tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29577074089021340632024-02-07T03:48:29.066-05:00Ramblings of a Happy HomemakerTips, Recipes, Natural Cleaners, Home decorating projects and Tales from my life.Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-89214385645285133702015-01-05T11:51:00.000-05:002015-01-05T11:51:20.566-05:00A NEW PET AND BEATING ALLERGIES<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
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A NEW PET AND BEATING ALLERGIES</h1>
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HAPPY NEW YEAR! January 1st brought a welcome change to our family. We added this big guy to our small brood.</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/z-sitting.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Z sitting" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-573" height="225" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/z-sitting.jpg?w=300&h=225" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></a></div>
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He came with the name Deuce, but my guys didn’t want a dog with a name that is used for potty talk. We’re classy like that. So, we changed it to Zeus. It’s similar enough that it didn’t confuse him and much more befitting for a family protector. He’s a one and a half year old Doberman. Obviously. <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I know you didn’t mistake him for a teacup poodle.</em></div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/z-right-profile.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Z right profile" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-574" height="225" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/z-right-profile.jpg?w=300&h=225" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></a></div>
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Chris has always said that he’d like to have a big male one day, but we didn’t have that on our current radar. Plus, we always thought we’d bring home another puppy when that day finally came. But, when the opportunity came to us like it we did we knew we had to explore further. First we met him and found out his back story. He’s from a champion line of show dogs and was intended to be a show dog himself. Long story short – the person who bought him never worked with him and didn’t bother to train him to show. He was co-owned with the breeder and she ended up with him with the intention of making him a champion. She is super busy with her other show dogs and farm (I don’t know how she does it all) and realized that she didn’t have the time to show him. She thought the best thing for him was to live out his life as a happy pet in a loving home. We knew we liked him, and he liked us, too. We needed to see if Layla would agree, so the breeder brought him to our house to have a meet-and-greet with her. That was going to be the biggie for us. She’d have to like him. We knew that there might be an adjustment period (if it was going to work at all) because she’s always been the lone dog in the house. When we saw that it looked like she was going to take to him, the breeder suggested that Layla come spend a week at their house so they could get acquainted better in a setting where she wouldn’t feel like she had to be our protector. We picked them both up New Year’s Day and began the process of adjusting to our new family dynamic.</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/zeus-on-back.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Zeus on back" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-575" height="225" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/zeus-on-back.jpg?w=300&h=225" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></a></div>
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Zeus has a very sweet and silly personality that made it very easy to fall in love with him. He is a great fit for our family. He has quickly learned the way we do things at our house; no dogs on the furniture or eating off of the counters. Yeah, we’re mean like that. We’ve really only had one small hiccup in the adjustment period – Isaac’s allergies.</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/z-on-ikes-feet.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Z on Ike's feet" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-576" height="225" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/z-on-ikes-feet.jpg?w=300&h=225" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></a></div>
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It’s never been too big of an issue before. Whenever he would be done playing with Layla, Isaac would simply go wash his hands and that was that. Adding a second dog to mix immediately set his eyes to itching and nose to running – no petting required. He spent Friday night at his mammaw’s and his nose cleared right up. When he came home Saturday the flare-up started within minutes of entry and the allergy pill he took didn’t even alleviate the symptoms. I had intended to make him an appointment with the doctor this morning to see if she had something that would help him. It looks like that’s not going to be necessary.</div>
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To continue reading hop on over to my new blog, <a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2015/01/05/a-new-pet-and-beating-allergies/" target="_blank">Still Playing House. </a></div>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-63417523988489072792014-12-19T10:47:00.002-05:002014-12-19T10:47:52.265-05:00HERB INFUSED CIDER VINEGAR – A GREAT FOODIE DIY GIFT <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
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I have this new addiction; salad. I know -weird, right? I mean, I’ve always <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">liked</em> salad, but now I actually <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">crave</em> it. I blame this herb infused cider vinegar recipe.</div>
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Did you know that flavored oils and vinegars are becoming a big thing? Like gourmet shops opening up with tasting rooms and everything kind of thing? While we were on vacation in southern Indiana last month, we visited one in Nashville called <a href="http://www.thewildolive.com/thewildolive/home.html" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">The Wild Olive</a>. Check out some of the flavored vinegars they offer: Fig Balsamic, Jalapeno Lime White Balsamic, Maple Balsamic, Dark Chocolate Balsamic, and Garlic Cilantro Balsamic to name just a few. With my new love of salads I had to come home with a couple of bottles.</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/gourmet-bottles.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="gourmet bottles" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-446" height="300" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/gourmet-bottles.jpg?w=225&h=300" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="225" /></a></div>
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Check out these flavors.</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/gourmet-close-up.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="gourmet close-up" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-447" height="300" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/gourmet-close-up.jpg?w=225&h=300" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="225" /></a></div>
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The Lemongrass Mint is light and fresh while the Cranberry Pear is perfect for this time of year. Just imagine eating a salad that includes finely chopped pears, dried cranberries, walnuts and maybe some cubed Swiss or Feta cheese on a bed of mixed greens with this Cranberry Pear Balsamic Vinegar and a touch of oil on top. Is your mouth watering, yet?</div>
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We all know by now that any gourmet item comes with a gourmet price tag. For instance, a 250 ml bottle of the above vinegars costs $14.99 per bottle, while a 500 ml bottle comes in at $22.99. Granted, a little goes a long way. But you know what? You can totally make your own. I’ll let you in on a little secret…it’s REALLY easy. And fast. If you need a gift for the foodie in your life – this is your Huckleberry.</div>
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<i>To continue reading hop on over to my new blog, <a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/12/19/herb-infused-cider-vinegar-a-great-foodie-diy-gift/" target="_blank">Still Playing House</a>. </i></div>
Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-62464742690998933282014-12-18T09:45:00.002-05:002014-12-18T09:45:37.775-05:00DIY Cone Wreath Ornament<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
<header class="entry-header" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 54px; margin-top: -48px; max-width: 474px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 30px; padding-top: 24px; position: relative; z-index: 1;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: 33px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.0909090909; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
DIY CONE WREATH ORNAMENT</h1>
<div class="entry-meta" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #767676; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3333333333; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 474px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="entry-date" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/12/18/diy-cone-wreath-ornament/" rel="bookmark" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #767676; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2014-12-18T14:28:11+00:00">DECEMBER 18, 2014</time></a></span> <span class="edit-link" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
</header><div class="entry-content" style="-webkit-hyphens: auto; background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 54px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 474px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 30px; padding-top: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/on-tree-close-up.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="on tree, close up" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-428" height="300" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/on-tree-close-up.jpg?w=225&h=300" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="225" /></a></div>
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Are you ready to learn to make my favorite of all my handmade ornaments this year? Good.</div>
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<a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/11/25/christmas-past-present/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">I had mentioned in a previous post</a> that I wanted to do a white, neutral, rustic/glam Christmas theme this year instead of my traditional red. I also wanted to do this with a budget of zero dollars. This meant that I would need to get busy crafting. I scoured Pinterest for ideas and <a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/11/23/the-great-vacation-caper/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">took my crafting supplies on our family vacation to a cabin in the woods</a> last month. Unbeknownst to me I would have absolutely no access to the internet for an entire week. So much for getting directions off of Pinterest. I had to wing it. There are different versions of this cone wreath ornament floating around the web, but this is the way I did mine.</div>
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<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">SUPPLIES:</strong><br />3 hymnal pages (or book pages, et.)<br />Hot glue gun<br />Hole Punch<br />Clear reinforcement labels<br />Evergreen sprig<br />Small pine cone<br />Ribbon or twine for hanging</div>
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To get the rest of the instructions, hop on over to my new blog, <a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/12/18/diy-cone-wreath-ornament/" target="_blank">Still Playing House</a>.Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-77623394547820313132014-12-16T10:49:00.002-05:002014-12-16T10:49:48.071-05:00A Christmas Story _ Pam's Tale Part 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
<header class="entry-header" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 54px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 474px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 30px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; z-index: 1;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: 33px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.0909090909; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
A CHRISTMAS STORY – PAM’S TALE PART 2</h1>
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<span class="entry-date" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/12/16/a-christmas-story-pams-tale-part-2/" rel="bookmark" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #767676; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2014-12-16T13:40:25+00:00">DECEMBER 16, 2014</time></a></span> <span class="edit-link" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
</header><div class="entry-content" style="-webkit-hyphens: auto; background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 54px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 474px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 30px; padding-top: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
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I promised that I would finish my Christmas tale today. If you need to catch up, read Part 1 <a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/12/15/a-christmas-story-pams-tale-part-1/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a>.</div>
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Isaac didn’t want physical gifts for Christmas this year. There were two concerts he wanted to go to instead. Yesterday, I shared a bit about the one we went to this past weekend. The first one we attended was last month. Allow me to share with you the saga it took to actually make it there.</div>
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This concert featured <a href="http://www.francescamusic.com/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Francesca Battistelli</a></div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/franny.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Franny" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-406" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/franny.jpg?w=474" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></a></div>
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and <a href="http://sanctusreal.com/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Sanctus Real</a>. These guys are from my neck of the woods, so I was pretty excited about seeing them in concert.</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/sanctus-real.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Sanctus Real" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-407" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/sanctus-real.jpg?w=474" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></a></div>
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We had the whole thing planned out. We’d leave the house at 3 PM and make the hour drive to Fort Wayne where we’d grab a bite to eat somewhere and make it to the concert by 6 PM. We didn’t concern ourselves with the need to be there too early to stand in line because we had tickets for the Artist’s Circle. We would just get there when the doors opened. Let me reiterate here – that was the <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">plan</em>.</div>
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Click over to my new blog, <a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/12/16/a-christmas-story-pams-tale-part-2/" target="_blank">Still Playing House</a>, to finish this saga.</div>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-55331814850420328452014-12-15T10:19:00.002-05:002014-12-15T10:19:47.324-05:00A CHRISTMAS STORY – PAM’S TALE PART 1 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
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I have a little Christmas story to tell. But, it’s not your typical Christmas story. It’s personal. It’s the story of Christmas 2014 in my household. Specifically, Isaac’s Christmas gift. You see, when we asked him what he wanted for Christmas this year he didn’t ask for<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">things</em>. What he really wanted for Christmas was to go to two concerts. Last night we saw Toby Mac and Matt Maher.</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/tmac.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="TMac" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-386" height="225" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/tmac.jpg?w=300&h=225" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></a></div>
