tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172998292024-03-12T18:42:08.067-05:00{creating everyday}Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.comBlogger597125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-35825248779706901902019-09-25T03:29:00.001-05:002019-09-25T03:43:35.153-05:00Remembering<br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvvH0DqvtCGfe9t1LGBhsLYGdoaaMz3qib8eczJh9YgACFmtcx96Nc3OiijVntu_SMKUHmxj-PXHy6oQJIHmSEY96ySZyyS341EmfXiyz3uOgJVlu-Wg4xZ9Gx4i9bReBZSUA/s1600/Heather+and+Dylan+9+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvvH0DqvtCGfe9t1LGBhsLYGdoaaMz3qib8eczJh9YgACFmtcx96Nc3OiijVntu_SMKUHmxj-PXHy6oQJIHmSEY96ySZyyS341EmfXiyz3uOgJVlu-Wg4xZ9Gx4i9bReBZSUA/s320/Heather+and+Dylan+9+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Waking up in the middle of the night with an intense urge to
pee.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Feeling dumb because I couldn’t seem to hold it as I
sleepily stumbled into the bathroom<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thinking my bladder must have magically expanded because the stream seemed to be never-ending.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Realizing it wasn’t my bladder, but that my water had
broken.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Waking everyone up, getting things loaded into the van.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Driving to Fort Worth to the Osteopathic Medical Center of
Texas with empty roads and bright flashing traffic lights.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Arriving at the wrong entrance and waddling hoping the towel
would catch the drips, not wanting to inconvenience anyone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Calling my caseworker – the time had arrived.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Laying on a hospital bed, and the troop of medical students
coming to check out my show-and-tell. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A nurse with a tender and compassionate countenance.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Uncomfortable pain.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Physically, emotionally, and mentally.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unending.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hours passing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Drifting in and out of sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Reflecting on the countless number of couples and families I
considered. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Confident that I’ve chosen correctly. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Medical students attempting to be quiet but continuing to
come in and review progress.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Feeling on display.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Constant beeps, and then alarms.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Students trying to help me roll over and feeling like a
boulder.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kelly Clarkson’s “A Moment Like This”<o:p></o:p></div>
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More alarms.<br />
His heart rate was dropping.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The rush to an operating room. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Desperately wanting relief, but not wanting time to fast
forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Feeling pinch and warmth of the epidural.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Feeling like my behemoth of a belly was being unzipped.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Feeling the pressure, of <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
being split and stretched open.<br />
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Feeling the separation. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
8:59am<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
9 pounds 14 ounces, 21.5 inches long<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Full head of dark hair and soul-piercing eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My tiny, little man<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My tiny, little absolutely perfect man.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The First Time, Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Time is running out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Feeling exhausted but not wanting to miss a moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Heartbreaking, soul splitting, and tears flowing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Feeling pressure to smile for photos because I know someday
I will need them – for myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two days of feeding, changing, bathing, swaddling, cuddling,
singing, loving.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never-ending loving.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They’ve arrived from their long drive to the hospital. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Their faces wearing both joy and anguish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Introducing them to each other.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seeing and feeling their love for him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our last night together.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not wanting it to end, and for time to stop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Holding him tightly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trying to memorize every all that he is and every second of
our time together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Feeding him, bathing him, covering him in baby lotion,
dressing him, and brushing his hair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The smell of baby lotion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Singing to him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His belly button.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seeing my own moon-shaped eyes on his face.<o:p></o:p></div>
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His noises.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Putting on the only thing that fit. Wanting to feel pretty
but knowing that it didn’t matter. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Puffy eyes, swollen face, absurd amounts of retained water
making it all worse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Swaddling him in the blanket my mother crocheted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Holding him tightly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Being rolled down to the hospital chapel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Signing papers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Witnesses signing papers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Them arriving and then signing papers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Holding him tightly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My nose behind his ear.<o:p></o:p></div>
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His hair tickling my nose.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Inhaling as much of him as I can. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Filling my lungs with his scent until they cannot hold any
more. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Begging my mind to remember forever, and never forget his
scent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time has run out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Looking into her swollen blue eye. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Knowing this is right, but also feeling intense anguish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Giving her my heart wrapped in a blue crocheted blanket. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Sobbing for days.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seeing newborn babies and sobbing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting emailed photos, updates and sobbing again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8k6soZWatC3HkQQONujq7RqNvoBZx77wAEYI_HBQq72_zatLAQJ4OAENK-YEtPM13z-uslYtnbmVARhB16X5B0sARBnT-lvhnrewIubxhmCWTilssfIe6NDD3y2bzsSKcmzV/s1600/Heather+and+her+Dad+after+relinq.+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="334" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8k6soZWatC3HkQQONujq7RqNvoBZx77wAEYI_HBQq72_zatLAQJ4OAENK-YEtPM13z-uslYtnbmVARhB16X5B0sARBnT-lvhnrewIubxhmCWTilssfIe6NDD3y2bzsSKcmzV/s320/Heather+and+her+Dad+after+relinq.+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm glad that this photo was taken. It's after relinquishment as we're leaving the chapel and hospital.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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17 years today.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I still remember.<o:p></o:p></div>
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His scent<o:p></o:p></div>
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His hair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Feelings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Songs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
17 years and still feeling intense overwhelming anguish.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Updates are rare. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Still confident in my choice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He is where he is supposed to be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He is loved beyond measure.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My heart remains forever torn.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-21798794827058503812017-05-07T08:00:00.000-05:002017-05-07T08:00:25.373-05:00My Creative Reality<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love to create, quite possibly too much. I often wonder, if perhaps, I have a crafters ADHD of sorts. I find inspiration in everything and everywhere - magazines, blogs, stores, the homes of my friends, clothing, and of course on Pinterest. How does one streamline their creative pursuits or directions?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I feel drawn to create in so many different avenues and directions:</span></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy and want to create pieces of jewelry that are special - custom, upcycled, and/or memory evoking pieces. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy and want to sew pieces of clothing for my daughter.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy and want to create pretty printables and graphics for others to use.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy and want to create decor items that add coziness and an unexpected twist to our home. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy and want to customize pillows, bags, and clothing with my embroidery machines and/or with vinyl to share with my friends and family. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy and want to share the different ways we use essential oils in our home and lives.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy and want to create memory books for my children to look through and realize how much they are loved and adored. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy and want to cook meals that fill my families hunger pangs and encourages us to continue striving towards healthier living. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy and want to continue teaching creative workshops - in all of their various winding directions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy and want to continue helping independent small business owners grow their businesses by streamlining processes and utilizing technology to save them both time and money.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I enjoy and want to create cards and other greetings to show my friends and family that I am thinking of them and that I celebrate their accomplishments and embrace their struggles.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am constantly drawn in all of these creative directions and surrounded by limitless inspiration. I jot down ideas or sketch out the resulting idea and buy the supplies necessary to create my version, and then life happens. I end up getting sidetracked or overwhelmed and then nothing else happens. I can't even begin to count the number of unfinished projects waiting to be completed. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdW1WmwWTAtBbEJJud57ioobEE-kcrABK-vsSkfh1dYpltcLqV4wx207G8eLSY3cSASySAVWaqugk06ZO9GrPZ2M-9g0bXrB54aFxVJPDilbV5FbJaC_6UWaxentXK_LN802L/s1600/CE-ICraft.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdW1WmwWTAtBbEJJud57ioobEE-kcrABK-vsSkfh1dYpltcLqV4wx207G8eLSY3cSASySAVWaqugk06ZO9GrPZ2M-9g0bXrB54aFxVJPDilbV5FbJaC_6UWaxentXK_LN802L/s320/CE-ICraft.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #333333;">Even if I had an unlimited supply of free time, I would likely end up spending that time getting further inspired which would only compound my struggles. <br /><br />Have you ever found yourself in a like situation? How did you determine how to streamline your creativity?</span>Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-86852789079667167162016-09-11T21:43:00.000-05:002017-05-07T02:27:09.419-05:00Menu Planning: September 11th Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETH7utVLySIK3gGSL6n4XlA5tQsqsp8hQdU2QuBUxdz0R9x3krT8qnTk8P3OrClzeWYSP_MuxH2zE71x2bxDebNYEsKp2CpTWYnYdUzrSzBAkcnveWVKkiRaYzvJq1C7NjDQG/s1600/MenuPlanning+%25282%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETH7utVLySIK3gGSL6n4XlA5tQsqsp8hQdU2QuBUxdz0R9x3krT8qnTk8P3OrClzeWYSP_MuxH2zE71x2bxDebNYEsKp2CpTWYnYdUzrSzBAkcnveWVKkiRaYzvJq1C7NjDQG/s320/MenuPlanning+%25282%2529.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Thank you for your comments and suggestions when I asked about menu ideas on my Facebook post. Here's what we're planning to have over the next week or so. I'm trying to plan ahead, prepping as much as I logically can, so that our meals can get back on target. If we had an unlimited budget, I wouldn't feel bad about eating out more. But, we have plans that we want to see happen - and thus budgets are necessary.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/korean-beef-rice-bowls/" target="_blank">Korean Beef Rice Bowls</a> (Steve's choice)</li>
<li>Steak, Baked Potatoes & Mega Green Salad</li>
<li>Breakfast (Freddy's choice - Waffles, Bacon, & Eggs)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/slow-cooker-lasagna-soup/" target="_blank">Crockpot Lasagna Soup</a> w/garlic croissants</li>
<li><a href="http://lilluna.com/tutorial-tuesday-las-palmas-chicken-enchiladas/" target="_blank">Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas</a> (Heather's choice)</li>
<li>Zucchini Bacon Pasta Toss</li>
<li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/192357/pressure-cooker-chili/" target="_blank">Pressure Cooker Beef Chili</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2015/04/pressure-cooker-fast-and-easy-chicken-chile-verde-recipe.html" target="_blank">Green Chile Chicken Verde</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
I'm hoping/planning to use up any leftovers as lunches (Steve and I) or on another dinner that week. What do you have on your plan?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-56687149136976499622016-05-25T02:00:00.001-05:002016-05-25T02:00:37.405-05:00Whoah! It's been a while!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qUhdZ4wXiwF5Ttzn3UDLwFysUNA3_sapywpgd5nhemHmuDegVdTr_afsRmb9nAbdLe1rdHq-qo51bGeykSBI45esrvLu0rj2tG0aRKX28CNtLiiDNgFD-NL2HyMIXI3-da8E/s1600/12036493_1004491912933149_4579886860853408822_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qUhdZ4wXiwF5Ttzn3UDLwFysUNA3_sapywpgd5nhemHmuDegVdTr_afsRmb9nAbdLe1rdHq-qo51bGeykSBI45esrvLu0rj2tG0aRKX28CNtLiiDNgFD-NL2HyMIXI3-da8E/s400/12036493_1004491912933149_4579886860853408822_n.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
Hello friends! My, my, my! It's been a while since I've stopped by to update my sweet little spot on the web. Not a lot has changed - I'm still me. I still love and adore my sweet, small family. I still love being creative - not just LOVE being creative, I HAVE to create. As in, I literally get depressed if I don't do something every single day.<br />
<br />
Every. Day.<br />
<br />
But, I am creative in many, many different ways.<br />
<br />
I parent. I love and I love fiercely. I craft. I sew. I oil. I stamp. I sleep - but not enough. I cook. I sing. I dance. I create jewelry. I get silly. I teach. I friend - and I friend hard! I work. I design. I help others. I learn - a LOT.<br />
<br />
There's so much more to creativity than a shopping spree to Michaels!<br />
<br />
There are a few major changes in my life - MAJOR.<br />
<br />
I'll share more about those changes later. But, first, I went back to work full-time. Yep. FULL TIME. I quit because I thought I was less of a mother for not being home with my sweet Freddy. It took a while, but I realized that I am a better mother, a more loving wife, and a much nicer human being when I am working. I am happy working where I am. I returned back to the same company I was with when I quit to stay home with Fred and the commute fantastic!<br />
<br />
So, yes, over the last year, there have been major changes and challenges. Adjusting to working full time with bus pickups, full-time preschool, making attempts at managing our household, trying to be the same kind of mother I was (as a stay-at-home mom) or wife - those are all parts. I've had to let things some things go. I don't have time to coordinate and organize all of the things I was before, and honestly - I'm 100% okay with that. The expectations, ideals, demands of others have gone by the wayside. My focus is on my husband, our kids, and on our family. <br />
<br />
I have goals and plans to return back to regular blogging. As much as I appreciate you for stopping by, it's not for you. My goals include getting back into regular journaling, sharing my fun finds, my creative endeavors, and whatever else comes up. Thank you for your support and I hope that my blog continues to find something that interests you so that you come back.<br />
<br />
All my love,<br />
HeatherHeather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-40463782913738532072015-09-16T08:25:00.001-05:002016-09-15T10:57:55.140-05:00Cooking: Easy & Healthy Breakfast Cookies<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are some days where mornings are just plain crazy at out house. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm not alone in that, am I?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In an effort to simplify our morning routines, I try to prep a few breakfast items so that they're cooked and only need to be heated up, toasted, or grabbed from the pantry. One of the items I've made is a healthy breakfast cookie. So far, they are a hit! I love that it takes me about an hour to make and bake a big batch, and my kids love that they are getting cookies for breakfast! Win-Win in my book!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Below is my recipe. If you make it, I'd love to hear how it goes with your family!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px;"><b>Yields: 18 large (3") cookies</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -9.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -9.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 cup
mashed banana<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 cup
peanut butter (any nut butter will work if you don’t use peanuts)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 cup
honey<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">4
teaspoons vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">2 cups 5-grain
cereal (oatmeal will do in a pinch!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1/2 cup
whole wheat flour<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1/2 cup
ground flax seed (or an additional 1/2 cup flour)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 cup
unflavored or vanilla protein powder (dry milk can be substituted)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">4
teaspoons ground pumpkin pie seasoning <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1
teaspoon baking soda<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">½ teaspoon
baking powder<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 cup
dried cranberries or raisins<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in; text-indent: -22.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1 cup
chopped walnuts (any nut can be used, or it can be omitted all together)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Directions:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -9.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -9.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: 4.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Preheat
the oven to 350°F. Prepare 2 cookie sheets with sheets of parchment paper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In a
large bowl, stir together the banana, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -9.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: 4.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In a
small bowl, combine the cereal, flour, flax seed, protein powder, pumpkin pie
seasoning, baking soda and baking powder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -9.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: 4.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Stir
the cereal mixture into the banana mixture until combined. Stir in the cranberries
and walnuts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -9.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: 4.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Using a
¼-cup measuring cup, drop mounds of dough 3 inches apart on the prepared cookie
sheets. With a thin metal or small plastic spatula dipped in water, flatten,
and spread each mound of dough to a 2¾-inch round, about ½ inch thick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -9.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: 4.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Bake,
for 14 to 16 minutes or until browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool
completely.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: -9.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-indent: 4.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Store
in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag for up to 3 days, or freeze
for up to 2 months. Thaw before serving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/creatingeverydayprintables/easy-healthy-breakfast-cookies" target="_blank">PRINTABLE RECIPE</a></span></o:p></span></div>
Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-57631282789078371062015-02-10T07:55:00.000-06:002015-02-15T05:09:41.373-06:00Studio Confessions....Do you ever look around your creative space (wherever that may be) and sit in awe of the masses of items you have procured? In awe of the sheer quantities of items that you may have never even used (not that anyone, but myself would EVER do such a thing!)? Items that perhaps are REALLY cool/neat/awesome and will be SO great to use in your XYZ project, but that project never ever happened.<br />
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Wouldn't it be SO cool if the projects in our heads, happened automatically (perhaps even by super powered mystical being!) if the supplies needed were purchased? (So, like, my creative space would be uber tidy because everything I dreamed of creating, would automatically have been done!)
