tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72894522318279483842024-02-18T22:17:29.944-08:00 Consider The Lillies my view along life's wayconsiderthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.comBlogger457125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-41822015742581796852014-05-13T16:40:00.001-07:002014-05-13T16:40:20.090-07:00How to:Fresh Flower Crown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think the idea of a fresh flower crown is so clever and beautiful. Perfect for a little girl or teen but also as a bridesmaid or prom accessory. My great niece made herself an adorable crown using the simplest clover blossom, but the sky is the limit!</div>
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https://blog.etsy.com/en/2014/how-tuesday-fresh-flower-crown/<a href="https://blog.etsy.com/en/2014/how-tuesday-fresh-flower-crown/">https://blog.etsy.com/en/2014/how-tuesday-fresh-flower-crown/</a><img alt="Etsy.com handmade and vintage goods" class="main" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_header1.jpg" /><br />
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Photo by <span class="profile"><a href="http://blog.amandathomsen.com/" target="_blank">Amanda Thomsen</a></span></div>
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<img alt="HouseThatLarsBuilt" class="avatar photo avatar-default" height="75" src="https://img2.etsystatic.com/iusa_75x75.7065098.jpg" width="75" /> <div class="store-by">
Story by <a class="profile" href="https://blog.etsy.com/en/authors/housethatlarsbuilt/">Brittany Watson Jepsen</a> </div>
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Published on <span class="posted">Apr 22, 2014</span> in <a class="category" href="https://blog.etsy.com/en/category/make/">Make</a> </div>
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<a href="https://blog.etsy.com/en/authors/housethatlarsbuilt/">
<img alt="housethatlarsbuilt" class="author-photo" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2012/09/ap_brittany.jpg" />
</a><br />
Floral crowns are sure having their moment of glory these days. The
trend pops into fashion every now and again, but some of the most
inspiring versions are those from the Pre-Raphaelites.<br />
I spotted <em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Alma_Tadema_Spring.jpg" target="_blank">Spring </a></em>by
Lawrence Alma-Tadema (look closely!) last year while at the Getty
Museum in Los Angeles, and ever since I’ve been wanting to make my own
version. I finally sat down and experimented with some lovely flowers
and wish I had an excuse to wear it around town. The beauty of working
with real flowers is that you don’t need any materials other than the
flowers.<br />
So, let’s go!<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211865" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_materials-570" class="size-full wp-image-211865" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_materials-5701.jpg" width="570" /></div>
<strong>You will need:</strong><br />
Flowers of your choice and clippers. The pliable flowers are best to
work with for the base of the crown. Try bending the stem first to make
sure it doesn’t crack. If it does, consider trying something else. For
this floral crown, I used black dahlias, tidsel (the greenery for the
base), astilbe (the pink), craspedia (the yellow balls), and virburnum
berries (the turquoise and purple).<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211866" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_001" class="size-full wp-image-211866" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_001.jpg" width="570" /></div>
Cut and line up the first round of flowers for the base of your
crown. Ideally, the stems should be 5-9″ long each. You can cut them
down but it’s harder to work with shorter stems. I suggest using
greenery first and then adding the colors into it.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211867" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_002" class="size-full wp-image-211867" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_002.jpg" width="570" /></div>
Lay one stem perpendicular on top of another.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211868" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_003" class="size-full wp-image-211868" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_003.jpg" width="570" /></div>
Bend the stem under.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211869" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_004" class="size-full wp-image-211869" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_004.jpg" width="570" /></div>
Bring the stem up to the top and then press it down so it lies next to the first.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211870" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_005" class="size-full wp-image-211870" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_005.jpg" width="570" /></div>
While holding the two stems in place with your left hand, place another stem on top and bend it under.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211871" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_006" class="size-full wp-image-211871" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_006.jpg" width="570" /></div>
Bring the stem up again and then place it parallel with the others.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211872" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_007" class="size-full wp-image-211872" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_007.jpg" width="570" /></div>
Repeat the process until it’s the size of the circumference of the
head. I added some different greenery into the middle to create more of a
focal point when it’s worn.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211873" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_008" class="size-full wp-image-211873" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_008.jpg" width="570" /></div>
When you get to the end, wrap the last stem tightly around the others
to secure them in place, making sure that it doesn’t break.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211874" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_009" class="size-full wp-image-211874" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_009.jpg" width="570" /></div>
To finish off the circle, weave the last stems into the beginning of the crown by tucking them in.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211875" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_010" class="size-full wp-image-211875 " height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_010.jpg" width="570" /></div>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211877" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_010a" class="size-full wp-image-211877 " height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_010a.jpg" width="570" /></div>
Now you can start adding in other flowers. I added longer pieces first so that the shorter flowers can be seen at the end.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211876" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_011" class="size-full wp-image-211876 " height="800" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_011.jpg" width="570" /></div>
Place your show-stopper flowers evenly around the crown. I used black dahlias as my main piece.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211882" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_LAST1-570" class="size-full wp-image-211882" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_LAST1-570.jpg" width="570" /></div>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211883" style="width: 580px;">
<a href="http://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_LAST002-570.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-211883"><img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_LAST002-570" class="size-full wp-image-211883" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_LAST002-570.jpg" width="570" /></a></div>
<strong>Finishing touches:</strong> Continue adding in your flowers evenly around the crown. I added in berries at the end for some exclamation marks.<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_211884" style="width: 580px;">
<img alt="etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_LAST003-570" class="size-full wp-image-211884" height="400" src="https://blog.etsy.com/en/files/2014/04/etsyweddings_handmadeweddings_diy_howto_floralcrown_housethatlarsbuilt_LAST003-570.jpg" width="570" /></div>
There are several different versions to a floral crown. You can
switch off flowers for the base of the crown instead of adding the
flowers in at the end, or you can keep it simple and just use one
variety. After completing one, you’ll want to turn every flower you see
into a crown. Good luck!<br />
<em>Photography by <a href="http://www.thehousethatlarsbuilt.com/" target="_blank">Brittany Watson Jepsen</a> and <a href="http://blog.amandathomsen.com/" target="_blank">Amanda Thomsen</a>.</em><br />
<em>Brittany Watson Jepsen is a designer and crafter. Her motto is
"a creative mess is better than tidy idleness." Find her on her blog, <a href="http://thehousethatlarsbuilt.blogspot.com/">The House That Lars Built</a>, and her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/HouseThatLarsBuilt">Etsy shop</a>, where she designs and sells kitchen accessories and all things floral.</em><br />
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considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-35951644625131356752012-10-31T18:57:00.001-07:002012-10-31T18:57:58.787-07:00Narnia part two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJDqMEL8q1X6nvBR_7J21afY8vx6ohqxnnIgPAizogUHJ7uiDxWz1lQnXDzZmF8X3lg5JGlRViW-1J4E8itXdwC_ySAA6WtYF9Bvi57NVwtTeBANoFfsWwEs_bc9G6OUdwroGlAzDoB0/s1600/374079_4453158299116_1558434653_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJDqMEL8q1X6nvBR_7J21afY8vx6ohqxnnIgPAizogUHJ7uiDxWz1lQnXDzZmF8X3lg5JGlRViW-1J4E8itXdwC_ySAA6WtYF9Bvi57NVwtTeBANoFfsWwEs_bc9G6OUdwroGlAzDoB0/s320/374079_4453158299116_1558434653_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Last spring me and my family went to Gatlinburg Tennessee for a long weekend and even though it was the end of April we were pleasantly surprised by snow at the top of Clingman's Dome. Yes it looked like Narnia. Well this past weekend we returned there wanting to see the Smokies in Fall array and went for another drive towards the higher elevation . This is what we saw! Snow beautiful, Christmassy, fluffy, white snow!<br />
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So, what are the odds of this happening to us again?? We were ecstatic! This is me and my awesome snowball makin husband!</div>
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The day we arrived it was chilly and Fallish, leaves twirling downward in the wind. Apple dumplings at the Apple Barn started our mini vacation with a bang. Me and my daughter Christina in front of a stream across from the "Apple Barn"<br />
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Two days later, THIS! This is me and my daughter Jenny.</div>
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At lower elevations it was still Fall! My son in law Suj and Kavi outside "Santa's Claus-et" </div>
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This is after we descended from Narnia back to the land of Autumn!</div>
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The cabin we all shared had a wood burning fireplace that made the stay especially cozy and made up for the concave mattress in me and Ray's room, the poop-like aroma in my daughter Christina's room and the scary, scary twisty and steep road up to it!<br />
<br />
Seriously though Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge and the Smoky Mountains national Park is my favorite place to go! If you haven't been there go there! Gather a bunch of family to chip in and get a cabin!! You will love it!considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-67975212804259509572012-10-15T09:06:00.001-07:002012-10-15T09:06:28.047-07:00The Waltons are Hip...they really are!This
past Fall I had a bad cold and stayed in bed one day watching a Waltons
Marathon. I watched this series when it first was on in the early or
mid 70s and loved it and I loved it even more this time around. First
of all, if you are even remotely in to etsy, pinterest or blogworld, and
the handcrafted, DIY movement, you will notice upon tuning in to the
show, that it could very easily fit into this artsy time we live in. <br />They
made the most delicious pies, cakes and well, everything from scratch.
Hello!! Pies are very hip now along with all yummy hand baked from
scratch anythings. <br />Simple rustic yet homey decor. Very in .
