoys harassing both. I ran outside to call for him and place him back on the run. In that 3 minute window all hell broke lose!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that pout! All kids have the same exact pout! It's a family signature!</td></tr>
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I came back in to find cereal all over the floor, A1's hair a disaster...she decided to try to do it herself while I was outside and the cherry on top....A2 had found my liquid blush. He managed to paint one whole half himself.<br />
Now normally I would have waited to get home to clean him up...but today...I had to spend the WHOLE day at the co-op to make sure the girls found their classes.<br />
ACK!<br />
Somehow, amid the chaos I managed to get some pictures in. We made it up to the co-op with even five minutes to spare! Wooh! We wont discuss my driving that day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My three girls S, A1, and K. A1 wore that crown ALL day!</td></tr>
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We made it through most of the day without much of a hiccup, until we found.....the worm.<br />
I had taken the A team outside to play because they had been cooped up in the "mom room" most of the day. I saw this massive worm crawling around the grass so I called them over to look. You'd have thought it was two birds fighting over a worm. Another toddler took notice; picture this, keep away...with a worm! Yep! All you worm lovers....look away...there wasn't much left.<br />
Depsite all that the day went well, the girls love their classes, and we all made it home in one piece.<br />
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~Crystal<br />
<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-10146909098849056112012-09-14T17:09:00.001-07:002012-09-14T22:20:34.503-07:00Crochet Chevron Throw / Crib Blanket Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am absolutely obsessed with the chevron pattern and the colors yellow, silver, and purple! Why not put them all together. With Baby 5 on the way, and not knowing the sex I am busily crocheting away for both boy and girl. This is the girl blanket I made. I wanted to make it large enough that, should I have a boy, I can use this as a throw on my couch, since it matches my decor`<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBh2mP9D5RHFzfi3WIi8b8e47-lAj-4QqMtjbHV-JkMS174_TUKaK6PZKRLccR4D2wX_5U9fXfRfaKUvopZjryr9IshYMW1yBlebyuI2zOCRqDdmYUOx_SWN9jKFGT7mnjlWKyhzIvIPG/s1600/P9140010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBh2mP9D5RHFzfi3WIi8b8e47-lAj-4QqMtjbHV-JkMS174_TUKaK6PZKRLccR4D2wX_5U9fXfRfaKUvopZjryr9IshYMW1yBlebyuI2zOCRqDdmYUOx_SWN9jKFGT7mnjlWKyhzIvIPG/s320/P9140010.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
It is made with the Caron Simply Soft yarn so it is super soft and comfy. I crocheted it in half double so the stitch would be a bit bulkier, which in turn makes the blanket heavier. I started to regret this because a double works up faster but it turned out fabulous! It took me about 3 weeks to make this. I have four kids to chase too....There where some days I didn't touch it at all.<br />
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I have included a few helpful links on how to's that go along with this pattern: <br />
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<b>I found this <a href="http://youtu.be/Vo8q5A7VvSY">video</a> when I was first learning to crochet the chevron pattern, and it is the base for this blanket pattern.</b><br />
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You will also need to know how to: <br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://crochet.about.com/library/blhalfdouble.htm">Half Double Crochet (hdc)</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.crochetme.com/blogs/tags/hdc2tog/default.aspx">Half Double Crochet two Together</a> (hdc2tog)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-carry-yarn-in-crochet.html">Carry Yarn Ends</a></li>
<ul>
<li>On this link, you only need the first half. Because you are working with more than one color you will actually cut the yarn when you move to the next color. This step can even be skipped, it is just to save you from weaving in all those loose ends when you are done.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">What you'll need:</span></b><br />
For this particular pattern I used four colors and the <a href="http://www.caron.com/color_cards/cc_simplysoft.html">Caron Simply Soft Brand</a>:<br />
<ul>
<li>Color A) 5 Skeins Plum Perfect </li>
<ul>
<li>They now have this as one of their "<a href="http://www.caron.com/color_cards/cc_sseco.html">Eco</a>" yarns so it has a different wrapper on it</li>
<li>Michael's did not have this color...I got it at Joannes. </li>
</ul>
<li>Color B) 4 Skeins Heather Grey</li>
<li>Color C) 2 Skeins Lemon</li>
<li>Color D) 1 Skein White</li>
<li>Size H/8 5.00mm crochet hook</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "increase" or 4hdc in same stitch</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Pattern: </span></b><br />
Chain 244 with D<br />
Row 1:<br />
4 hdc in third ch, *hdc next 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times (six stitches) (this makes the dips of the chevron), hdc 5 st, 3 hdc in same stitch (this makes the peak of the chevron). repeat * to the end of chain, on last stitch after last 5 hdc, hdc 4 in same stitch, ch 2 turn.<br />