I know that surely I am completely alone in this struggle and current state of the studio.<br />
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As I downsized my collections for lifestyle and visitors, I ended up upsizing in new ways. I picked up another creative release method, and with that came an abundance of necessary purchases. And, new storage methods. Of course, LITERALLY just weeks after downsizing on storage furnishings!
Don't misunderstand me - I have had a blast! But looking around this space makes me wonder how I ever find room to use it for it's intended purpose (that being, primarily my creative space and secondarily a guest bedroom). Our expected (suspected long term) guest did not arrive (and it brought a BIG sense of relief to my soul!!). But future guests are on the calendar so this room needs to be whipped into shape!<br />
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Additionally, I am honored to be invited to teach in a collaborative workshop with 6 other brilliantly creative artists, in <a href="http://www.terribrush.com/" target="_blank">Terri Brush</a>'s <a href="http://www.terribrushacademy.com/" target="_blank">Terri Brush Academy</a>. Each of our projects are "crown" themed, meaning each project either incorporates a crown or is a crown! You know that is RIGHT up my alley!! Most of our projects (including mine) are to be videoed! Which means, that I simply must put myself into fast forward mode and get this room looking presentable for our students!
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Registration opens on Friday, with our event starting on March 13th. Each day a new project with complete instruction will be released. 7 days of crown creations! Personally, it sounds quite blissfull! An ideas on which crown project is mine?</div>
Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-29893292823072365732014-10-19T08:00:00.000-05:002016-01-25T01:29:08.005-06:00Product Review: Lady Soma Skin & Nail Treatment<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every year, the edges and corners of my fingers get super dry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Like cracked and miserable... dry.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fortunately, I was recently sent a jar of Lady Soma Skin & Nail Treatment because they needed some unbiased reviews. It's a thick, creamy lotion that is hypoallergenic and does not have any parabens in it. It glides onto my hands and absorbs quickly leaving your hands feeling velvety soft.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's made with several natural butters - cocoa, shea, and kokum. Aside from the moisturizing benefit, it softens cuticles and strengthens nails. The best part though, it made my dry cracking hands feel fantastic!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">D</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;">isclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above in exchange for review from </span><a href="https://www.giveawayservice.com/" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #18b1eb; font-family: 'Open Sans', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Giveaway Service</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20px;"> website. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Reference ID: pm72e245b269ec36846b9daf23e829137a</span></div>
Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-58019438930018078172014-10-14T17:58:00.000-05:002014-10-15T23:50:34.906-05:00Magic of Christmas - a Collaborative Online EventWhat is it about the incoming fall season that gets me into the mood to create? I get this yearning, deep within me, to just start making stuff. Maybe it's the relief from the Texas heat, or maybe it's the change in season, but I am LOVING it! I've completed a few projects that I had already acquired the supplies and tools to make, and I've been working on morphing my creative space (<i>aka my studio, creating room, creating station, scrap room, crap room... the list could go on and on!</i>) into a guest room (<i>for when the occasional occasion arises</i>). Work spaces have been put on wheels, folks. Doors have been reattached to closets and - shut the barn door, I actually reorganized the closet in there into a more functioning area (<i>meaning, I'm using more of the hidden, awkward space</i>) than I was previously. Watch out because my room, is quite literally, mobile!!<br />
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Also, you may not have known it, but I have been busy behind the scenes helping create another online community! This time, it's for <a href="http://terribrush.com/" target="_blank">Terri Brush</a> and her sweet new <a href="http://terribrushacademy.com/" target="_blank">Terri Brush Academy</a>! (<i>I've worked with Terri for the last couple of years, setting up and facilitating her online classrooms. Occasionally, even helping with other needs as the need came up.</i>) All of her online courses have officially been transitioned over to the new site, and things are looking pretty! I won't lie, it was a lot of work. But, I enjoyed it! There is a certain sense of accomplishment (<i>dare I say pride?</i>) to see something go from idea/concept to fruition - especially when it's for someone else. Things aren't perfect, but they are MUCH better than what they were. We'll keep working towards perfection. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHR0XUKOYUx4EL31Demzz9c2ofZ1chyphenhyphenJyIp_gQ5II_xTePOgk8nIng5oeQdOJFc2S5Vxc3DBPxHh88mqVbZi3c5MS3TI4k4Y7iOf9Qiuht4RZ23c5SSZL0tAo_I2PZtO3LWhPV/s1600/MagicofChristmasPromov3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHR0XUKOYUx4EL31Demzz9c2ofZ1chyphenhyphenJyIp_gQ5II_xTePOgk8nIng5oeQdOJFc2S5Vxc3DBPxHh88mqVbZi3c5MS3TI4k4Y7iOf9Qiuht4RZ23c5SSZL0tAo_I2PZtO3LWhPV/s1600/MagicofChristmasPromov3.gif" height="640" width="401" /></a>Now that the Academy is up and running, Terri is getting ready to host her first (<i>of what I think will be MANY!</i>) online collaborative events. Her first foray into the the online event world is called "The Magic of Christmas" and she has been working with 7 deliciously creative collaborators. The projects are simply.... fabulous!<br />
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If you're into creating, and especially if you're into creating in your jammies in the comfort of your own home, check out Magic! 2 projects will begin being shared daily with event attendee's beginning November 1st. The last projects will be shared on November 8th. There are going to be 16 projects - color me happy! I love to create for various seasons and I'm pretty sure that this is going to be one of the most perfect ways to get me into the holiday spirit - just in time too!<br />
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For more information, or to register, visit us in the Academy!<br />
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Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-56724920461361803962014-10-12T08:00:00.000-05:002016-01-25T01:28:56.115-06:00Product Review: Audiosharp Metal Stereo In Ear Headphones from Amazon<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Clearly, I love shopping on Amazon and having an Amazon Prime account makes my life easy. Recently, I was invited to review a set of earphones, in exchange for an unbiased and honest review. I'm glad I took the offer to try the <a href="http://amzn.to/1XrhYIn" target="_blank">Audiosharp Metal Stereo In Ear Headphones</a> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">for several reasons, one of which being they talk about their </span><a href="http://amzn.to/1S3ONYZ" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">noise canceling abilities</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, and we were getting ready to go on a short road trip. I'm not sure if you have realized it yet, but Charleigh and Fred are LOUD. Just the thought of two loud kids in a small vehicle raise my blood pressure, so you can imagine how I'm feeling when we actually get into the car. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There are a few things I really, REALLY like about this set. <span style="background-color: white;">The cord is flexible, and not at all rigid. The extra ear piece cushions are handy (assuring you get the perfect fit), but the carrying case is even handier. There's a pocket you can use to store the extra cushions, and the cord comes with a handy velcro wrap that helps keep it tidy in the case. </span><span style="background-color: white;">The cord is flexible, and not at all rigid. The ear buttons are heavy duty and made of metal. They have some weight to them but are still comfortable and easy to wear. The BEST thing about them though, is that they are AWESOME! They're well made, and have incredible sound. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlgZE5TAabUvh1z0xd55aU0QGVf94AdsDb80gaiqiv7G6BzQXutFXX4vu4IZ7251_QZAda3lQ-IG69u3vdLXDi-ZTISqx59NLiIiU6__rGfrKC4KT1OmHZ412AJ2ikT36Ud1i/s1600/headphones3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlgZE5TAabUvh1z0xd55aU0QGVf94AdsDb80gaiqiv7G6BzQXutFXX4vu4IZ7251_QZAda3lQ-IG69u3vdLXDi-ZTISqx59NLiIiU6__rGfrKC4KT1OmHZ412AJ2ikT36Ud1i/s200/headphones3.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURnIBhSexUFanKKi0GwofhaffdcbafD92sgBJ-sjkqHAZwearyvowHAmsZDdxQVbQrQhyphenhyphen0NIzuYavyrHvZ3qpyhTCr9Av5GDDhnnXKAtHiptlU-kswyHRimSmkeNh_nWl2Q-S/s1600/headphones1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURnIBhSexUFanKKi0GwofhaffdcbafD92sgBJ-sjkqHAZwearyvowHAmsZDdxQVbQrQhyphenhyphen0NIzuYavyrHvZ3qpyhTCr9Av5GDDhnnXKAtHiptlU-kswyHRimSmkeNh_nWl2Q-S/s200/headphones1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are literally the <a href="http://amzn.to/1XrhYIn" target="_blank">BEST earphones</a> I have EVER used (and with as much traveling as I've done - I have tried LOTS of earphones/earbuds). I used these on a road trip (with our two littles) and was able to watch a movie on my tablet without hearing them. The noise cancelling on them is UNREAL! I love them!! If I could wear them all day, everyday I WOULD!! I'm buying several more sets to use as gifts. It really is the perfect set of earphones for noise cancelling, sanity saving and comfortable listening!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "open sans" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: xx-small;">Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above in exchange for review from <a href="https://www.giveawayservice.com/" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Giveaway Service</a> website. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Reference ID: pm660a22c6402f54e64b5b4935bf0f2a95</span></span></div>
Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-30705457710287270382014-04-15T18:27:00.001-05:002014-04-15T18:27:23.759-05:00Menu Planning: April 15th Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd3UjQs70hlU3e0wpHDvZTGIHfYWlP17bK12gT7On-kPllhOfB1VDUxhKwbFegG8XiJQZ4v0-1uw_YaO9uXQiVIWYs9ZG7yXcJWGtRAyzlo0z-JdI9xYsSKVSQzZ0XH36zlQF/s1600/MenuPlanning.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrd3UjQs70hlU3e0wpHDvZTGIHfYWlP17bK12gT7On-kPllhOfB1VDUxhKwbFegG8XiJQZ4v0-1uw_YaO9uXQiVIWYs9ZG7yXcJWGtRAyzlo0z-JdI9xYsSKVSQzZ0XH36zlQF/s1600/MenuPlanning.gif" height="66" width="200" /></a></div>
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Yep. I'm a wee bit off schedule since posting my last menu plan. But, it is with good cause! We've been traveling and visiting family! We're home, (mostly) settled in, and (not even a bit) unpacked. Most of us are back on Texas time - the last straggler is going to be a challenge. She likes her naps!<br />
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Surprising to me, I actually did a really good job of following our last menu plan. We had a couple of detours, but overall we stuck to it! The hardest part for me, is sticking to my personal eating plan because I'm trying to drop a few pounds. I'm using 3Young Living oils to curb my appetite, increase my metabolism, and kick my sweet tooth (really, I have a savory tooth, but same concept) and I'm also using the 21-Day Fix by Beachbody. I am NOT drinking shakes or other meal supplements and AM using their containers for portion control and planning. So far, so good!<br />
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All that said, here's what I'm planning to cook/serve my family over the next two weeks!<br />