Drinking ice tea from mason jars!!! Using mason jars with wild flowers
in them to decorate the really cool canvas tent they put behind the
house for Grandpa to sleep in so he would be able to see Walton's
mountain and recover from his serious illness?? It worked, Grandpa made
it! Looked like a blogger wedding site!<br />John and Livvy's 25th
wedding anniversary where they drove to a town nearby to get
professional photos taken, all the while the youngins were secretly
planning a surprise party for them, saving paper bags for luminaries,
and foil gum wrappers to make shiny table decorations and John making a
gazebo to surprise Livvy on the mountain!!<br /> Jason being in a
bluegrass band playing in barns with hay to sit on and lights strung for
decoration?? Church picnics with colorful pennant garland and PIES and
home made canned goods! Yep, and when the kids grew a little older, the
girls in their simple cotton 40s dresses, the boys looking very hipster
in their vests with oxford shirts and ties, caps and suspenders.<br />Who knew they would be all the rage three decades later than when they were filmed?<br />
I didn't know, but now I do. Next time you are going through the
channels and you see this show, tune in. You may just get inspiration
to do something creative or artsy!
<br />
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considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-8972914039637917402012-09-04T19:22:00.005-07:002012-09-04T19:22:59.898-07:00September Calendar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRGzhCk92U5LP9jsoVjSOdncdzcybkV2uEso5fAK07xm5vkpNZNxEZHhR8LVmaKWRFH4FBncFz0303UcblGsnmu3a4JsXmTU-MN090mOFDYTMcmP0R5uzGRyC-9iECTrWfh-G-AQuvwQ/s1600/September-1920x1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRGzhCk92U5LP9jsoVjSOdncdzcybkV2uEso5fAK07xm5vkpNZNxEZHhR8LVmaKWRFH4FBncFz0303UcblGsnmu3a4JsXmTU-MN090mOFDYTMcmP0R5uzGRyC-9iECTrWfh-G-AQuvwQ/s320/September-1920x1200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
here's a<a href="http://shopruche.com/wallpapers.html"><span style="color: red;"><b> link</b></span></a> to a September calendar wallpaper for your computer from<a href="http://shopruche.com/wallpapers.html"> <span style="color: red;"><b>Ruche.com!</b></span></a>considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-65452732910093527582012-08-02T09:19:00.001-07:002012-08-02T09:19:17.401-07:00Free August desktop calendarHappy August everyone! Or should I say, Happy one month until temperatures begin to drop in the sweltering South!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVglVuIxfdf6iq9UI7PNffwUU_ZX6ctbUyrjFmBDGfB9NH5wao_dae38h7vD9pKb_-_u1hSToQqfpBel41c31qf-GPqprNk0tvToEHpNZO8u2fsWg7j4FWZyQs7P7UsSB4eCp-hPIXCzA/s1600/August+desktop+calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVglVuIxfdf6iq9UI7PNffwUU_ZX6ctbUyrjFmBDGfB9NH5wao_dae38h7vD9pKb_-_u1hSToQqfpBel41c31qf-GPqprNk0tvToEHpNZO8u2fsWg7j4FWZyQs7P7UsSB4eCp-hPIXCzA/s320/August+desktop+calendar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/2012/08/august-is-here.html">Click on this link for a free downloadable desktop August calendar!</a></div>considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-59026738891260899602012-06-11T20:31:00.000-07:002012-06-11T20:35:37.826-07:00there were hundreds of them...HUNDREDS OF THEM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNM_CvVQnOxPw9AlnEHWtpsv7bI7nXearQXd1I6onn8BXzOgaB8yTIYcYKpq9utk4HZcGtVeKG6MM6PvRrxFzraSpzuqZQrRZHtVNS6cJfPnO_aqHjEMkgNbpRqY_rmnJhlQ58zT8fFtY/s1600/lanterns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNM_CvVQnOxPw9AlnEHWtpsv7bI7nXearQXd1I6onn8BXzOgaB8yTIYcYKpq9utk4HZcGtVeKG6MM6PvRrxFzraSpzuqZQrRZHtVNS6cJfPnO_aqHjEMkgNbpRqY_rmnJhlQ58zT8fFtY/s320/lanterns.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
A few weeks ago I was standing on my front porch after coming home from a friends house, looking for the stray cat and kittens that we had been feeding. It was dark out and I heard a neighbor down the street shouting something at me. When I walked towards her , I heard her saying in a rather panic-ey voice, "do you see them?? There are hundreds of them, HUNDREDS of them and they are FREAKING me out?" I asked, " see what? ", to which she replied, "THE ORANGE LIGHTS! COME HERE, COME HERE!"<br />
Well, I calmly walked down to her as she was pointing to the east of our street and yes, freaking out about the lights in the sky. At first, I didn't see a thing, then three little orange glowing lights drifted over the trees. "Hmmm," I said,"What on earth can that be?" "Maybe satellites?" "NO THEY ARE NOT SATELLITES! She was quite annoyed at my calm demeanor. "Maybe weather balloons?" "NO THEY ARE NOT weather balloons!<br />
When several more filled they sky, I was really wondering what the heck they were, but I didn't think that they were aliens attacking earth, like my eccentric neighbor seemed to think. I mean, as far as I know, people keep track of what's flying around in US airspace, so the end of the world was not on my mind!<br />
I called my son in law down who was now standing on our porch and he was offering some thoughts on what they could be, while "Belinda" as I shall call her was repeatedly saying, "IT'S FREAKING ME OUT, FREAKING ME OUT!" My cell phone rings and my daughter Jenny (real name because she is not a coo coo nut) called to say that she saw the lights and that they were probably wedding lanterns set off from a wedding downtown. Well, "Belinda" was super relieved to hear a theory she could get behind but seemed to think my son in law solved the mystery and called him a genius. (which he really is actually)<br />
So my daughters and Rachel stroll down towards where we are standing and "Belinda" tells them, "oh your Mom was just sooo cool about everything, just taking her sweet time coming down the street while I was yelling for her to hurry up, looking at the lights and saying, aren't they pretty (said like a stoned valley girl) maybe they're balloons...just like a hippie on LSD or something"<br />
Ummm, I never said anything like that. I was just not heading for my bunker. She said she thought that it was going to be the end of the world and that she was chosen to warn everyone else. Thank goodness they were just wedding lanterns!<br />
So...now she mocks me for being a hippie space out! You need to know me a lot better to mock me, and even my closest family and friends don't do that! She was outside my house the other day, walking her dogs and talking to my husband and Jenny when I parked in front of our house. I overcompensated when I parked because of where she was standing and I could see her say something to them. I later found out that she said "OH...baby needs help"<br />
We all just laugh about how now I am the eccentric hippie to this lady and she is the eccentric freaker outer to me.<br />
Oh the joys of South 10th. I swear they could do a reality show on some of the characters living here. <br />
<br />
<br />considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-11841776082463116392012-05-24T11:10:00.001-07:002012-05-24T11:11:11.750-07:00paper bags and coffee grounds...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu7GUesv4lqZcFp8qLXzOL9ZHL6eS0jzDaCiEAaB-qtGVcJc8lGheK2jXftQ-2RzZBlflfubqBvB-p7un3O6zLntKQEf9gA7lH0ybAn-G1ZyOFeotvZON0-0hIelPnq-g_1iXPTp-YMY/s1600/popcorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu7GUesv4lqZcFp8qLXzOL9ZHL6eS0jzDaCiEAaB-qtGVcJc8lGheK2jXftQ-2RzZBlflfubqBvB-p7un3O6zLntKQEf9gA7lH0ybAn-G1ZyOFeotvZON0-0hIelPnq-g_1iXPTp-YMY/s320/popcorn.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
I figured it was high time I shared my new popcorn way of life with all of you! I have learned many things from pinterest, including this way complicated recipe for brown bag popcorn. Just kidding, it is the simplest thing ever. You may never buy pre packaged microwave popcorn again. I haven't in months.<br />
This is what you need:<br />
brown paper sandwich bags<br />
popcorn kernels (I have preferred Amish Popcorn or Orville Redenbacher)<br />
whatever you want to put on it when done (I melt extra virgin coconut oil and add pink salt)<br />
<br />
Everyone's microwave is different, so you may need to tweak the time for popping<br />
<br />
*place 1/4 cup of kernels in a brown paper sandwich bag, fold top over two or three times or fasten with scotch tape<br />
*microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes or stop when the kernels stop popping<br />
*pour finished corn in a bowl and add melted butter or cocnut oil or whatever you want and season with salt<br />
<br />
It's that easy! No unnecessary fats like in the prepackaged and much cheaper! You gotta try this! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXb3UhzXb9m-_MQbAuvEXqRqyCE_j9hFA_YdFNERwXJo_lMZ0PYl5GM9RrFgJ8ieXhzEvcOaGFST0CEajjUZq6AZQkKGK0nzX2h8NmlZBQn-u-gmIA-Zc6MwiBVUjhTTFspFo7Wy4HFhk/s1600/coldbrew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXb3UhzXb9m-_MQbAuvEXqRqyCE_j9hFA_YdFNERwXJo_lMZ0PYl5GM9RrFgJ8ieXhzEvcOaGFST0CEajjUZq6AZQkKGK0nzX2h8NmlZBQn-u-gmIA-Zc6MwiBVUjhTTFspFo7Wy4HFhk/s320/coldbrew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I have also read on pinterest about cold brewing coffee for iced coffee. I love iced coffee, especially as the temperatures climb. This method also is purported to reduce the acidity of the coffee brewed this way. So actually, I am just trying this for the first time, I will let you know how it goes.<br />