Row 2:<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat * to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color A (best to do in the last of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 3-10 <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPf4S60VRDUPX6gspy_psJj-trA4YIyH2FK-3R3gbVDTb5ZuGgRTeRoHwErWTmi8eZZz1k0C3F7fOx8K9E1wwHSCkh6agKpHVb70VF_XIHjgMwImhjWqZIurI5_V-3likRcQ5VmTDirQk5/s1600/P8300011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPf4S60VRDUPX6gspy_psJj-trA4YIyH2FK-3R3gbVDTb5ZuGgRTeRoHwErWTmi8eZZz1k0C3F7fOx8K9E1wwHSCkh6agKpHVb70VF_XIHjgMwImhjWqZIurI5_V-3likRcQ5VmTDirQk5/s200/P8300011.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "decrease" or hdc2tog 3 times</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat
* to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 11<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color B (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn <br />
Row 12-17<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 18<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color C (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn <br />
Row:19-22<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 23<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat*
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color B (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn <br />
Row 24-29<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 30<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color A (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SyZ6qBl63i3V8j3Jyu3av906TCfd0dwSbk1Jtdf0XA-lZGa3YS7r5i9E11dfeJY80uMf2-iXJmK-enJUT64JaufRojb8g0_Aqd46QqpWvM7RjLQOU4Aa-F2KDxjF8SULM8VVl7ZCUw2D/s1600/P9140008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SyZ6qBl63i3V8j3Jyu3av906TCfd0dwSbk1Jtdf0XA-lZGa3YS7r5i9E11dfeJY80uMf2-iXJmK-enJUT64JaufRojb8g0_Aqd46QqpWvM7RjLQOU4Aa-F2KDxjF8SULM8VVl7ZCUw2D/s320/P9140008.JPG" width="320" /></a>Row 31-38<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 39<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color B (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn <br />
Row 40-45<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 46<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color C (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 47- 50<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 51<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color B (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn <br />
Row 52-57<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 58<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color A (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn <br />
Row 59-66<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 67<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color B (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn <br />
Row 68-73<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 74<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color C (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 75- 78<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 79<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color B (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn <br />
Row 80-85<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 86<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color A (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn <br />
Row 87-94<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), Ch 2, turn<br />
Row 95-96<br />
Skip stitch *4hdc same st, hdc 5 st, hdc2tog 3 times, hdc 5 st, repeat *
to end, 4 hdc in last stitch change to color D (best to do in the last
of the 4 hdc), tie off.<br />
<br />
To edge the blanket slip stitch color D, ch 2 skip one st hdc along
edge, ch2 turn hdc along edge to end, slip st to top of first stitch of
chevron side to round corner. Do this on both sides.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQSkHKTt8Ki0IeFXHthWrq-Xhdax1zoScfSRhkkAZGV_zVi940lih2HPDGsVlbdsy-qHj1wY289Et9LT4LXiEIj9YSkCaGclr4_bytHaXj1siT6OncRT9o3E_Q8MgWxUSswxWSvG82ljE/s1600/P9140005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQSkHKTt8Ki0IeFXHthWrq-Xhdax1zoScfSRhkkAZGV_zVi940lih2HPDGsVlbdsy-qHj1wY289Et9LT4LXiEIj9YSkCaGclr4_bytHaXj1siT6OncRT9o3E_Q8MgWxUSswxWSvG82ljE/s640/P9140005.JPG" width="640" /></a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-80340502948700932842012-09-07T13:22:00.002-07:002012-09-07T13:30:07.975-07:00Liquid Measurments Lesson<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ80wYIQrNJ7OlWLr8jQmc7hobrghoa44neogNorbxKSMdjJ2Mb_B4rmeFLQxb-5WGzN1G8sXYupMIyfj_zLOIGtunrVzMIG4g6TIL2bzdVbpzQiinQS6sazcyEKwehEkAbvCFH2FGDb_u/s1600/P1010018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ80wYIQrNJ7OlWLr8jQmc7hobrghoa44neogNorbxKSMdjJ2Mb_B4rmeFLQxb-5WGzN1G8sXYupMIyfj_zLOIGtunrVzMIG4g6TIL2bzdVbpzQiinQS6sazcyEKwehEkAbvCFH2FGDb_u/s640/P1010018.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Today was an interesting day. I woke up, soar, grumpy...you know pregnant. Anyway, after a quick jaunt to my favorite coffee stand, (I was out of creamer this morning) I fueled myself on my daily allotment of caffeine (I am pregnant after all) in preparation for today's lesson. Liquid measurements! Oh boy, when the kids saw me bringing buckets of water, measuring cups and glasses out, they where VERY excited! A quick simple lesson that left an impression on all ages of the family. Is there any better way to learn than hands on?