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I'd LOVE it if you would share some of your favorite recipes and menu items!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMv6GttHCbG7wTz7rYQ1EWHrCmGDWcKa5uDmdO2bVYnDoqVgQLnOZDjEpurDp9yVdhRYSjiQt6SaypSqKI9nO-nEZGBGtpqTmu6qG1WMFEldQV9ks3_VKPn2pWF80FXxAj5Q9/s1600/snacks.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMv6GttHCbG7wTz7rYQ1EWHrCmGDWcKa5uDmdO2bVYnDoqVgQLnOZDjEpurDp9yVdhRYSjiQt6SaypSqKI9nO-nEZGBGtpqTmu6qG1WMFEldQV9ks3_VKPn2pWF80FXxAj5Q9/s1600/snacks.gif" height="43" width="200" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Honey wheat braided pretzels</li>
<li>Raw almonds</li>
<li>Carrot and celery sticks</li>
<li>Yogurt</li>
<li>Fresh fruits (apples, oranges, bananas, grapes and berries mostly)</li>
<li>Roasted red pepper hummus</li>
<li>Popcorn</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHxw8cfzULIM2FWv_YOEjsV696RCyGQTZh0kN8-UYpzeJrDi7nXIbEhPCsz7IXlvtrpZnetR_WfrzI5H-EAhlprV100-mXTG6oicATQU5RPyV34lEb1OMyzT-zggwl4Fx1c9t/s1600/breakfast.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHxw8cfzULIM2FWv_YOEjsV696RCyGQTZh0kN8-UYpzeJrDi7nXIbEhPCsz7IXlvtrpZnetR_WfrzI5H-EAhlprV100-mXTG6oicATQU5RPyV34lEb1OMyzT-zggwl4Fx1c9t/s1600/breakfast.gif" height="43" width="200" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Steel cut oatmeal with dried applies, almonds and cinnamon</li>
<li>Yogurt parfaits</li>
<li>Waffles</li>
<li>Eggs</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHNOmh53i9gszSnWFEhb9d6yQCtlKJff6-gV_296alIvDJ0-GrR9EktKw5Cjus6C_X1HO-Xo9AHukCVdZO55dIbrKs705OZo9kIXurqV9q_I4IaOcTxeoTQHmxheRtLAZXNfq/s1600/lunch.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHNOmh53i9gszSnWFEhb9d6yQCtlKJff6-gV_296alIvDJ0-GrR9EktKw5Cjus6C_X1HO-Xo9AHukCVdZO55dIbrKs705OZo9kIXurqV9q_I4IaOcTxeoTQHmxheRtLAZXNfq/s1600/lunch.gif" height="43" width="200" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Turkey sandwiches</li>
<li>Cucumber, sprout, cheese and tomato sandwiches</li>
<li>Green salad with chicken strips</li>
<li>Grilled chicken and veggie pita sandwiches</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkoL34G8ITsPMmjwKl3hD5MVILAiSmsIwrY2bRB9LeB0WLg9DWP7jFVdeLD7z7bhNE3UzdhtbkOcgnJNplT9bGgz9NjFQMtZsnACtHoGrVFSVL5VmK7wj_2ZVZXmbMX5N3Jla/s1600/dinner.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkoL34G8ITsPMmjwKl3hD5MVILAiSmsIwrY2bRB9LeB0WLg9DWP7jFVdeLD7z7bhNE3UzdhtbkOcgnJNplT9bGgz9NjFQMtZsnACtHoGrVFSVL5VmK7wj_2ZVZXmbMX5N3Jla/s1600/dinner.gif" height="43" width="200" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2011/06/pepperoncini-beef-sandwiches/" target="_blank">Pepperoncini Beef Sandwiches</a></li>
<li>Easter Dinner: Ham, <a href="http://jamiecooksitup.net/2013/07/dutch-oven-cheesy-potatoes/" target="_blank">Cheesy Potatoes</a>, <a href="http://www.jamhands.net/2013/03/frog-eye-salad.html" target="_blank">Frog Eye Salad</a> & Rolls </li>
<li>Veggie Pizza</li>
<li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.net/2014/04/30-minute-skillet-chicken-cordon-bleu-pasta/" target="_blank">Skillet cordon bleu</a></li>
<li>Grilled hamburgers & hotdogs with potato chips (and something else that is completely unhealthy I'm sure. Just keeping it real for you!)</li>
<li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.net/2012/05/ham-and-cheese-quiche/" target="_blank">Ham,cheese, and asparagus quiche</a></li>
<li>Black bean tacos</li>
<li><a href="http://www.realfoodgirlunmodified.com/real-food-tex-mex-pasta-bake/" target="_blank">Tex Mex Pasta Bake</a> (thanks to a recommendation from a facebook friend!)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2014/04/kalua-pork-wontons/" target="_blank">Kalua pork wontons</a> with steamed rice and asian green salad</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2013/01/bruschetta-chicken-pesto-wraps/" target="_blank">Bruschetta chicken pesto wraps</a></li>
<li>Spaghetti & meatballs</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGtEus5OPI3NgVmYRDUoIGzNJPiXL654GWZMziJ830U543eUSbHSFOwMWl2Fl6u-zGcBLIpVUFUcjh0iHYoQHVQkj2gYJWP_b8fj4MWokY7iDv0SUAJsfm8fqrzHk7p1J_Qre/s1600/dessert.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGtEus5OPI3NgVmYRDUoIGzNJPiXL654GWZMziJ830U543eUSbHSFOwMWl2Fl6u-zGcBLIpVUFUcjh0iHYoQHVQkj2gYJWP_b8fj4MWokY7iDv0SUAJsfm8fqrzHk7p1J_Qre/s1600/dessert.gif" height="43" width="200" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Brownies</li>
<li><a href="http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/bunny-butt-cookies/ca4456e2-45c8-43c7-8d65-ebe4f12c6861" target="_blank">Bunny butt cookies</a></li>
<li>Cheesecake strawberries (the recipe I use is similar to<a href="http://jamiecooksitup.net/2012/06/cream-cheese-stuffed-strawberries/" target="_blank"> this one</a>)</li>
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Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-40827252439961845852014-03-26T11:30:00.000-05:002014-03-26T11:30:01.432-05:00Menu Planning: March 26th Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismx2Hif7G4KBeAmLh2bPHfNCRhQZdNVoFU-HBOees9j72ftX8xfbP9neQ67F1zxE6wWVusp-lA1neNkJMMlvDa2B8Nm_FKExESvgvqvWP7Of_GMHkyfLbPE0QbGswkufFbiId/s1600/MenuPlanning.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismx2Hif7G4KBeAmLh2bPHfNCRhQZdNVoFU-HBOees9j72ftX8xfbP9neQ67F1zxE6wWVusp-lA1neNkJMMlvDa2B8Nm_FKExESvgvqvWP7Of_GMHkyfLbPE0QbGswkufFbiId/s1600/MenuPlanning.gif" height="106" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's been a LONG time since I've shared our menu plan. And, my grocery budget and pantry TOTALLY reflect it!<br />
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Last week I caught a wild hair and decided to go through my pantry. Boy, did I find some interesting items.<br />
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4 cans of cherry pie filling (uh... I don't even LIKE cherry pie filling!)<br />
3 bags of mini marshmallows (I can see one... maybe... for cereal bars or something. But 3??)<br />
Several boxes of stuffing mix (we don't eat stuffing unless it's Thanksgiving and even then it's from scratch!)<br />
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Sadly, the list could go on for quite a while. I decided that nothing would go back into the pantry unless I had a specific plan for it (other than the items I keep on hand). Most of the items (like the cherry pie filling and stuffing mixes) went to live with other families instead of me working to find a way to use them up. Win all the way around!<br />
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In case you're new to Creating Everyday, here's how I do my menu planning.<br />
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I plan for 14 days. I like to plan for Wednesday - Tuesday because I try to plan around my freezer and fridge contents, my pantry, and (most importantly) the store ads. The store circulars come out on Wednesdays and I price match as much of our groceries as I can.<br />
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I find that if I plan for a 14 day menu, I am not going shopping near as much which in turn helps me with something I really struggle with - shopping.<br />
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I plan for 3 "leftover" meals/days in our 14 day menu plan. We're a small family, and most recipes serve way more than we need. Planning for leftovers makes my life easy, and our fridge empty(er). I try to plan for snacks, and desserts (1 a week) too. I do not assign meals to days/dates. I just pick from the list the morning of, and go from there.<br />
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Here's what I'm planning to serve/cook for the next two weeks:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMv6GttHCbG7wTz7rYQ1EWHrCmGDWcKa5uDmdO2bVYnDoqVgQLnOZDjEpurDp9yVdhRYSjiQt6SaypSqKI9nO-nEZGBGtpqTmu6qG1WMFEldQV9ks3_VKPn2pWF80FXxAj5Q9/s1600/snacks.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMv6GttHCbG7wTz7rYQ1EWHrCmGDWcKa5uDmdO2bVYnDoqVgQLnOZDjEpurDp9yVdhRYSjiQt6SaypSqKI9nO-nEZGBGtpqTmu6qG1WMFEldQV9ks3_VKPn2pWF80FXxAj5Q9/s1600/snacks.gif" height="43" width="200" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Almonds</li>
<li>Fresh veggie sticks (carrots & celery)</li>
<li>Cheese crackers (keeping it real y'all!)</li>
<li>Popcorn</li>
<li>Fresh fruit (apples, bananas, oranges, and mangoes)</li>
<li><a href="http://blog.aldi.us/3-crowd-pleasing-dips/" target="_blank">Black Bean Avacado Dip</a> and tortilla chips</li>
<li>Homemade roasted red pepper hummus with fresh pita chips</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9TmgHVupYQAvmChokoKxQ1pdFAlnfAJBOMEuCq4Qt9Uq4xZzBLVPAhmjzeEyK6LWxhLwCn008LWJS76_e0GRqreHTu_6rkZkJl2My2MjUfU-5NHSNIJONGcS1JsddeIqvbOA/s1600/breakfast.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9TmgHVupYQAvmChokoKxQ1pdFAlnfAJBOMEuCq4Qt9Uq4xZzBLVPAhmjzeEyK6LWxhLwCn008LWJS76_e0GRqreHTu_6rkZkJl2My2MjUfU-5NHSNIJONGcS1JsddeIqvbOA/s1600/breakfast.gif" height="43" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9TmgHVupYQAvmChokoKxQ1pdFAlnfAJBOMEuCq4Qt9Uq4xZzBLVPAhmjzeEyK6LWxhLwCn008LWJS76_e0GRqreHTu_6rkZkJl2My2MjUfU-5NHSNIJONGcS1JsddeIqvbOA/s1600/breakfast.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/10/foolproof-crockpot-greek-yogurt-and-i-mean-foolproof.html" target="_blank">Homemade Failpoof Crockpot Yogurt</a> with fresh berries (or frozen when the fresh has run out)</li>
<li>Waffles</li>
<li>Eggs </li>
<li>Oatmeal</li>
<li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-spice-muffins/" target="_blank">Pumpkin spice muffins</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.fasteasybread.com/recipe_breakfast_rolls/recipe_id/39" target="_blank">Breakfast rolls</a></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHNOmh53i9gszSnWFEhb9d6yQCtlKJff6-gV_296alIvDJ0-GrR9EktKw5Cjus6C_X1HO-Xo9AHukCVdZO55dIbrKs705OZo9kIXurqV9q_I4IaOcTxeoTQHmxheRtLAZXNfq/s1600/lunch.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHNOmh53i9gszSnWFEhb9d6yQCtlKJff6-gV_296alIvDJ0-GrR9EktKw5Cjus6C_X1HO-Xo9AHukCVdZO55dIbrKs705OZo9kIXurqV9q_I4IaOcTxeoTQHmxheRtLAZXNfq/s1600/lunch.gif" height="43" width="200" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Chicken Taquitos</li>
<li>Salads</li>
<li>PB&J</li>
<li>Lunchmeat, cheese & crackers</li>
<li>Fruits</li>
<li>Leftovers</li>
<li>Grilled chicken pocket sandwiches with cabbage salad</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.creating-everyday.com/2009/02/satay-chicken.html" target="_blank">Satay chicken</a> with brown rice and asian veggies</li>
<li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-beef-stew-i/" target="_blank">Beef stew</a> with homemade <a href="http://www.fasteasybread.com/recipe_crescent_rolls/recipe_id/36" target="_blank">Fast*Easy*Bread crescent rolls</a></li>
<li>Grilled chicken with freezer <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/basil-pesto-recipe2.html" target="_blank">pesto</a> pasta</li>
<li>Roasted pork roast with roasted veggies and <a href="http://recipesnobs.com/2011/05/07/frog-eye-salad/" target="_blank">frog eye salad</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.net/2012/02/butter-cream-chicken/" target="_blank">Butter cream chicken</a> and mashed potatoes</li>
<li><a href="http://emilyadamsonfire.com/home/?s=pizza+salad" target="_blank">Pizza Salad</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.creating-everyday.com/2009/03/chicken-la-king.html" target="_blank">Chicken a la King</a> with brown rice</li>
<li><a href="http://www.creating-everyday.com/2009/03/pepperoncini-beef.html" target="_blank">Pepperocini Beef Sandwiches</a>, green salad, and potato chips</li>
<li><a href="http://www.creating-everyday.com/2007/01/thai-spicy-curry-chicken.html" target="_blank">Curry chicken</a> with basmati rice and <a href="http://www.creating-everyday.com/2007/01/indian-naan-bread.html" target="_blank">naan</a></li>
<li>Grilled chicken and <a href="http://www.creating-everyday.com/2007/01/heathers-healthier-cranberry-spinach.html" target="_blank">spinach strawberry feta salad</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2014/01/hamburger-soup/" target="_blank">Hamburger Soup</a> and freezer rolls</li>
<li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.net/2013/10/puffy-taco-casserole/" target="_blank">Puffy Taco Casserole</a> with <a href="http://jamiecooksitup.net/2013/01/cheesy-spanish-rice/" target="_blank">cheesy spanish rice</a> and </li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.creating-everyday.com/2009/01/super-soft-chocolate-chip-cookies.html" target="_blank">Chocolate Chip Cookies</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.net/2011/12/coconut-cream-cupcakes/" target="_blank">Coconut Cream Cupcakes</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