Here is a link to <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/06/perfect-iced-coffee/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+pwcooks+%28The+Pioneer+Woman+Cooks%21%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">The Pioneer Woman's Recipe.</a><br />
I made a smaller batch by putting about 8 0z ground coffee in a half gallon container in my fridge and filling the rest of the pitcher with cold water. After 8 hours in the fridge, strain the mixture into a new container using a strainer and cheesecloth (I will try a coffee filter in my strainer). Closed tightly this is supposed to last for up to a month refrigerated, but I know mine would last less than a week because I would drink it every day! Depending on the concentration, water may be added to your individual glass of coffee, and add creamer and sweetener as desired! Hope mine comes out good! I will let you know!considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-1754588536194785462012-04-25T11:31:00.001-07:002012-04-25T12:45:31.415-07:00my day in Narnia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Q_FjR1uKQEHzhttIwnp0I2KZxKXvI5a1SrhC9bCC2lfFDXJg2gdS-vexHJfvBqioQthAhVHsAAtBiZIUXwPyrNogA-YtUGrSulIcsl_XqMBPawToq1OUyxhz_mAkC35ywNroOg8cOmU/s320/74785_10150842360152502_586772501_11726361_9598878_n.jpg" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the top of <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/clingmansdome.htm">Clingmans Dome</a> in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPnL113-LHLhQmfDIvJi6w9skdPZp4MolkilaSmZEAeUwoEYUoh4ibOdzcm_zItbDYLTgzXuM72XYSkssdMHEGyo5gQewcB_Mk4ZG1mZpzEvFjDGdMKGtvRGQnVHuSphDGDrQ5jp4eq0/s1600/532978_3004555441936_1503876645_32190266_866182180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPnL113-LHLhQmfDIvJi6w9skdPZp4MolkilaSmZEAeUwoEYUoh4ibOdzcm_zItbDYLTgzXuM72XYSkssdMHEGyo5gQewcB_Mk4ZG1mZpzEvFjDGdMKGtvRGQnVHuSphDGDrQ5jp4eq0/s320/532978_3004555441936_1503876645_32190266_866182180_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my grandson made a lil snow man</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqphBLFPXFpZpUGFiAU3ykHAezsKHOJ0Qx2S0cJe76CWydxc6zqSt4xbmf_vp8BS_zCifuqUG1imC5qNKbvuKRuO02eEqnsPt5afRD0mQTR8prqsuOPB1kjtz0UtAJD3-UKB8urMrP3UU/s1600/580488_3004530881322_1503876645_32190251_1512692942_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqphBLFPXFpZpUGFiAU3ykHAezsKHOJ0Qx2S0cJe76CWydxc6zqSt4xbmf_vp8BS_zCifuqUG1imC5qNKbvuKRuO02eEqnsPt5afRD0mQTR8prqsuOPB1kjtz0UtAJD3-UKB8urMrP3UU/s320/580488_3004530881322_1503876645_32190251_1512692942_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">entering Narnia</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufB3eLcNgVbKGvBUbhHErUg80Pd2x6WZoU3upcWlMT7x4YBYs_qZgdyy-cAZzI-D-RJVIOJMiEZdzxXS7EiWqhujl_HuMbAlRQQ5KXqMSj5rIpCN8C2VIeM_Zjf8IevpPPNBPR58YkhI/s1600/71742755.u155K6ex.SMNP_102406_0969_crop_Master.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufB3eLcNgVbKGvBUbhHErUg80Pd2x6WZoU3upcWlMT7x4YBYs_qZgdyy-cAZzI-D-RJVIOJMiEZdzxXS7EiWqhujl_HuMbAlRQQ5KXqMSj5rIpCN8C2VIeM_Zjf8IevpPPNBPR58YkhI/s320/71742755.u155K6ex.SMNP_102406_0969_crop_Master.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVu6E4uCjMECeAJV_lCvHVxQFMiH3nl28kzhXpyEHsBBomjZaPi66ivWJlSEIVip9Lfsr_YAti-ojb0l_LmKJ5QVdO03vHowhFrA5WIdsTqLWFXV7sux-JTqz1UDTXcMvn2yynR8qc8_8/s1600/292257_3511295833143_1594308420_2751178_464787733_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVu6E4uCjMECeAJV_lCvHVxQFMiH3nl28kzhXpyEHsBBomjZaPi66ivWJlSEIVip9Lfsr_YAti-ojb0l_LmKJ5QVdO03vHowhFrA5WIdsTqLWFXV7sux-JTqz1UDTXcMvn2yynR8qc8_8/s320/292257_3511295833143_1594308420_2751178_464787733_n.jpg" width="320" /> </a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apple dumpling from the <a href="http://www.applebarncidermill.com/">Apple Barn in Sevierville..</a>.go there ASAP</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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This past weekend was one of the most amazing weekends of my life. Since my oldest daughter Christina and her husband Suj, and our grandson Kavi moved to this area, we have looked forward to taking a family vacation together. Before their move here,we dedicated our trips to and from Florida to see them so it had been a while since we went somewhere different for fun. First thought from Suj and Stina was a trip to NYC, where my girls were born and where I grew up, but that had to be put on the way in the back burner because of the cost involved. Then, Stina and Suj thought of a Gatlinburg trip and we were all in on this idea as it is only a 4 hour drive away.<br />
My dream came true of staying in a cozy cabin in the mountains with a view and with us all chipping in, it didn't cost any more than a motel room. We stayed at the Bear Tracks cabin in Mountain View Cabin Resort which Stina found on <a href="http://cabinsforyou.com/">cabinsforyou.com</a>. Go there. Get your family together,and go there. Really, I am not kidding. When we arrived at the cabin, Jenny (youngest daughter) and Stina went in before me and all I heard was squeals of delight. I rushed in to see what was what and immediately joined the screaming and dancing around the dining room because it was even nicer than the online pictures. High ceilings, fireplace, big dining room table, cozy log cabin innards, TWO decks overlooking the mountains, one with rocking chairs, one with table and chairs and jacuzzi.<br />
Needless to say, we were happy campers! <br />
We visited some friends who coincidentally were staying nearby, at the Apple Barn in Sevierville, a place we went to when we vacationed there when the kids were youngins. Delicious apple dumplings, muffins filled with apple butter, donuts, PIE! When you go to this area...GO THERE! You won't be sorry.<br />
The next day we were wondering what to do and Suj really badly wanted to go to the top of a tall mountain, so we rode the Smokey Mountain parkway through the park which has stop offs of gorgeous views and we headed towards <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/clingmansdome.htm">Clingmans Dome</a>, the highest point in the park. It had actually snowed the night before at the high elevations which we could see in the distance from our back deck. Of course, it never occurred to us that we would see snow at<a href="http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/clingmansdome.htm"> Clingmans Dome</a>, but the closer we got to it, the more magical it became. As if we stepped through CS Lewis' wardrobe in the Chronicles of Narnia. This was the end of APRIL and there was snow covered trees that looked like a huge spray gun had perfectly and artfully placed the frosty magic on them. Dandelions poked through the icy snow showing the contrast of spring and winter.<br />
I thought that I must be in heaven, but, no, my hands were freezing off and I knew that there was no pain in heaven. It was surreal. Awesome and surreal, and I will never forget the beauty that I saw that day. Kavi made a mini snow man, we took about a million pictures, we laughed , smiled till our jaws hurt and danced a little jig, thanking the Lord for giving us this special gift and leading us there at the perfect time. It was only so beautiful on that very day. No snow the day before and mostly melted the next day.<br />
Narnia. Never forget Narnia.considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-12850636539153584112012-04-18T07:26:00.001-07:002012-04-18T07:26:27.758-07:0011 (fairly) Easy D.I.Y ideas from diary of a mod housewife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIXk2VbvkkvseZMaAzuJR2_VYcCnsIQOrLdVrz-IT1XoUZKlvvEbUNpaMfF4zIm0r-y22r8bFipVx0fAk-wkBiuRV9k-k1JlTEBcSb8q9cGi02_8PDxVUEKOQYTxfdV-uryUK5dhSBA/s640/lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIXk2VbvkkvseZMaAzuJR2_VYcCnsIQOrLdVrz-IT1XoUZKlvvEbUNpaMfF4zIm0r-y22r8bFipVx0fAk-wkBiuRV9k-k1JlTEBcSb8q9cGi02_8PDxVUEKOQYTxfdV-uryUK5dhSBA/s320/lamp.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78W7AyzXDaMuORmOh-dNwz0uqzrQWKKLAHVkf5xfvlqys_DVtnouHsrQjS6nFoILubSRW-W3ImjfvE1mdhyphenhyphenzdtA7m5pQSHxpDdxhAJW0WAUT0cHLDx-_75pFUrNX05kqiGIgX4HWFcA/s640/pillow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78W7AyzXDaMuORmOh-dNwz0uqzrQWKKLAHVkf5xfvlqys_DVtnouHsrQjS6nFoILubSRW-W3ImjfvE1mdhyphenhyphenzdtA7m5pQSHxpDdxhAJW0WAUT0cHLDx-_75pFUrNX05kqiGIgX4HWFcA/s320/pillow3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://diaryofamodhousewife.blogspot.com/2012/04/11-fairly-easy-diy.html#.T47OQbxGZwU.blogger"> 11 (fairly) Easy D.I.Y ideas</a><br />
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Click on the link above for some awesome and easy DIYS!considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-91077382394669549812012-04-09T00:00:00.000-07:002012-04-09T11:16:08.618-07:00a hairy subject<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been growing out my hair since last year because I want to be able to try styles like the pictures above. A side ponytail, side bun, side braid! I see a side trend going on here, huh? The whole braided thing would be so fun to sport on my head. I am getting there, just have a few more inches to go! <br />