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">You will need:</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Water</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDU_8Pn3_p4n6KnWgiqy7Zynaf79jePPq0sE6nUlYzypwruIwlqxZICRzZsQdng7DROjZK1NmkNaCJl7Y88Y2_Byhyphenhyphen9tDKZYZSP9VUeWtZloFe4Oea2qnmzBYcTRBgLHixrPHMpHfe267n/s1600/P1010013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDU_8Pn3_p4n6KnWgiqy7Zynaf79jePPq0sE6nUlYzypwruIwlqxZICRzZsQdng7DROjZK1NmkNaCJl7Y88Y2_Byhyphenhyphen9tDKZYZSP9VUeWtZloFe4Oea2qnmzBYcTRBgLHixrPHMpHfe267n/s200/P1010013.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">1 gallon sized container (I used glass so they could see the water)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">1 quart jar</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">1 pint jar</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">measuring cups</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">An observation sheet (see below) </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqSantlsUV3_qF0xz-6pMiMapaNOU1kTN07S5DEQSAuyLesl6iR-xR0aMpa6ycNJPrKCCkCYMC11N9ixrSucemoMludT_2zEyFC61IzNDqbr5YTlJRdmRCpriTrPeJcQLrR9gXQkqy8zq/s1600/P1010014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqSantlsUV3_qF0xz-6pMiMapaNOU1kTN07S5DEQSAuyLesl6iR-xR0aMpa6ycNJPrKCCkCYMC11N9ixrSucemoMludT_2zEyFC61IzNDqbr5YTlJRdmRCpriTrPeJcQLrR9gXQkqy8zq/s320/P1010014.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I made my own observation sheet for the two school age kids to record their findings. I refuse to pay to convert to PDF so here is what it mainly consisted of (I copied and pasted this from my file):</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Fill the containers with water to determine the liquid
measurements.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">__________cups = _____________ Pint</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">__________ Pints = _____________ Quart</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">_________ Quarts = __________ Gallon</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Abbreviations:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Cups = C</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Pints = Pt.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Quarts = qt.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Gallons = gal </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Write the abbreviations for the following:</span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Two cups equal one pint.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Two pints equal one quart.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Four quarts equal one gallon. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The lesson itself is simple enough. How many cups did it take to fill the pint, how many pints for the quart, how many quarts for the gallon. I let each kid take turns filling them up, and the littles had a blast dumping water....everywhere. We then went on to learn the abbreviations for the measurements, and rewrote our first observations with the abbreviations. I plan to expand this lesson in the following week. How many pint in a gallon, cups, etc. But this is a great start </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Enjoy,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Crystal </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">BONUS:<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> afterwards I let
them "continue their experiment," and they kept at it for well over an
hour! </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">~C</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-38130707271292760822012-08-30T15:34:00.000-07:002012-08-30T15:39:40.238-07:00 Cranberry and Cherry Zucchini Bread Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my all time fall favorites: Zucchini Bread! This time of year, this is no shortage on zucchini. Our church puts out a produce table for folks to bring their excess garden produce...it is always full of yellow squash and, you guessed, zucchini! Lately I have had quite a sweet tooth...I blame the baby... So I wanted to add some more sweetness to it with out going to crazy. First thought..chocolate chips. I've added them before and it tastes amazing. But it definitely takes the health value down a few notches sooooo....Cranberries and Cherries instead! This started out as a <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/zucchini-bread-recipe/index.html">Paula Dean </a>recipe that I modified. Husband says I can never leave a recipe as it is. Often this results in awesome discoveries...and others...we wont go there. The combo of half whole wheat, half all purpose flour gives it a bit of a nutty taste...with out the nuts. If you don't like nuts go with just all-purpose.<br />
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Recipe:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJUbA7JR_l4qo2b4DZAJmLPIX4jqH9cuZC5zs18VHF037SSKoO28l5EPPUcUZ5SR4M4LzAcJxDNKw_qTqjTH0a5JGxJregiE2kiWRFk4pH84tiQCu9yu4jVQsSc1MKzvrXIaWXv51qVS8/s1600/P8300004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJUbA7JR_l4qo2b4DZAJmLPIX4jqH9cuZC5zs18VHF037SSKoO28l5EPPUcUZ5SR4M4LzAcJxDNKw_qTqjTH0a5JGxJregiE2kiWRFk4pH84tiQCu9yu4jVQsSc1MKzvrXIaWXv51qVS8/s320/P8300004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know, that's one BIG zucchini, right!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour </li>
