tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29252056209008900292024-03-12T16:52:12.588-07:00The Old-ish SoulThe Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-67758944550751494932019-09-30T18:13:00.002-07:002019-09-30T18:14:58.489-07:00FUN FALL WREATH FOR $4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It all started on a quick stop into the good ole Dollar Tree. Is there such a thing as a quick stop into that place? I mean, I get completely lost in there and find far too many treasures every single time I go. Today, on a mission to buy one foil pan, I thought, "Hmmm...maybe I'll just glance at the crafting aisle". Aren't those some famous last words! The picture above shows you what happened next. I decided to just see what I could do with the six items in that photo. How cute is that lacy burlap ribbon?! Well done, Dollar Tree.<br />
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Since I was winging it, the first thing I did was pull apart the rafia. I love rafia. It is organic looking to me, and I love mixing it with other textures. I love using it as ribbon on packages, tying little pieces around really all of the things. I love it. Once I got it all unraveled, I decided to make a bow for my wreath. I follow a blog called Re-fabbed and I love her post on making a simple <a href="https://www.re-fabbed.com/?s=bow" target="_blank">bow</a>. I used it to make this one out of the rafia, the burlap and the orange meshy glittery ribbon. So simple and really easy to do.<br />
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Then I loosely wrapped the wreath with strips of rafia, being careful to tuck the ends back into the wreath. Somehow, I did this without using any glue. It wasn't handy, and I was on a mission. When you're on a mission to do a impromptu crafting project, who has time to go find the glue? Once it was all wrapped and tucked and secure, I tied the bow on and it was finished! That's it, folks. I ditched the flowers for this project, because they kind of looked way too fake for me. That took my total spent on this down to $4!<br />
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There's the final product. It's fun and adds a little something to our home. I'm on the fence about whether that bow is too big or not, but I think it's okay. Go check out Dollar Tree and see what inspiration you find! Happy Crafting!The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-5974187916102556502019-09-29T17:24:00.001-07:002019-09-29T18:07:07.368-07:00DISCOUNTED PEACHES AND SLOW COOKER JAMI think this is the first post I've written for the blog in FOUR years. So much has happened in our lives as a family in that time. I'll probably share in dribs and drabs in future posts, but writing is one of my favorite things to do. I knew I'd be back sooner or later. So, without further ado.....<br />
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Let's talk discounted produce. Shall we? The Money Saving Mom, Crystal Paine, is one of my favorite bloggers to follow (but I'll get to that another time) and has shared so much on her site about how to save money at the grocery store. One of my favorite tips from her is the marked down produce shelf tucked away in every Kroger grocery store. It's just a tiny wooden bookshelf, really. It varies from store to store, and I've scouted out the "good one" in our town. Usually, you can depend on finding very ready-to-freeze bananas for an even lower price, but I'm looking for the $.99 red mesh bags. Each bag, no matter what is inside costs the same $.99! I mean....AWESOME! Sometimes they are chock full of jalepeno peppers, in which case, I move on. Other times, like this week, I stumble upon a real find! I found three mesh bags on that little bookshelf FULL of pretty good looking peaches! <span style="text-align: center;">Did they have a few bruises? Absolutely, but I saw potential. I had big plans for these discounted peaches. Jars and jars of jam to gift and share with loved ones this holiday season would soon be underway!</span></div>
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I quickly googled and found this simple slow cooker <a href="https://www.talesfromthekitchenshed.com/2014/08/slow-cooker-peach-jam/" target="_blank">recipe</a> for Peach Jam. I gathered the few ingredients and got to peeling, chopping and removing all of the bruised bits. In no time, everything was in the slow cooker and the smell in my kitchen was increasingly becoming more delicious as the minutes passed by. It took about 5 hours before it was ready to jar. That gave me time to sterilize the jars and lids, and have everything ready to go for finishing up this project. I borrowed some canning tools, and they helped tons! The magnetic lid lifter was a huge help when the lids, deep in boiling water wanted to hang out at the bottom of the pot.<br />
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Voila! Just like that, under $3 of peaches turned into six yummy gifts for the friends and family who make up our outstanding village of loved ones. The recipe was so easy to put together and very momma friendly on a Sunday full of laundry, errands and getting ready for the week ahead. I highly recommend you keeping an eye on the discounted produce at your local grocery store! You just might happen on some peaches!<br />