Here's to happy hair days!considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-36176522548941463902012-04-07T09:08:00.007-07:002012-04-07T10:00:41.808-07:00shoe shop till ya drop<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQnWN_-4Ad4Ki7XBjCfUUHEd8BfbACtBG0Zzd40pWZXHOdUdw4GR0USy7F8Af57chSpXIHQInyCqZJ0R-QVQNpp39mNBodG9MC5NaWK72KNyBGPb7_ic54-ZhtPmyOV1Uufkj0vv4Vk8/s1600/Women-Black-and-Black-Patricia-II-_11661_060_ALT100.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQnWN_-4Ad4Ki7XBjCfUUHEd8BfbACtBG0Zzd40pWZXHOdUdw4GR0USy7F8Af57chSpXIHQInyCqZJ0R-QVQNpp39mNBodG9MC5NaWK72KNyBGPb7_ic54-ZhtPmyOV1Uufkj0vv4Vk8/s400/Women-Black-and-Black-Patricia-II-_11661_060_ALT100.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728701288744348610" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Patricia by Crocs<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0cYRl6CyFK7Idfzw6qSSFp2EyXuFRsxK1QD_OBxvow9AonDXa4ydJtluCrsLPrOSDn8j5Gxyjwf8Am-igsvX0jzz2NOGJJJdqUwd9uP7fXcQLpbIM6ysOJYY3PLOeSgYl_hh7_IoZD0/s1600/Belk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 338px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0cYRl6CyFK7Idfzw6qSSFp2EyXuFRsxK1QD_OBxvow9AonDXa4ydJtluCrsLPrOSDn8j5Gxyjwf8Am-igsvX0jzz2NOGJJJdqUwd9uP7fXcQLpbIM6ysOJYY3PLOeSgYl_hh7_IoZD0/s400/Belk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728700963920480866" border="0" /></a>KORKS Brenda Sandal<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tHhOVKaHhfo3cUbH5inLxgn_fxmsfdfxUoQlcEhE1FpALyTl7T-d7wGYK9orscc2ZAxYasV0opq9_KTgqHSNz2019BHMFhM6LqF12BLqFCGX9xNMJuSbelknVxJhcoWHLjBgh8Ylb2U/s1600/Women-Khaki-and-Espresso-Crocs-Carlie-Flat-_11277_23G_ALT110.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tHhOVKaHhfo3cUbH5inLxgn_fxmsfdfxUoQlcEhE1FpALyTl7T-d7wGYK9orscc2ZAxYasV0opq9_KTgqHSNz2019BHMFhM6LqF12BLqFCGX9xNMJuSbelknVxJhcoWHLjBgh8Ylb2U/s400/Women-Khaki-and-Espresso-Crocs-Carlie-Flat-_11277_23G_ALT110.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728692851785202018" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Carlie Flat by Crocs<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tHhOVKaHhfo3cUbH5inLxgn_fxmsfdfxUoQlcEhE1FpALyTl7T-d7wGYK9orscc2ZAxYasV0opq9_KTgqHSNz2019BHMFhM6LqF12BLqFCGX9xNMJuSbelknVxJhcoWHLjBgh8Ylb2U/s1600/Women-Khaki-and-Espresso-Crocs-Carlie-Flat-_11277_23G_ALT110.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDu9m_i7nOJQUFdQkSQ3BY07xXufZz6pBM8TXF7VlNr4hxR18MJcW6d6EDICH4jVUeXEfJAI-iu6fgrea2iKe1FAy1DqimSaqRwzcjt9o7sgUur_OaYRpjdUAU6Nl_Oy0QOVz-iMgB3Q/s1600/mosaicshoes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 362px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDu9m_i7nOJQUFdQkSQ3BY07xXufZz6pBM8TXF7VlNr4hxR18MJcW6d6EDICH4jVUeXEfJAI-iu6fgrea2iKe1FAy1DqimSaqRwzcjt9o7sgUur_OaYRpjdUAU6Nl_Oy0QOVz-iMgB3Q/s400/mosaicshoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728692603463522514" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mosaic Sandal by White Mountain<br /><br /></div>Every change of season, it seems that I go through a "gotta find comfortable shoes for (insert spring, summer, winter or fall here)" . Sounds simple enough, but man, it couldn't be more complicated. You see I want comfort AND style which seems to be the odd couple of shoes. I don't want to look orthopedic you know, I just have foot issues and need something more than a flat, thin sole, I need arch support, but I am not at the "I don't care what my feet look like " stage in life. Granted, I am not that far away from that stage, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do until then!<br />So last weekend, Jenny, Rachel and I drove 60 miles to a nice mall in Birmingham. Christina opted out of this venture as she dislikes marathon shopping trips, which shoe shopping can certainly be. We looked at all the department and shoe stores in the mall with nothing to show for it, so we went to the DSW outside the mall. We were there right up to closing, battling with styles and prices. Let's face it, comfort and well made are no longer 25 dollars or less. So...we left DSW with NOTHING! None of us. Nada, zilch, zip! Jenny really loved a pair of wedges that were actually comfortable but expensive, and I had the same dilemma, a few pair I liked...but oh the price....I am sooo cheap.<br />The next day we went to our local Mall, which has limited choices, but oh well, what did we have to lose? Lo and behold, the Belks there had the same shoes Jenny tortured herself over with different wedge height choices for less than at DSW! AND,and a similar pair of the shoes I was interested in were there also for 20 dollars cheaper! So we each got some nice and comfy shoes right in our own backyard!<br />I bought some crocs that weren't hideous! No hot pink or orange clogs for me, no sir! The peep toe flats I got are very comfortable and easy slip ons, which some days are all I want on my feet! My second pair is the Mosaic sandal by White Mountain. Even though there is a little heel, the arch support and memory foam make them feel wonderful on my feet!<br />I may be hooked now, on better made shoes. I would seriously be willing to toss away all the cheapo shoes in my closet for a few shoes that didn't make me limp after 20 minutes .<br />Rachel also got a cute pair of crocs and Jenny got wedges by Kork Ease that she can wear all day at work without pain. (she is on her feet most of her day)<br />So....hope you can find some shoes to give you happy feet! They may be right in your own backyard!considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-18152896701786792512012-03-25T10:11:00.011-07:002012-03-25T10:38:07.158-07:00Hot Air Ballon Baby Shower<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWaBMBIQcMIAczc0fMCMKt7YVjRPI7D0vs50q6AVIBBeykUpYacjFNJFMBbB0cYsFtVw2L_kjJxiF_gEFYC-Sa4eO6v9058eur0vaxk7Z8ERz7D4GMU9unIX6tdjTMjQfurwkuUXB4nk/s1600/SANY0114-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWaBMBIQcMIAczc0fMCMKt7YVjRPI7D0vs50q6AVIBBeykUpYacjFNJFMBbB0cYsFtVw2L_kjJxiF_gEFYC-Sa4eO6v9058eur0vaxk7Z8ERz7D4GMU9unIX6tdjTMjQfurwkuUXB4nk/s400/SANY0114-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723886331174594418" border="0" /></a>To celebrate a long time friend of my daughter's baby coming soon, me and the girls collaborated with Cindy's mom Nancy to throw a Hot Air Balloon Themed baby shower. My daughter Jenny thought of the theme, so we did the decorations and provided our house for it, while Nancy did all the cookies and sweet treats and most of the food. Christina (my other awesome kid) and a few other friends also brought some delicious shower foods.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Cg0urRA93EXTnXHpNdMWodAxkE-ZkK-liSFW83gIAaEeHJSge5mHksotPUS9m3RVov9Hu8fVdP7AfjWHkA3FXl0LpkaRuhwJAnDAdQsJMiF6FRm25ep9giHz4uKs17OnU_dHge5M9EE/s1600/SANY0116-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Cg0urRA93EXTnXHpNdMWodAxkE-ZkK-liSFW83gIAaEeHJSge5mHksotPUS9m3RVov9Hu8fVdP7AfjWHkA3FXl0LpkaRuhwJAnDAdQsJMiF6FRm25ep9giHz4uKs17OnU_dHge5M9EE/s400/SANY0116-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723886117558213010" border="0" /></a>The Balloons are made from paper lanterns, crepe paper streamers and little baskets. Easy to make and so fun looking!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRriG6U_gIonYOutHUaxE2SEcXf3PPLwQoonXdYVRG1lOee43Jc4iwkI5OWuiqlC1rG-Jp15GLKcITjsaJW84gwxXPwPhNdxWHe5OQovZ7iJvkL7w9MMl3VW0ytBUvoeL3rNRL_NBX5wU/s1600/SANY0117-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRriG6U_gIonYOutHUaxE2SEcXf3PPLwQoonXdYVRG1lOee43Jc4iwkI5OWuiqlC1rG-Jp15GLKcITjsaJW84gwxXPwPhNdxWHe5OQovZ7iJvkL7w9MMl3VW0ytBUvoeL3rNRL_NBX5wU/s400/SANY0117-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723885775352833746" border="0" /></a>Nancy made these cookie pops and marshmallow flower pops. Perfect for a spring shower, don't you think?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPJ24Gab2z5_9Jj1EGhKqk_s7qJmznX2n6811w5edjlBfXNwlGLzLD6dz8Vt9R70poPZCnu2GC3dQbt8qjco2FPqIIiOvAZdIeCGxO058-t45f1C47R_XinjGUeI8x9aFo-ZKzYGTMEA/s1600/SANY0118-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPJ24Gab2z5_9Jj1EGhKqk_s7qJmznX2n6811w5edjlBfXNwlGLzLD6dz8Vt9R70poPZCnu2GC3dQbt8qjco2FPqIIiOvAZdIeCGxO058-t45f1C47R_XinjGUeI8x9aFo-ZKzYGTMEA/s400/SANY0118-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723885480854341778" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2lbhjhNXSG3frRP9da98yZB2a0YrXHXMc3Bk8RSi1ByTNIctFLZl9EZ37II_Kdev0i-GFJ3twjnqA8mfpspbEm6Xv-cC3pryqTMxy5D42_k6VTJZNyjh1hBMK-3HdgQTgnU-DASCUoI/s1600/SANY0101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2lbhjhNXSG3frRP9da98yZB2a0YrXHXMc3Bk8RSi1ByTNIctFLZl9EZ37II_Kdev0i-GFJ3twjnqA8mfpspbEm6Xv-cC3pryqTMxy5D42_k6VTJZNyjh1hBMK-3HdgQTgnU-DASCUoI/s400/SANY0101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723885237966113938" border="0" /></a>Favors were hot air balloon note cards from Michael' s Crafts with some stick candy from Cracker Barrel displayed on the old crib spring that Angela from Pickles on Pizza gave me last summer!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPDJCeCAQX-WcHpbtnpxHueGXQzNd2uwZZ-K2G_O8JGF71cRZzSdfgRKohjAjQHtPX9kv3ECIOVad3VHZGr5MB_SG89rutixmEn2i7SVevEtbS1CDkZxjkChIBtC9ogCUJ0aOIooHne8/s1600/SANY0100-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPDJCeCAQX-WcHpbtnpxHueGXQzNd2uwZZ-K2G_O8JGF71cRZzSdfgRKohjAjQHtPX9kv3ECIOVad3VHZGr5MB_SG89rutixmEn2i7SVevEtbS1CDkZxjkChIBtC9ogCUJ0aOIooHne8/s400/SANY0100-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723885017338873810" border="0" /></a>Mason jars and paper straws in a vintage suitcase with paper balloon corsages. Two of the corsages had a hot air balloon stamped on the back for prizes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbMhBccA1ZD63XvZ-Ua499mFzXJPshk5UpZws0AgNsBoj3ZeaUjLKIA4P9_RJ0g75JJ8w85ieqT-t_khtmE87usUjwEJNnYxHF4s9syv9UOXtmqq6-VylilXaeLvbBLQJxyjBOsz4_-k/s1600/SANY0095-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbMhBccA1ZD63XvZ-Ua499mFzXJPshk5UpZws0AgNsBoj3ZeaUjLKIA4P9_RJ0g75JJ8w85ieqT-t_khtmE87usUjwEJNnYxHF4s9syv9UOXtmqq6-VylilXaeLvbBLQJxyjBOsz4_-k/s400/SANY0095-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723884805338162482" border="0" /></a>So simple to make but so pretty was the crepe paper fringe made by looping it over twine and securing with a dot of glue stick.