<li>2 cup all purpose flour </li>
<li>1 1/2 tsp salt</li>
<li>1 tsp ground nutmeg</li>
<li>2 tsp baking soda</li>
<li>1 tsp ground cinnamon (or maybe a bit more...depends on my mood)</li>
<li>1 cup white sugar plus some to sprinkle on top</li>
<li>1 cup packed brown sugar</li>
<li>3/4 cup dried cranberries or dried cherries (I went half and half)</li>
<li>I cup oil (I use Saffola)</li>
<li>4 eggs beaten</li>
<li>2 cups grated zucchini</li>
<li>1/3 cup of water </li>
<li>1 tsp lemon juice</li>
<li>1 tsp vanilla </li>
</ul>
Pre-heat your oven to 350 F.<br />
Assemble those dry ingredients (Not the cherries or cranberries) together and sift, or in my case I run a butter knife through it a few times. <br />
Combine, in your mixer, your wet ingredients and mix until well incorporated.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yXTXv3r-ubmlJW5xpKW0hG72KNwD4hj_mXqehtvf5I64UpIZaoAVwmYQ4muOMPcIPnV7SjrHczA8RR5JPkxHi_Akc-DMCNwzRrU0syqmPuMzJtU1UdKNml0J-1hxxb3N-0XipMqEr0Sb/s1600/P8300005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7yXTXv3r-ubmlJW5xpKW0hG72KNwD4hj_mXqehtvf5I64UpIZaoAVwmYQ4muOMPcIPnV7SjrHczA8RR5JPkxHi_Akc-DMCNwzRrU0syqmPuMzJtU1UdKNml0J-1hxxb3N-0XipMqEr0Sb/s320/P8300005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for the oven.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Add your dry and blend well, fold in cherries/ cranberries.<br />
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Pour into two standard, well greased and floured (or spray on will do) bread pans.<br />
Sprinkle some sugar on top for a nice crunchy topping. (my favorite part)<br />
Bake for 1 hour and let that sweet aroma fill your house. My mouth is usually watering towards the end. Test it before you take it out, should come out clean.<br />
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Let stand about 10-15 minutes then pop out of pan onto a cooling rack.<br />
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I have found the best way to store it is to wrap it up tight with plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge. It keeps its moisture this way. But my favorite way to enjoy it is when it's still warm from the oven...oh sweet heavenly deliciousness! Honestly it never lasts the night in our house anyway.<br />
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<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-7873088761318680652012-08-29T11:59:00.001-07:002013-01-13T19:10:35.501-08:00Getting ready for the (Home)School Year 2012-2013!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Why am I homeschooling? </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><u><span style="font-size: xx-small;">First let me preface this post by saying...this is only my second year. I am NOT an expert at this. This is just what I am doing...or better yet...attempting this year. The way I do things may or may not work for you!</span></u></span></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"> So this year I have TWO school age children! Sounds daunting doesn't it, along with two little's and a another on the way! Ack...first thought..."What the hay am I thinking?" Then I reminded myself why I am doing this....why am I schooling my own children? Do I think public school is EVIL? Um, no. Do I want to "shelter my children from the 'cruel, cruel world?'" Again, No. Do I think every single parent/ family should homeschool...absolutely not! So why am I? Every year Husband and I have to reassess this, and this is my thought process:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">What are our motives? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">What values/morals and life lessons are we wishing to instill in the kids?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">What do we wish to accomplish this year?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">What curriculum do I want to teach? (I allow each kid to pick a "unit study" on top of our normal curriculum)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"> Do we want to do a co-op? </span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">You see its not an irrational quick decision. A lot of thought and prayer goes into our decision each and every year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Curriculum/Co-op?</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">So here we are, we are definitely homeschooling. I have decided to stick with the curriculum that has been working great for me, Abeka. Goals have been set, and yep, we are definitely doing the co-op. As a matter of fact, I love our co-op. It is through a public school district, and the opportunities they offer are amazing! Piano, gymnastics, ballet, computer labs, reading enrichment, critical thinking...and for me....accountability. That's not to say that all homeschoolers need that, but I enjoy having a "consultant" that I meet with once a month, that checks on my kiddos progress, and encourages me. Not to mention an amazing resource library and a bunch of other homeschool parents to get encouragement and ideas from. The kids go for a full day, to five classes. They change classes each semester. Also, because it is through a public school district, you receive so