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<br />The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-10647124551373019732015-04-13T10:32:00.001-07:002015-04-13T11:10:16.469-07:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Long Time No See</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hello all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I'm back from a post-Easter break. Do you ever do that? Take a self-imposed timeout for a bit? I do it often, and it reinvigorates me. I drop out, regroup and then I'm ready to go again. It's no secret that I am, by nature, a bit on the hermit side of the fence, so a little step back always does me good. It's odd to some people, and a part of my character that is often not understood, but I really require it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I spent time with my family and with old, dear friends. By the way, is there anything better than watching your kids play with the children of your high school friends?!? There really isn't. I am so grateful for such friendships. Your high school friends know you, I mean they really know you. For me at least, they know the girl that still had braces in the eleventh grade. They know all of those coming of age chapters in my life, and they were there when I met my husband and started to grow a family. I am confident that they will be there indefinitely, and vice versa. Yep. Not much cooler than that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I avoided packing up my Easter decorations. That kind of work is definitely not part of a week long Sabbatical. I did, however, collect all of it to one spot. Then I spent some time in the kitchen, on the couch, and exploring our new part of the world a bit more. We had fun, but now it's back to work!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Today's been a cleaning and laundry day, but after that's finished I have a new project. I'm off to explore kale. Kale, kale, kale. All I ever hear about is kale. Kale smoothies, kale chips, you name it, I need to try it! I've never eaten it, have no idea how to prepare it and have been intimidated by it. Weird, right? All things new take some time, but this week is the week of kale! It has been purchased, and I welcome any recipes you are willing to share with me. If they are toddler approved, all the better! And by "welcome" I mean, I'm begging for recipes. Thanks in advance.</span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-23971063589405385252015-04-03T09:16:00.001-07:002015-04-03T09:16:01.537-07:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Pre-Easter Fun</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hey! We have had a fun week, and we hope you have, too! With Easter weekend just around the corner, there is lots to do, but I wanted to share with you some of our fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Monday- We got things off with an epic Pinterest fail. Those are always fun, right? If nothing else, they bring hysterical laughter. The kind of laughter we shared on Monday night is the kind that makes your eyes tear and gives your abs a mini-workout. Peep Play Dough, if you read the instructions, is probably a very nice alternative to the stuff you buy at the store. Here's what happens when you miss a few of the directions...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Everything started out fine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We somehow ended up with different quantities of each. Again, when you barely read the directions...you end up with tons of blue and very little purple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> People began to play with it....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sadly, this happened next. If you choose to attempt this, keep your hands dusted with the powdered sugar as you play. Apparently, we missed that part. Please excuse the disgusting photo that follows, but I think you need to see it, Peep eyeballs and all...Yuck. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Tuesday- We decided to take our son to the movies...in our playroom! We closed the blinds, set out movie candy that I grabbed for $0.98 each, and surprised him after his nap with some Springtime Max and Ruby. He was so excited that he actually sat and watched a whole episode cuddled with dad. I think the M&M's helped with that a bit...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Please ignore the unsightly cords hanging all over the place. I abhor them, and welcome any secrets you have for hiding them.<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Wednesday- Cookie Baking Day turned out great! My son was excited to help, and by help I mean sit in his chair and chat with me about what I was doing. He really watched and was thrilled when the cookies were ready for tasting. The Rice Flour Sugar Cookies that we tried turned out very nicely. They are a brown sugar cookie, and almost taste like a soft, puffy oatmeal cookie without the oatmeal. I drizzled a powdered sugar glaze on them, and added some Easter sprinkles. They were tasty. My guys loved them, I liked them, and they are worth a try. Here is the <a href="http://www.yummylaura.com/simple-rice-flour-sugar-cookies-wheat-and-gluten-free-oh-my/" target="_blank">recipe</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">I used the small Pampered Chef scoop to make them uniform in size</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Thursday- I forgot to do our Easter Activity. Ha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">Friday- This morning while my son played around my ankles, I made these super fun and easy Easter Pretzel Candies. You can find the recipe <a href="http://www.craftsalamode.com/2014/03/easter-pretzel-candies.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I used gluten-free pretzels, candy melts, M&M's and a mix of sprinkles and sugars that I had on hand. I need to check on all of those extras to see if they are also gluten-free. I'm new to this, but I'm pretty sure that sneaky gluten is everywhere! This is a start. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">I squeezed in some sewing, too, and am working on a fun and exciting project! I mentioned it a few posts back, but can't really share just yet. Stay tuned!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">I am off to get some eggs boiled up, and I wish you a very Happy Easter! Enjoy the time with family or friends. If you don't celebrate Easter, I wish you a wonderful weekend with family and friends, as well! See you Monday, and make it a great one!</span></div>