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdHCa9jOC-0Fs60I-JNDTMReREGw3I9Er5bFcV6Wgw5zfWQUKCH-d3LmYXPpx5ye3_sBjAo84wieRhowC4tQ4gjald_TUMW7G-o7fi37j5BthmBphE6JN3p2r232ZRGyPLT4i9ChOSOw/s1600/SANY0094-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdHCa9jOC-0Fs60I-JNDTMReREGw3I9Er5bFcV6Wgw5zfWQUKCH-d3LmYXPpx5ye3_sBjAo84wieRhowC4tQ4gjald_TUMW7G-o7fi37j5BthmBphE6JN3p2r232ZRGyPLT4i9ChOSOw/s400/SANY0094-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723884609066374898" border="0" /></a>Also made some on some empty metal planter frames<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPe3G4-3Zu9OKqtZpk4PPbA0hxK-ZKBJ2fc6JlFYF3YL_ROBOg7zjWTQZExFIpOB3Q8wbUQHpp7aFIDD3LL50NP4UdP2uoC_3Sq35bm2ON3WWtFBy5GQzZmZHO9vbVjAhOS0VR-wGifw/s1600/SANY0093-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPe3G4-3Zu9OKqtZpk4PPbA0hxK-ZKBJ2fc6JlFYF3YL_ROBOg7zjWTQZExFIpOB3Q8wbUQHpp7aFIDD3LL50NP4UdP2uoC_3Sq35bm2ON3WWtFBy5GQzZmZHO9vbVjAhOS0VR-wGifw/s400/SANY0093-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723884293711662146" border="0" /></a>Jenny wrapped some crepe paper on our front tree and I stuck some azalea branches on it for more color<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVJRz4NRcAXq2UdhUtBkomlzN8QdBFLZ2rIUbMncXWb49nE2nFZpX25OD_MlZOlbdlDPr1XRVUM4dQY9bT0GKWFkx7bKhcZ46FEJexwMsU2442jW13dSZKtAKVvmxgIQkkWOXETf2Nek/s1600/SANY0089-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVJRz4NRcAXq2UdhUtBkomlzN8QdBFLZ2rIUbMncXWb49nE2nFZpX25OD_MlZOlbdlDPr1XRVUM4dQY9bT0GKWFkx7bKhcZ46FEJexwMsU2442jW13dSZKtAKVvmxgIQkkWOXETf2Nek/s400/SANY0089-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723884057028409538" border="0" /></a>This shower was fun and festive and the food was delicious! <br /></div>considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-84665997575294891082012-03-19T16:20:00.002-07:002012-03-19T16:34:24.476-07:00<a href="http://tammysrecipes.com/files/crystalssisterscookiesban.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 125px;" src="http://tammysrecipes.com/files/crystalssisterscookiesban.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Last week I made these <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://tammysrecipes.com/whole_wheat_chocolate_chip_oatmeal_cookies//">Whole </a><a href="http://tammysrecipes.com/whole_wheat_chocolate_chip_oatmeal_cookies//"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Wheat Oatmeal Peanut Butter cookies,</span> </a>because I was looking for something sweet that actually had some nutritional value. They were really delicious. Really! Everyone in the house loved them.<br />Now tonight I made the same cookies, except I substituted extra virgin coconut oil for the butter. The batter felt wetter, so I baked them a little shorter in case they ended up too crispy. Man. Still so good, but with a hint of coconut flavor which I love anyway. <br />You can read about the health benefits of coconut oil<a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html"> here.</a><br /><br />TRY EM YOU'LL LIKE EM!considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-2034230288872855422012-03-07T12:27:00.003-08:002012-03-07T12:37:47.613-08:00heeee...hawwwww<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW6QCqa-yRQINw7U1Tl1swx6njaftRm5UGKht-W5aPoTxe8rVkG-KrxrN1LSGHoIhAd6_cpxPxcuMx9lcCyAH_wOGhPruq98c7tBwgcTSr0ziPvVTu21UJF8dZUntQ4slK2rrsWVmPPg/s1600/431062_3205253782283_1594308420_2627273_424218708_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGW6QCqa-yRQINw7U1Tl1swx6njaftRm5UGKht-W5aPoTxe8rVkG-KrxrN1LSGHoIhAd6_cpxPxcuMx9lcCyAH_wOGhPruq98c7tBwgcTSr0ziPvVTu21UJF8dZUntQ4slK2rrsWVmPPg/s400/431062_3205253782283_1594308420_2627273_424218708_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717256219758345458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">this is my photo inspiration</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorUjG71OrJpRcoqhQ5C33ISpFGH1w2ZwHnlaEkxkeQo_XlWSTDNalk1U_D_S1rpmuuVDhj8PfyioaDabSKubHLFWeF7QSxseqjk2Ui2BIYxdjwNpxB3ySRmaAQEoZzthS5bLu1dUvoIY/s1600/donkey-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorUjG71OrJpRcoqhQ5C33ISpFGH1w2ZwHnlaEkxkeQo_XlWSTDNalk1U_D_S1rpmuuVDhj8PfyioaDabSKubHLFWeF7QSxseqjk2Ui2BIYxdjwNpxB3ySRmaAQEoZzthS5bLu1dUvoIY/s400/donkey-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717254943580857346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">my rendition of a smiley lookin donkey</span><br /><br /></div>Last Sunday, we went to Oak Mountain State Park about an hour away in Birmingham with my daughter, son in law and grandson, Kavi. Since we had eaten at Flip Burger first, we only had about 15 minutes at the petting zoo barnyard. One of my favorite animals are the donkeys which I think have the cutest, friendliest looking faces. I snapped a bunch of pics with my phone camera, and a few days later used on of them for reference for a painting. It was my first try at doing a whole scene with foreground and background, using watercolors and ink. One of my challenges is knowing when to stop adjusting the picture. But I am having fun experimenting with ink and watercolor and figure that practice will do me good!considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-91214735559326134442012-03-02T19:23:00.006-08:002012-03-02T19:46:35.020-08:00my arti-sh dabblingsA few weeks ago, I was attempting some moose drawings, since I just love moose. They have the kindest looking faces, I think! But then I began to branch out to trying to capture some other of my favorites.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q9e5AzPlQkUND3Hm3Z4PVJpPlFLG6rztvXhOKjmKGnfb-DDR_jHm5ey5kCsszajAR8LCqXdMQFmJOxPMR0017pRp3yKSvKefFLYX6TfgMJGFrTuLMa66yN2Ydg7_FOHfLjiOZ8huaqM/s1600/SANY0085.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q9e5AzPlQkUND3Hm3Z4PVJpPlFLG6rztvXhOKjmKGnfb-DDR_jHm5ey5kCsszajAR8LCqXdMQFmJOxPMR0017pRp3yKSvKefFLYX6TfgMJGFrTuLMa66yN2Ydg7_FOHfLjiOZ8huaqM/s400/SANY0085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715507788563152610" border="0" /></a>I recently saw a NGW channel documentary about beavers. I then realized that I loved beavers. They are amazingly intelligent and as I have said before, if they could speak, they would most definitely have British accents. Indubitably.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YqYowoGvvax71v-NH_gCZpgafDukMYVVNZCMNS0QEnuNDctmKxi0hw3iZ2pHtESz0obWSHLTDr0cG5lydSWYQF_tbD2ukioy8gpKNLZRTsrCqgOb3O5e0IDs3KsT2paHGJL7rGOd2XI/s1600/SANY0083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YqYowoGvvax71v-NH_gCZpgafDukMYVVNZCMNS0QEnuNDctmKxi0hw3iZ2pHtESz0obWSHLTDr0cG5lydSWYQF_tbD2ukioy8gpKNLZRTsrCqgOb3O5e0IDs3KsT2paHGJL7rGOd2XI/s400/SANY0083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715507590440582034" border="0" /></a>Foxes are so darn cute, too. Crafty, agile. Things I would aspire to be. And what a lovely red coat they have. Possibly British accent there too!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLBSHFfrIF36cuU3yqCVnZSfrjYn4sWghNgbq-WIlWJt2cwa2IZLkP-7S9bxAnVEjNkQhD6_sDDMd5zWbiQzHgxdwosycEUrjMhUF7iMugPddtu1KAw10F9loURWoGsrWWtRSrpQGaMg/s1600/SANY0076-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLBSHFfrIF36cuU3yqCVnZSfrjYn4sWghNgbq-WIlWJt2cwa2IZLkP-7S9bxAnVEjNkQhD6_sDDMd5zWbiQzHgxdwosycEUrjMhUF7iMugPddtu1KAw10F9loURWoGsrWWtRSrpQGaMg/s400/SANY0076-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715507266491796162" border="0" /></a>HOT AIR BALLOONS! Especially vintage looking ones. For some reason, I am sooo obsessed with them now. I imagine them floating gracefully over....you guessed it...London ... England!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OWjkcL7i1uD1x-Mhz3zgJqzzw03EK-XXPtmOsK_Hct5_jzqlzRt7K7DNPrHLoBWjKstaGEfVtbEWl4fZ2k5GxF6_HWU1iIY9Y5ExHvmEWOmvbvQ94yMLcF8B1zNdO4xBg_xMiRYtkZk/s1600/SANY0058-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OWjkcL7i1uD1x-Mhz3zgJqzzw03EK-XXPtmOsK_Hct5_jzqlzRt7K7DNPrHLoBWjKstaGEfVtbEWl4fZ2k5GxF6_HWU1iIY9Y5ExHvmEWOmvbvQ94yMLcF8B1zNdO4xBg_xMiRYtkZk/s400/SANY0058-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715506917377286210" border="0" /></a>I made this sketch into a poster after adding text and background effects with picnik online photo editing. I figured I would get some use out of picnik before it closes down. (Booooo hoo to its closing) I then uploaded it to the Walmart online photo center and had it printed as a poster which now hangs over my fireplace.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">**as a footnote, I have been adding the color to the sketches with watercolor pencils and have also tried the watercolor and ink style which I hope to master a lot better. I also enjoy just using basic drawing pencils because of the vintage effect I believe they give a picture.</span>considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-41840302022246382752012-02-21T10:45:00.003-08:002012-02-21T11:05:46.415-08:00The Borrowers<a href="http://www.taoda.org/Storybook/SB5/fullsize/TheBorrowers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 263px;" src="http://www.taoda.org/Storybook/SB5/fullsize/TheBorrowers.