That's what I'm <i>planning</i> to serve. What do you have up your sleeve?Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-74538303683773826292014-03-26T08:46:00.000-05:002014-03-26T08:46:00.017-05:00A new Clean, Fresh, and Simplified Design<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho22wVDGS-jPD3IYZrEoJm-tApuYl1U0eX-v1fPZizO7YAI-RGAooDmV7umItOpGOw6xvV8KrHoxjj0joSeEiBBCbGsO7GeF88fSMZZ-NGdALzs33ILxOCVdx20AkvrmjJnMJt/s1600/HeatherWatermarkFULL+(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho22wVDGS-jPD3IYZrEoJm-tApuYl1U0eX-v1fPZizO7YAI-RGAooDmV7umItOpGOw6xvV8KrHoxjj0joSeEiBBCbGsO7GeF88fSMZZ-NGdALzs33ILxOCVdx20AkvrmjJnMJt/s1600/HeatherWatermarkFULL+(1).png" height="89" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It's always fun to do a little bit of redecorating.<br />
<br />
Or a whole lot of redecorating. Like... a major overhaul redecorating.<br />
<br />
If you've been around my blog for a while, things probably look different. Very, VERY different!<br />
<br />
And in a really, super good way!<br />
<br />
New design. New color scheme. <a href="http://www.creating-everyday.com/" target="_blank">New web address</a> (that would be www.creating-everyday.com in case you couldn't tell!). Even a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/CreatingEverydayBlog" target="_blank">coordinating facebook page</a> - SHUT THE BARN DOOR! I would big, pink, puffy heart love it if you would 'like' me there too!<br />
<br />
I am LOVING the clean, fresh look and owe it all to <a href="http://www.designerblogs.com/the-team/" target="_blank">Kristin</a> with <a href="http://www.designerblogs.com/" target="_blank">Designer Blogs</a>. I picked out a design, answered a few of her questions, and voila my blog feels right again! She was easy to work with, even with my steady stream of questions and late night adjustments. The whole process was easy peasy, lemon-squeezy!<br />
<br />
I feel like my blog matches my goal for now - simplicity. Streamlined. Simple. Still colorful. Still me!<br />
<br />
So, sit and stay a while. Check out my closets and secret hidey hole guest bedroom (please tell me you have a hiding place for all the "stuff" you need to quickly pickup and hide guests come over!). Tell me - what do you think of the new blog?<br />
<br />
P.S. If you have www.heatherales.com saved as your bookmark, please update it to <a href="http://www.creating-everyday.com/">www.creating-everyday.com</a>. Eventually, the heatherales.com address will be deactivated.<br />
<br />
P.P.S. Some of you figured out that I was in the middle of a redesign and have asked me why I didn't just redesign my blog myself. In working towards simplifying my life, I've come to realize that I don't have to do everything. And, it's GOOD to just let someone have the reins and run. It was SO nice to not stress or worry about designing elements (though I did do the little sidebar flags) or installing anything. I loved it!!Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-59425957442500639482014-03-19T08:30:00.000-05:002014-03-26T00:37:46.144-05:00What?!? A Post From Heather?Hello!<br />
<br />
Long time, NO BLOG!!<br />
<br />
It's been almost a year since my last post. What the H?? Seriously though, I had great <u>intentions</u> to blog, and a huge whoppin' list of things I wanted to blog about and document. Alas, as some good intentions go... they didn't.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbxd7FjQGTEYZqi2c9VomGYr3UFDn3Y8xTcM7YK_wjnBsEyXBxtord5N4IaF1MN8pjk2pEUyVXOF9fH4S6zBLJsVJyvA14t8oY_1qkVodIdDthoIl3a5_2Ih7U6wTWfXb3TRC/s1600/0063-resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbxd7FjQGTEYZqi2c9VomGYr3UFDn3Y8xTcM7YK_wjnBsEyXBxtord5N4IaF1MN8pjk2pEUyVXOF9fH4S6zBLJsVJyvA14t8oY_1qkVodIdDthoIl3a5_2Ih7U6wTWfXb3TRC/s1600/0063-resized.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't I have some good looking siblings?!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But, I am ready to get back into the swing of things, and start documenting! I'm combining several of my blogs (did you know there were multiples?? There were! Like 6 of them actually! It's no wonder I got burnt out!!), creating an actual posting schedule (I thought after leaving corporate America, I'd never EVER want to follow an actual schedule. It turns out, it's a GOOD thing for me! Who knew??), and totally overhauling the design on this one!<br />
<br />
Big things are a'comin'!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREQSTuxZERZZ-UeTf9tKWGuneiERcW1IgjtmIPMCCDunmtQomAf8BZJ_tO30uNkMJ_E1WAL3U5hZVirP9ZQ6muCEnD6zYsBBN-WQViow9BqxD3WP7cwrrcQJFHOAkI6sf-mwA/s1600/0106resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREQSTuxZERZZ-UeTf9tKWGuneiERcW1IgjtmIPMCCDunmtQomAf8BZJ_tO30uNkMJ_E1WAL3U5hZVirP9ZQ6muCEnD6zYsBBN-WQViow9BqxD3WP7cwrrcQJFHOAkI6sf-mwA/s1600/0106resized.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We kind of rock it like this. All the time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, what have I been up to? Ya know, aside from raising my two minions, supporting my dashing prince, trying to maintain a household, working a full-time job for a while, working here and there on some blog/classroom design for an artistic friend whom I've grown to love, gardening, spending a weekend with the Muchachas, cooking, getting oily, menu planning, losing weight, CREATING (you guys warned me about getting sucked into creating girlie things... you were right. I am TOTALLY hooked... line AND sinker!!), redecorating, living a healthier lifestyle, traveling and laundry.... among other things. To be honest, I haven't been up to much aside from those few little things.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp3ziT26a09YGuqUbGpB8ADDb1mKfJmXkPbEaaG1Q23TSkbZCsDmYxHw0txjrh5q_VQwFxEa48Qe3755VKHuyzMCv6NSH-gQZgy8GdVp9P51kE_bqYb4jVgLd9HYWmxqDiN_C/s1600/0168resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp3ziT26a09YGuqUbGpB8ADDb1mKfJmXkPbEaaG1Q23TSkbZCsDmYxHw0txjrh5q_VQwFxEa48Qe3755VKHuyzMCv6NSH-gQZgy8GdVp9P51kE_bqYb4jVgLd9HYWmxqDiN_C/s1600/0168resized.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This girl. She has my heart. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm a slacker!! :)<br />
<br />
I have fun things on the horizon! Art Camp with Terri Brush, National Convention with Young Living (lots more on that soon!), a visit (or two) to northern California, last summer plans before my son starts "real" school, Glitter Market, painting the kitchen cabinets... loads of fun and exciting things! LOL!<br />
<br />
Thanks for sticking it out with me, and I can't wait to catch you up on all of our fun, everyday happenings!!<br />
<br />
XOXO,<br />
Heather<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-80449912724163501272013-04-29T11:05:00.000-05:002014-03-26T00:53:02.656-05:00Glitter Market!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbxixoNGaDGl3fNWcpPmkCWFKcrlnZIGCZdUmj3MJwAirsnUuK1VlXswjuL21clGxFKgsVSAqEZjzbInGTOJwnu3xFnkA7ySjE578qAvIw3_hsktyZS34vxjbXZCDXU9hAy22/s1600/GlitterMarketButton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbxixoNGaDGl3fNWcpPmkCWFKcrlnZIGCZdUmj3MJwAirsnUuK1VlXswjuL21clGxFKgsVSAqEZjzbInGTOJwnu3xFnkA7ySjE578qAvIw3_hsktyZS34vxjbXZCDXU9hAy22/s320/GlitterMarketButton.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a></div>
It's time for another fabulous Glitter Market!<br />
<br />
Not only is Cindy Winters the proprietress of Paper Crown (my favorite scrapbook and paper artistry store!!) which is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, she is the organizer of this fun event! She has an impressive team of supporters (like <a href="http://goodgriefgirdie.typepad.com/">Jackie!</a>), and I just adore her.<br />
<br />
I will be vending along with many others who are incredible artists. Charlotte Perez will be there with her breathtaking jewelry. <a href="http://goodgriefgirdie.typepad.com/">Jackie</a> will be there (no doubt with her throngs of faithful followers!). <a href="http://lindalandsflutter.blogspot.com/">Linda</a> will be there with her stunning art, as will <a href="http://mycreativelifediary-bobbie.blogspot.com/">Bobbie</a>! My fellow North Texan, <a href="http://whimandfancydesigns.blogspot.com/">Ann-Denise</a> will be there with miles of gathered crepe paper and paper clay creations (she really is something with paper clay!). <a href="http://a-bird-in-the-hand.blogspot.com/">Colette</a> is coming from the far north country of Canada to share her art with us (we are SO very lucky!). I can't wait to see sweet <a href="http://hollyabston.com/">Holly's</a> hand drawn and painted watercolors and jewelry. <a href="http://medeah.blogspot.com/">Medeah's</a> art is always thoughtful and eye catching too.<br />
<br />
What do I have up my sleeves for this spring event? You'll have to come to see for sure! I have been working in the little snippets of free time I find (teething has taken it's toll on me and sweet Charleigh!) and I don't have as much done as I had hoped I would have. I have some vintage items from my recent studio reorganization, wallpaper and vintage ephemera collections, my typical and regular jewelry pieces and soldering project kits. I also have a few large pieces that are almost done and I hope to have them with me too. <br />
<br />
Something brand new for me and Glitter Market is... I'm bringing my husband! This will be his first artsy thing to attend with me. :) How I do love my cute boy! I am excited for him to get a first glimpse at what it is that I love about Oklahoma (especially after detesting the glorious state for so long!) and the creative women that live (and travel to!) there. <br />
<br />
So, if you're in the Oklahoma City area this coming weekend, stop by Glitter Market! Heck, if you're not in the area, get yourself there! It's fun, the women are awesome, the other artists are inspiring and the air is fresh!<br />
<img align="right" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/princessdallas/PostDivider2.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-22395349066906630672013-04-26T10:38:00.000-05:002014-03-25T00:42:12.583-05:00What's Cookin...I have grand hopes and plans about getting back into blogging. It was a challenge with only one child, but having two has thrown me for a loop. Truly. I thought we had sleeping through the night down. <br />
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I thought. Really I did!<br />
<br />
I was wrong.<br />
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Our current challenge has been my sweet daughter cutting teeth. Good times. She is adorably delightful though. And, 7 months old today! Clearly she has us all wrapped around her little fingers!<br />
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Time is flying right on by. I'm trying to savor the sweet moments and forget the not so sweet ones. I know this time won't last long. And, quite honestly, staying home with my kids is WAY harder than going to work every day. Even working 75+ hour weeks. I know it is (and will be even moreso) rewarding, but man is it HARD.<br />
<br />
Enough with the emotional rambling, the very least I can do is share our recent menu plan wins. It's always nice to find a recipe that someone else liked and would recommend. Here's what we've been eating:<br />
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<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.singforyoursupperblog.com/2012/07/16/baked-chic-fil-a-style-chicken-nuggets/">Baked Chicken Nuggets</a>, <a href="http://www.thegardengrazer.com/2013/04/southwestern-chopped-salad-with.html">Southwestern Chopped Salad</a> with <a href="http://www.thegardengrazer.com/2013/04/creamy-cilantro-lime-dressing.html">Cilantro Lime Dressing</a> and mashed potatoes</li>
<li><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/brisket_baby/">Braised Beef Brisket</a>, <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hash-brown-casserole-ii/Detail.aspx?prop31=1">Hashbrown Casserole</a>, Baked Beans, and Rolls</li>
<li>Cuban Beans & Rice (ala American's Test Kichen Pressure Cooking cookbook)</li>
<li>Asian Beef & Rice (also ala America's Test Kitchen Pressure Cooking Cookbook) </li>
<li><a href="http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/176956829/spicy-grilled-chicken-paillards/">Grilled Chicken</a> and pasta </li>
<li>and lots of grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas!</li>
</ul>
What are some of your cooking wins?<br />