much funding per child to buy curriculum. Unfortunately, Abeka is a Christian curriculum so it is not covered, but I do buy a lot of supplemental material to go along with what I am teaching. I went with Abeka originally because it lays everything out for you, and K went to a private school, for kindergarten, that used Abeka. It made the transition easier for her and I into homeschool. There is minimal planning, its all done for you. When you have a bunch of toddlers running around while you are trying to school, it really helps. It's not for everyone, but it fits my style...for the most part. I am always "tweaking" something. I buy the Parent and child kit. I figure I'll only have to buy the parent kit once (per grade level), considering I will use it FIVE times. When the next child moves to that grade, I just buy the consumable materials the other kids already used up. So the initial purchase...ouch, but after not so bad. You can find great deals on Ebay...but the bidding can be cut throat! They'll (Abeka) tell you that you should buy a whole new kit for each child....I say no friggin' way! They say its because they are always "updating" their materials etc etc. But the changes are soooooo minor that you can work around them. Also, most of the extra stuff, like flash cards, that you have to order separately from the kit....I make them myself, and save them for the next kid. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">I would like to note that I put K in public school for the beginning of her first grade year. I had a major meltdown that summer,: hormones, stress from A2's medical stuff, etc. I didn't feel I was fit to teach my children at the time. I think that it is very important for the schooling parent to be sound and stable enough to do it. When we moved into our new home, and I was in a much better place, I then began to homeschool. I have to say, because Abeka is typically a year or two ahead of public school, I started at the beginning of the Abeka first grade material and it was still ahead of where K left public school.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Organizing </b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another task...organizing the curriculum and materials. My good friend, who we'll call CK, had a crate that she kept her sons materials organized in. I loved it so I set out to create a similar system. I see a lot of people on the online communities using it as well. Each schooling child has their own crate. I hung hanging files in them labeled with the name of the book or subject that belongs in that particular file. K has a seatwork file which I make a print out every night. I also made each of them a "busy work" folder. I added printouts related to what they're currently learning, along with work books from the dollar store that reinforce what they are learning. If I am busy with another kiddo and can not get to them right away, they grab something from this file and work on it until I can give them my full attention. I just wanted to keep it simple. Everything is in one place. The kids know where all of their stuff is. I can say "S, go grab so and so from such and such." No problem. I also made up a crate for the A team. (my name for the two little's...A1 and A2) It consists of coloring books, manipulative critical thinking items, etc. They can grab something out of there and feel like they are "schooling" along with us. Which in many ways they are. We already started school about a week ago and I was amazing at how much S absorbed just watching K and I last year. I did no formal pre-school with S and she is leaps and bounds ahead of where I thought I'd have to start with her. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then there's the matter of organizing when I would teach what. To be honest I am still working on that. Abeka comes with History and Science in each kit. I will be working out of these during our "group" lessons. So I read ahead and I have basically taken each subject and searched out printables as well as ordered some supplemental material through our co-op that supports the time line and science being taught through Abeka. I really like Abeka's history, but I don't think it goes into enough depth. I understand that it is first grade level but I want to really explore it. Also keep in mind Abeka is written for a classroom setting, you have to manipulate it a bit for individual learning.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96Y6w_eXSPizfQ4PB1dq0WqF3Za1TOwaR-cwh8MsE9TYt7aWw_wG_g1HG5n-sEDdGShyphenhyphengb_0mZGZDrfV3_v60llbIpQFxEN_ZmnqWg0wUNl3DQTnUGmX8wNhMT0ZxyyZ0lyC2HL6z4Ecq/s1600/P8290034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96Y6w_eXSPizfQ4PB1dq0WqF3Za1TOwaR-cwh8MsE9TYt7aWw_wG_g1HG5n-sEDdGShyphenhyphengb_0mZGZDrfV3_v60llbIpQFxEN_ZmnqWg0wUNl3DQTnUGmX8wNhMT0ZxyyZ0lyC2HL6z4Ecq/s200/P8290034.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvpH5Yfln0hlzdMSuM0zrJBMcR809MTW4z2rWwFol4mtkDcuP8bzrwl5USSCHr9NnDlJ-ZaEuCgUyA4JgYNyU7ePAGwsmnA-MsoR-_GWj1ASAzdLQxtuxqV5kmRNylcIUi6eemOpJuXyH/s1600/P8290035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvpH5Yfln0hlzdMSuM0zrJBMcR809MTW4z2rWwFol4mtkDcuP8bzrwl5USSCHr9NnDlJ-ZaEuCgUyA4JgYNyU7ePAGwsmnA-MsoR-_GWj1ASAzdLQxtuxqV5kmRNylcIUi6eemOpJuXyH/s200/P8290035.