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />With the new movie "Arriety" coming out, I was happily reminded of books I read as a child that I just loved. The Borrowers, by Mary Nortan. I downloaded The first book in the series on my Kindle Fire last week and was brought back to the warm memory of reading about these tiny folks who lived under the floorboards and "borrowed"tiny things from the "beans" (human beings) to build their world. England is the setting for these books, so I am always disappointed when they are not portrayed so in movies, but still enjoyed watching the Borrowers movie from the late 90s.<br />In another nostalgic rant about creativity, pinterest would have loved the Clock family. Knitting with sewing needles, making wallpaper out of hand written letters, turning empty spools into tables, cozy fires... These books will make your imagination soar, even as an adult.<br />I have no idea what form of amnesia I had when my girls were younger, but I never thought about them reading these stories or other books that I thoroughly enjoyed when I was young. Like the Trixie Belden series of mysteries. Anyone out there ever hear of them? They were awesome. I may just have to re-read them all now, even though I am ancient-like now!considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-70692356409555074582012-02-14T13:00:00.007-08:002012-02-14T14:15:38.043-08:00three days, three moose<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNw7k_sZlNuOpFivpUNxNGQpXQOB-u9LOYFTRDB-3pGpvavzhUi3_ql7Fh5utFIRUNmQjRSOXF9IExg7OQlODqHp3weniYSqJi53-KDfkEb6ov69pB2QDM3pF9CGUYNv6ICUVVKIvzTkM/s1600/SANY0052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNw7k_sZlNuOpFivpUNxNGQpXQOB-u9LOYFTRDB-3pGpvavzhUi3_ql7Fh5utFIRUNmQjRSOXF9IExg7OQlODqHp3weniYSqJi53-KDfkEb6ov69pB2QDM3pF9CGUYNv6ICUVVKIvzTkM/s400/SANY0052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709101710067048178" border="0" /></a>Every so often I get the urge to draw, especially when I have a project for my home or my family in mind. I have been thinking about moose for probably the last year, but have been procrastinating any attempt at drawing one. Until this past weekend that is, when I created the picture above. I have to look at a moose photo or picture to get the idea, so I easily found some on the internet. I drew this moose head then photocopied on my printer, cut it out and then decoupaged it onto a canvas that I had painted diagonal stripes on. I made two and am giving one to my daughter Christina and keeping the other one for somewhere in my house. Guess I will have to move some things around because my walls are pretty full...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAaEseF5hOVTxJdZfSKSAJsRD0u6zgyOKwGh-VClgEIgrhCHgUhN3Wy2eheU5IiGakz9_gzmQ55DKTCunCUUFUJMkSt730qAYJ6R6qs88nvjttbw6NeR9H_Yilr1H3GYJbcgIJfiNhDc/s1600/SANY0055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAaEseF5hOVTxJdZfSKSAJsRD0u6zgyOKwGh-VClgEIgrhCHgUhN3Wy2eheU5IiGakz9_gzmQ55DKTCunCUUFUJMkSt730qAYJ6R6qs88nvjttbw6NeR9H_Yilr1H3GYJbcgIJfiNhDc/s400/SANY0055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709101424756013586" border="0" /></a>Then the next day I attempted a whole moose and did this guy. I have no idea what I am doing, I just look at a picture and try to duplicate it with drawing pencils. I also have no idea how to shade properly but I intend to check out some tutorials on the web to better learn the proper technique.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fDgg4da0L9bx8eZS7c_CuVl9ZCENbqAP22dK8nM_dntyqiqdE6FDCiw41bfbUp3PHu77pFZzmLYyxzX5iFNsrWSkTzDeXMjL7KrotXWcHoLtwz7D7KyG7zBYNUdBYNZOYKqPNlOGnW0/s1600/SANY0057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fDgg4da0L9bx8eZS7c_CuVl9ZCENbqAP22dK8nM_dntyqiqdE6FDCiw41bfbUp3PHu77pFZzmLYyxzX5iFNsrWSkTzDeXMjL7KrotXWcHoLtwz7D7KyG7zBYNUdBYNZOYKqPNlOGnW0/s400/SANY0057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709099815934596018" border="0" /></a>Yesterday, I watched a tutorial on how to draw a moose and then drew this fella, which seems a better likeness of one.<br />So...three days, three mooses (or is it three moose?) Wondering what I will do next...considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-53893000284730722132012-02-09T14:20:00.000-08:002012-02-09T15:54:25.142-08:00anybody? anybody???<ul><li>does anyone else get grossed out by the Tums commercial when the food on someones fork starts hitting them? Or the guy holding the chicken leg that smacks him? Ew</li><li>has anyone else had crazy swarming black birds in their neighborhood? I remember this happening last year too. Think of the movie "The Birds"! I went on my back deck to video them today and there were so many overhead, I could hear their poop dropping on the leaves in my back yard!</li><li>does anyone else spend too much time on the computer, on facebook, etsy, pinterest,blog-land? I figured I wasn't alone! It's the reason my laundry room is a mess and dust bunnies grow in my corners!</li><li>anyone out there having a really weird winter? Like it's springtime already? Well, actually since all January too! But I LOVE winter, crisp air, hot tea at night, wearing layers, the possibility of snow! boo hoo!</li><li>don't you just love a fireplace? I've never had one, but I always loved smelling other peoples smoke in the air on a chilly night. Now my daughter Christina has a working fireplace in her new home and I danced a little when it was lit for the first time. My daughter Jenny has this talent for starting and maintaining fires even though she has never had a fireplace. One time as a teen, she sat at a drum set and started to play, although she had never done so before. Superpowers!</li><li>do you always search for the perfect jeans that don't roll down from your belly, and are light enough to keep you cool and heavy enough to keep you warm, and make you look ten pounds thinner? Any luck? None for me so far. Sadly my favorite fitting things are jeggings from Walmart that only cost 5.88. Full price.</li><li>do you procrastinate your home projects like painting all your trims and ceilings? Or is that just me? I wish we would have done it before we moved in, but now we have too much crap to move out of the way!</li><li>anybody out there eat healthy all day, but then get insanely "hungry" between supper and bedtime? Any solutions???</li><li>did you know that beavers are adorable and if they could speak they would sound british? Oh yes I think they would! I just watched a National Geographic special about them and learned how smart AND busy they really are!<br /></li></ul>considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-1372715039092928262012-02-05T17:17:00.000-08:002012-02-06T08:05:04.124-08:00the real meA few weeks ago, I was reading a blog post by Angela from<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span><a com="" img="" gifhref="http://picklesonpizza.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Pickles on Pizza</span> </a>about being your genuine and authentic self. I really enjoyed reading it and it got me to thinking about my own life and how for several whole decades of my life I was less than genuine of a person. I was trying to fit in to an image that was really not me at all.<br />Let me start by saying that when I was 18 years old, after being a self proclaimed agnostic (didn't really even know what that meant, but I thought it meant I doubted that there was a God, but wasn't absolutely sure about it) I discovered that God was real and that I needed Him in my life. I read the Bible and felt that the words came alive and brought such joy to my heart.<br />I met my husband when I was in college in New York and we were married a year and a half later. Ray also shared the same faith that I had come to know, and believe me, marrying him was the best thing I ever did! He was then , and still is, my best friend, an awesome husband, father and grandpa. He played guitar at church on Sundays and as the years went on, he was ordained an associate pastor and we moved from NYC to Florida to help start a church.<br />Our two daughters had a blast growing up in church with all the social aspects and fun programs for kids. Ray was also youth Pastor and working with the group we had at the time was some of the best experiences ever.<br />I worked in the church office as a secretary at the time also, so we were at church for most days of the week.<br />The thing is, that when I was home at night or on our day off, I was a pretty grumpy gal. Not the whole time of course, but my patience was thin and my mind was always preoccupied with church things. In fact, I would say that my busy-ness took the place of a simple faith in God that is demonstrated by loving God first, then others second.<br />I conformed to a style of dressing that was the culture of the Bible belt, TV persona, which included suits, and conservative dresses and shoes. Dare I say, "Church Lady" kind of things? At one point I didn't even own a pair of jeans! gasp!!! How can that be??? I am a child of the 70s (my teen years of course) where jeans, plaid shirts and casual wear was my thing! One day Christina as a teen asked me why I didn't have any jeans and why did I wear such weird pants?<br />Eventually my husband and I started a church as head Pastors and we moved about 45 minutes north with our family. Church life can be a weird thing sometimes. And BTW, Pastors are probably some of the most insecure people around. Trust me, I know. People come to your church and you feel happy, they leave and you feel rejected. People are always sizing you up and blah blah blah.