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It was SO good! I swear, TMac is 50 years old and dances around the stage like he’s 19. Needless to say, it was a very high energy concert.</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/tmac-dc.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="TMac & DC" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-388" height="225" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/tmac-dc.jpg?w=300&h=225" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></a></div>
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This one pretty much went off without a hitch. The concert was held in the Performing Arts Center at the <a href="http://www.sf.edu/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">University of St. Francis</a> in Fort Wayne. It was indoors, but set up like an amphitheatre. Every seat in the house was a great one. As a family who doesn’t particularly care to be crowded in swarms of people like a can of sardines, we choose to sit directly in the center section in the very top row. There were still a lot of people at this sold-out concert, but we felt like we had a little more breathing room up there. Here’s the thing about sitting in the top row – heat rises.</div>
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A little back history on me. At some point in my adult-hood I became allergic to the cold. That’s my doctor’s official diagnosis. I live in Indiana, y’all. I get to have more fun than a barrel full of monkeys in the fall, winter and most of the spring here. But, here’s a little tid bit that makes that even more exciting. I have some hormonal issues that causes wild temperature swings. That means I’ll go from covered in painful, itching hives because I’m freezing my tail off to <del style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #767676; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">profusely sweating</del> femininely glistening five minutes later. It’s so much fun that I feel like I live in my own personal carnival i. I’m my own Circus Freak. Thank God that at least I don’t also fill the bill as The Bearded Lady.</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/bearded-lady.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="bearded lady" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-400" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/bearded-lady.jpg?w=474" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></a></div>
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If I don’t quit finding stray hairs to pluck out of my chin, lip, and yes, nose I might still be able to manage it. Are you jealous of all this sexy, yet? So, back to my story…</div>
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The line to get into the building was wrapped all the way around the block. It’s December. In Indiana. I’m kind of like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Prince" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Diana Prince</a> when I’m out in the cold for very long. I morph into my alter-ego.</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/wonder-woman.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="wonder-woman" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-387" height="300" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/wonder-woman.jpg?w=239&h=300" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="239" /></a></div>
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To continue reading, hop on over to my new blog, <a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/12/15/a-christmas-story-pams-tale-part-1/" target="_blank">Still Playing House</a>.</div>
</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-68296743199495311182014-12-12T09:39:00.000-05:002014-12-12T09:39:16.098-05:00DIY Paper Medallion Ornaments<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
<div class="post-thumbnail" style="background-attachment: fixed; background-clip: initial; background-color: #b2b2b2; background-image: url(http://s1.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/twentyfourteen/images/pattern-light.svg); background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 672px; z-index: 0;">
<img alt="medallion on tree" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" height="372" src="http://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/medallion-on-tree.jpg?w=672&h=372&crop=1" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="672" /></div>
<header class="entry-header" style="background-color: white; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 54px; margin-top: -48px; max-width: 474px; padding-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 30px; padding-right: 30px; padding-top: 24px; position: relative; z-index: 1;"><div class="entry-meta" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #767676; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.3333333333; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 474px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="cat-links" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 900; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/category/for-the-home/crafty-stuff/" rel="category tag" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">CRAFTY STUFF</a></span></div>
<h1 class="entry-title" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: 33px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 300; line-height: 1.0909090909; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">
DIY PAPER MEDALLION ORNAMENT</h1>
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padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2014-12-12T14:29:47+00:00">DECEMBER 12, 2014</time></a></span> <span class="byline" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author vcard" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; 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border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/12/12/diy-paper-medallion-ornament/#respond" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #767676; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Comment on DIY Paper Medallion Ornament">LEAVE A COMMENT</a></span> <span class="edit-link" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; 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vertical-align: baseline;">EDIT</a></span></div>
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Hello, Lovelies! Can you believe that Christmas is just twelve short days away? I’m still a little shocked by that fact. Seriously. I still have a few projects I wanted to do before THE DAY. You know, like make new stockings. Those are kind of important, so I need to light a fire. It’s time to get my craft on again. Wanna join me?</div>
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This a fun little project that reminds me of all of the millions of fans I made out of construction paper in elementary school. Did you make them, too? Then you can make this next ornament. It’s like making construction paper fans, but without the construction paper. And it’s not a fan. OK, it’s not <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">just</em> like making fans. Let’s say it’s exactly similar.</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/medallion-on-tree.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="medallion on tree" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-359" height="225" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/medallion-on-tree.jpg?w=300&h=225" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">PAPER MEDALLIONS</strong></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Supplies:</strong><br />3 pages from a hymnal, book, scrapbook paper, or any pretty paper<br />Glue Stick<br />Elmer’s Glue-All<br />Hole punch<br />Clear reinforcement stickers<br />Twine or ribbon for hanging<br />Scissors</div>
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<i>To continue reading how to make this ornament hop on over to my new blog, <a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/12/12/diy-paper-medallion-ornament/" target="_blank">Still Playing House</a>.</i></div>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-73327705367997921222014-12-10T07:13:00.000-05:002014-12-10T07:13:17.327-05:00DIY Evergreen Swag and Tassels<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
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DIY SIMPLE EVERGREEN SWAG & TASSELS</h1>
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padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><time class="entry-date" datetime="2014-11-24T20:53:15+00:00">NOVEMBER 24, 2014</time></a></span> <span class="byline" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author vcard" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; 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vertical-align: baseline;">EDIT</a></span></div>
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I mentioned in my previous post that I had brought some crafting supplies with me on our recent vacation in Brown County, Indiana. The first thing I made was a super simple evergreen swag for my front door. “What’s a swag?”, some of you may ask. Basically, it’s a lazy person’s wreath – all of the cuteness for your front door, wall or toilet seat (<em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">not really, that would be painful) </em>without all of the wrapping something on a frame. S.I.M.P.L.E.</div>
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To make this you’ll need…</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/swag-supplies.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="swag supplies" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-171" height="225" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/swag-supplies.jpg?w=300&h=225" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>To continue reading click on over to my new blog, Still Playing House.<a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/11/24/diy-simple-evergreen-swag-tassels/" target="_blank">Still Playing House</a>.</i></div>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-35838403760615342852014-12-08T08:51:00.001-05:002014-12-10T07:13:43.473-05:00A Very Twiggy Christmas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
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Hey Y’all! Happy Monday morning! I hope you had a good weekend. You feel like getting your craft on? Me too. Today’s project is brought to you by “A Very Twiggy Christmas!”</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/twiggy-tuxedo-dress.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Twiggy-tuxedo-dress" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-331" height="300" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/twiggy-tuxedo-dress.jpg?w=191&h=300" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="191" /></a></div>
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Not this <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twiggy" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Twiggy</a>, Silly!</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/twigs.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="twigs" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-332" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/twigs.jpg?w=474" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></a></div>
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This twiggy. As in twigs, branches, parts of trees or bushes that have been snipped or picked up off of the ground.</div>
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I’ve already shown you how to make <a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/11/30/on-trend-diy-paper-star-ornaments/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">paper star ornaments</a> and <a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/12/05/diy-easy-natural-ornaments/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">glittered pine cone ornaments</a>. Today we’re going to make twiggy star ornaments. You’ll actually have to break out the hot glue gun for this one. But, no fears – you’ve got this!</div>
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<a href="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/twiggy-star-on-tree.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #044774; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="twiggy star on tree" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-333" height="225" src="https://stillplayinghousedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/twiggy-star-on-tree.jpg?w=300&h=225" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="300" /></a></div>
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To read the rest of <a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/2014/12/08/a-very-twiggy-christmas/" target="_blank">this post</a>, come follow along at my new blog, Still Playing House.</div>
Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-22190406526054340762014-11-24T06:54:00.000-05:002014-11-24T06:54:01.728-05:00I'm MovingHello? Is anybody still out there?<br />
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I haven't written on this blog in a REALLY long time. I mainly kept it open so I could use it to look up recipes and read my favorite blogs in the blog roll. But, I'm back. Sort of. I'm moving.<br />
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Me and my bestie have joined forces and started a new blog together. We're just freshly up and running. Come check us out at <a href="http://stillplayinghouse.com/" target="_blank">Still Playing House</a>. We'll have quite a bit of new projects and posts added throughout the holiday season.<br />
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And, if you still hang around here - thank you! You're the best!<br />
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PamPamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-21259711011943446362012-10-06T09:37:00.000-04:002012-10-08T06:48:29.194-04:00What I've Been Up To This Summer...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey Y'all!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just wanted to drop in and give you a little shout out. :-) I'm battling with feelings of guilt over how I have neglected this blog this year. I hate that. But, life has just thrown a lot at me during this season it seems, and something's gotta give. I hope it won't be this way for long. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's see if I can give you a short synopsis of what I've been up to this year, shall we?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1) Of course, you know that I started <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pureyankabilly?ref=si_shop">PURE YANKABILLY All Natural Skincare</a>. Y'all I had NO idea how consuming setting up a business would be. It's not just making product... Now, Etsy has had some policy changes which aren't conducive for shops like mine. So, I will be creating my own website for PURE YANKABILLY here shortly. One more thing to add to the list. :-) I'll let you know when it's up and running. I'm really enjoying myself with this business endeavor, but it takes a lot of time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2) We managed to sneak in a long-weekend away this summer. We were supposed to go to West Virginia for a family reunion, but that was when those terrible storms rolled through and left everyone without power, food, gas, etc. I was pretty bummed because I haven't seen most of that side of my family in 20 years. I haven't seen my beloved mountains in longer than that. But, evidently it wasn't meant to be. I was just happy that all of my family was safe and unharmed. En leu of WV, my family stole a weekend get-a-way to one of our favorite places here in Indiana. This is when it was 107 degrees, so most of our time was spent hanging out in the hotel room. Lord, it was a hot summer! It was hotter here than any summer we lived in Florida. What's up with that? But, I digress...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3) Me and the man-child also spent a week with family in Michigan before school started so he could log some family time. That's very important. Family.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4) As soon as we got home from Michigan, tomatoes were begging to be canned. Lots and lots of tomatoes. We'd already worked the green beans and squash 'til it was coming out our ears beforehand. The garden is always a LOT of work in the summer. Actually, we have more peppers to work today. But, it's very rewarding work that makes me smile every time I'm eating food that we have grown well into winter. Definitely worth it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5) School started the day after Labor Day for us. Which meant Homeschool Group also started. This year I'm teaching two classes, which I'm having a blast in. It also means that I have to study and be prepared. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6) My husband was rear-ended four years ago at full speed. It left him with injuries that unless a miracle takes place, he'll carry with him for the rest of his life. <i>We're believing for the miracle! </i>Anyway, he sought an attorney to help him with getting worker's comp to cooperate a few years ago. Long story short...it went to trial. The trial was a week and a half ago. That was pretty much all-consuming leading up to the big days. Lots of visits with attorneys and prep work. Life went on hold during that period. Thank God, it's done and over with. That chapter is closed and we can move on. And, thank God they ruled in our favor. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, that the trial is over and we are back into a school-year routine, I'm hoping to be able to pop in more frequently here. Of course, there is still life - which includes trying to get the business firing on all cylinders. But, hopefully I'll find my groove again.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the meantime I want to leave you with a few photos of what we've got going in my neck of the woods. I'm really excited about it!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HTxSgtRwqHN3scZk7YM36NJ6iy7lC2K2DpG5yzbeZh70zvi4ttHiYum-Tj7hMq0_nX30fG9OIYpnO7VRQzamA2UWM-qpQE_izlqQim7EIBaAu67_cuCrbsMaOTJelWyH1dovpzpvVRw/s1600/windmill+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HTxSgtRwqHN3scZk7YM36NJ6iy7lC2K2DpG5yzbeZh70zvi4ttHiYum-Tj7hMq0_nX30fG9OIYpnO7VRQzamA2UWM-qpQE_izlqQim7EIBaAu67_cuCrbsMaOTJelWyH1dovpzpvVRw/s400/windmill+1.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're getting a windmill farm!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These things are huge and impressive.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPkeD2Bdfz_SV9XaIVKCrEjWJA163h-KsElvH_ObUSl8Narj54uUtsHfPAOJbnPoDc2lEHaiB8zYVWb-_mtqsAJtFwbGcjXtZTgAIN4t3VC-p7aIBri_1pGM0EOtBETmbS9tJi5l57-o/s1600/windmill+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPkeD2Bdfz_SV9XaIVKCrEjWJA163h-KsElvH_ObUSl8Narj54uUtsHfPAOJbnPoDc2lEHaiB8zYVWb-_mtqsAJtFwbGcjXtZTgAIN4t3VC-p7aIBri_1pGM0EOtBETmbS9tJi5l57-o/s400/windmill+2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The base. My husband is 6'1".</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59jnGGs2Cwm5JqkrxQORwe_1J6gL1wmhOhM5rUIzDJkdyq6ahBn6SFPkKn86tSEDxsur-4jAi06o6EgwlCstv1rUF_ym1aA73IKKO92R2M7r_Izzg7JThhSK1CFrUtHJyqqG0mZgTISA/s1600/windmill+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59jnGGs2Cwm5JqkrxQORwe_1J6gL1wmhOhM5rUIzDJkdyq6ahBn6SFPkKn86tSEDxsur-4jAi06o6EgwlCstv1rUF_ym1aA73IKKO92R2M7r_Izzg7JThhSK1CFrUtHJyqqG0mZgTISA/s400/windmill+3.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The engine that holds the propellers. Did I mention that my husband is 6'1"?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNX-XA8sdSOw1hJk6_QrNxW3t53tpa8ZZ-tC-VoAj5Jhy_05dySEWULIV1syeALSEre-OHSYsXksGhEH9cm-u9DaP_dPsEW3yAbXqaMo79KAtcuf9J3Q2RKk1qYeT5MKEvVvlyXh4Ub4/s1600/windmill+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNX-XA8sdSOw1hJk6_QrNxW3t53tpa8ZZ-tC-VoAj5Jhy_05dySEWULIV1syeALSEre-OHSYsXksGhEH9cm-u9DaP_dPsEW3yAbXqaMo79KAtcuf9J3Q2RKk1qYeT5MKEvVvlyXh4Ub4/s400/windmill+4.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The propeller blades attached to the engine thingy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpupcETrQ4d-jJjcs0UZkJSgpRA06Empm-ingv5qGvN5JEaf56F9hwlOJ_kuQ2-PKI-yrG8XkgJ-o72RTAj1lgdS1FIpcbuQr65ezUM5Ma2eF6fruXZ9amnsVaooG06RSQipEfmupnttA/s1600/windmill+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpupcETrQ4d-jJjcs0UZkJSgpRA06Empm-ingv5qGvN5JEaf56F9hwlOJ_kuQ2-PKI-yrG8XkgJ-o72RTAj1lgdS1FIpcbuQr65ezUM5Ma2eF6fruXZ9amnsVaooG06RSQipEfmupnttA/s400/windmill+6.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the 3 lengths of the base and the part that holds the propeller blades on a semi.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJsztQuuNN2oqoXAId-rulCgCE922ydaY-ntQk5FpmQ3zEWHZg7k95S3rVq1d3KlYApVMLYS3JcMPM9Z2U29ww26ovn6G7jmExMrab5dxWKuKay1O60fWmkoEP66SStDrzA00iiJ09Vc/s1600/windmill+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJsztQuuNN2oqoXAId-rulCgCE922ydaY-ntQk5FpmQ3zEWHZg7k95S3rVq1d3KlYApVMLYS3JcMPM9Z2U29ww26ovn6G7jmExMrab5dxWKuKay1O60fWmkoEP66SStDrzA00iiJ09Vc/s400/windmill+5.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could only get 2 of them in my lens at a time. And, this in no way does them justice. The base of each one is 300' tall and they stand 490' at the top of the propellers. There are a lot more of them up now than when I took this picture. So, I'll try and get a better shot to share with you again sometime. There are going to be 125 windmills when it's all said and done. It's one of the most amazing things I've ever seen - watching them spring up everywhere. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm glad to see a renewable energy source becoming an important part of my community.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alright, y'all...I'm outta here. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until next time...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pam</span></div>
Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-41779276941736297742012-05-24T21:35:00.000-04:002013-03-29T05:56:22.139-04:00My First Foray Into Wild Edibles<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every year when we put out our garden there is this certain weed that absolutely wants to take over. Last year we put straw down, which made a remarkable difference. We are going to do the same this year - probably this weekend. My husband has tilled in between the rows in the meantime to keep the weeds under control. But, this weed is still cropping up in the rows where our veggies are growing.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, a few days ago I read <a href="http://newlifeonahomestead.com/2012/05/a-new-wild-edible-discovered-purslane/">this blog post from New Life on a Homestead</a> about a common garden weed. MY common garden weed. Turns out that it isn't a weed after all. It's actually a super food called purslane. Go figure. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm starting to realize that many of the plants that we consider weeds are actually some of the most nutritious foods on the planet. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbQmM93Gv846gAikrIIocJHEH5JsBWpXPvoeKFn2F0j_DSfiJVDn67urNi5pDG4d3IwDdtmYFUMlrVX2de9gvm1BEaRhi3J3QrDQ4vGlaXrPcFSjlyBhGtI9on4w47LvtMiynq2GzGQI/s1600/dandelion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbQmM93Gv846gAikrIIocJHEH5JsBWpXPvoeKFn2F0j_DSfiJVDn67urNi5pDG4d3IwDdtmYFUMlrVX2de9gvm1BEaRhi3J3QrDQ4vGlaXrPcFSjlyBhGtI9on4w47LvtMiynq2GzGQI/s400/dandelion.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take the lowly dandelion, for instance. That little plant is the nemesis of every man who desires a green lawn in the nation. But, it's actually very good for food. It's leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked many different ways. It's roots can be roasted and ground up and brewed as coffee. The flowers are also edible and are supposed to be a favorite when battered and fried. Though I've never eaten (or drank) it, I hear it is really yummy. It's also a powerhouse of nutrition that is fantastic for your liver, among other things.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, we're talking about purslane today...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPb_vTo9c_VQtojKKWM1ibuvINywFqqEVLjyad7I-O8Yk-3zO6pxwPwF4N0FsETULGbZlO4cx1wV3_epphb4Nm_lbAFMu0x9Q7cyDSfmyNnSdW7B5-NcJE8lXAhZSSS3OUiLgcFYzq4I/s1600/Purslane+-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPb_vTo9c_VQtojKKWM1ibuvINywFqqEVLjyad7I-O8Yk-3zO6pxwPwF4N0FsETULGbZlO4cx1wV3_epphb4Nm_lbAFMu0x9Q7cyDSfmyNnSdW7B5-NcJE8lXAhZSSS3OUiLgcFYzq4I/s400/Purslane+-1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(from plantphotos.net)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what <a href="http://www.plant.photos.net/index.php?title=Purslane">www.plant.photos.net</a> says about purslane:</span></div>
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<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>...also called Summer Purslane - purslane usually grows spread out flat on the ground. It can be found growing in almost any unshaded area, including flower beds, corn fields, and waste places. Purslane can be found growing in cold climate areas (e.g., Canada) as well as warm areas (e.g., the Caribbean).</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;"><i>Medicinal Uses:</i></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;">
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<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;"><i>Verdolaga is also valued in Latin America for its medicinal properties. Purslane contains more Omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy vegetable plants, and may have positive effects on the brain and may aid in such conditions as depression, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease, autism, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and migraines. For other medicinal uses see: <a class="external free" href="http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/medicinal/portula.html#efficacy" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www.plant.photos.net/skins/monobook/external.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #3366bb; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 13px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/medicinal/portula.html#efficacy</a></i></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;"><i>American Indians used the plant as a poultice for burns, juice for earaches, tea for headaches and stomachaches.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;">Pretty cool, eh?</span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;">
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<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;">It's also an excellent source of vitamins A, C and E and the essential amino acids. So, I figured that I needed to try this wonder food. Crab cakes were on the menu for the night and I don't have any of the parsley that I usually put in it, yet. So, I thought it would be a great night to try the purslane. I went out the garden and pulled some of it, washed it really well in water and then spun it dry in my salad spinner. </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCiQG_JVVLjnXi2Ku3rdB4v-E-F74VkTLLSQIbZqaWcHdPVe_TksIE2iD-tnd-hxgpFeA83urHJ9FISvIrSsUzTOyTDGNA14fJsbUYKoyu03_6SfCFBou77NK3iiRfsH7h2o5HJQN96E/s1600/purselsane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCiQG_JVVLjnXi2Ku3rdB4v-E-F74VkTLLSQIbZqaWcHdPVe_TksIE2iD-tnd-hxgpFeA83urHJ9FISvIrSsUzTOyTDGNA14fJsbUYKoyu03_6SfCFBou77NK3iiRfsH7h2o5HJQN96E/s400/purselsane.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;">Since it can be eaten cooked or raw, I tasted one of the leaves. It has a very mild, but tasty flavor. It is supposed to be very similar in taste and consistency to watercress, but I've never eaten it so I can't vouch for that fact.</span></span></span></div>
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For my crab cakes, I simply cut the roots off and added the amount I needed to the food processor, stems and all. They're edible, too. Next, I added the rest of my ingredients to the food processor to finish chopping and mixing everything together.<br />
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Evidently, purslane is also a very popular salad green in Europe. Considering we were having salad with our dinner (and I've been buying the el cheapo bagged iceberg lettuce lately) I picked off the leaves of some more of my purslane and added to the salad mix to bump up the nutritional value of my otherwise pretty nutritionless bagged salad.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;">Not only is it tasty, but it's pretty, too. :-)</span></span><br />
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All in all, I really liked the purslane and will definitely use it again.</div>
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You probably realize this, but I'm going to mention it anyway. Don't eat wild edibles from places that are likely to have been sprayed with pesticides or that grow too close to the road where they would be covered in exhaust fumes. I felt confident using the purslane from my garden because we don't spray. We've actually found that our garden seems to do better than most people's in our area and I think it's because we leave it alone and try to build the soil quality every year. Healthy soil makes for healthy plants.</div>
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I'm amazed at how many wild edibles that we have around us and are clueless about. I would really like to start learning more about them. It just so happens that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Cards-Edible-Foods-Ages/dp/0880795158">Wild Cards</a> is a deck of cards that has pictures and information on 52 different wild plants that you can eat. It includes information on where each plant is found, how to cook it and its medicinal uses. I really need to get one of those decks.</div>
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So, tell me - have you ever eaten weeds?<br />
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I'm sharing this post with <a href="http://mindbodyandsoleonline.com/herbal-information/41st-wildcrafting-wednesday/">Wildcrafting Wednesday</a>.<br />
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<i>* UPDATE: I have had a couple of people tell me that the link to the Wild Cards took them to an, um, unsavory website. I apologize for that. On my Mac it took me right where it was supposed to. In an effort to fix the problem I changed the link. Please, let me know if it is still not working right and I will just remove it altogether and you can just google it for yourself. ;-) Thanks, y'all!</i></div>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-67174285446975218232012-05-22T10:19:00.000-04:002012-05-23T07:01:13.010-04:00My Anniversary WeekendHello, Hello, Helllllooooo... Hi! Hey, Y'all! So glad to see you! Thank you to everyone who has expressed an interest in my health and well-being. And, to those who'd wondered if I'd turned to poop and the hogs ate me. So, let me start by saying that I have <i>not</i> turned to feces and been eaten by the other white meat. Also, I am fine and dandy. I have just been extremely busy and my brain has been on overload - incapable of trying to string together coherent sentences that anyone would want to read on this little ol' blog of mine. Hopefully, now that homeschool group is done for the year, I'll be able to get back to blogging a little more regularly. Now that we've gotten that out of the way...<br />
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OK. So what in tarnation have I been up to exactly? Well, of course you know that I started a business this year and opened a shop on Etsy, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pureyankabilly">PURE YANKABILLY - All Natural Skincare</a>. That's where the majority of my brain cells have been recently. Y'all, there is a LOT of work that is involved in starting a business. It's not just making products, taking pictures and uploading them to Etsy. That's actually the smallest part of it. Who knew?... Anyway, Isaac is still homeschooled and we are part of a homeschool group. So, we've had that and several days of Stanford Testing. And, for some weird reason my family expects me to still feed them and make sure they have clean undies and all. You understand about that, right? In the midst of my new normal, though, we've tried to squeeze in a few fun thing, too. Today I'll share a bit about one of these mini trips with you.<br />
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Last month Chris and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. In trying to think of something fun to do in honor of it, we decided to take a weekend trip to Columbus, OH where it all began for us. We wanted to take Isaac along and show him all of "our" special places - where we met, where we went to school, where we dated, our first apartment, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.<br />
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The closer we got to the city and as that lovely skyline came into view, we got really excited. Well, Chris and I did anyway. Floods of old memories and the feelings that came with them started rolling in. Then, we came to the area that we once called home. To say that it had changed would be a colossal understatement. It had been really nice when we lived there. Now, not so much... Anyway, we checked into our hotel and began our expedition. Oh yeah, our hotel wasn't even there 17 years ago. Neither was the mini city that used to be cornfields surrounding it.<br />