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then there is my binders. These are my "brain books" as Husband calls them. It is what I use to keep track of what I have taught, what I plan to teach, and store papers the kids have done to take in to my monthly meeting to show our consultant. I have a monthly calendar for each month to write down important dates, meetings, etc. Behind each month is a weekly break down of the month. This is where I write down what we did that day. This is very helpful when I have to go online and submit my monthly progress reports. I also make notes what needs to be redone, what the kids need more work on ect. I have tabs for each subject, this is where I put printables I plan to do or have done.</span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Scheduling</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is very tempting to stick the Waldorf style most of us grew up with. You know, everyone at a desk, teacher at the front of the room</span> teaching the lesson. I admit this definitely appeals to me but I have had to learn to LET GO of this! I do have a schedule for the kids but its flexible. It has to be for a large family. Each child learns differently. My oldest, K, is very much like me; give me a book with directions and I am good to go. My second, S, is the opposite. She needs stimulation. She needs to be able to move. If I stuck her in a desk and told her to sit there for to long she might go nuts. That will come with maturity but for now, nope. They can find a place that is comfortable for them. Instruction, typically, takes place at the dinning table. K usually does her seatwork in the kitchen at the island. There's less chaos out there.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"> This is what a typical homeschool day will look like for us this year...or what I hope for it to look like:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Wake up:</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Make beds and get dressed pick up bedroom floor. (Somehow, while my children are sleeping, they manage to make a mess on their floor.)</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Chores:</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">K feeds Josie the horse</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">S feeds Stihl (our neurotic husky)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">A1 feeds Lucky the cat</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Breakfast/ Quiet time with Mom</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Quiet time is a Bible Devotional, we're currently reading out of "Jesus Calling" for kids.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">During our breakfast we discuss what we have to do for the day</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Clean up from breakfast </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">This is where schooling starts: K and S split up</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">K grabs her seatwork folder with her daily seatwork printout and begins to work that.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">S and I begin her "instruction" time.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">The A team sits at the table, with S and I, and color or play in the living room nearby.</span></span> </li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">K and S rotate:</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">K and I review her seatwork</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">S works out of her busy work folder or finishes any sheets from her "instruction" time.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">I give any lessons or review that K may need to reinforce her seatwork. This is also where I introduce new concepts, like right now K is working on suffixes. So I may review what she has already learned before moving on to the next item.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Group time</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">This is where I teach our group lessons. I teach history and science usually during this time.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"> We are learning about our state, so both girls are making a large map with major cities, rivers, the state seal, flower, bird, so on and so forth. We add to it each day.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Remember that each kid is two years apart I don't expect them to have the same understanding of what I am teaching. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">I print extra papers so the A team (my younger two) feel like they are involved.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">We don't have group time EVERY DAY. </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Unit Study</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">If K or S finish their work before one or the other, they get to grab their unit study folder and work the next project. This is like their rewards for finishing their other school work. Sometimes it's before group time, sometimes after. Sometimes, its during nap time...sometimes when Daddy gets home to help! You get the idea. Flexibility folks!