<br />I always felt an urge to do something creative and artistic during those years, but I was too burned out emotionally to do very much of anything when I was home but veg out.<br />Right before we moved from Florida to Alabama, we were meeting in a small storefront with a small group of people and I enjoyed the simplicity of it all. Not having to dress up for church or trying to impress anybody was more our speed. During that time I resurrected my art-ish ambitions as I began to relax and be more genuine of a person, but it wasn't until leaving Florida that my buried creativity began to really uncover.<br />You see, I don't believe that an administrative life is the life for me , or for my husband, for that matter. We are basically down to earth people. We don't need people's approval to be happy. We don't need to be important people. Just plain old fashioned , kind and friendly folks who express our faith by genuinely loving others.<br />As some of you know, moving here almost 4 years ago was hard, because of leaving Christina (<a href="http://considerthecoffee.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Consider The Coffee</span></a>)and her husband Suj and my grandson Kavi who was only one month old. It was hard for Christina too, and that is when we discovered ETSY and began online shops. Christina started a blog and encouraged me to start one and I was exposed to so much creativity that I thought I would explode. From joy that is. ETSY-land and BLOG-world helped guide me towards DIY-ing lots of things and totally getting into crocheting. I still love it and look forward to adding a new stitch or skill every so often. And I have met Angela and her husband Aubrey which was a total blast and we can't wait until they visit our area again in August!<br />Now I know that my blog or my craftiness doesn't stop world hunger or cause world peace, but if I can put a smile on someone's face sometime or share something that will encourage someone else to unleash their inner creativity then I am happy.<br />I am tired of the church sub-culture where every waking hour is spent in a building, where greeters hunt you down to get you to fill out a form with your name, phone # and address, where there is a forced greeting time where people mechanically shake your hand to "welcome" you while never looking directly at you, where they say things like "We at (fill in the blank) do this,,,or believe that...",and where you hear catch phrases that normal people don't say. I need real, live genuine,kind, loving and unassuming people.<br />That's why I enjoy reading other people's blogs where they share all kinds of things creative, peppered with real lives and emotions and experiences. I have gotten so much encouragement from reading posts of interesting people from across the globe. For that I am thankful.<br />Thank you so much for reading this and I hope I didn't bum anybody out but possibly brought you a chuckle or a moment of encouragement to brighten your day!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/D7_dZTrjw9I" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-90644977596108479642012-02-01T08:42:00.000-08:002012-02-01T08:44:16.829-08:00Paper*Cakes Finds - Your Daily Dose of Handmade Eye Candy: Daily DIY<a href="http://fellowfellow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/main_sm2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 584px; height: 877px;" src="http://fellowfellow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/main_sm2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://papercakesfinds.blogspot.com/2012/02/daily-diy.html?spref=bl">Paper*Cakes Finds - Your Daily Dose of Handmade Eye Candy: Daily DIY</a>: Make Your Own<br /><br />This is an awesome idea from papercakesfinds.blogspot.com! Click the link highlighted above for instructions!considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-84621513368355372992012-01-27T08:53:00.001-08:002012-01-27T08:55:51.205-08:00Baby, Baby, Baby for your weekend!<object classid='clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000' id='992guo7r' width='432' height='415' codebase='http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab' ><param name='movie' value='http://img.widgets.video.s-msn.com/fl/customplayer/current/customplayer.swf' /><param name='flashvars' value='from=sp%5Een-us_fblike&player.v=8fa8109e-8c67-4c9a-8d0b-aa9a8b1df31c&configName=syndicationplayer&configCsid=MSNVideo&mkt=en-US' /><param name='bgcolor' value='#ffffff' /><param name='base' value='.' /><param name='quality' value='high' /><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always' /><param name='wmode' value='transparent' /><embed id='fv77r726' src='http://img.widgets.video.s-msn.com/fl/customplayer/current/customplayer.swf' width='432' height='415' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' flashvars='from=sp%5Een-us_fblike&player.v=8fa8109e-8c67-4c9a-8d0b-aa9a8b1df31c&configName=syndicationplayer&configCsid=MSNVideo&mkt=en-US' allowFullScreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' quality='high' bgColor='#ffffff' wmode='transparent' base='.' pluginspage='http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer' ></embed><noembed><a href='http://video.msn.com?vid=8fa8109e-8c67-4c9a-8d0b-aa9a8b1df31c&mkt=en-US&from=sp^en-us_fblike&src=FLPl:embed::uuids' target='_new' title='Justin Bieber Wedding Dance' >Video: Justin Bieber Wedding Dance</a></noembed></object><br /><br />You gotta watch this video of a groom and his groomsmen surprising the bride at a wedding with a Justin Bieber routine! Made my day!considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-90728765040161275402012-01-16T17:46:00.000-08:002012-01-21T22:29:25.573-08:00did you know that the Waltons are hip? well they are<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPGwEqvD18zGxSmNkcOHOhD5g1ATF6nrH98D7lQAm0Ldxqbq1WA7wTmnRwHv_iKqZprgMn7wDVbimg5aT6pLyz7Z21gD8jn2RgVJcZQZjdGuP2bci3w6DN84VB6iDWMIlGN6zNClMnqPx/s1600/the-waltons21.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPGwEqvD18zGxSmNkcOHOhD5g1ATF6nrH98D7lQAm0Ldxqbq1WA7wTmnRwHv_iKqZprgMn7wDVbimg5aT6pLyz7Z21gD8jn2RgVJcZQZjdGuP2bci3w6DN84VB6iDWMIlGN6zNClMnqPx/s1600/the-waltons21.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This past Fall I had a bad cold and stayed in bed one day watching a Waltons Marathon. I watched this series when it first was on in the early or mid 70s and loved it and I loved it even more this time around. First of all, if you are even remotely in to etsy, pinterest or blogworld, and the handcrafted, DIY movement, you will notice upon tuning in to the show, that it could very easily fit into this artsy time we live in. <br />They made the most delicious pies, cakes and well, everything from scratch. Hello!! Pies are very hip now along with all yummy hand baked from scratch anythings. <br />Simple rustic yet homey decor. Very in . Drinking ice tea from mason jars!!! Using mason jars with wild flowers in them to decorate the really cool canvas tent they put behind the house for Grandpa to sleep in so he would be able to see Walton's mountain and recover from his serious illness?? It worked, Grandpa made it! Looked like a blogger wedding site!<br />John and Livvy's 25th wedding anniversary where they drove to a town nearby to get professional photos taken, all the while the youngins were secretly planning a surprise party for them, saving paper bags for luminaries, and foil gum wrappers to make shiny table decorations and John making a gazebo to surprise Livvy on the mountain!!<br /> Jason being in a bluegrass band playing in barns with hay to sit on and lights strung for decoration?? Church picnics with colorful pennant garland and PIES and home made canned goods! Yep, and when the kids grew a little older, the girls in their simple cotton 40s dresses, the boys looking very hipster in their vests with oxford shirts and ties, caps and suspenders.<br />Who knew they would be all the rage three decades later than when they were filmed?<br /> I didn't know, but now I do. Next time you are going through the channels and you see this show, tune in. You may just get inspiration to do something creative or artsy!considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-9133819228347013712012-01-06T20:44:00.001-08:002012-01-06T21:11:57.270-08:00was thankin heaven in 2011, now things are swell in 2012<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit00nTcg4VK8ygOE_QJSk3ShmU4Uu-yTCbnwPhBfysGQCcDxq7gfjEnYmsvvS3Qs8GMIFIFzB-yMddKxG_gbxvEvn8uLIITr47J7I2xJ4lYESHCeVA0t0cB36kV0SFlYYi14Ae-RsMAKA/s1600/Recently+Updated.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit00nTcg4VK8ygOE_QJSk3ShmU4Uu-yTCbnwPhBfysGQCcDxq7gfjEnYmsvvS3Qs8GMIFIFzB-yMddKxG_gbxvEvn8uLIITr47J7I2xJ4lYESHCeVA0t0cB36kV0SFlYYi14Ae-RsMAKA/s400/Recently+Updated.