<img align="right" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/princessdallas/PostDivider2.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-69784725105082439022013-02-04T23:30:00.000-06:002014-03-26T01:11:41.844-05:00Things I Love - Part 1I always think of things I want to blog about, and then realize I don't have applicable/appropriate photos or even more likely... no time. So, the post goes by the wayside. I have SO much respect for professional bloggers who post awesome content on a daily (or even several times a week) basis. It's just not in me.<br />
<br />
So, for February... I'm taking a page from the book of the incomparable Margie Romney-Aslett. She's fabulous (in case you didn't already know. And... if that is the case you are SO missing out!) and hilarious. Pee your pants hilarious! Margie is posting about things she loves in February. Love the idea... totally snagging it too. <br />
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So, as I get time... I'm going to focus on love.. and share things that I love during February. There isn't any rhyme or reason to my loves. No plan. No preconceived notions (other than they'll be things I love!). No expectations (other than to just freakin' post!). <br />
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Right now, today, I have to say I am LOVING online art classes.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.terribrushdesigns.com/">Terri Brush</a> is a ROCK star! I highly suggest her s<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TerriBrushDesigns?ref=si_shop">oldering, paper mache, silver smithing, or any of her other courses</a> (especially if you can't get to where I'm teaching!!). I've taken quite a bit of soldering classes and jewelry making classes over the years (duh of course... how else would I teach them!), and she is a CLASS ACT. She goes way above and beyond to share her knowledge and skills. There isn't anything she keeps to herself. We share a like mind in that we want our students to know everything they need to know (including sources, skills, techniques) by the end of class. She is personable and a joy to spend time (I only know her online so far!) with. Attending one of her art camps is on my bucket list!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PgRhVFDzGDOOZeB9vVgT1_ywokVPvcmeBTscKHKAHrm0eF-0IH69fkdYbOFGaQRq_Yyc8tCPmLZhgHF_K4e7Cxo8hUzAkSoaQnjrBQdzGI9QwrU4_g-Em4MXhiL1f4Wa6I5i/s1600/SHeArt3LogoSideBar150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PgRhVFDzGDOOZeB9vVgT1_ywokVPvcmeBTscKHKAHrm0eF-0IH69fkdYbOFGaQRq_Yyc8tCPmLZhgHF_K4e7Cxo8hUzAkSoaQnjrBQdzGI9QwrU4_g-Em4MXhiL1f4Wa6I5i/s1600/SHeArt3LogoSideBar150.jpg" /></a></div>
I also LOVE LOVE LOVE <a href="http://christytomlinson.typepad.com/christytomlinson/">Christy Tomlinson's</a> online art courses. She is so stinkin' cute! I honestly just watch her video's to learn her techniques, and listen to her chatter. (It cracks me up because I'm the same way!). She really strives to make sure that her students understand the techniques she uses, and shows them to you over and over and over. Her <a href="http://www.scarletlime.com/">store is a dream to shop at</a> (hello fabulous art supplies!). The canvas's I've created from her classes are some of my most favorite pieces to display in my home. They're me, match my decor, and just make me happy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudUMIKl4Mjz9gZHPLhas9ll3TExFglKw4noHzn2_nHrDWb2Fnc0OLKPBcYRLMvCHejUsjKkL_JUv6TTNoTfFP2hS6x2jB4SR822SGY-o5Z3NN_zhjbFTfERydp6Y6AnFjI8pB/s1600/blogbuttonCM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img a="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudUMIKl4Mjz9gZHPLhas9ll3TExFglKw4noHzn2_nHrDWb2Fnc0OLKPBcYRLMvCHejUsjKkL_JUv6TTNoTfFP2hS6x2jB4SR822SGY-o5Z3NN_zhjbFTfERydp6Y6AnFjI8pB/s200/blogbuttonCM.jpg" have="" height="200" i="" loved="" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com/">I have loved Jeanne Oliver's</a>
clothing for a few years... I have a few pieces that she created several years ago (a muslin dress and two skirts) before she had her now infamous clothing line. I've LOVED my bags for as long as I've had them and get compliments on them too (I had to retire one of them because it was loved almost to death. I wore it EVERYWHERE and sadly it finally almost wore out. So, now I only use it from time to time). Anyway, she has several wonderful and uplifting courses that I've enjoyed. I
really, REALLY enjoyed <a href="http://www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com/item_142/Creatively-Made-E-Course.htm">Creatively Made</a>. It was though provoking and uplifting. I created several pieces that I adore. Recently, Jeanne created an <a href="http://jeanneoliver.ning.com/">online community</a> that is blossoming into quite the hot spot! It's a wonderful place to meet others with the same artistic interests and dreams.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltYI89Tglk_MuKWldWLpe2HNocohAZRhqMDGPCtTpy2KTo-6NRc9lFUIndhjXajiHy8rXNIp8ucQLrl_Z7OPN5ndN0C7CKZj7o7QD9tRDH-9wnTv1KeI_F8PnfnyPXAuH3Dze/s1600/6a00d83451de1069e2017d40286826970c-800wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltYI89Tglk_MuKWldWLpe2HNocohAZRhqMDGPCtTpy2KTo-6NRc9lFUIndhjXajiHy8rXNIp8ucQLrl_Z7OPN5ndN0C7CKZj7o7QD9tRDH-9wnTv1KeI_F8PnfnyPXAuH3Dze/s200/6a00d83451de1069e2017d40286826970c-800wi.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>Of course, I cannot forget <a href="http://margieromney-aslett.typepad.com/">Margie</a> and her fun Spark Online courses. Margie is... pee your pants funny. She also has fun, short online courses designed to help you prepare holiday decor for your home. Currently, she has a great class called <a href="http://margieromney-aslett.typepad.com/im_just_a_girl/2013/01/home-is-wherever-im-with-you.html">Love.Love.Love</a>. I enjoyed it SO much last year! This year, as I set out this years Valentine decor, I pulled out the projects I completed and loved on them some more. <br />
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I think that's about it for my current loves... at least for art classes! <br />
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Have you taken any online art classes that you're just LOVING? Who are they taught by and what are they?<br />
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<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-29599796554520285122013-01-12T11:34:00.000-06:002014-03-26T00:37:46.115-05:00Cooking: Pork Chile VerdeThere's a chain restaurant here in town called Rosa's. Over the Christmas holiday, I decided to pick up dinner and took a chance and ordered their Chile Verde.<br />
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It was SO good. Seriously good. So good, that I went back two days later and got it again. (I rarely do that!)<br />
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Steve really enjoyed it too, and so I began a quest to find a good copy of it that I could do here at home.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And... I have SUCCESS! Steve even likes mine better than theirs. Hooray! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">One problem with the recipe I found (the main one, mine is a combination of several), wasn't discovered until I started making the dish. It made enough for 20 servings. I really should read the instructions and details in their entirety before shopping for ingredients. 6 pounds of pork should have set off an alarm of some sort. But, it didn't. :) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Here's my recipe, portioned down to feed 6 adults. Enjoy!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUx4AR5y-hKiSfajnCFMLC1-x30_lV1QdY9wfYY8TC3IQd0P-Gh_G4yq0DNle9wBjSoH-Wr99KbB2o75wPeMS3PNgNshcAEyChCCnp-nk0Sm9OKalVf3upTB_JtBAKeoAFT07/s1600/chileverde.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/AVvXsEhtUx4AR5y-hKiSfajnCFMLC1-x30_lV1QdY9wfYY8TC3IQd0P-Gh_G4yq0DNle9wBjSoH-Wr99KbB2o75wPeMS3PNgNshcAEyChCCnp-nk0Sm9OKalVf3upTB_JtBAKeoAFT07/s320/chileverde.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(The pictures is from my phone, courtesy of Instagram.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; text-transform: uppercase;">Ingredients:</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>2 pounds cubed pork stew meat</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>1/4 cup vegetable oil</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>1 large yellow onions, diced</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>2 cloves garlic, minced</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>1/4 tablespoon sea salt</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Freshly ground pepper, to taste</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>1 tablespoons ground cumin</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>1.5 quarts chicken broth (you
probably won’t use it all)<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>3 fresh poblano chile peppers</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>1 fresh jalapeno pepper</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>1 yellow bell pepper</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>1 pound fresh tomatillos, husks
removed</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>½ <span> </span>bunch cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 0.6pt; text-transform: uppercase;">INSTRUctions:</span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span><span>1.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span>Wash the tomatillo’s and quarter them. Trim the stem end off
of the jalapeño’s and cut them into two pieces. Put them both in a large
saucepan with 1c of the chicken broth. Cook them until they’re soft. <span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span><span>2.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Cut each of the peppers
(poblano’s and bell) in half and deseed them. Broil them in your oven until the
skin is blistered. Remove them from the oven, and place them into the saucepan
with the tomatillos and jalapeño’s. Using a blender stick, process until
smooth. (If you don’t have a blender stick, you can use a regular blender.<span> </span>(You can also put the peppers into a closed
bag or container so that they steam, and then remove the skins. I don’t.) Keep
the sauce simmering. <span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span><span>3.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span>Lightly flour the pork. Sear in vegetable oil until golden
brown in a large stock pot. Remove the pork from the pot. (It took me several
batches to get it all done)</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span><span>4.<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span>Add the chopped onion and garlic, in the pot, in the
reserved oil until onions are tender. Season with cumin, then stir in pork. <span> </span>Add the pepper sauce and stir. Add 1-2 cups of
chicken stock. Simmer the sauce for 2-3 hours, or until the meat is to the
tenderness you like and the sauce is thickened to where you want it adding more
chicken broth to thin it to your preference. <span> </span>(Mine has been simmering for 4 hours.)</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span>Serve
over rice or with flour tortillas. Or... both!</span></span></span></div>
<br /><img align="right" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/princessdallas/PostDivider2.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-81104219017283460092013-01-09T22:16:00.001-06:002013-01-09T22:16:18.602-06:002012... It Was Nice Knowin' Ya...It is the year 2013.<br />
<br />
Seriously people... 2013. The same year that Marty McFly was going to arrive at, and WAY WAY in the future mind you, in the movie Back to the Future.<br />
<br />
I officially feel old.<br />
<br />
It won't last long, and I'm okay if it does. I've lived some life. I'm okay with that too.<br />
<br />
Looking back at my memories of 2012, it seems like it flew by in a blink.<br />
<br />
But, while I was living it, it wouldn't hurry up and get over.<br />
<br />
I want life to slow down so that I can relish the great things that are occurring. Even, if that means I need to relish in the things that aren't good.<br />
<br />
In 2012...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntub-K_Nrx5it-ZT4AqKXo7kK7dUuGKmtLoGNxQM0D-yfmiNdmtXbGAZUriqzBb5QiM2Y74WE5aZ2z8PrNPcRSeaNunhcPhFYQWETyzboZZ_J4NqG3-74L9liEPVekWB4UyKL/s1600/Excited+Fred.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/AVvXsEjntub-K_Nrx5it-ZT4AqKXo7kK7dUuGKmtLoGNxQM0D-yfmiNdmtXbGAZUriqzBb5QiM2Y74WE5aZ2z8PrNPcRSeaNunhcPhFYQWETyzboZZ_J4NqG3-74L9liEPVekWB4UyKL/s320/Excited+Fred.jpg" width="228" /></a>