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<br />The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-63563405590644923562015-03-30T10:21:00.002-07:002015-03-30T10:21:44.575-07:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Weekend Review</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hey there! We are well into our Easter festivities over here. It made for an awesome and busy weekend. Aren't those great? The ones where you leave one thing, just to get to the next as fast as possible? Did a nap or two get skipped? Sure. Did home-cooked lunches get replaced with something fast and on the way? Yup. Did it feel special and memorable? You bet! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Our first stop was our little boy's first non-family Easter Egg Hunt at church. I felt like it called for a special outfit, so I pulled a very special sweater from his drawer. This sweater was knit by my nana for my cousins son over 20 years ago. She tucked it away after each of her three sons had worn it, and passed it along to my sister. My sister lovingly stored it in the years after her son wore it, and passed it along to me. How wonderful is that!?! I know my nana was smiling down at her great-grandson on Saturday, and I felt it. Thanks to those mothers, the ones that save things, for having made that possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The Egg Hunt was tons of fun! And to top it all off, Elsa and Anna, along with Woody and Spiderman were there for photos and autographs! Um, unexpected at an Easter event? Yes, but so awesome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We ran home, changed clothes, grabbed a quick nap in the car and headed outside. A little sunscreen and a whole lot of energy accompanied us to the You-Pick Strawberry field. I went on a recommendation from a local mommy group, and it was a wonderful experience! We will make this a family tradition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We, or I should say, I, picked and picked and picked! My guys, ran up and down the rows, and up and down the rows and up and down the rows!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It was perfect. The sun was shining, but it wasn't hot. There were no bugs, and it wasn't very crowded being the last weekend on their schedule. I picked 6 quarts of berries and only paid 50 cents a quart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I think, next year we will plan better and go a few times over the season. That way we can stock our pantry with jam, and our freezer for smoothies, without having to clean, hull and freeze all of them at once. That took a bit of time, and I'd rather break it up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">If you have this type of farm by you, I suggest a family trip there. We all had a blast!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Lastly, we attended Palm Sunday service at our new church, and our son went to Sunday School for the first time. Now, some back story on this...I have never left my son with anyone other than an aunt and his grandparents. Ever. This was only for an hour, and he had a ball. For me, it was rough to walk away from my little boy! It only took a few seconds of awesome music for me to relax and let go. It was a terrific first experience, and I'm so excited for him to spread his wings a bit. The very best part was receiving his first little Sunday School craft!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It's a palm, that he calls his "leaf", and it says his name in black sharpie. I had tears in my eyes when they handed it to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We had planned to attend an earlier service then swing over to our neighborhood egg hunt, but sometimes plans don't come together like we...plan. And it's okay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I hope your weekend was also one for the books! </span></div>
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<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-68195320512123132922015-03-27T09:35:00.003-07:002015-03-27T09:35:54.108-07:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Time Flies...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I can't believe that another week has passed, and that it's Friday already! I am knee-deep in Easter preparations and having a great time. I decided to plan out next week to ensure that I have one special Easter related activity per day. If I wait and do it on the fly, like I do many times, I won't have the materials I need when I need them. Here is our plan:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Saturday- Church Egg Hunt </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sunday- Neighborhood Egg Hunt after Palm Sunday Service</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Monday- PEEP Play dough</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Tuesday- New Easter DVD </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Wednesday- Bake and Decorate GF sugar cookies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Thursday- Color Easter Bunny pages with MARKERS (a special treat around here)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Friday- Paint a Cross with PAINT BRUSHES (equally as special)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Saturday- Color Easter Eggs and make Eastery Pretzel Thingies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Sunday- The Bunny comes, and off to church</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Even though it will only be the three of us this year, all of that stuff up there requires a plan, or a recipe, or a shopping list or a special outfit. The bunny visit alone, is intense, with filling eggs, filling baskets, hiding eggs. That's what I hear. He'd have to tell you about that part, though. As much scurrying as is going on, there's nothing I'd rather do. Easter is such a special holiday. Embrace the hustle and bustle! Love all over it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">What special traditions does your family have for celebrating Easter? And, if you do celebrate, please share with me what you eat for Easter Dinner! Really. I haven't gotten that far yet, and I need help. Have a wonderful weekend!</span> </div>