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694747422230546722" border="0" /></a></div>I started 2012 with a haircut the other day. I have been trying to grow it out and wanting to wear it more wavy like. I showed the picture on the left to my friend Rachel (hairstylist extraordinaire and close family friend) and the result is on the right. I'd say she did a great job! Just have to grow my length out more! I don't really have those cool looking highlights, I used PICNIK (photo editing )to add them just for fun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTzdNP3Nz49qULx1jh4P3D-vXrs4SBtmEiZjEr22p4hEn7vr7Duz-ZX5Uwz7iNx7RYm9aOguMCzV4utTVDUvFpUrbv5EZ-ypUMW324iw1lUcT6x6Rjn5PXJyYVnb6tXq3QpR4bFa4JWY/s1600/C360_2011-12-31-17-32-02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTzdNP3Nz49qULx1jh4P3D-vXrs4SBtmEiZjEr22p4hEn7vr7Duz-ZX5Uwz7iNx7RYm9aOguMCzV4utTVDUvFpUrbv5EZ-ypUMW324iw1lUcT6x6Rjn5PXJyYVnb6tXq3QpR4bFa4JWY/s400/C360_2011-12-31-17-32-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694747054975754546" border="0" /></a>On New Year's eve we went to a drive through lights display out in the country. They also had a building with real ice ice skating and a gift shop with a picture taking corner which is where Kavi is sitting in the picture above, and snack shop too. None of us actually did ice skate because we were too cheap to pay an additional 9 dollars to do it!<br /> They sold s'mores kits for two dollars and you could roast them yourself over an open fire. Fun and yum! They were playing all these line dancing songs like cupid shuffle and such and my daughter Jenny used to work for the YMCA after school program in Florida, so she knew all the moves for all the songs. At one point I dared her to do the next one in an open area in the building to see if a crowd formed behind her, and lo and behold, when I came out of the porta potty there was Jenny with some people behind her line dancing with a small crowd of on lookers! They should have paid her to do that there because you could tell people wanted to dance but no one was leading, hehe. Everyone dispersed shortly after!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJo9zaDLnrXyw2XDTsyMFFCRiJg2_zeSQ-UUdtGLBNCqSkuUZGG-ClAaC9FfgEEDWy1Oa7fRsZk12BvmQG0Reodbs1HzROgzSd6tDrKuywpZ6RoFOo2_Nqivpbjh4-bufV1spEivL0Tc/s1600/C360_2011-12-31-17-12-49_org.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJo9zaDLnrXyw2XDTsyMFFCRiJg2_zeSQ-UUdtGLBNCqSkuUZGG-ClAaC9FfgEEDWy1Oa7fRsZk12BvmQG0Reodbs1HzROgzSd6tDrKuywpZ6RoFOo2_Nqivpbjh4-bufV1spEivL0Tc/s400/C360_2011-12-31-17-12-49_org.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694746921158680194" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">a small part of the mile long drive of animated lights<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiht9xWT6av6jaugTYDdxdlU8jWtk4SKHj_0zGoMeD-nB0GSsp5jbhggynnw3Ya_x-XZifj3L6mJfWd0DJW793OTdHbRdbZfJR6OL_KMCjhg5XiVOVNY-kjd_2sPYXTyeFnvALB4Umxohw/s1600/C360_2011-12-19-16-01-29_org.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiht9xWT6av6jaugTYDdxdlU8jWtk4SKHj_0zGoMeD-nB0GSsp5jbhggynnw3Ya_x-XZifj3L6mJfWd0DJW793OTdHbRdbZfJR6OL_KMCjhg5XiVOVNY-kjd_2sPYXTyeFnvALB4Umxohw/s400/C360_2011-12-19-16-01-29_org.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694746774168291538" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">we baked and decorated Christmas cookies with my grandson this year<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbQTHAvyZLtwihzrsXghY_cZhl7czkhPLXlAgSbw-c0vqBSYOosPXusWXB7jYRARaR4QzoK7Kw3uOomUsiAlhmPrQJhKG1dsYcngJAKwRE8mHS_C0bXZY4Pi9yUQazN6xIhf5yKy8EAM/s1600/C360_2011-12-19-15-50-24_org.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbQTHAvyZLtwihzrsXghY_cZhl7czkhPLXlAgSbw-c0vqBSYOosPXusWXB7jYRARaR4QzoK7Kw3uOomUsiAlhmPrQJhKG1dsYcngJAKwRE8mHS_C0bXZY4Pi9yUQazN6xIhf5yKy8EAM/s400/C360_2011-12-19-15-50-24_org.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694746629419487170" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">we all had fun, but Kavi had the most fun!<br /><div style="text-align: left;">It has been an awesome holiday season thanks to Cristina and Suj and Kavi living here now. I am so thankful for these past few months! Next week they are closing on a house that is about 45 minutes from here, so we will have to drive longer than 3 minutes to see each other, but I am very happy about their cute house, beautiful setting and close proximity to downtown Birmingham so Suj has a short drive to and from work each day. <br />2012 brings the expectancy of new experiences and adventures and I am so happy to have family close by to enjoy them with! Hope yours is a blessed and happy New Year too!<br /></div></div>considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-66683281510968170512011-12-26T19:51:00.000-08:002011-12-26T20:01:08.448-08:00another easy DIY-Leather Leaf Earrings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.dykast.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/small-8692.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 606px; height: 404px;" src="http://cdn.dykast.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/small-8692.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Recently I have been making leather leaf or leather feather earrings using leather pieces from Hobby Lobby and earring kidney wires. Unbelievably easy. Just draw a template out of cardboard or card stock or paper or whatever, trace the shape onto the leather, cut out, cut fringe on the edges, use a nail and hammer to make holes for the earring wires and voila...cute earrings, really cheap to make! I made a bunch to give as Christmas gifts and a few for myself, but alas have taken no pics, so I found<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> </span><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://www.dykast.us/2011/08/08/diy-leather-feather/">this link</a> for a great tutorial on making them. The bead is a great touch I didn't do but I will have to see if I have any old beads hanging round that I can use for the future.considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7289452231827948384.post-42810865422347778922011-12-18T20:41:00.000-08:002011-12-18T21:24:58.820-08:00I'm dreamin of a...white Christmas<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNsTCI517bGMTwq_YNlCnDD3NZk5tOOIrA_09z21RzR3lCcd0023dYQjCDPTDJGYOziL2w1-3JpH3rw_ZEzNhE0ekiJ7MJjriMB5lRCLhABboIIomHrCw19QDcifXNMpAtlzsU8ziPK8/s1600/C360_2011-12-18-16-39-29.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNsTCI517bGMTwq_YNlCnDD3NZk5tOOIrA_09z21RzR3lCcd0023dYQjCDPTDJGYOziL2w1-3JpH3rw_ZEzNhE0ekiJ7MJjriMB5lRCLhABboIIomHrCw19QDcifXNMpAtlzsU8ziPK8/s400/C360_2011-12-18-16-39-29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687697201746454098" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">friend Rachel, daughters Jenny and Christina outside the Alabama Theater in downtown Birmingham<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2WOr6liZZppvrjK6wWW3H8PC1ImIDVBZIAlf2pZD19LxrSe_dotQspNXyZg9F6Jns3SKd2yDSMjdBChRiEAAJCiu5MaxhefFM3TYkhs3zF2Omwyh85MI26K7gnBU46jDuF7xmQUKxSg/s1600/C360_2011-12-18-16-41-59-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2WOr6liZZppvrjK6wWW3H8PC1ImIDVBZIAlf2pZD19LxrSe_dotQspNXyZg9F6Jns3SKd2yDSMjdBChRiEAAJCiu5MaxhefFM3TYkhs3zF2Omwyh85MI26K7gnBU46jDuF7xmQUKxSg/s400/C360_2011-12-18-16-41-59-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687697042663435330" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">me, Christina and Jenny<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi90Xr2Cm9WNp-DwjC3FzoV7loE2MI-hyQZsGNdr5sX_C6COc5k65PvnkmiM9x-zNinKgEVYzNn61Il089WVYqsz6TfuwlG9mPe9t17sOB4lljQrAYYTHQ58y0gd0sGIyY6yJnwDs9ENI/s1600/C360_2011-12-18-15-43-34_org.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi90Xr2Cm9WNp-DwjC3FzoV7loE2MI-hyQZsGNdr5sX_C6COc5k65PvnkmiM9x-zNinKgEVYzNn61Il089WVYqsz6TfuwlG9mPe9t17sOB4lljQrAYYTHQ58y0gd0sGIyY6yJnwDs9ENI/s400/C360_2011-12-18-15-43-34_org.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687696887954972994" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">absolutely gorgeous inside!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfP3NYTkTE9vVtclJ4upcNGGtrbBFKy8C6tN4lHFB2u7Uz6h6z_0r78xejuo8j8kTMLcVtjl1LKfdn7lUa70UyTAKS34JqijDFIWHMiMX6SSPDpwN_q_UWYiCyLwPPLvtxRQqkSAfJes/s1600/C360_2011-12-18-15-43-15.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfP3NYTkTE9vVtclJ4upcNGGtrbBFKy8C6tN4lHFB2u7Uz6h6z_0r78xejuo8j8kTMLcVtjl1LKfdn7lUa70UyTAKS34JqijDFIWHMiMX6SSPDpwN_q_UWYiCyLwPPLvtxRQqkSAfJes/s400/C360_2011-12-18-15-43-15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687696658780926146" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">the concession area<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Today, I went to downtown Birmingham to see Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" with daughters Jenny and Christina, and friend Rachel. The theater was absolutely beautiful, very ornately decorated with a huge tree in the entrance, lights, marble floors, very art deco! <br />It was a capacity crowd of eager folks looking forward to a festive time. A pipe organ rises from beneath the stage with a cheery man playing it, with words on the movie screen as a Christmas song sing a long warms up the audience.<br />At the end of the movie when they sing White Christmas, the audience started to sing along! Then the organ player rises from below, also playing White Christmas as the crowd filtered out of the Theater.<br />As Jenny and I were standing in the lobby area, an older lady passed us and remarked to us that she enjoyed the movie just as much as when she first saw it in 1954. People were full of Christmas Spirit as they left the Alabama, posing for pictures just like we did! A good old, warm feeling, old fashioned Christmas memory that we will treasure for years to come!<br /></div></div>considerthelillieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14845009017206509002noreply@blogger.com5