<li>We (Steve and I) found out that I was with child! Wooo to the HOO HOO! (After many failed pregnancies, having one "stick" was an incredible blessing!)</li>
<li>Our air conditioner needed major repairs 4 different times (and in Texas, this isn't an optional expense. Especially when one is pregnant!)</li>
<li>I planned a whole LOT of meals, and made about 75% of them.</li>
<li>I planned, planted and had a successful garden.</li>
<li>I canned more than 300 jars of various foods! (I'm proud of myself for putting my fears aside and just going for it!</li>
<li>I sold approximately 60 pieces of jewelry but bought enough supplies to make at least three times that many. :) </li>
<li>My son was successfully potty trained. (Really, this should be the accomplishment of which I am most proud!!)</li>
<li>I pieced together my first quilt in over 18 years. I paid someone to do the actual quilting, and I'm okay with that too.</li>
<li>I also made most of the decor for our new baby nursery.</li>
<li>I sent just shy of 10,000 texts. </li>
<li>I enjoyed 14 pedicures and 4 hour long massages. (I wish I had enjoyed MORE!)</li>
<li>I had a baby! She is awesome, fabulous, beautiful and never needs SLEEP! AAAAAAAAAACK!</li>
<li>I lost all but 8 pounds of my pre-Charleigh weight. Now. if only I could get back to my pre-Freddy weight! (2013 goal!)</li>
<li>I took several online art courses. <a href="http://www.christytomlinson.typepad.com/">Christy Tomlinson</a> is an amazing altered art instructor. <a href="http://homegrownhospitality.typepad.com/">Stephanie Ackerman</a> is a fabulous handwriting/doodling instructor. And,<a href="http://www.terribrushdesigns.com/">Terri Brush</a> is an awesome soldering, fusing, silversmithing, paper mache/clay and jewelry making instructor (the best I have ever learned from!) </li>
<li>I managed (this is a HUGE first for me) to get thank you notes sent out from the baby gifts I received from both showers, and got Christmas cards sent out! HOOORAY! (It's a shame that I'm as old as I am and that it had not happened before!)</li>
</ul>
Things I regret not doing in 2012:<br />
<ul>
<li>Traveling to my all-time favorite paper art store, Paper Crown, to teach or to enjoy Glitter Market, or to visit with my favorite art friends.</li>
<li>Making more art... whether it's jewelry, wall art, clothing, food... I wish I had made more!</li>
<li>Blogging more and when I blog having it be great content.</li>
<li>Attending <a href="http://spellboundevent.com/">Spellbound</a> in November.</li>
<li>Traveling down to South Padre Island to hang out and visit with my family.</li>
<li>Ditto for making it to the west coast to visit the other side of my family.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7DC12_y2JQy52cL7iFsGe__bm3qIatQjd2LuXIXn-UdSJAeH-c5J60Xye_l_Wt0wXRWDLB33lML514ZIdqvyljarOQShjnDmpkRZCeIfo5eqFZ_TR4vu0mCYLH12CD7FAaeR/s1600/charleighbaby.png" 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/AVvXsEiD7DC12_y2JQy52cL7iFsGe__bm3qIatQjd2LuXIXn-UdSJAeH-c5J60Xye_l_Wt0wXRWDLB33lML514ZIdqvyljarOQShjnDmpkRZCeIfo5eqFZ_TR4vu0mCYLH12CD7FAaeR/s320/charleighbaby.png" width="319" /></a>I'm sure there are more, but I'm busy listening to my baby coo at me. And, she is darling!<br />
<br />
Things I hope to accomplish in 2013:<br />
<ul>
<li>Decide on the direction I want to go with my creative work.</li>
<li>Visit my girlfriends in OKC!</li>
<li>Enjoy my art space and create, create, create!!</li>
<li>Sew several outfits for my girl. MY GIRL!! (I can't get over it!)</li>
<li>Blogging GREAT content, and on a regular basis</li>
<li>Continue to learn more about both gardening and canning.</li>
<li>Plan, and execute 85% of the meals my family eats.</li>
<li>Lost all of the baby weight!</li>
<li>Enjoy every minute that I possibly can with my babies. One is growing way too fast, and the other has just started her time with me. I want to soak up as much as I can of them and of their father. He's such a great guy! I am SO LUCKY!</li>
</ul>
<img align="right" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/princessdallas/PostDivider2.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-27011865317388823662012-11-22T10:10:00.000-06:002014-03-25T00:50:25.364-05:00Cooking: Thanksgiving 2012<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWrwJuXavBpL0x-N0EejRASSmbbJeWzsJZEIHva5QLQWl4KICWbiiuq7XESsnuuUQKDXv40mGP-GVSW5m0hyphenhyphenQDuduxvVL2q51NZhyphenhyphenAVkqm9TfinvBMiU0iJYpT9NJcOkvTt3L/s1600/543023_4905816884841_1534850271_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWrwJuXavBpL0x-N0EejRASSmbbJeWzsJZEIHva5QLQWl4KICWbiiuq7XESsnuuUQKDXv40mGP-GVSW5m0hyphenhyphenQDuduxvVL2q51NZhyphenhyphenAVkqm9TfinvBMiU0iJYpT9NJcOkvTt3L/s320/543023_4905816884841_1534850271_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Is there any holiday where we cook more, than Thanksgiving?<br />
<br />
I mean, food is an important part of almost every holiday, but even more so on Thanksgiving. Ever year, I set all kinds of goals and make plans to keep things simple.<br />
<br />
I'm not at all adverse to buying much of our dinner, but it never ever seems to happen. Maybe it's that old habits die hard. Or, perhaps it's that I am way more like my mother than I thought. She makes EVERYTHING from scratch. I mean... EVERYTHING.<br />
<br />
And, I love that about her.<br />
<br />
This year, I'm happy to report that we are having a partially store bought dinner. After having a baby (she is 8 weeks old now. Boy, how time is flying by!), I need to do whatever I can to make our dinner fantastic but without all the work. So, I did procure/purchase/barter a few of the items on this years menu.<br />
<br />
Here's what we're having:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6Yc5EpZ9TdGyrQ3gngNkkI4RDAV5_-vkiPiMkwRbxriA62TZwo3Otsb6pppWoZNyZjWpaeecaf3xMRYBfIesG9O1TM7Y-xsFjUSoo0w5quhN16Zi6yQcG4SYIyQM3y4kyGE3/s1600/12791_10151347022128453_711471209_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6Yc5EpZ9TdGyrQ3gngNkkI4RDAV5_-vkiPiMkwRbxriA62TZwo3Otsb6pppWoZNyZjWpaeecaf3xMRYBfIesG9O1TM7Y-xsFjUSoo0w5quhN16Zi6yQcG4SYIyQM3y4kyGE3/s320/12791_10151347022128453_711471209_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
A few things were added to the list (sauteed green beans, carrot cake, pecan pie, and crack pudding) and a few things were eliminated (apple and chocolate pies). The turkey is cooking away in a crock pot, and the ham will be popped into another crock pot in a few hours. I canned cranberry sauce and cranberry jam last week, and traded a jar of cranberry sauce for stuffing mix (YAY! For the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NFWFS">North Forth Worth Food Swap!</a>). My brother-in-law and his girlfriend are bringing the macaroni and cheese. The pumpkin and pecan pies were purchased at Trader Joe's (LOVE that one finally opened up in Texas!!) in addition to the carrot cake (though I make a MEAN carrot cake!). So, compared to years past... I am WAY ahead of the game and didn't make everything from scratch. Hoooray!<br />
<br />
I don't think there will ever be a year where I don't make mashed potatoes or rolls. In our house, I can't possibly make too much of either one of them. Even Freddy says that mashed potatoes are one of his favorite foods... because "Mom, I'm an Ales!". Oh that boy makes my heart smile!<br />
<br />
Tell me... what is something you NEVER change about your menu? Is there something you ALWAYS make from scratch every year?<br />
<br /><img align="right" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/princessdallas/PostDivider2.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-82600854996441119782012-10-23T08:52:00.000-05:002014-03-25T00:50:25.399-05:00Bringing Home Baby: What's in a Name? Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgTi9yOSGLqFwGJmadeSBOrx2_D1u2wKHrcNGzpGDPAH6woLptOj4Ibh_MoveGqoUwH540Q_UzEj3v0JjDsoy3sY06BbZdWyYiMK2YPatCGND5fjU3V0dZQDOviLDW-g5ZVPK/s1600/Bringing+Home+Baby+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgTi9yOSGLqFwGJmadeSBOrx2_D1u2wKHrcNGzpGDPAH6woLptOj4Ibh_MoveGqoUwH540Q_UzEj3v0JjDsoy3sY06BbZdWyYiMK2YPatCGND5fjU3V0dZQDOviLDW-g5ZVPK/s320/Bringing+Home+Baby+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When you find out you're having a baby, aside from dreaming about their gender, I normally start thinking about names.<br />
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Potential boy names...<br />
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Potential girl name...<br />
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There are always debates among those whose opinions matter (and those whose don't) as to what we should name our next child. There's even polls and voting that takes place. This time, it was on our chalkboard wall. Lots of entertainment for sure.<br />
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The most popular, funny, choice would be to have named our daughter Ginger Ales or our son Stout Ales. <br />
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Har de Har Har. Not. :)<br />
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Clearly, we would not have chosen either option.<br />
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How we came to name our daughter Charleigh Marie was really a round about process.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOK6Lt0QEhMJakGbCfH0RuSbfZZFUJEjHwM5GstJeExW3MMJ2UMmiOfD-wauqrNTexH1fz_xaTurvqwoSmz28daWAObUF9_p_Cqb3sHHXXTyn7z5uEe0YlV3g61WR45LRXdUL/s1600/17Charleigh.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/AVvXsEjMOK6Lt0QEhMJakGbCfH0RuSbfZZFUJEjHwM5GstJeExW3MMJ2UMmiOfD-wauqrNTexH1fz_xaTurvqwoSmz28daWAObUF9_p_Cqb3sHHXXTyn7z5uEe0YlV3g61WR45LRXdUL/s1600/17Charleigh.jpg" /></a>I've always liked the name Charly, Charley or Charlie for a girl. Growing up, I read <a href="http://deseretbook.com/Charly-Jack-Weyland/i/1443143">Charly</a> by Jack Weyland more times than I can remember. I loved that such a strong girl had a boys name. When I started dating my husband, I learned that his father and grandfather both shared the name Charles or Charlie. I remembered thinking it was pretty cool that they shared the same name as one of my favorite teen books.<br />
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I used to love going through family history charts looking for unusual but cool names and I've always thought it neat to give our children a family name. As you may know, Freddy is named after Steve's maternal grandfather. Even after going through my family tree's and looking at names, I still could not get the name Charlie out of my mind.<br />
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Charlie though, isn't very feminine. I've heard stories of girls who had definite boy names, and them being put onto boys sports teams (despite being registered as a girl), because their name is "boyish" and the organizers thinking that a mistake was made on the paperwork.<br />
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I didn't want that to happen to our daughter, and so the search began on how to spell her name. There was Charley, Charlee, Charli, and Charleigh. Though they are all lovely, I really liked Charleigh.<br />
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Choosing her middle name though, was quite the task.<br />
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Initially, her middle name was going to either be Annette, Ann, or Annabella. Many of the women on both sides of our family have the name "Ann" in their names and it would have been a lovely way to honor them. However, I wasn't 100% confident in any of them and something wasn't sitting completely right with me about it. Clearly, it wasn't sitting with quite a few people because we received more negative feedback about her middle name than anything else I've.<br />
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So, Steve and I decided that we weren't going to share what her middle name was definitely going to be, until she was born.<br />
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One day, in a conversation with someone I love and wholeheartedly admire, the name of Marie was suggested. My mothers name is Mary Lou, and quite honestly I would NEVER ever name my child Mary or Lou. However, we could totally do Marie, have it be a nod to my mother, and give us an opportunity to honor her. Steve and I both kept it to ourselves, because... really... we didn't care what anyone's opinions about it were at that point. It was going to be her middle name. <br />