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Y'all, it was CRAZY! CRAZY, I say! Our journey to 'us' began when we met at Meijers (a northern version Walmart, only nicer), where we both worked. We got off of work at 2 in the morning and the only place open at that time was the Waffle House that occupied the front of the Meijers parking lot. So, that was where we went every night when we got off work to drink tea and talk until we had to go get a few hours of shut-eye before school. People, they closed Meijers down! It was just an empty, dilapidated shell of a building! Then, they had torn down the Waffle House and built a new one in a different location of the same parking lot. So, even though there was still a Waffle House there - it wasn't "our" Waffle House. Bummer... After that disappointment, we decided to go see our first apartment that we lived in after we got married. It. had. changed. ALOT. It was a pretty new and pretty nice neighborhood back in the day. Now, though...well, let's just say that we were afraid to slow down to snap a picture of it.<br />
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After that, I had Chris drive by my first apartment there. And, lo and behold, it hadn't been torn down or moved or changed into a new super center or anything.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8K0-2VnVKkqa8gy_HhzkY2QlRctvX6B1HvsQOZfn6qzr67lEvbUPgMiNrbt4qo9gzbjBFvxAfJ97COwxo5lKCujesAVQJIYXRwmnWg5L3wuEK_p5aB-p2QoWS9SsaoPpk7lx12ftgAsw/s1600/1st+apartment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8K0-2VnVKkqa8gy_HhzkY2QlRctvX6B1HvsQOZfn6qzr67lEvbUPgMiNrbt4qo9gzbjBFvxAfJ97COwxo5lKCujesAVQJIYXRwmnWg5L3wuEK_p5aB-p2QoWS9SsaoPpk7lx12ftgAsw/s400/1st+apartment.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I lived in the first floor apartment right there where the grill is. Ironically, the name of the apartment complex is "The Moors" and my new last name is also Moore. I think it was destiny. Yep. Lots of memories there. I lived there with 4 other girls. The people above us sounded like they moved the furniture at least a few nights a week to hold line dancing parties. Of course, we probably weren't much quieter. That apartment complex was more like a dorm and our place seemed to be a major hang-out. At least one thing about Columbus hadn't changed so far...<br />
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We moved on to see the old school. You guessed her... The old campus had been sold. It wasn't there anymore. The school had relocated and had changed names. See, I told you it was crazy. By this time it was getting late so we hit the Walmart that hadn't existed 17 years ago for drinks for the night, grabbed some take-out from the Popeye's that popped up out of nowhere and headed back to the hotel that used to just be a cornfield.<br />
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The next morning dawned with fresh hopes of finding and exploring the parks that we used to picnic at and walk the trails. We also thought we'd head out to <a href="http://hockinghills.com/">Hocking Hills</a>, which is only a short 40 minute drive away. But, alas, it was not to be. It was raining. Not that all out frog chokin' kind of rain - just the kind that was light enough to be a nuisance. We knew Hocking Hills would be a bad idea because you just really don't want to go walking trails high in the cliffs on wet rock. We figured we could still go find our old parks, though. But, you guessed it, we could not find them for the life of us. Everything was so built up and new roads and towns expanded to the point where nothing was recognizable. And, if it hadn't been for GPS we would have been totally lost.<br />
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On to Plan B. We decided to go find one of our favorite towns, Granville, OH. It's a beautiful little town nestled in the hills and home to <a href="https://www.denison.edu/">Denison University</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-FnLUHWt229MeHXbH_7w2jsQHzA_kv6hbgxKx_aDiU2QgjRI4WUNZpQd5jXeKkp6hoDPCbX_J75RqyLgAghB4eXt6zw5t0W_vdRA4fYLJTW6FUv7YJ1iA0LprgFd6Ae5uGmFTJnQTQg/s1600/Denison+Univ..JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-FnLUHWt229MeHXbH_7w2jsQHzA_kv6hbgxKx_aDiU2QgjRI4WUNZpQd5jXeKkp6hoDPCbX_J75RqyLgAghB4eXt6zw5t0W_vdRA4fYLJTW6FUv7YJ1iA0LprgFd6Ae5uGmFTJnQTQg/s400/Denison+Univ..JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We used to love to take the beautiful back roads and drive through those gorgeous hills, enjoying each other's company as well as the view. It was magical - especially during Autumn when the leaves were in peak color. It was also the place where <a href="http://ramblingsofahappyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2009/09/he-said-i-have-dog-jaw.html">this incident</a> happened.<br />
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Although it was rainy, it was still beautiful. Here's a bit of it's charm - although there ain't nothing like the real thing, Baby.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5kw4ytQzr94nyXOszd2iHBpH_HGFhXHL4uEaxBTDKKtWgJhfM_XN66mapZTym6EKrqXlmcwqRGIfWQCE74IXvpBRikI-NV1dR4CbvGtM5JQt2uHpvAIYxGwR9TQjjkYO2h1lIjNb13E/s1600/Brick+Roads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5kw4ytQzr94nyXOszd2iHBpH_HGFhXHL4uEaxBTDKKtWgJhfM_XN66mapZTym6EKrqXlmcwqRGIfWQCE74IXvpBRikI-NV1dR4CbvGtM5JQt2uHpvAIYxGwR9TQjjkYO2h1lIjNb13E/s400/Brick+Roads.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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brick roads</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sxEU7JY_bp1wcqRsO1TutNh0GAMpLBu-ZM34u89A6rFoB1WObwc56HVkI9zyxrtRh7dKjuc3G0aE7ildGC5vxsCRJR5j_-3xHnx8AbINFRLIZH6aK6ow7RUMBD4i3aqiEYkcbvUgE4k/s1600/quaint+churches.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sxEU7JY_bp1wcqRsO1TutNh0GAMpLBu-ZM34u89A6rFoB1WObwc56HVkI9zyxrtRh7dKjuc3G0aE7ildGC5vxsCRJR5j_-3xHnx8AbINFRLIZH6aK6ow7RUMBD4i3aqiEYkcbvUgE4k/s400/quaint+churches.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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quaint churches</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo06b3v7ETkZRDpxq2qVaIpfZYQkrXWR3ojwwuI4UtLZbwJvN_3tVVr4b5ZG4Pq48AVJ0px4ZYOw03ZT3eysDrOnNGWGmhRSSqJTcfm52NctAPGsi7qT70Mlji1Wad-eCzhg9KYKRLG4/s1600/pretty+houses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo06b3v7ETkZRDpxq2qVaIpfZYQkrXWR3ojwwuI4UtLZbwJvN_3tVVr4b5ZG4Pq48AVJ0px4ZYOw03ZT3eysDrOnNGWGmhRSSqJTcfm52NctAPGsi7qT70Mlji1Wad-eCzhg9KYKRLG4/s400/pretty+houses.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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lovely houses</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKbMW44jFhcw4BzfWZ9AjD1q4rL37dnE8DkZuQrSXn0h_2SN0S7GLl4knGf09YTyNKlnIife5_bWeA-fy6LQ69jmeYTp0nW34UtWF91ci6gocjchwT4LNyaoDGxtFlx33ScW9v0azRLE/s1600/town.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKbMW44jFhcw4BzfWZ9AjD1q4rL37dnE8DkZuQrSXn0h_2SN0S7GLl4knGf09YTyNKlnIife5_bWeA-fy6LQ69jmeYTp0nW34UtWF91ci6gocjchwT4LNyaoDGxtFlx33ScW9v0azRLE/s400/town.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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and this charming town full of incredibly cool restaurants and stores</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iL7i94URUd8F1-gzQHNYiMa8mSxrjOo0Ub3B93fxeA2Kl2WoH7uCCBuGYy65S3GGvehOCDO2cfbsvFYvsvP-4c9vHqplE9Qx_Ma1nJ7Owh6K9c0OGje8TqI64Adhw_zEwML0S65_o48/s1600/Fr.+shop+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iL7i94URUd8F1-gzQHNYiMa8mSxrjOo0Ub3B93fxeA2Kl2WoH7uCCBuGYy65S3GGvehOCDO2cfbsvFYvsvP-4c9vHqplE9Qx_Ma1nJ7Owh6K9c0OGje8TqI64Adhw_zEwML0S65_o48/s400/Fr.+shop+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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like this one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvjJYxWWK8Xo8SASIvUy0BLa-8wq3iQdsoT51bVL4J4414f-uzl7P1sMu55n2oJQaQ4uyZpyhtGYNnL9nI7nOzwDdmBWNqE4sPIJLuodu-qs67PFwbPGiyqqIzJTQ8BAqM0E-U2vyaGs/s1600/Fr.+shop+2+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvjJYxWWK8Xo8SASIvUy0BLa-8wq3iQdsoT51bVL4J4414f-uzl7P1sMu55n2oJQaQ4uyZpyhtGYNnL9nI7nOzwDdmBWNqE4sPIJLuodu-qs67PFwbPGiyqqIzJTQ8BAqM0E-U2vyaGs/s400/Fr.+shop+2+.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's a very French-y type store</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWJFv1ZN2CwkGqTTRCji2xvBtCGj8_wz2W90sUjH_75L5rMTwsxR-n3mYZJPNPAoc6vyZ4FjVQ84g7sIe0hrb8M1H15u4XCdqE5BPnEpwvj3tGd2ZwD90-FW73hWavyrJq600I8CEr6I/s1600/shop+vignettes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWJFv1ZN2CwkGqTTRCji2xvBtCGj8_wz2W90sUjH_75L5rMTwsxR-n3mYZJPNPAoc6vyZ4FjVQ84g7sIe0hrb8M1H15u4XCdqE5BPnEpwvj3tGd2ZwD90-FW73hWavyrJq600I8CEr6I/s400/shop+vignettes.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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with darling vignettes every place you look.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fFzGWwfINRcXpIONiX74tDu6hvv2KRx16L_Ys0wBH0GDnCFq1xnxyWss0PdvUOqlbahTn-RcJVpR-XcbACL7V8fG-xgJnpBTcYLRokrBQ_cxnl91gmcKnlF3Cco9BUkrrE-GmP4-eOI/s1600/Buxton+Inn+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fFzGWwfINRcXpIONiX74tDu6hvv2KRx16L_Ys0wBH0GDnCFq1xnxyWss0PdvUOqlbahTn-RcJVpR-XcbACL7V8fG-xgJnpBTcYLRokrBQ_cxnl91gmcKnlF3Cco9BUkrrE-GmP4-eOI/s400/Buxton+Inn+sign.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Granville also has this hotel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zjbK6hbz2gNtQYatRIz5CAS8bTYVO1VLWhFwzE09RycCjkMoRd5Kb1EMUcEIDVzquodzhlXJvoMJaAdAiAbCTxGcsDzi4UwnojxyywnLza8D7VPvGUYVULhWsZcV113DfplZz_zBh3Y/s1600/Buxton+Inn+front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zjbK6hbz2gNtQYatRIz5CAS8bTYVO1VLWhFwzE09RycCjkMoRd5Kb1EMUcEIDVzquodzhlXJvoMJaAdAiAbCTxGcsDzi4UwnojxyywnLza8D7VPvGUYVULhWsZcV113DfplZz_zBh3Y/s400/Buxton+Inn+front.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's supposed to be haunted. We didn't go in to find out.</div>
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A brief trip through Granville was all we could handle. Not only was it still drizzling, it had gotten c.o.l.d. It looked like everything we had planned for our anniversary get-away and trip down memory lane had been doomed from the git-go. I didn't even mention how our original hotel reservations had fallen through when we were only about an hour away and our room ended up costing more for one night than our original reservations had been for 2. So, we decided that we would stop for a nice, warm lunch and head on back to home-sweet-home.</div>
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Although nothing went as we had envisioned for that weekend, all-in-all it was still nice to get away for the night. We also learned a good lesson. You can't relive the past. Time marches on whether we want it to or not. So, it was a good reminder to enjoy the memories of our lives just for what they are - good memories - and focus on making new ones. Which is exactly what that weekend ended up being. Now we can look back and say, "Hey, remember that time we went to Columbus to show Isaac all of our old places and our history and not one thing went right because everything had changed?"</div>
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Have you ever tried to take a trip down memory lane only to find it had turned into a super-highway?</div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-36220720819354021242012-04-05T12:41:00.000-04:002012-04-05T14:21:16.989-04:00I NEED YOUR HELP...ASAP<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alright, lovely readers...I need your help. I don't usually post twice in one day. Heck, lately, I don't even post once a day! But, here's the deal...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm having a giveaway on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PureYankabilly">PURE YANKABILLY'S Facebook page</a> for a 4 ounce jar of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/94979936/green-goodness-healing-balm-4-ounce-jar">Green Goodness Healing Balm</a> ~ IF we hit 100 'likes'. Y'all, we only need 3 more. THREE MORE!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EEEYvrlhMzsMuQosCYcF9cbTZmKr6yOg39j8LwRu3oJAtToLz6Ln0YY-TCfjj-4YMsexsQMYI9LtOVjy3fErb7U85n9MUp9i0XtNnW2F2DS6cMGbeucjiMIQVImWxwxvHRI_aidXVKs/s1600/GG+balm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EEEYvrlhMzsMuQosCYcF9cbTZmKr6yOg39j8LwRu3oJAtToLz6Ln0YY-TCfjj-4YMsexsQMYI9LtOVjy3fErb7U85n9MUp9i0XtNnW2F2DS6cMGbeucjiMIQVImWxwxvHRI_aidXVKs/s400/GG+balm.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me quickly share a bit about Green Goodness. This stuff is UH-MAZING! Amazing, I say! Here's why...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">This wonder-worker will instantly take the pain or itch out of burns, bites, stings or scrapes. It removes boils, quickly heals and soothes cold sores, quickly heals (or prevents) new bruises, heals diaper rash, fungal infections (think ringworm/athlete's foot), topical yeast infections and so much more! On top of it all it's all organic! Yee-haw! </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, will you help a sistah out? Go <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PureYankabilly">here</a> and "like" PURE YANKABILLY on Facebook and you'll be entered to win this amazing healing balm, too. Let's do this ASAP, K?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Thank you! You're awesome, wonderful and amazing!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">UPDATE:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">Thank you all SO much! You did it! We hit the mark!</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-85640902306122054602012-04-05T10:38:00.002-04:002012-04-05T10:38:53.128-04:00Making Homemade Beef Stock<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My family bought half of a grass-fed cow this winter. I asked the processing plant for the bones and any extras they had. Now, I'm a veteran at making homemade chicken stock, but this was to be my first foray into beef stock. We put the huge bag of bones into the freezer to wait until I had room in the freezer to make stock. You see, we also bought a pastured hog that came in about 6 weeks before the beef did. That meant my freezer was full. to. the. max. Since, I had 200 thousand pounds of bones, I was going to need to freeze the resulting stock so it wouldn't spoil. Of course that was going to take up precious freezer space that I just didn't have until we ate some more meat.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I knew that time was getting close for me to make stock we took the big bag of bones out of the freezer and set it on the garage floor to wait for me. I live in Indiana and it was winter time so this should have been no problem. Clue in on key word <i>should.</i> Let me rephrase...In a typical winter this should not have been a problem. Clue in on key words <i>typical winter.</i> In case you just flew in from Mars or something...this has NOT been a <i>typical winter</i>. No. We had to have a warm snap. Like, even warmer than our unusually warm winter snap. I couldn't get those bones out of the garage before they quickly spoiled because of the heat. GRRRRRR! Needless to say, I was NOT a happy camper. Lesson learned...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I still wanted to make beef stock, though. Bone broth is one of the healthiest foods you can consume and I am over buying an inferior product if I don't have to. Guess what I found out? You can actually buy the bones from a butcher many times. Meijers (a superstore in the Midwest) even sells them. So, I bought me some bones and made beef stock. Wanna learn?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, you need to get some bones. I started by saving all the beef bones that came in our roasts and off of our steaks in a gallon sized bag in the freezer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBtQP55gQTJu7jrwTQDuTXdeGjN54FXGjUUW1rRoSiIPrOad2jJqJYNQLDsKAF5DAarqzXI0UD9QCem3NlYwxOVXPInFvXhLsATAPOgWoA29W_-dnZfAC8hI9LIbJekd38kTNLymSOsg/s1600/DSCN0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBtQP55gQTJu7jrwTQDuTXdeGjN54FXGjUUW1rRoSiIPrOad2jJqJYNQLDsKAF5DAarqzXI0UD9QCem3NlYwxOVXPInFvXhLsATAPOgWoA29W_-dnZfAC8hI9LIbJekd38kTNLymSOsg/s400/DSCN0310.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, I bought some soup bones at Whole Foods.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0_g2F_XuVpUnMhNZBdkYx-oJrz7IE5Sryq44yJg6IGbBsvSj2Sr7JC30346B7BbK7QpjOIrPNXb6PY8kNOvvNrmgY7QbnFcXcm3ASi1ypjYQa1DTF9VMS9aKLsnwC4fAY25imm6HxxY/s1600/DSCN0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0_g2F_XuVpUnMhNZBdkYx-oJrz7IE5Sryq44yJg6IGbBsvSj2Sr7JC30346B7BbK7QpjOIrPNXb6PY8kNOvvNrmgY7QbnFcXcm3ASi1ypjYQa1DTF9VMS9aKLsnwC4fAY25imm6HxxY/s400/DSCN0292.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And last, but not least...I snatched up this baby to throw in for good measure. :0)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6dlBKurapZRhfVmC4mUAwOaLaOc4BOzeWaNYiD5CG31hKWlJ5VHMIMMIcvzts0KimUmf4Gl8_xVko8mQbhZ6e3T-8YA7gsAzd0LAh2MzV9VwmBR0E_3W_cFA03NTCfpbTQ2k1r9bHtg/s1600/DSCN0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6dlBKurapZRhfVmC4mUAwOaLaOc4BOzeWaNYiD5CG31hKWlJ5VHMIMMIcvzts0KimUmf4Gl8_xVko8mQbhZ6e3T-8YA7gsAzd0LAh2MzV9VwmBR0E_3W_cFA03NTCfpbTQ2k1r9bHtg/s400/DSCN0301.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a cow hoof. The hard part has been taken off and it's been cleaned, of course.