</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Now this is a typical day. While they work assignments I am floating around; folding laundry, chasing A2, cooking lunch, etc. We usually finish up by lunch, sometimes we have to go after lunch. It just depends on the day. But I am not a slave to this schedule! Sometimes someone may be getting flustered and need a break. That's the beauty of HOMEschool. We don't have a certain set time frame to cram all this in! Some days someone gets sick, some days MOMMY gets sick (I believe Mom's ought to receive super immunity with each child...). Oh, and remember...Baby #5 is on the way. We will have to be flexible!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"> We have been working this schedule for two and half weeks now, so far so good. We did much the same last year and it worked great as well. I just had to add S into the equation. The other beautiful thing is, once they're done with school...they're done. They have the day to themselves...with in reason. When I say that, I have images of wild banchee children terrorizing the land....They still have other chores to do etc, but for the most part they get to be kids. Right now They're out in the back playing Captain America with my pot lids. They got their work done so they are free to enjoy some of the last days of summer.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Unit Studies</b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">As I said above, I let each kid pick a unit study. Something they are interested in at the time. We will be doing unit studies at the end of the homeschool day. Somewhat like a reward.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Horses </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">K chose to do a horse unit. So I am gathering information, scouring the internet for ideas, talking to other parents that have done horse units, etc. It helps that we have a horse, so she has already taken over feeding and watering...under supervision of course. I have decided to do a lap book first, with the ins and outs of horses; anatomy, feed, care, tack, hooves, breeds, etc. Then we will dive into the history of horses, styles of riding, etc. There is a treasure trove of information! As a matter of fact the farrier is coming today to trim her hooves. K will be there right beside watching and learning. Then we will come in and do a diagram of a horses hooves. You get the idea. I provided links for the printables I am planning on using for the lapbook and links to the resources I found online. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Resources: (thus far)</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you are fortunate enough to own a horse or know someone close that does, the absolute best resource is working with the horse itself. </span></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Maintenance: what better way to learn than to feed, water, and groom the horse. What tack is for what. What brushes do what.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Farrier coming: great lesson on the anatomy of the hoof, and why do we take care of their hooves, etc.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Vet: Josie just had to have some pretty extensive teeth work done. It was a great lesson for the kids and our vet very patiently explained what he was doing, why he was doing it, and what the importance was.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">4H or clubs like it. We haven't got involved yet but we're looking into it for the older two.</span></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"> Pinterest: need I say more?</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Here is a list of what I am using for our lapbook. </span></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/mrsmack.php">http://www.homeschoolshare.com/mrsmack.php</a> this is where I got the majority of my printables for our lapbook, You have to sort through and decide which will work for you.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.classbrain.com/artmovies/uploads/horse_anatomy_quiz.pdf">http://www.classbrain.com/artmovies/uploads/horse_anatomy_quiz.pdf</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.printactivities.com/Theme-Printables/Horse-Printables.html">http://www.printactivities.com/Theme-Printables/Horse-Printables.html</a> I put these in K's busy work folder.</span></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Library</span></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">True stories</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Readers</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Drawing books: We picked one up yesterday and K has hardly done anything else! Feed that artistic thirst!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"> History of the horse</span></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>I will make a separate post when we are all done, I had a hard time finding a post or page that provided a complete unit study on horses without having to pay for it. I am piecing this one together myself and I am still in the process of putting it together. </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jonah and the Whale </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"> S, of all things, chose Jonah and the Whale. How do I do a whole unit on Jonah and the Whale? Well, I break it down. First the story itself, then there's:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">The story itself and the moral behind it.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Can a whale really swallow someone whole? </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">What kind of whale was it? (Some believe it was a great white shark!)