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And, so that's how we chose to name her Charleigh Marie.<br />
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I love her name, and it really does fit her well. I can't wait to see how it fits her as she grows up!<br />
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<img align="right" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/princessdallas/PostDivider2.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-68744723324657648712012-10-13T08:24:00.000-05:002014-03-25T00:50:25.386-05:00Bringing Home Baby: Finishing up the Nursery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgTi9yOSGLqFwGJmadeSBOrx2_D1u2wKHrcNGzpGDPAH6woLptOj4Ibh_MoveGqoUwH540Q_UzEj3v0JjDsoy3sY06BbZdWyYiMK2YPatCGND5fjU3V0dZQDOviLDW-g5ZVPK/s1600/Bringing+Home+Baby+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgTi9yOSGLqFwGJmadeSBOrx2_D1u2wKHrcNGzpGDPAH6woLptOj4Ibh_MoveGqoUwH540Q_UzEj3v0JjDsoy3sY06BbZdWyYiMK2YPatCGND5fjU3V0dZQDOviLDW-g5ZVPK/s320/Bringing+Home+Baby+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Many of you have asked to see the final photos of Charleigh's nursery. I'd love to say that it's done, and that everything is exactly how I want it. But, alas... it's not! :) I have few small projects I want to finish - that is between her cat naps, loving on Fred, attempting to keep our home clean, cooking dinner, and keeping up with laundry - so these are not the final, finished photos. And, they've been taken with my cell phone, so they are not of the best quality. And, I'm missing a wall (that has a few handmade gifts displayed on it!) However, it gives you an idea of how her room will look!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGq8fDFy5Dg4VYxsAj50xTPxaOs141b58hT0VxNu4jJljKmAIafen59vpfk2qTYGkP2liartCU0oxn11vcgGDqAI6cQIbovVtLO9P3pPrPUyYRGWiRdwOhXsBz6go43A0Izjf/s1600/CharleighWall1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGq8fDFy5Dg4VYxsAj50xTPxaOs141b58hT0VxNu4jJljKmAIafen59vpfk2qTYGkP2liartCU0oxn11vcgGDqAI6cQIbovVtLO9P3pPrPUyYRGWiRdwOhXsBz6go43A0Izjf/s320/CharleighWall1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nursery Wall 1</td></tr>
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I'm not sure she's going to have enough hair bows, flowers, and/or headbands. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJAIh7iVqOXDJGKVrAyridhN_SvaPk8tqJPeeFwxzm4CBDpJqbctwktNJW0UL0mFTyQ6HESkhv6OGyKZWZf9pfcrU07wCDY-4RQj_VzuFPYTXMl043LstNfGHE54dgoGBqdNN/s1600/CharleighWall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFJAIh7iVqOXDJGKVrAyridhN_SvaPk8tqJPeeFwxzm4CBDpJqbctwktNJW0UL0mFTyQ6HESkhv6OGyKZWZf9pfcrU07wCDY-4RQj_VzuFPYTXMl043LstNfGHE54dgoGBqdNN/s320/CharleighWall2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nursery Wall 2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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There's another shot of the quilt I made for her room. The white blanket was crocheted by my mother years ago (and I mean YEARS ago!). I really like how the doily banner and butterfly garland turn out. It's simple, and it really does look cute in here! Eventually, the framed flower prints will be replaced with framed newborn photos.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6VMSI_C7dSPuVk7FLYuxznKI2DMV1xCRDS39XeDZZwFvmRk1xdQwofcvAYhJnxK3NbY1RLVWa4ziSCNV4CFcOHwaiDfr4qJ_hG491ICCS18qD4XnBIY3GOxPHzwDqp-_dmUO/s1600/CharleighWall3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6VMSI_C7dSPuVk7FLYuxznKI2DMV1xCRDS39XeDZZwFvmRk1xdQwofcvAYhJnxK3NbY1RLVWa4ziSCNV4CFcOHwaiDfr4qJ_hG491ICCS18qD4XnBIY3GOxPHzwDqp-_dmUO/s320/CharleighWall3.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nursery Wall 3</td></tr>
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Her changing table/dresser. On the list of things to be finished is a runner for her dresser and to cover the lampshade (both in fabrics that match the quilt I made her). I also have a small pennant banner to hang across the mirror.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnEa-u0hQZLaKUdoizuCFbhuOvzGdt9T1aD-WNpnaThIB9VZeY18JOHD1OImJFyF4MMeIemt_sCMEQlOlUe-VfD6BHTjGJTRe8hTE9G71MOFZFBrh66EdaG3Z0Fyq_ouQqOkQ/s1600/Charleighcloset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnEa-u0hQZLaKUdoizuCFbhuOvzGdt9T1aD-WNpnaThIB9VZeY18JOHD1OImJFyF4MMeIemt_sCMEQlOlUe-VfD6BHTjGJTRe8hTE9G71MOFZFBrh66EdaG3Z0Fyq_ouQqOkQ/s320/Charleighcloset.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Oh the clothes! It is SO MUCH more fun to dress a girl! At this point I didn't remove the tags from any of her new clothes because we didn't know how big she was going to be. Fred never did wear newborn clothes - he went right into 0-3 month sized attire. Little did we know, that although she weighed in one ounce heavier, and a quarter of an inch shorter, she wears newborn sized items - for now. <br />
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Hopefully, in the next few days, I'll have a chance to finish up the last of the projects and take better photographs with my camera. :)<br />
<img align="right" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/princessdallas/PostDivider2.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-19731260583521073732012-10-12T08:58:00.000-05:002014-03-25T00:50:25.356-05:00Bringing Home Baby: She's Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgTi9yOSGLqFwGJmadeSBOrx2_D1u2wKHrcNGzpGDPAH6woLptOj4Ibh_MoveGqoUwH540Q_UzEj3v0JjDsoy3sY06BbZdWyYiMK2YPatCGND5fjU3V0dZQDOviLDW-g5ZVPK/s1600/Bringing+Home+Baby+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgTi9yOSGLqFwGJmadeSBOrx2_D1u2wKHrcNGzpGDPAH6woLptOj4Ibh_MoveGqoUwH540Q_UzEj3v0JjDsoy3sY06BbZdWyYiMK2YPatCGND5fjU3V0dZQDOviLDW-g5ZVPK/s320/Bringing+Home+Baby+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's true! She is here! We couldn't be happier and Fred couldn't be more excited! He loves to introduce our friends (and even more strangers!) to his "new, wittle, baby sister." It is so fun to see his excitement. We're still adjusting to being a family of 4, but we're also as happy as we can be!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hShwFJyRO-DjKo7Ly05GscxmgTV_rzvpPZW50nv2KbjcWASg_2iVCrf0PGUFmGeJUGqxz7O2vo1esBuXGFR4qIfYOjdQ0N8d6p0nCihHoRHuSZJlS4yNbHZiThM7slhOGz2c/s1600/CharleighHere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hShwFJyRO-DjKo7Ly05GscxmgTV_rzvpPZW50nv2KbjcWASg_2iVCrf0PGUFmGeJUGqxz7O2vo1esBuXGFR4qIfYOjdQ0N8d6p0nCihHoRHuSZJlS4yNbHZiThM7slhOGz2c/s320/CharleighHere.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(This is a mockup of Charleigh's baby announcement. The official ones
will be ready for final formatting and will be sent off for printing
sometime tomorrow.)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRypGrdV6SG4uM7_p3Ep2YOM406nngqd7kSesHMvmU2lP945-9HvaE6a2dZj6_-qFvc8omru0v8xgwA9eicd1mXmzVLWBGKnOfZ196eGrul1sVr56RSrNfGBvyzLiRc6rt4dL/s1600/Charleighs+Birth+Announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRypGrdV6SG4uM7_p3Ep2YOM406nngqd7kSesHMvmU2lP945-9HvaE6a2dZj6_-qFvc8omru0v8xgwA9eicd1mXmzVLWBGKnOfZ196eGrul1sVr56RSrNfGBvyzLiRc6rt4dL/s400/Charleighs+Birth+Announcement.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These gorgeous photos were taken by <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.creativephotographybyamanda.com/">Creative Photography by Amanda</a></span></td></tr>
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<img align="right" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/princessdallas/PostDivider2.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-17159484360530847532012-10-12T00:18:00.004-05:002014-03-26T00:53:46.121-05:00Glitter Market!Every year, a fun and inspiring event is hostessed in Oklahoma City by Cindy Winters of the fabulous <a href="http://www.papercrownokc.blogspot.com/">Paper Crown</a> fame called <a href="http://papercrownokc.blogspot.com/2012/10/glitter-market-101.html">Glitter Market</a>. If you're lucky, you might catch it twice a year, but most definitely at least once a year in the late fall.<br />
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This year's Glitter Market will be held on Saturday, October 27th, in the former Store It In Style
location which is just seven doors down from Paper Crown. It is a one
day event from 10am-5pm. (Be forewarned, there are eager ladies and shoppers in line at 7am!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8nXof69tG-sVh1pT3dFwN_Gqtliz-AFnfwdb2pNqHSsz_72YgScJ081E-jJDicg_yd9p8VKt9Qus8WpfUx5EhlCsWAEgpWTfKoWzOWA_ESxgAqglDi4W-cBvVTtJzhrxqgdb/s1600/GlitterMar-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8nXof69tG-sVh1pT3dFwN_Gqtliz-AFnfwdb2pNqHSsz_72YgScJ081E-jJDicg_yd9p8VKt9Qus8WpfUx5EhlCsWAEgpWTfKoWzOWA_ESxgAqglDi4W-cBvVTtJzhrxqgdb/s400/GlitterMar-lg.jpg" height="400" width="281" /></a></div>
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Last year, I really enjoyed being a vendor. I was surrounded by some of my most favorite creative people, and honored to be vending among them.<br />
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This year, due to several things but mostly due to our families newest arrival, I won't be vending. I had high hopes that I'd be able to pull it off, but alas it didn't happen. <br />
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However, just because I'm not vending doesn't mean I intend to miss out on the fun! I'm still planning to make the drive up to OKC because I've got it on good authority that some of my favorite people will be vending again this year. I have my fingers crossed that I'll be able to make it (that is, if Charleigh can handle the drive!), because it would hurt my heart (to use a Freddy description) to miss out on it entirely.<br />
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Some of this years vendors include:<br />
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<a href="http://anestwithaview.blogspot.com/">Robin Thomas</a></div>
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Charlotte Perez</div>
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<a href="http://goodgriefgirdie.typepad.com/blog/">Jackie Peters</a> (Oklahoma Cities Premier Paper Artist!!)</div>
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<a href="http://hollyabston.com/">Holly Abston</a></div>
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<a href="http://a-bird-in-the-hand.blogspot.com/">Collette Copeland</a></div>
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<a href="http://whimandfancydesigns.blogspot.com/">Ann-Denise Anderson</a></div>
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<a href="http://mycreativelifediary-bobbie.blogspot.com/">Bobbie Saunders</a></div>
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If you have the weekend of the 27th free, I highly suggest you take a drive up to Oklahoma City and visit the gals at Glitter Market. My biggest suggestion is to spend all of your secret stash cash with the girls who are vending and then all of grocery budget over at Paper Crown. (At least, that's what I intend to do!) <br />
<img align="right" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/princessdallas/PostDivider2.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-52468538615391576282012-09-18T07:55:00.000-05:002014-03-26T00:45:14.466-05:00Creating: Partying Pinterest Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRxO702LjVdVlEU4NW7s-NqOaO_lNPeYGrLt82PtaLicw_0HrKzfy6H_w0-G85OGEryTlAx61FYmPIyxV9Yh_U6VebSEZZP4z0twtPsTJvA0KAW_Wj_oHXMvaQG6euM1dAFPZ/s1600/309143_10151237343913453_1897073054_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRxO702LjVdVlEU4NW7s-NqOaO_lNPeYGrLt82PtaLicw_0HrKzfy6H_w0-G85OGEryTlAx61FYmPIyxV9Yh_U6VebSEZZP4z0twtPsTJvA0KAW_Wj_oHXMvaQG6euM1dAFPZ/s320/309143_10151237343913453_1897073054_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Ahhh <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>... yet one more reason why I don't get as much accomplished around the house as I should.<br />
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If only I could imagine things being done... and then have them actually magically get done.<br />
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Dude, that would be AMAZING.<br />
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And, my house would be UBER amazing!!<br />
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Anywho... please tell me you know what <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> is. (If you don't, it's possible that you've been living under a rock. In which case, you might be miserable with the heat we had over the summer... you should move out from underneath it.)<br />