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5HV9ndZJx6A4i-Th4jtuqYsJx4A7m70JsugLbhxBJsy6U4qMaYHUqMgfjenR76ODjdX9HZ9l5ehsAwDaXMfQ0tYraMJXKEXuII-IlrxjHbd3WYCKPvvyYZ_lHFGAxpkD2aUbzAlCdYI/s1600/DSCN0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5HV9ndZJx6A4i-Th4jtuqYsJx4A7m70JsugLbhxBJsy6U4qMaYHUqMgfjenR76ODjdX9HZ9l5ehsAwDaXMfQ0tYraMJXKEXuII-IlrxjHbd3WYCKPvvyYZ_lHFGAxpkD2aUbzAlCdYI/s400/DSCN0304.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought you might like a close up. You're welcome. :) These are really great for making stock because they're full of the substance which causes stock to gel. You want that. It's super good for your joints as well as your immune system.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think I freaked the lady out behind me in the check-out lane at Meijers when she saw this on the conveyor belt. Our conversation went something like this...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Excuse me, what is that?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- A cow hoof.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- What are you going to do with it?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Make dinner.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <i>voice begins to raise... </i>Exactly WHAT are you making with it?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <i>voice remains calm and nonchalant... </i>Braised cow hooves with liver meatballs. It's cooked with lots of garlic and onions, which makes everything taste wonderful. It's really good for you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- <i>voice is near panicky and about 5 octaves higher... </i>OH. MY. GAAAWD! How can you EAT that?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Naw, I didn't really say that to her. But, I totally <i>would</i> have if I was on-the-spot witty. Unfortunately, I usually come up with some real zingers, but it's always after the fact. :) This is how our conversation really went...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Excuse me, what is that?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- A cow hoof.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- What are you going to do with it?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Make beef stock.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Oh?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Yeah, they're great for making stock because they produce a lot of the gel that is so good for building your immune system and joints.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Well, that makes sense. I just wouldn't want to see one show up on my dinner plate!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It wasn't until I hit the parking lot that I realized I could have had a really great time messing with her. Oh well, there's always next time. :)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You probably want to know how to finish making stock now so I'll get off of my bunny trail.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After I gathered all of my respective bones, I put them in my favorite 9 quart iron Dutch oven. I give you permission to use whatever you want, though. I'm nice that way. Then I added some flavor and nutrient enhancers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRIpsUlNZt78X2tRFjyHm7zQY8dOoohvw3PTazBfP1rtVZogWQ9O54wkgHcoag2zpgiKuLrhYWtFMMb67NfxNNNIFO1A0xzl3oqx4YJ-u3PJs-bjqlQ8aJ1Q8ERwx9n-wG5GViynza1Q/s1600/DSCN0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRIpsUlNZt78X2tRFjyHm7zQY8dOoohvw3PTazBfP1rtVZogWQ9O54wkgHcoag2zpgiKuLrhYWtFMMb67NfxNNNIFO1A0xzl3oqx4YJ-u3PJs-bjqlQ8aJ1Q8ERwx9n-wG5GViynza1Q/s400/DSCN0319.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This part is really flexible, but I added carrots, onions and garlic. They make the broth taste yummy and give a real boost to the immune system. I also added bay leaves, because bay leaves make everything taste better. The dried stuff you see in the picture is parsley from last year's herb garden. If you ever plan on planting parsley in your herb garden make sure to get the Italian parsley. Don't even bother with the curly stuff - unless you like to put a snippet of it on the side of your dinner plates for everyone to throw away. Then, by all means, knock yourself out. I won't judge you. Anyhoo...I also added sea salt and pepper for good measure. As far as flexibility goes, you can throw in celery, leafy greens like kale or collards, any herb you have on hand (think thyme, chives, sage...), the occasional potato peel, etc. I've even been known to throw in a few asparagus stems, though you would want to go easy on that. They have a pretty strong flavor when cooked for a long time and can quickly overwhelm the broth. You want the main flavor to be the animal the bones came from, not asparagus. Know what I mean?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A quick tip if you're going to start making bone broth, beef or chicken, is this: If you're going to peel carrots for something, wash them first and then save the peels in a zip lock bag in the freezer. You can also save onion and garlic skins, the tips of celery or the ends of any veggie that you would normally send to the trash or compost bin as long as you wash them first. This also applies to the stems of soft herbs. Then, when your bag of frozen veggie scraps is full just add it to your bones for broth. The scraps are still full of nutrients and flavor. Even though they're not fit for showcasing in a meal they're perfect for making broth and you didn't have to waste a vegetable in the meantime.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzL9WQQoQJswpRYoa4_BvCKnu40Bp0w7VBmuSZxzPohj6WWIGTiekgR5mCMD7V-IpIcPQRWOwpglg31nE4IyLdbcZIQu_C6ulRyt_GkgY4m6m3YNa3E2jfi2cAdjik5nlnI_gHKDsxPyc/s1600/DSCN0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzL9WQQoQJswpRYoa4_BvCKnu40Bp0w7VBmuSZxzPohj6WWIGTiekgR5mCMD7V-IpIcPQRWOwpglg31nE4IyLdbcZIQu_C6ulRyt_GkgY4m6m3YNa3E2jfi2cAdjik5nlnI_gHKDsxPyc/s400/DSCN0322.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's another quick tip for you. Don't mess with peeling and chopping the garlic. I simply smash them with the side of knife and throw them into the pot skins and all. I KNOW.. so much easier! You're welcome.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF405f1QLr_0w0at5Ki_uhdaK4j7FSYQag_c5aGqzTLgdU2ezOisWMqTv81__XtJzoVLNfMkCDR_8gp4SKzRyHIdpa18QOXgdNRa9N93XFQRWEVIsCT6JSB0jfnJYxGgf7pmn-d1MBfwc/s1600/DSCN0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF405f1QLr_0w0at5Ki_uhdaK4j7FSYQag_c5aGqzTLgdU2ezOisWMqTv81__XtJzoVLNfMkCDR_8gp4SKzRyHIdpa18QOXgdNRa9N93XFQRWEVIsCT6JSB0jfnJYxGgf7pmn-d1MBfwc/s400/DSCN0327.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once you've decided on add-ins, or not, just cover with water. I mean...JUST. You don't want inches of water over the tops of your bones 'n veggies. Kapeesh?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMe7MrmAzQpTAf2cL8OsviQHpK_jsIZKKlt_HuYYDf_ynYFj932ffOnMkOfTwoiitk22uwOvWE8JRDfIiWNSU_x7hLrTMUW-z8fD2Ju99xDikYEJlJpUdTnFa2LXdMdU7QTTptK_FTMk/s1600/DSCN0330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMe7MrmAzQpTAf2cL8OsviQHpK_jsIZKKlt_HuYYDf_ynYFj932ffOnMkOfTwoiitk22uwOvWE8JRDfIiWNSU_x7hLrTMUW-z8fD2Ju99xDikYEJlJpUdTnFa2LXdMdU7QTTptK_FTMk/s400/DSCN0330.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, this next step is optional but highly recommended. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of cider vinegar to the water and let it sit for about 30 minutes before you turn the heat on. The cider vinegar begins to break down the bones so that inner substance that forms the gel that is so good for you can be released.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After about 30 minutes turn the heat on medium high and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam that forms and then turn the heat down to med low. Cover your pot. You want a gently bubbling simmer, not a boil. That's it! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't let the details of this post fool you. It takes mere minutes of hands-on time to get to this point. From here on out you barely even have to think about your broth, much less touch it. So, though there is a lot of time involved, there is very little <i>hands on</i> time involved. It's brainless, really. And...it smells SO GOOD your husband will go nuts when he gets home from work. I'm talkin' 'wake you up in the night 'cause it smells so good' good here. Moving on...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ideally you want to let your stock simmer for 24 hours before you strain it. But, you can let it go even longer if you like. I wouldn't strain beef stock any sooner than 18 hours, personally. Chicken stock can be removed after 8 or 12 hours if you need to. The beautiful thing about making your own stock is that you can make it in a crock pot if you're uncomfortable with running your stove top for that long at a time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another tid bit of information is that your bones can be reused. Remove the veggies after each batch if you're using them. Chicken bones can be used 2 or 3 times. Beef bones can be reused up to 5 times. Now, each batch of broth is going to be weaker than the one before. The first batch of stock is superb, unequaled to store bought even, and is best used where the flavor is going to be featured. Think soups, sauces, etc. The later batches which are less flavorful are great for cooking anything that would normally just use water. Think rice, risotto, steaming veggies, yada, yada, yada. Although you don't get the awesome flavor, you're still getting extra nutrients.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtPqd5E0hJ5hDdQ7ResKcspiAE-0dQjkGAGpvAsy6m-fKOoOsuR3-YpDhMZJOjzeo1EcwjGlP42p22guVMhHfbMDEx6RkyYICS9rMjJinLFQthgIfppDu36lPJ4bb7FfLObXVVvxIgOs/s1600/DSCN0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtPqd5E0hJ5hDdQ7ResKcspiAE-0dQjkGAGpvAsy6m-fKOoOsuR3-YpDhMZJOjzeo1EcwjGlP42p22guVMhHfbMDEx6RkyYICS9rMjJinLFQthgIfppDu36lPJ4bb7FfLObXVVvxIgOs/s400/DSCN0339.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When my stock was done, I poured it into mason jars through a cheesecloth.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBXc9U7vJP34McD1Q97eXyfeS3mciPVrechKPOdkbpnqtdarNnfZPdtHsHqZHO4H6y3clxFGHzmwWGu73Sc48ol3HrmjviGWBNxX9MkaXFstMPjlDRRKSOJWJfw3aCkvJ82yIXcYM0ZI/s1600/DSCN0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBXc9U7vJP34McD1Q97eXyfeS3mciPVrechKPOdkbpnqtdarNnfZPdtHsHqZHO4H6y3clxFGHzmwWGu73Sc48ol3HrmjviGWBNxX9MkaXFstMPjlDRRKSOJWJfw3aCkvJ82yIXcYM0ZI/s400/DSCN0353.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once it's cool the fat will rise to the top. You can scoop it off if you wish. Or, you can scoop it off and save it separately to use in cooking because what you have there is tallow - a traditional, healthy fat. You can see that the jars in the back look different than the jars in the front. They don't have that dark, rich color because they were from a later batch of beef stock. It'll be perfect for cooking rice or something like that in. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All in all, I ended up with 7 quarts of beef stock. I can live with that. :0 I'm not lying when I tell you that the flavor of store bought broth in no way, shape or form comes anywhere near the flavor of homemade stock. The difference it makes in the flavor of your meals will amaze you once you try it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can go <a href="http://pamsadventuresinhomemaking.blogspot.com/2010/02/making-bone-broth.html">here</a> for a tutorial on how to make chicken stock and a few more tips about packaging and storing broth in general.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, do tell...Have you ever made your own stock before? Is this something you think you would ever do? Any more ideas on what to do with the later batches of stock that don't have as rich of a flavor?</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-34756751379826232172012-04-02T08:11:00.001-04:002012-04-02T08:11:39.591-04:00Updates and a Winner...I'm home after a weekend with my family in Michigan. I not only got to spend time with the kinfolk, but I also... A) got a much needed haircut (It'd been a year.) ~ B) had a meeting pertaining to <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pureyankabilly">PURE YANKABILLY</a> ~ C) had my first two in-home parties ~ and D) got to spend time with some wonderful old friends as well as meet a few new ones.<br />
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Because of my trip north I am late in choosing a winner for my 2nd <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pureyankabilly">PURE YANKABILLY</a> giveaway. But, alas, choose a winner I did via Random.org. And the winner is...drum roll please....<br />
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#11 - <a href="http://mscarolsue.blogspot.com/">Carol Sue</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_isb_LDsdwduKAyzFPPv_mPtt3HEwwIY1XuxYGSbVFAhMEeeUrWsuvteb1eKItv75VxWOZuw-6bzoa8ouBsQ_o9ND0t8PwoiP1LKDDQ4AgnMTHoibOQqGwoAJzyT8La_XVqF_enlQJc/s1600/skin+care+kit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_isb_LDsdwduKAyzFPPv_mPtt3HEwwIY1XuxYGSbVFAhMEeeUrWsuvteb1eKItv75VxWOZuw-6bzoa8ouBsQ_o9ND0t8PwoiP1LKDDQ4AgnMTHoibOQqGwoAJzyT8La_XVqF_enlQJc/s400/skin+care+kit.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Congratulations, Carol Sue, on winning the 5 piece Love Your Face Kit!<br />
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If you didn't win you can visit <a href="http://www.crazyhousereviews.com/2012/03/pure-yankabilly-all-natural-skin-care.html">Sarah @ CrAzY House</a>. Visit her anyway! She did a review of the products I sent her and is also giving away the 5 piece Love Your Face Kit!<br />
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I will make my best effort to get a post I'm working on (not related to PURE YANKABILLY) up tomorrow.<br />
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Hope to see you then!<br />
Pam<br />
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<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-76622251834005876082012-03-25T07:38:00.001-04:002012-04-02T08:04:49.474-04:00And the Winner Is...We have a winner for the <a href="http://ramblingsofahappyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2012/03/its-time-to-spill-beansand-giveaway.html">first PURE YANKABILLY giveaway</a>! The winner was chosen by <a href="http://www.random.org/">Random.org</a>.<br />