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">Whales themselves. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">The geography of the area.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">The people of the area.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;">And of course, the whole point of the story, obedience.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>I haven't gotten to far on putting this one together. When I get more I will create a post for those of you interested in doing a unit study like it.</b></span></span></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-653081498083187910.post-16833784455242964322012-08-21T16:50:00.000-07:002012-08-21T16:50:16.601-07:00Is it TEAL much? A bold color to brighten up the dinning room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My father works for a rental company in a college town. If you ever want to score a ton of free furniture, go to one of these companies at the end of the school year and find out if they need someone to clean out rentals for them.....trust me....OH the treasures you find! It's amazing what these college students leave behind! That is where I got my dinning table, among many other things....but I warn you....not only do they leave furniture behind....they leave a mess....a horrid, filthy, mess.....Just don't tell me I didn't warn you....<br />
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I digress.....<br />
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Here is my dinning room...notice anything out of place?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUOwZFlziV6ICnhBuj_JWTks2uVkutwCx4QvqhXie9JsIk1vUb7S01v6Fk-0C1yJq_Q30BmZV4_eHZQBUapSDtVQ_S4xPelxHCia5SXiOlRBxvcgnbHyJHUKFQucpihK5PCOm7ch9OF-2/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUOwZFlziV6ICnhBuj_JWTks2uVkutwCx4QvqhXie9JsIk1vUb7S01v6Fk-0C1yJq_Q30BmZV4_eHZQBUapSDtVQ_S4xPelxHCia5SXiOlRBxvcgnbHyJHUKFQucpihK5PCOm7ch9OF-2/s320/001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Look closer......<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfr2pKiTRKquK55VyK9eTivE89PSnKdYpx7DKHBite8l37rBPOV_DNsiAXf5scxw1_uI1z3rgviZ3SxMv5ifoI8txQHH4mTzqyouVzdsR94mJqO4VLM7h-mf5PjJSkDUYE0jLcZx8WHpbB/s320/002.JPG" width="240" /></div>
Figure it out yet? The chair...every time I walk past them they scream at me....reminding me: "Hey Crystal....Finish us! Finish us!" My table and benches also used to be this color.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQA571YW-pQHshfhY45dde1Sb7cX5RVuE0g7Ewft1uSiYoFm7HDNXNHHhGZR7Ln-jXSU5Mp_LtS3LUlN2lVyKC_2DfGZCMjb8t4sMT3Z3tMoMZbPUwA7dtSFsQVfZjv0uSk46Rp8ncixzu/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQA571YW-pQHshfhY45dde1Sb7cX5RVuE0g7Ewft1uSiYoFm7HDNXNHHhGZR7Ln-jXSU5Mp_LtS3LUlN2lVyKC_2DfGZCMjb8t4sMT3Z3tMoMZbPUwA7dtSFsQVfZjv0uSk46Rp8ncixzu/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Then one night, in a fit of pent up frustration (and a little rage....we where in the throws of closing on our home and had been given another hoop to jump through)....I busted out my sander and went to town on the table and benches.....Husband, unable to stand idly by, soon jumped right in (I think it was quality control). We sanded and stained all night. But these two chairs, I just simply did not get to them....<br />
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So here we are eight months later and a new home. The time has come! Have I told you that my favorite color is teal! It happens to be the accent color for the house....<br />
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So I decided to make a bold move and paint our chairs TEAL! Husband wasn't to thrilled with my color choice but he allowed me to move forward. (I love this man)<br />
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I went to our local Ace Hardware and bought a sample size can of paint, they mixed it up for me. As you know I am all about being frugal and the paint and brush cost me a whole $5.00. Considering I got this table for free some 6 years ago, I can't complain.<br />
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I plopped down in the grass with my two chairs, fresh can of paint, and gaggle of kids gathered around to watch and painted away. At first I thought, "hmmmmm, just the seat..." which turned into the back and finally, to heck with it the whole darn thing. So here it is folks? To bold? I don't think so but that's the thing about opinions......everyone's got one!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMEW21lGFaq9du9QcXkcVbWqRN_Lgb7bZYOHRdmgwW6SQpVeSkhS18p1JlkwFbXbMzYlP2wgMlTljQy3spm6DFROstJ43aHYcCwYRmQ60iBuIaSZ_7le43V5qW1ipb4RR-X-khxBm9mu0/s1600/P8210032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMEW21lGFaq9du9QcXkcVbWqRN_Lgb7bZYOHRdmgwW6SQpVeSkhS18p1JlkwFbXbMzYlP2wgMlTljQy3spm6DFROstJ43aHYcCwYRmQ60iBuIaSZ_7le43V5qW1ipb4RR-X-khxBm9mu0/s640/P8210032.JPG" width="634" /></a></div>
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Moral of the story?<br />
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Be Bold....and live close to a college town for awesome freebies you can re-do!<br />
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Note: I know the walls are pretty bland.....I'm getting there...sooner or laterCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03043722599413069354noreply@blogger.com0