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If you're anything like me (and let's face it, no one is quite as weird as me!), you have a <a href="http://pinterest.com/heather_ales/">grundle of Pinterest boards (close to 100!)</a>, and you've daydreamed about getting things actually done. You might have even purchased the supplies or ingredients needed to get things done, but alas... life happened and nothing else did. So, your supplies/ingredients sat.<br />
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Or, you may have even thought... "I AM going to make that!" and never did.<br />
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Not that either of those scenerio's would EVER happen to me. Yeah... never. Riiiiight.<br />
<br />
Enter the Pinterest Party concept! My local friend, Goldie (aka <a href="http://www.thevintagetexan.com/">The Vintage Texan</a>!) and her sister, planned fun night of creating - all inspired by Pinterest pins. Here's the event description and a brief rundown on how it worked... <i> </i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Do you pin stuff on Pinterest and never find the time to do the
project? Well here is your chance to do those awesome things that are
out there as a group! This is a party where a bunch of us are going to
get together and make those nifty little crafts that you see pinned on
Pinterest.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span itemprop="description"></span></i><br />
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5057f4e6757e08b76360227">
<i><span itemprop="description">This month we will complete 5 projects. </span></i></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5057f4e6757e08b76360227">
<div class="text_exposed_show">
</div>
</div>
<i><span itemprop="description">
</span></i>
<i><span itemprop="description"></span></i><i><span itemprop="description"></span></i><br />
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5057f4e6757e08b76360227">
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<i><span itemprop="description">The hostess's will go out
and gather the supplies needed for the amount of people coming, and
there will be a flat fee for all of the supplies. We are only using the
money to purchase supplies, there is no profit on the supplies fee, if
there is extra money in the end you will receive a refund! </span></i></div>
</div>
<i><span itemprop="description">
</span></i></blockquote>
Each of us were tasked with bringing a potluck dish, created using a recipe we found on Pinterest. And, I'm going to be the first to tell you that these girls did NOT disappoint. There was scads of delicious food!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VlM_jVMP6Iexe_P1te1eznZD-6cfbn4CibGJnwu16ekA9GH_mW7K_P45M3yHi2bt26eyZOxHaBYOjIX-SwrSlavuB1jiGzD8PJprpGuqi1f05cmfzqPmisWEAv9U30ZUEsoM/s640/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VlM_jVMP6Iexe_P1te1eznZD-6cfbn4CibGJnwu16ekA9GH_mW7K_P45M3yHi2bt26eyZOxHaBYOjIX-SwrSlavuB1jiGzD8PJprpGuqi1f05cmfzqPmisWEAv9U30ZUEsoM/s320/005.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thevintagetexan.com/2012/09/holy-cow-we-had-pinterest-party.html">Source - The Vintage Texan</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Each participant paid a flat $30 fee (which covered <b>ALL</b> of our supplies, except for whatever you wanted to etch), and there were 5 projects available for us to complete. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/108227197266361529_MZJL2FyP_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/upload/108227197266361529_MZJL2FyP_f.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/108227197266361529/">Rolled Felt Flowers</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/125256433355980475_4FnqSlnY_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/125256433355980475_4FnqSlnY_f.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/108227197266217808/">Burlap Monogram Sign</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/265782815478734932_a3ZGvCvf_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/265782815478734932_a3ZGvCvf_f.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/108227197266217874/">Glass Etching</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/171699804512980300_3NvNOfxE_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/171699804512980300_3NvNOfxE_f.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/108227197266220938/">Coffee Filter Wreath</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/61643088619117306_yO7EWrgu_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/upload/61643088619117306_yO7EWrgu_f.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/108227197266218853/">Wooden Photo Holder</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Goldie also rounded up some really awesome sponsors! Some of the sponsors donated items for swag bags and others donated items for prizes. I think my favorite sponsors would have to be:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2berrycreative.com/"><b>2Berry Creative</b></a> (she sent each of us some Bakers Twine, Note Tags, and Washi Tape)
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.alexismattoxdesign.com/"><b>Alexis Mattox Design</b></a> (she sent us some of her amazing laser cut cards. I'm keeping mine!) </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Classy-Cactus-Antique-Mall/427022754003072">The Classy Cactus Antique Mall</a> </b>(they were our hosts for the night!)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-Ginas-Cookies/">Miss Gina's Cookies</a></b> (she made cookies for us with the Pinterest logo!) </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Other sponsors included independent sales consultants with <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20https://www.facebook.com/pages/Celebrating-Home-with-Renee-Brooks/248709621834988%20">Celebrating Home</a>, <a href="http://www.marykay.com/clrooks">Mary Kay</a>, <a href="http://www.scentacular.com/">Scentsy</a>, <a href="http://www.tastefullysimple.com/web/jreyes">Tastefully Simple</a>, and <a href="http://www.cookielee.biz/MarcieYoder">Cookie Lee</a>. It was really nice to have samples of their products given to us! I haven't had a chance to try them all out, but it's nice to have a 'try it before you buy it' sample ready for when I can try them out! </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">It was a really fun night! I enjoyed getting to know women from around my area, that I would probably never have met otherwise. Of course, being true to my personality, I spent more time chatting than accomplishing/completing, but I did get several projects completed. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRB_DwTCvez3cQBrupTbtPLIkiYyKsD8bmfP6W2THGwjtn-DlWOeYcY1U-SHrsERE47fgFULBcwVeh9DgAd65wOLieOn-jHpHy1gVLCodSFWQbSU_BWerMV-tST7oTV1grBOkH/s640/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRB_DwTCvez3cQBrupTbtPLIkiYyKsD8bmfP6W2THGwjtn-DlWOeYcY1U-SHrsERE47fgFULBcwVeh9DgAd65wOLieOn-jHpHy1gVLCodSFWQbSU_BWerMV-tST7oTV1grBOkH/s320/029.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thevintagetexan.com/2012/09/holy-cow-we-had-pinterest-party.html">Just a few of us!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They've already got next month's Pinterest party planning started. It's going to be on October 6th and this time will be catered! HOOOORAY for not having to bring anything! (Even though I love to cook, it will be nice to just show up and not have to worry about bringing anything! Especially since Baby Charleigh will be just over a week old! YIKES!)<br />
<br />
If you're interested in joining us, <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4297929222">check it out here</a>. In order to RSVP/come you will need to pay for your spot up front. Once payment has been received, you'll be invited to the facebook group where we're talking about the event and choosing the projects. I really love that this month we have a choice of doing halloween or fall themed projects. Brilliant idea!<br />
<br />
Are you on Pinterest? <a href="http://pinterest.com/heather_ales/">You can find me here!</a><br />
<img align="right" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/princessdallas/PostDivider2.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17299829.post-36624317225459927562012-09-12T09:57:00.000-05:002012-09-12T09:57:00.179-05:00Remembering 9/11Certain dates will forever be event markers in my life. I measure everything by event markers.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-1m0dAPbMzbWBempcM0j95_W9ARj2s-lO2ZGd59Y8TRieUltYrZxNmxRhho37Ty5o9bKqNn_8CrC4_6u1MsCDjRxA-qxlPl1EpQcsJiuquYbd7M8g10DAkvjLj2yAH4Jlxml/s1600/berlin20wall20freedom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-1m0dAPbMzbWBempcM0j95_W9ARj2s-lO2ZGd59Y8TRieUltYrZxNmxRhho37Ty5o9bKqNn_8CrC4_6u1MsCDjRxA-qxlPl1EpQcsJiuquYbd7M8g10DAkvjLj2yAH4Jlxml/s320/berlin20wall20freedom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thekidswindow.co.uk/news/Berlin_Wall.htm"><i>via</i></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One marker is November 9, 1989 was my sister's 14th birthday. It was also the night the Berlin Wall fell. We lived in Berlin then, and were celebrating her birthday at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Tempelhof_Airport">Tempelhof Airport</a>. (At that time, the airport was occupied by the US. One of the features was a recreation center that included a bowling alley, snack bar, basketball courts, etc.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbrM4EgrWfjlM_RyyI3-Tuyf-RLb6XH8OHGCkMHT2vK9S99Znmdbn93kT8alMdcNpLuTe5J_5QedmJQoUauOZd_VkjPsXvIaJwa1V5coqqbBoFsPlgsxH4zhBZ0JsslAI-mp8/s1600/0911_boston-memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbrM4EgrWfjlM_RyyI3-Tuyf-RLb6XH8OHGCkMHT2vK9S99Znmdbn93kT8alMdcNpLuTe5J_5QedmJQoUauOZd_VkjPsXvIaJwa1V5coqqbBoFsPlgsxH4zhBZ0JsslAI-mp8/s320/0911_boston-memorial.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wbur.org/2012/09/11/sept-11-boston-anniversary"><i>via</i></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another marker is September 11, 2001. It is a date that our country will never forget (though we may not always recognize it), and that brought much pain and sadness to so many. Today,I realized that for me, it was a probably a catalyst for so many things that would occur in the following 12 months.<br />
<br />
The morning of 9/11, I was mid flight on my first solo business trip, when the first plane hit the tower.<br />
<br />
My flight was grounded at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, GA. We didn't know why we landed, our pilot only said there a was an issue. I didn't have a cell phone (my how times have changed!), and paid someone on the flight to call and check in at work. While I was on the phone, we found out what had happened.<br />
<br />
Hundreds of flights were grounded, ours wasn't anything special. When we were finally able to get off the plane, we couldn't get our luggage. No one could.<br />
<br />
The lines to rent cars were crazy long, but it didn't matter. All of the cars were rented within the first half hour. You couldn't even rent a U-Haul truck. Everything was rented.<br />
<br />
I ended up staying in Atlanta for 4 or 5 days - I can't even remember how long. <br />
<br />
I was able to check into a hotel room, and my sister (and her then husband) drove to visit me from North Carolina. I met my first niece, for the first time and completely fell in love. I was so grateful that they came to see me.<br />
<br />
In the following year...<br />
<ul>
<li>I was very angry with God (for many, many reasons).</li>
<li>I left the religion I was raised in.</li>
<li>I met my birth mother. </li>
<li>I had a "real" boyfriend.</li>
<li>I got pregnant.</li>
<li>I got laid off. </li>
<li>I moved to Texas. </li>
<li>I made a lot of mistakes. </li>
<li>I placed my son for adoption.</li>
<li>I lost a lot of "friends" due to the adoption. </li>
</ul>
So many things happened after that terrible day. I think they probably would have happened anyway, but I will always mark them by my event date of 9/11.<br />
<br />
Many things have occured in my life, since that day, which gives me much, much happier date markers. But, I can't help but reminisce and remember who and where I was on that terrible day. <br />
<img align="right" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/princessdallas/PostDivider2.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Heather Aleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00830185588772632040noreply@blogger.com2