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Congratulations to #23 - <a href="http://jennysblessednest.blogspot.com/">Jenny</a>!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Oh my goodness ~ each of these prodcuts makes me GIDDY!! I choose the Flower Power Soothing salve =) I love the name!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">There is still time to <a href="http://ramblingsofahappyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2012/03/pure-yankabilly-giveaway-2.html">enter the giveaway</a> for the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/94665758/5-piece-love-your-face-kit">5 piece Love Your Face Kit</a>.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Happy Sunday!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Pam</span></span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-39760314825019286842012-03-21T16:07:00.000-04:002012-04-02T08:04:34.286-04:00PURE YANKABILLY Giveaway #2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomorrow is the last day for the first official giveaway from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pureyankabilly">PURE YANKABILLY All Natural Skincare.</a> Be sure to <a href="http://ramblingsofahappyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2012/03/its-time-to-spill-beansand-giveaway.html">enter</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And now.....</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's go ahead and roll out Giveaway #2. How'd be that? You'll get the 5 piece Love Your Face Kit. Here's what's in it...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9rAE6aHAuKbUupYALPz0LI3bn4VGHby0X4sVE72CDc0D7qTG_oTqBdVRf2D4CrsJ19ZS29_QIcvpmCsSek96x0ECnPktxmGKIq-xv0cl1SPcJYgHBFaae4wHc7v6NT7aB6PHvrn7HUo/s1600/single+soap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9rAE6aHAuKbUupYALPz0LI3bn4VGHby0X4sVE72CDc0D7qTG_oTqBdVRf2D4CrsJ19ZS29_QIcvpmCsSek96x0ECnPktxmGKIq-xv0cl1SPcJYgHBFaae4wHc7v6NT7aB6PHvrn7HUo/s320/single+soap.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/94360007/gentle-bar-soap-natural-and-organic">Gentle Bar Soap - 5 oz</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Kt6P2WaLb6V3-0-noCHi5oG336lKrix_ql6zEHi8gZ5bGHgPoOciL1JRFr-d-dgdaLuwrCO6tdQ2bFE1e9KxlFP3YhkkwRgIN8SvP7yfUJ4DI1x_6sldWWOmXjsxdV36BqSfOFyw9p0/s1600/toner+-+LR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Kt6P2WaLb6V3-0-noCHi5oG336lKrix_ql6zEHi8gZ5bGHgPoOciL1JRFr-d-dgdaLuwrCO6tdQ2bFE1e9KxlFP3YhkkwRgIN8SvP7yfUJ4DI1x_6sldWWOmXjsxdV36BqSfOFyw9p0/s320/toner+-+LR.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/94424646/organic-facial-toner-soothing-healing">Lavender Rose Facial Toner - 2 oz</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeatgLi9_T5BHYEYK20PkAK0dpG3KXUxwKtOuNnmSkApPCA7Hfl3kg7YNpNIIu1EJR_lfnukY42znoPi_l2BdfCYYrYv2-9F_9Tv1MMD5f8Yk00wBs2wbwodW2xe1Zh1j-Yh9kShszhM/s1600/face+oil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeatgLi9_T5BHYEYK20PkAK0dpG3KXUxwKtOuNnmSkApPCA7Hfl3kg7YNpNIIu1EJR_lfnukY42znoPi_l2BdfCYYrYv2-9F_9Tv1MMD5f8Yk00wBs2wbwodW2xe1Zh1j-Yh9kShszhM/s320/face+oil.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/94424646/organic-facial-toner-soothing-healing">Moisturizing Face Oil - 2 oz</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0Tzilvf4f_xonjVNvBMKxxeZm3Og6qp_Y-r9cl30DCvjMDPYhUxDirdJaAkZkGoEgnIuGwxdIZrgpLGXuFnplFmADXIlrMa0IOYmj83tHJgKCpw3WNj_YFfjA8gYpPWjOwe5akvHmYA/s1600/closed+eye+cream.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0Tzilvf4f_xonjVNvBMKxxeZm3Og6qp_Y-r9cl30DCvjMDPYhUxDirdJaAkZkGoEgnIuGwxdIZrgpLGXuFnplFmADXIlrMa0IOYmj83tHJgKCpw3WNj_YFfjA8gYpPWjOwe5akvHmYA/s320/closed+eye+cream.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/94415970/whipped-eye-cream-organic-anti-aging">Whipped Eye Cream - 1 oz</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKasN52-10bMV1wnGzcKxIb8mYJ_oMDA_Inmj3ewJ8lbP6Q5RmmJhzJR_IgcfvpbCw0C4rpJWcG-RLF3fu1KxFvnPJ_kvQTSG_HFKcGGracF8vmDDeGfI1KXRqr4iQwbG4ZJfEHqTcsQ/s1600/lip+balm+closed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKasN52-10bMV1wnGzcKxIb8mYJ_oMDA_Inmj3ewJ8lbP6Q5RmmJhzJR_IgcfvpbCw0C4rpJWcG-RLF3fu1KxFvnPJ_kvQTSG_HFKcGGracF8vmDDeGfI1KXRqr4iQwbG4ZJfEHqTcsQ/s320/lip+balm+closed.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/94659667/peppermint-grapefruit-lip-balm">Nourishing Lip Balm - .25 oz</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This kit has everything I use on a daily basic to cleanse and prep my face for the day (or night). I love it and I hope you will, too!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bought as a kit this is a $59.95 value. It would cost $65.75 if purchased separately.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Giveaway will run until Thursday, March 29, 2012.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">To Enter Giveaway:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Simply leave me a comment telling me which item you're most excited about trying.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">For extra entries, leave a <i><b>separate comment for each of the following</b></i>...</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">+1 - Follow Ramblings of a Happy Homemaker - or tell me if you already do.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">+1 - Follow <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PureYankabilly" style="color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none;">PURE YANKABILLY on Facebook</a> - or tell me if you already do.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">+1 - Blog about this giveaway and then leave me the link for your post in the comments.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">+1 - Share about this giveaway on Facebook and then let me know you did.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've had some people share with me that they aren't able to leave a comment on my blog for some reason. I've tried unsuccessfully to figure out why. If you find that you fall into this category, shoot me an e-mail at hhramblings@gmail.com telling me what you did to enter. There's actually a button on my sidebar that will let you do this quickly. One e-mail with all your info will be fine.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alright, that's all folks! Good luck to you! And, thanks for reading. :0)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.</span></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-52482586602453113312012-03-16T00:00:00.000-04:002012-03-16T07:20:03.636-04:00Cute Etsy Find<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's talk about checkbook covers today. How'd that be? Do any of you use the cheap, crappy little vinyl ones that you get when you order your checks? I do. Because I'm <strike>cheap</strike> frugal. Back years ago, like before I gave birth or had a yungun' cut out of me or however you prefer to phrase it, I worked at a bank. Do you know that we actually had three color choices for those cheap, crappy little vinyl checkbook covers then? Yes'm we did. Navy, green and red. Now, I guess the cheap, crappy little vinyl checkbook cover companies are experiencing a financial crises where they can't afford green and red pigment or something, because we aren't given color options anymore. The cheap, crappy little vinyl checkbook covers only come in navy blue.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlH91cKxpMyguOdhZ81OdV5D8KY4xhr1_VYnVRzsLjlw7M1FTfh_b3u2_lKTGo0Q39IrM9S-2uu3ikjoBJQChUh87qz050iu6eA8EoiMDwN3aL497mupC_ruUGKRgJ3Yrli71hw-spGc/s1600/plain+checkbook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlH91cKxpMyguOdhZ81OdV5D8KY4xhr1_VYnVRzsLjlw7M1FTfh_b3u2_lKTGo0Q39IrM9S-2uu3ikjoBJQChUh87qz050iu6eA8EoiMDwN3aL497mupC_ruUGKRgJ3Yrli71hw-spGc/s400/plain+checkbook.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong...it's not that I really care. It's not one of those life-altering experiences. I don't get bummed when I open my new box of checks and SURPRISE! I get <i>another</i> cheap, crappy little vinyl checkbook cover in navy blue or anything. I think I might actually sew a bunch of them together and make a tablecloth or matching bra and pantie set out of them or something. But, I digress...</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever since I opened a business account and carry two checkbooks with me, this single color option has been an oh-so-slight pain in the neck. I don't want to take 3 seconds to get the right checkbook when it used to only take me 1 second. Do you feel me? So, I figured I needed to find another checkbook cover. So I thunk and I thunk and then I thunk some more about where I could find another one. And...then it hit me. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Duh! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a>! Y'all, they have <i>everything</i> on that site. I'm pretty sure that if you can think it up, you can probably find someone who makes and sells it on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since my shop is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pureyankabilly?ref=ss_profile">PURE YANKABILLY</a>, I really wanted to find something that had a western feel or cowboy boots. I'm a duplicate check kind of gal, so it was important to me that there be a plastic insert to go between the checks. Look what I found!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnwUIRpMNRqh70V2OPhfzle3jcJ_94HQADerAsGOCEmJTOmW_w5mu_4bgwKYIZIztg4BJSZHeTHZdGpSuOgDFElG87S3aEPfTuYZDATyt0fvFSQxqvllskFWoR1sSEz3a6CHK3VB3634/s1600/boots+checkbook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNnwUIRpMNRqh70V2OPhfzle3jcJ_94HQADerAsGOCEmJTOmW_w5mu_4bgwKYIZIztg4BJSZHeTHZdGpSuOgDFElG87S3aEPfTuYZDATyt0fvFSQxqvllskFWoR1sSEz3a6CHK3VB3634/s400/boots+checkbook.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a shot of the inside...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeo9AVQSGOAajBy4btmstbjsBSlhdmNlrQiLyUqzcgGnnKkYTuv-QNnjdeI-s2GW3iaUwHfGk2gKFTI6IDJXlW7CivLNkaoeuK1TNhJm-ALV7lUA_8TLnYmk4TAyNLmmzte0kUM7E_E4/s1600/boots+cb+open.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeo9AVQSGOAajBy4btmstbjsBSlhdmNlrQiLyUqzcgGnnKkYTuv-QNnjdeI-s2GW3iaUwHfGk2gKFTI6IDJXlW7CivLNkaoeuK1TNhJm-ALV7lUA_8TLnYmk4TAyNLmmzte0kUM7E_E4/s400/boots+cb+open.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has a place for my register and a plastic piece sewn in for the duplicates. And, it has a cute contrasting fabric on the inside.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I purchased this through <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/everystitch">a shop called Every Stitch</a>. It was less than $10 and shipped out the same day I purchased it. I saw so many cute covers, though, that had I not had something specific in mind, I would've had a hard time choosing. Prices range anywhere from $5 up, depending on what type of material you prefer.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, when I see this in my purse...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bLm9Ue9yLgaGSn_mjs_ATu61TEiBBwpnnCfT8cKaM5oGfIyxFGBRRKK6FXBcMWub3_iFGCgrQSlNkVwixOzjJi2JdheS5c5Rimm4DDax8FVOh1hm_2eSLDDSeC0IFt6MSVFIHlHpIRM/s1600/both+check+books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bLm9Ue9yLgaGSn_mjs_ATu61TEiBBwpnnCfT8cKaM5oGfIyxFGBRRKK6FXBcMWub3_iFGCgrQSlNkVwixOzjJi2JdheS5c5Rimm4DDax8FVOh1hm_2eSLDDSeC0IFt6MSVFIHlHpIRM/s400/both+check+books.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm back to fishing out the right checkbook in one second flat. That makes me smile. :0)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, share with me...have you ever purchased anything from Etsy? We're you looking for something specific or just window shopping?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget, you still have time to <a href="http://ramblingsofahappyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2012/03/its-time-to-spill-beansand-giveaway.html">enter the giveaway</a> for over $60 in PURE YANKABILLY products!</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-13230784137756862862012-03-14T21:51:00.001-04:002012-04-02T08:04:13.902-04:00It's Time to Spill the Beans...And a Giveaway!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK, I'm ready to get back to more regular blogging after some intensive work on another project. And, I'm ready to spill the beans on just what that project is. :0) Where shall I begin?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been making not only cleaning products, but personal care products for my family for several years now. I have researched and experimented, then researched some more. I'm always looking for ways to shed toxins and chemicals and incorporate healing plant extracts. The benefits that my family has experienced because of this have been incredible. Back a few months ago I started sharing some of my tips and recipes with y'all and was blown away by the response. Evidently, I'm not the only one ready to say goodbye to Big Business in skin care. I'm just tickled pink at so many of your comments sharing how these things are benefiting you, too!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shortly before Christmas, things started snowballing into what I can only call "A God Thing". </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Allow me to share a few of the highlights.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My husband started using some of the newer products I made to give as Christmas gifts, and he commented to me that I should start selling it. At our Christmas gathering, my extended family heartily agreed. Between the holidays, my cousin and I went into a health store in my hometown on a reconnaissance mission and the owner overheard our conversation. She said that she would like to carry my products. <i>I was still in the planning stage at that point.</i> Then, my husband received an unexpected year-end bonus from work (that he's never gotten before) and we realized that God had just provided our start-up funds. So, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pureyankabilly">PURE YANKABILLY ~ All Natural Skincare</a> was born. <i>You may have noticed that I already snuck a new tab in up there with a link to the shop. Is it snuck or sneaked? Anyone? Good thing I don't teach grammar...</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My eyes have recently been opened to the fact that there are "do-ers" in life and then there are those who would rather not mess with it themselves. I'm a do-er. Always have been. I know many of you are, too. You're the type of person who takes great joy in the challenge and the following satisfaction of figuring out how to do and make things yourself. I understand that this may not be for you. But, there are many folks who either don't have time to do the research, hunt down ingredients and then actually make something - or they have no interest in it. Many of them still want to rid their lives of chemicals and take a more natural approach, though. Let me quote the famous Doc Holliday here..."I'll be your Huckleberry!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're a do-er, then I wish you many happy concoctions! I hope you continue to enjoy the skin care recipes I have listed here as well as those from all around the web. My <a href="http://ramblingsofahappyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2011/11/skin-care-series-eye-cream.html">eye cream recipe</a> has been the most popular post on my blog every since I hit "publish". And, it's good stuff. But, my new eye cream that I sell in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pureyankabilly">my shop</a> is great stuff. I've added awesome healing and anti-aging ingredients to it and then whipped it to a wonderful consistency. That's what I've done with everything in my shop. I put in extra research and tracked down the finest ingredients I could get my hands on to make each product the best it could possibly be. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been giving samples to people that I know in real life and have had some really amazing reports rolling in. I'll share some of them with you later. But, for now I want to get to the fun part! In honor of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/pureyankabilly">PURE YANKABILLY'S grand opening</a> - I'm going to do two giveaways.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those of you who may want to go ahead and try something - I'm offering a 15% coupon for liking my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PureYankabilly">PURE YANKABILLY Facebook page</a>. So, are you ready for the first giveaway? I thought so!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's what you'll receive:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDa5KriYP2SRgJTckqiNKYH9P-gbmn5HOwQSX6H1prUrsDJ3H7jyyzXwP27KsHhUzFNV_34M-CufY4VGjU650bBYGtcrhaToUE5KhZfWNnF9Kw3Km1WBqx2cOOoFn8bGqlscPXbVv7-o/s1600/single+soap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDa5KriYP2SRgJTckqiNKYH9P-gbmn5HOwQSX6H1prUrsDJ3H7jyyzXwP27KsHhUzFNV_34M-CufY4VGjU650bBYGtcrhaToUE5KhZfWNnF9Kw3Km1WBqx2cOOoFn8bGqlscPXbVv7-o/s400/single+soap.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gentle Bar Soap - 5 ounces</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the only soap my family uses. It's in the shower and at the bathroom and kitchen sinks. It lathers so nicely that me and Chris both use it for shaving now, saving the expense of shave gel. Since making this I've also been able to say goodbye to a separate face wash because this is awesome for taking good care of the face. I often use it to wash my hair. It's gentle enough to use as an all-in-one soap and shampoo for your babies, too. We always take it with us when we travel, because Isaac's hands will inevitably crack and bleed if we don't. That's not a lot of fun for him. Can you tell we love this stuff? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Xdv6VUqaxQmVtlu9sAJQTXA9yqYv4RTO38k3IbpPvEdzNLKfspc4Z5GXMf7xbj_W6TezMc7vC_tFYTu2fJWk2ZO1CL9xy_AmFZd3v-2Fu8r-t9BTnm6dR5JTWCDHoBOl4pmhtuEhw30/s1600/hard+lotion+bar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Xdv6VUqaxQmVtlu9sAJQTXA9yqYv4RTO38k3IbpPvEdzNLKfspc4Z5GXMf7xbj_W6TezMc7vC_tFYTu2fJWk2ZO1CL9xy_AmFZd3v-2Fu8r-t9BTnm6dR5JTWCDHoBOl4pmhtuEhw30/s400/hard+lotion+bar.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hard Lotion Bar - 1.5 ounces</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my husband's all-time favorite item. This man has <i>never</i> used any type of lotion because he can't stand the feel on his skin. Y'all, he even puts this on his face. Like, every night. It's not greasy at all, but very nourishing and moisturizing. It's even taking the callouses off of his hands that he's had for the entire 17 years we've been married. 'Nuff said.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUkbApaHktbd8-cYfQG0mXugrkMFYFB6PLW694HhDRlfMr8l3g2lH_vEmiFWbRbg0kx6rGhUm4Izu_w0ltJTltEOsGmLXLifjeZX5SR3hblXVmuOiVc49OC2BzCVLomCevZSPj8ENIZU/s1600/sugar+scrub+closed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUkbApaHktbd8-cYfQG0mXugrkMFYFB6PLW694HhDRlfMr8l3g2lH_vEmiFWbRbg0kx6rGhUm4Izu_w0ltJTltEOsGmLXLifjeZX5SR3hblXVmuOiVc49OC2BzCVLomCevZSPj8ENIZU/s400/sugar+scrub+closed.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Organic Sugar Scrub - 8 ounces</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peppermint Grapefruit</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I use this scrub from head to toe two or three times a week. It's wonderful to use before shaving. Although, it would be nice if it was the kind of 'sugaring' that took care of that for you, too. You'll have to do that yourself, though, unless you just enjoy looking like 'the missing link'. I won't judge you if you do. Anyhoo, it does a fantastic job of exfoliating and then leaves you wonderfully moisturized. Someone I recently shared this with said it was better than a scrub that she paid $60 for. I'll let you tell me what you think...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTTYBq6FbSGNba92U7dNO-Tg5gvoe-HqZyM61NfwsOHjna6gblo-9X3MUMEcre3pAKSuU0muhrSfFHuVqwSRRs0Ifl7jnUv3JtMvQsvVWktlULOhZWfVG9SZGRCqpE9ZNbv4XGujZQic/s1600/FP+closed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTTYBq6FbSGNba92U7dNO-Tg5gvoe-HqZyM61NfwsOHjna6gblo-9X3MUMEcre3pAKSuU0muhrSfFHuVqwSRRs0Ifl7jnUv3JtMvQsvVWktlULOhZWfVG9SZGRCqpE9ZNbv4XGujZQic/s400/FP+closed.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Flower Power Soothing Salve - 2 ounces</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I created this salve for our trip to Michigan at Christmas. I was out of our hard lotion bar and knew that I needed to bring some sort of moisturizer with us because of Isaac's hands - and regular lotions cause them to break out. Even when we take our soap with us he usually will have a minor flare up from not using it 100% of the time. I intended this to be a rich, general moisturizer (which it is), but was happily surprised to find that it is very healing as well. Someone that we gave a sample to recently has reported that it has made a tremendous difference for her husband, who has been plagued for years with a skin condition that the doctors have been unable to help him with. Use it on anything that is fungal in nature, burns, eczema, to generally soothe skin and more. This is my mom's favorite, by the way.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and finally...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS6lNxOh_ynDOgJSm1cT3QZE2thO4x7hZNr8-samncPJLwmQ3UT4w93EL40spNRPvUijhNSKVHHQw2UYjGYpbECVDJKS04b0u18en5EIxHbsoee2Uc5DrpHA1R6-kzrjBeKKundHqMqk/s1600/GG+balm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS6lNxOh_ynDOgJSm1cT3QZE2thO4x7hZNr8-samncPJLwmQ3UT4w93EL40spNRPvUijhNSKVHHQw2UYjGYpbECVDJKS04b0u18en5EIxHbsoee2Uc5DrpHA1R6-kzrjBeKKundHqMqk/s400/GG+balm.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Green Goodness Healing Balm - 2 ounces</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Y'all, this stuff is UH-MAZ-ING! It is a blend of 6 healing herbs that I've infused into EVOO, unrefined and cold-pressed. Then, I add a bunch of other oils that have a strong history of healing a myriad of issues. It's good for cuts, burns, fungal infections, bug bites, boils, rashes, eczema, psoriasis, bruises, sprains and SO much more. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These products have a $60.25 value. The giveaway will run until Thursday, March 22, 2012.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whew! This was a long post so I'm gonna keep entering the giveaway pretty simple, K? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To Enter Giveaway:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simply leave me a comment telling me which item you're most excited about trying.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For extra entries, leave a <i><b>separate comment for each of the following</b></i>...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1 - Follow Ramblings of a Happy Homemaker - or tell me if you already do.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1 - Follow <a href="http://www.facebook.com/PureYankabilly">PURE YANKABILLY on Facebook</a> - or tell me if you already do.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1 - Blog about this giveaway and then leave me the link for your post in the comments.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1 - Share about this giveaway on Facebook and then let me know you did.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've had some people share with me that they aren't able to leave a comment on my blog for some reason. I've tried unsuccessfully to figure out why. If you find that you fall into this category, shoot me an e-mail at hhramblings@gmail.com telling me what you did to enter. There's actually a button on my sidebar that will let you do this quickly. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One e-mail with all your info will be fine.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alright, that's all folks! Good luck to you! And, thanks for reading. :0)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sharing this post at <a href="http://adelightfulhome.com/your-green-resource-week-twenty-five/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DelightingInTheDays+%28A+Delightful+Home%29">Your Green Resource</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.</span></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-68527291069539843082012-03-05T08:48:00.001-05:002012-03-05T08:50:38.591-05:00I Need Your Help..<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK, y'all...I've mentioned that I've been working on something huge that has kept me from blogging since the first of the year. I was hoping that I could keep it a secret until 'The Big Reveal'. But...I need help. So, I'm going to spill a little bit of the beans in hopes that somebody out there reading this might be able to help me - or at least point me in the right direction. :0)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm starting a business. It is going to include an Etsy shop, but I also have a chiropractor and nurse that owns a health food store already interested in carrying my products. I also have the opportunity to do some in-home parties. While this is all <i>very</i> exciting, there is the whole <i>business</i> end to deal with. And, when I say <i>business, </i>I really mean <i>taxes.</i> Being tax season and all, I can't get into my tax guy right away for this issue. I know a lot of you have Etsy shops. Do we have to charge taxes on our products? If so, do we have to charge them for each state that would possibly be buying from us? Then there is the whole issue of selling retail. And, in multiple states. BAH! Anyone out there have experience with this or know someone who can point me in the right direction? Anyone? ANYONE? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?</span><br />
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<a href="http://movieclips.com/noBM-ferris-buellers-day-off-movie-bueller/" style="background: #000; color: #00aeff; display: inline; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.23em; text-decoration: none;"></a><br />
<a href="http://movieclips.com/noBM-ferris-buellers-day-off-movie-bueller/" style="background: #000; color: #00aeff; display: inline; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.23em; text-decoration: none;">Bueller?</a><br />
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<a href="http://movieclips.com/kJrX-ferris-buellers-day-off-movie-videos/" style="background: #000; color: #888888; display: inline; text-decoration: none;">Ferris Bueller's Day Off</a><br />
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— MOVIECLIPS.com</div>
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<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-86169001579205940392012-02-23T08:37:00.000-05:002012-02-27T08:52:36.744-05:00Can A Cavity Be Healed?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK, y'all. I have something really cool/freaky to share with you that happened to me yesterday. But first, you need a little back story. :0)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My dad was an auto worker, so we had AWESOME insurance when I was growing up. This meant that I saw the dentist every six months for my entire growing up years. Then, as an adult I couldn't rely on Daddy's insurance. Unfortunately, Daddy's insurance is hard to come by. My husband's insurance rarely included dental, so I would go years without seeing a dentist. We all would. Anybody relate to that? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About a year and a half to two years ago I got one of those fliers in the mail for a free cleaning and exam from a dental office. So, I made an appointment for me and Isaac to get our teeth cleaned. It was one of those offices with the newest high-tech equipment that probably cost a fortune and the bill gets passed along to the patients. Both of us had cavities. I don't remember which was which at this point, but one of us had four and the other had five. The estimate they gave us to get them filled was $800 and $900. That just seemed astronomical to me so I called around and found a much more reasonable dentist just around the corner from me. He had actually been recommended by our tax guy. First, I made Isaac an appointment. The dentist found all the same cavities that the high-tech place did using nothing more than his metal pokey thing and his training. We got Isaac's cavities filled for a third of the price it was going to cost us at the other place. Plus, we just love the dentist and hygienists that work there. They have this rare trait called bedside manner. Or, maybe it's personality. It could be that they just care more about their patients than raking in as much dough as possible. Whatever it is, it roped us in.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, after we got Isaac fixed up, we got Dad in there. He had some pretty serious dental work that needed to be fixed. My cavities could wait. And, wait they did. Until yesterday.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, remember, it's been a year and a half to two years since I had that initial exam that showed I had four or five cavities. In the mean time, we've been slowly making changes to our diet. When the dentist examined my teeth yesterday I only had one small cavity. He said it was very small - just how they like to catch them. One cavity? Now under different circumstances I would be tempted to think that maybe he just didn't find the other ones without all of the new-fangled, high-tech equipment that the other place had. But remember, he found all of the same cavities that they said Isaac had. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've read in several places lately where cavities can actually be healed just like any other bone can be. Although, most mainstream dentists would disagree, the scientific proof is there and the research all started because of a dentist named Weston A. Price. Ever heard of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Traditions-Challenges-Politically-Dictocrats/dp/0967089735/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330001912&sr=1-1">Nourishing Traditions</a>? Evidently, diet plays a crucial role. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't put my finger on one specific thing that we've changed in our diet that would cause these results in my teeth, because we've made a lot of little changes. I began using traditional fats, eliminating most of the processed food we ate, began including coconut oil in my diet and recently we bought a pastured hog and half of a grass-fed cow. I make bone broth. We don't eat nearly as much bread as we used to and started taking fermented Cod Liver Oil. We stopped using toothpaste that has fluoride in it and just used <a href="http://ramblingsofahappyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-wash-my-own-mouth-out-with-soap-and-i.html">tooth soap</a> for a while. Some of these things we've been doing for a while, some are more recent. And, we don't do any of these things perfectly. In fact, we still eat too much sugar. We're baby stepping. I think it must be working, though. Even though I can't see the effects of our changes on the outside as much, yet (That stubborn weight!) - the fact that my teeth are actually healing from cavities is pretty strong evidence to me that these are very healthy changes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is all pretty new and still wild to me. I never believed that a cavity could be healed because I'd never heard it was possible. I thought that once the damage was done that was the end of the story. But, after reading some about it, the possibility became believable. Especially when I started thinking about how God created our bodies to heal themselves. If a cut, wound or bone can heal - why not a tooth? And then I went to the dentist. I have seen the proof for myself.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are a few of links to articles on this in case you're interested in reading more about it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/how-i-healed-my-childs-cavity/</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://gnowfglins.com/2010/02/08/rfqm-curing-tooth-decay-by-ramiel-nagel/</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.learningherbs.com/news_issue_79.html</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, what do you think? Have you ever heard of cavities being healed? Any thoughts you'd like to weigh in with?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm linking this up at <a href="http://gnowfglins.com/2012/02/22/simple-lives-thursday-84/">Simple Lives Thursday</a>, <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/02/barn-hop-51.html">Homestead Barn Hop</a>, and <a href="http://adelightfulhome.com/your-green-resource-week-twenty-two/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DelightingInTheDays+%28A+Delightful+Home%29">Your Green Resource</a>.</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-44635721172845102772012-02-09T16:10:00.000-05:002012-02-09T16:11:45.133-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyh8nj3XMtYMego8SFmG3gq9W82AXY87vImnhGM5IIPMSAJDh-mdz0vt7DSPAvpK1wT8l59rWo8Y915re7C_I1-wYyGkNASPsWrtkytAATjKhJGFNvo8CRmjzuBtMWFpfTrkcL2DqX24/s1600/Versatile+blogger+award.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyh8nj3XMtYMego8SFmG3gq9W82AXY87vImnhGM5IIPMSAJDh-mdz0vt7DSPAvpK1wT8l59rWo8Y915re7C_I1-wYyGkNASPsWrtkytAATjKhJGFNvo8CRmjzuBtMWFpfTrkcL2DqX24/s1600/Versatile+blogger+award.png" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whoo Hoo! I'd like to thank Kari from the blog, <a href="http://moosaidthemama.blogspot.com/">Moo Said the Mama</a>, with The Versatile Blogger award. Like, really. From the bottom of my heart. I feel especially honored to receive this award since I've been pretty quiet on the blog-front lately (getting ready for a soon to be announced adventure). So, once again, thanks Kari!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">Here are the RULES for the Versatile Blogger Award -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">1. Add the award to your blog.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">2. Thank the blogger who gave it to you.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">3. Mention seven random things about yourself. (see below)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">4. List the rules.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">5. Award to 15 bloggers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">6. Inform each of those 15 by leaving a comment on their blog.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, do you really want to know 7 random things about me? Alrighty, then.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. I've dreamed of living in the mountains every since I was 4 years old and we'd make trips to West Virginia to see family. <i>Did you realize that you just got a two-for-one random blurb in this one? :0)</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. I once got to be in the choir for the Handel's Young Messiah Tour at the Pontiac Silver Dome in Michigan. That was really cool.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. I have really wide feet. I recently left DSW in tears because I couldn't find a single pair of tennis shoes to fit me from either the women's or men's department.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. I recently ordered a pair of tennis shoes from the Brooks website. I'm not crying anymore.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. I suffered through 3 hurricanes and a lightening strike all within about a three month span.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. I never wore braces.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. I had my hair dyed after I graduated from high school and it was so Bozo-ish that my dad made me go get it fixed before we left for vacation. Yes, it was really <i>that </i>bad.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My choices for the award are for bloggers who inspire me, teach me something, make me laugh, or a mish-mash of all these qualities.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the next "The Versatile Blogger" awards go to (in alphabetical order)...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. <a href="http://adelightfulhome.com/">A Delightful Home</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. <a href="http://www.crunchybetty.com/">Crunchy Betty</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. <a href="http://frugalgranola.com/">Frugal Granola</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. <a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/">Frugally Sustainable</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. <a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/">Growing Home</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. <a href="http://homejoys.blogspot.com/">Home Joys</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/">Homestead Revival</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. <a href="http://jillshomeremedies.blogspot.com/">Jill's Home Remedies</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9. <a href="http://joshealthcorner.blogspot.com/">Jo's Health Corner</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10. <a href="http://www.oursimplefarm.com/">Our Simple Farm</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11. <a href="http://overflowofaforgivensoul.wordpress.com/">Overflow of a Forgiven Soul</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12. <a href="http://www.parisiennefarmgirl.com/">Parisienne Farmgirl</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">13. <a href="http://www.pennilessparenting.com/">Penniless Parenting</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">14. <a href="http://frumpmama.blogspot.com/">Stuck in Frump, Striving for Fab</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">15. <a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/">Tea Rose Home</a></span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-57840254898646665982012-01-30T10:03:00.006-05:002012-02-09T07:50:57.611-05:00Rendering Tallow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QrQTFo59MBUCcZl8HN2s_nZ0RzImwTs3mVi8z4Ch7KvzYHcWgbZn4gZGl1IQbmDN6_bz4aMCT65u5Xnao_9vOYNBPHZIAojXfcpXf6vamT2-P6QvSi-SdEZ-7666pPx4ei_JSbOZkDc/s1600/tallow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QrQTFo59MBUCcZl8HN2s_nZ0RzImwTs3mVi8z4Ch7KvzYHcWgbZn4gZGl1IQbmDN6_bz4aMCT65u5Xnao_9vOYNBPHZIAojXfcpXf6vamT2-P6QvSi-SdEZ-7666pPx4ei_JSbOZkDc/s400/tallow.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I finally got a huge job that had been looming large over my head finished. I got all the fat from the 1/2 side of grass-fed beef that we bought rendered into tallow. It amazes that 1/2 of an entire cow only had six and a half quarts of fat on it. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I basically followed the same procedure as when I <a href="http://ramblingsofahappyhomemaker.blogspot.com/2011/10/rendering-lard.html">rendered lard</a> a couple of months ago, except I did it in a bit lazier way. Instead of chopping all of the fat into 1" pieces, I simply put the slabs of fat into my containers whole. They were pretty large and I just didn't have space to chop it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1kHd_25iwCzraWtIK-WXw0ZZHU5w9b6CvlC_JFYLPPsuGl2LaLxmtyuG_KWNnKJECdRcnGlb50atx0tetoc6zNcI7zjwSoGvtuszN_yVjxuQRVoOmPjixjPKyyv3X4aR9A8oVCzSlyE/s1600/Dutch+Oven.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1kHd_25iwCzraWtIK-WXw0ZZHU5w9b6CvlC_JFYLPPsuGl2LaLxmtyuG_KWNnKJECdRcnGlb50atx0tetoc6zNcI7zjwSoGvtuszN_yVjxuQRVoOmPjixjPKyyv3X4aR9A8oVCzSlyE/s400/Dutch+Oven.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Both crock pots and my 9 quart Dutch oven were completely full of beef fat. I set both crock pots and the burner on my stove to low and let them be.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the fat began to melt, I strained it into quart jars through a cheese cloth. Eventually I was able to add the fat from the red crock pot to the Dutch oven to save counter space.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These pictures show the liquefied fat during the melting process. This is what I pulled out with a ladle and strained into jars. I kept at this until there was no more fat to be rendered.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLVIiR3UAZ7z_kSzWWYqi0CihZYEJxDjlS-eAgHjijw4GFSMtpqKPFm1h3qnaVX-RCt_fkdcrM6D_QkjKLuw0oNm7YlJT_MfvtAT7Aes2-mu9MvEH122Kxks6FgAAHPl0WxbhpMq6adk/s1600/cp+w:cracklins.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLVIiR3UAZ7z_kSzWWYqi0CihZYEJxDjlS-eAgHjijw4GFSMtpqKPFm1h3qnaVX-RCt_fkdcrM6D_QkjKLuw0oNm7YlJT_MfvtAT7Aes2-mu9MvEH122Kxks6FgAAHPl0WxbhpMq6adk/s400/cp+w:cracklins.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fat in the crock pot was finished first. Here you can see the hard bits left over after the fat was completely liquefied. I need to mention that this makes your house smell like heaven while it's cooking. The bits of meat that are left on the slabs of fat when the cow is butchered are irresistible to certain meat-loving husbands, too. :0)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXr5Bivy1i2eakba9UZsXuB05jaPpox0W_G4jgXS6Ih9z6szAjG4muMgTBerhPyP2n6ofdW64dBIng4rBKYGQ0uwnqZBJnsP10gHTqXyxgpXQOCP20-sN6xJDtIbW8uC_mg6WYh1uVi0/s1600/DO+in+progress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXr5Bivy1i2eakba9UZsXuB05jaPpox0W_G4jgXS6Ih9z6szAjG4muMgTBerhPyP2n6ofdW64dBIng4rBKYGQ0uwnqZBJnsP10gHTqXyxgpXQOCP20-sN6xJDtIbW8uC_mg6WYh1uVi0/s400/DO+in+progress.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Dutch oven still had a way to go by the time the crock pot was finished. This could have been because it was so much larger. I actually preferred this pot because the cast iron is wonderful at holding in heat evenly, allowing me to use a lower temperature to render the tallow. This is preferable, in my opinion. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All in all, it took 3 days for all of the fat to be rendered into tallow. There was very little I had to do during that time, besides occasionally ladling the fat into jars. It may have taken less time had I cut the fat into smaller pieces before I started. Since I didn't really have room for that and wouldn't have to touch it much while it was working it's magic anyway, I just didn't see the need for that extra step.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBp_2e6NXbXbPy1pqcENKc3tG6SOYaf613IK1AsXkQ7gmiL2InjMMy99lWHRygxH0hn-mLXIHUFja5226yF1fsfbKpm8UTRyBQcUPffVVP8NJi688WVqoa3u7Pm3SePk2bcwFoLx53JUg/s1600/tallow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBp_2e6NXbXbPy1pqcENKc3tG6SOYaf613IK1AsXkQ7gmiL2InjMMy99lWHRygxH0hn-mLXIHUFja5226yF1fsfbKpm8UTRyBQcUPffVVP8NJi688WVqoa3u7Pm3SePk2bcwFoLx53JUg/s400/tallow.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I have six and a half beautiful quarts of a traditional, healthy fat to cook with in addition to the lard I have left. Although, this took a long time - it took very little effort. Even the clean-up was a breeze. After I emptied each crock pot and the Dutch oven, I filled them with water and let the water heat in them for a while. This pulled almost all of the fat residue off the sides and bottoms of the pots. I then dumped the water and washed as usual. There was no problem with bits and pieces stubbornly sticking to it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Traditionally, tallow was used in soap-making and for candles as well as for cooking. I'm glad to know that I could use it for those purposes in case of an emergency, but think I'll stick to cooking with it myself.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So tell me - have you ever bought a share of a cow? And, if you have - did you save the fat for tallow? Do you think it's something you would ever consider doing?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK...on to something else briefly. I want to give you a sneak peak of what's been keeping me so busy and away from my blog lately. Ready?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUq_zzzaNJo_XT6kQ8K0XjSEZ3RN7SFC0G5KpIWMDskBYoWqYH_Q4_KmyfKFncGoPNpxGV7zRahZoQtHG8VdJW0YHE6GEQpLhij2h2yv7fT87iKr9v-SYMz-1dCgNBPp74hoNbY0Y5y0/s1600/sneak+peak+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUq_zzzaNJo_XT6kQ8K0XjSEZ3RN7SFC0G5KpIWMDskBYoWqYH_Q4_KmyfKFncGoPNpxGV7zRahZoQtHG8VdJW0YHE6GEQpLhij2h2yv7fT87iKr9v-SYMz-1dCgNBPp74hoNbY0Y5y0/s400/sneak+peak+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm linking up at <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/01/barn-hop-47.html">Homestead Barn Hop</a>, <a href="http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/monday-mania-1302012/">Monday Mania</a>, <a href="http://thischickcooks.blogspot.com/2012/02/these-chicks-cooked-featuring-your-best.html">These Chicks Cooked</a>, <a href="http://wholenewmom.com/traditional-tuesday/traditional-tuesdays-nutritious-and-delicious-february-7-2012/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wholenewmomfeed+%28Whole+New+Mom%29">Traditional Tuesdays</a>, <a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/2012/02/teach-me-tuesday-homemaking-link-up-30.html">Teach Me Tuesdays</a>, <a href="http://realfoodforager.com/fat-tuesday-february-7-2012/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RealFoodForager+%28Real+Food+Forager%29">Fat Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.pennilessparenting.com/2012/02/hearth-and-soul-blog-hop.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PennilessParenting+%28Penniless+Parenting%29">Hearth and Soul Blog Hop</a>, <a href="http://gnowfglins.com/2012/02/08/simple-lives-thursday-82/">Simple Lives Thursday</a>, and <a href="http://www.ruthsrealfood.com/2012/01/real-food-101-jan-30-2012.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RuthsRealFood+%28Ruth%27s+Real+Food%29">Real Food 101</a>.</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-70682516473879875222012-01-20T00:00:00.000-05:002012-01-20T00:00:04.989-05:00AND THE WINNER IS...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, Folks! We have a winner generated by random.org! Congratulations to </span><a href="http://jennysblessednest.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jenny</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> on winning her very own copy of Jacinda Vandenberg's awesome new e-book, "Blog Design on a Dime".</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuO2VxraSsDPf-mWjeZGtfklqGC1Qa4Psd6oKLKSOKycP6LDhcKOu6q_YQNLbbg1TIzBsSP_JpTQCQ4yz1nWfEdk33R6CxFabnHmRQrb3lqlg5zJXfdazU9WcDpjd0r84bqlJ228sa-Ds/s1600/giveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuO2VxraSsDPf-mWjeZGtfklqGC1Qa4Psd6oKLKSOKycP6LDhcKOu6q_YQNLbbg1TIzBsSP_JpTQCQ4yz1nWfEdk33R6CxFabnHmRQrb3lqlg5zJXfdazU9WcDpjd0r84bqlJ228sa-Ds/s1600/giveaway.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, don't despair if that's not your name up there in lights...Ok, maybe not lights per se, more like colored fonts...anyway... Don't despair if you weren't the lucky winner. You can have a copy of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">your</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> very own for the low, low price of $4.99. Yes! You heard that right! Just $4.99 will get you your own copy of "Blog Design on a Dime"! </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, enough of the Pitch Men razzle dazzle. You get the idea. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you'd like a copy of a very helpful for the technologically challenged blogger much like myself, </span><a href="http://www.growinghomeblog.com/p/blog-design-on-dime.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">go pick yourself up a copy</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. 'Nuff said.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks Jacinda for the wonderful giveaway! Congratulations, Jenny! Peace out!</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2957707408902134063.post-60010843585793521552012-01-18T08:13:00.000-05:002012-01-18T08:17:25.184-05:00Gluten Free Pasta with Beans & Greens in a Creamy Lemon Sauce<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you ever have days where you're, well, just </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hungry?</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> You know, when cheese and an apple isn't going to cut it? You feel like you need something with some nourishment? That's how it was for me around lunchtime a couple of days ago. I didn't want to spend a lot of time cooking lunch, though. Quite honestly, I didn't think I really had anything other than a can of soup to even make for lunch. But, I started rummaging through the fridge and cabinets and found a few ingredients that I thought I might be able to turn into a decent meal. Necessity is the mother of invention, right?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's do the math...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r5euNLirLxI9T1i0K4PYzsur6I8snBByNU6z4uKLCsQwoARrJGEMXUpWC43MpQbnpdi711SbzdKyJhqfYnGlfMIe7acAdsCi7iu63SIb0Ctu3MfBSl0eM0y64r1FIhDXYBOm4d8ubLA/s1600/pasta+ing.+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r5euNLirLxI9T1i0K4PYzsur6I8snBByNU6z4uKLCsQwoARrJGEMXUpWC43MpQbnpdi711SbzdKyJhqfYnGlfMIe7acAdsCi7iu63SIb0Ctu3MfBSl0eM0y64r1FIhDXYBOm4d8ubLA/s400/pasta+ing.+1.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(*Gluten-free Quinoa pasta, garbanzo beans, kale, lemon, Parmesan cheese and butter)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PLUS+</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCFCpLU2wtg5OMQ-QVVxYj54hQfGdT5FfzdIWNs1ubTecgfE1YuyKqSrkkNtKMmqgRXivIXbFmBdst82AQJ0Q4jZ9xLVKflzvbTxfqZwshPRz26xQOQfRzh-k5lHyQnzL5kswGWfGtFk/s1600/pasta+ing.+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCFCpLU2wtg5OMQ-QVVxYj54hQfGdT5FfzdIWNs1ubTecgfE1YuyKqSrkkNtKMmqgRXivIXbFmBdst82AQJ0Q4jZ9xLVKflzvbTxfqZwshPRz26xQOQfRzh-k5lHyQnzL5kswGWfGtFk/s400/pasta+ing.+2.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(half & half, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EQUALS=</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDf3uwH_DjHYQnpgbrFKIjZmgq0LRrWrnhJMuGnjCEitmLs3MEv2AWlRbEfilhVBq2f4vMcZCJIQ_9_oipncl6rPe4yhsaQuHsaVlzyLMm7ZPdqZWpAKHg7MQAvKTJlt-jcHEeWJ3FBIE/s1600/finished+pasta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDf3uwH_DjHYQnpgbrFKIjZmgq0LRrWrnhJMuGnjCEitmLs3MEv2AWlRbEfilhVBq2f4vMcZCJIQ_9_oipncl6rPe4yhsaQuHsaVlzyLMm7ZPdqZWpAKHg7MQAvKTJlt-jcHEeWJ3FBIE/s400/finished+pasta.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">YUM!!!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Let me give you a heads-up on g-free pasta... The rice pasta is not very good. It cooks up all gummy and nasty. This Quinoa pasta is awesome! You'd never know it wasn't regular pasta. It also comes in different shapes like rotini twists and macaroni elbows. I use that to make homemade mac & cheese. Corn pasta is also very good. And, if you live near a Trader Joe's, their corn pasta is only $1.50 a pack. That is awesome pricing for gluten-free pasta. Moving on...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This meal is an excellent example of why it's a good idea to have a decently stocked pantry. Even when you're in a pinch you can come up with </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">something</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> good. :0)</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's how to make it:</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Get water boiling and pasta cooking.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the meantime, melt about 2 Tbsp. of butter in a skillet and begin cooking kale (or whatever green you have on hand) over med-low heat. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the last of the kale from my garden and I probably only had about a cup. I would have used more if I'd had it. You use as much as you like.</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once the greens have cooked for about 5 minutes, add your drained and rinsed chickpeas. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once again, this is the only bean I had on hand. Great northern beans would be excellent. But, use what you have. The key is to get some protein in there.</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the past is close to being done, add a few red pepper flakes (or a lot) to the beans and greens and salt and pepper it. If it looks dry, add about another tablespoon of butter. Next add about 3 ounces of half & half, cream or milk and give it a good stir. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You want to give it enough of a sauce to coat the pasta without having it swim in it.</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drain the pasta when done. Toss with the beans and greens mixture. Squeeze the juice of one lemon over it and top with some Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning if necessary.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh. My. Goodness. This was so good! Isaac's kept saying, "Mmmm. Mmmmm. This is so good. Thank you, Mama." the whole time he was eating it. That makes this Mama's heart happy.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, the next time you need some soul food, take a gander at your pantry. You just might have more to cook than you realized.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you ever find yourself cooking on the fly?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm linking this post at <a href="http://thischickcooks.blogspot.com/2012/01/these-chicks-cooked-weekly-recipe_18.html">These Chicks Cooked</a>.</span></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659490868053210396noreply@blogger.com9