The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-68778183292371785962015-03-25T11:09:00.001-07:002015-03-25T11:25:53.337-07:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Who knew?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There are many things our mother's or in some cases father's, did for us growing up that we noticed and remember, and may even be trying to do for our children, too. Things that come to my mind include special meals for our birthday, a bendy straw in our ginger ale when we were sick, or a fun tv picnic on top of an overturned laundry basket in our living room. Stuff like that sticks. I noticed that those things were happening, and they felt like love. One thing that I now know was ongoing behind the scenes, and for three children mind you, was Clothes Management. It is the definition of love. Cleaning and ironing and keeping clothes wrinkle-free, pulling extra special pieces and tying an equally special ribbon around them for safekeeping, and ensuring that the next size is ready and waiting in the closet are all true acts of love. And, they are a bigger job than I ever noticed!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In hopes of someday having a sibling for our son, I planned to tuck away his outgrown clothing and bring it back out if I ever needed it. After all, I wore my sister's hand-me-downs. Doesn't everyone wear <i>someone's</i>?<i> </i> I never thought any further on this topic, until a few weeks after our little, rapidly growing bundle joined us. At first, it was fine. I made a tiny pile in his closet of outgrown items, and ever so often, I placed them in the holding area. The holding area, also known as the over the garage room, because it was over the.....garage, was an out-of-sight, out-of-mind kinda place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Throughout the course of my son's first, I'd say 6 months of life, I just kept piling on that bed. Now, I had a situation developing. A ditch the clothes on the bed real fast, turn around and slam that door closed kind of situation. I finally faced the music. How was I going to store these mini-treasures. It was easy to come up with the next step. It had to be sorted! Yes, I decided to sort the pile during nap one day. I set out a number of paper grocery bags, labeled'em up, and got to sorting. Easy enough. Now, what to do with these sorted bags? Easy! I decided to fill vacuum seal bags, one for each size, and tuck them under the guest bed. I got to work and sealed them up tight, slid them under the bed, and turned around to see an equally high pile waiting, as the one I had just processed! Well, not really, but it was growing again. Okay, wait, I thought I was done. Check it off the list, right? Nope. These little guys just. keep. growing! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Soon, I ran out of space under the first guest bed, so I started stuffing these bags under the second guest bed. I now have filled all of the space under all of the beds. I've shoved these bags in closets. I have resorted to filling wardrobe boxes with vacuum bags full of clothes and lining our garage with them. And, talk about a chore that falls by the wayside! I let myself get so behind, that the pile now climbs my son's closet wall until it topples over and I decide to "process" it. I know I am not alone in this. Can I get an Amen? </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look familiar, fellow pilers?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">While, it is something that is ever evolving here, I give those mom's that have it down to a science, a huge high-five! Way to go! Thanks for taking the time, mom, to do it for me. It is special to see photos of my sister and I wearing the same dress. Thanks to my mother-in-law for doing this, too. My son has been able to wear the same sweaters his father and uncles wore. And, thanks to my sister and sister-in-law. My son is wearing sweet treasures that they packed away as their sons grew. You, too, Jodie! It's an act of love that goes often ignored, but it shouldn't.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">What is your "process" for this daunting task?</span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-1630327156812553482015-03-23T09:00:00.002-07:002015-03-23T09:10:19.080-07:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Weekend Review</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Good Morning!! It's a rainy one here in Florida. I, of course, LOVE it! As much as I enjoy the warm sun, I equally can indulge in a good ole dark, cloudy and rain-filled day at home. This rain also reinforces why I spent my weekend the way that I did. If you soak up the sunshine when it's the sunniest, you can cozy up and stay close to home, totally guilt-free, when it's hidden by dreamy rain clouds. I know it's not popular to love rain this much, but I have always loved it. I can remember wishing I lived on the foggy moor, described to me in middle school, as we read the book, "The Hound of the Baskervilles". Who does that?!?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Alright, let's see how I did.</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> We will visit a bi-weekly fresh farmers market tomorrow. I've been meaning to go since we moved here....in NOVEMBER.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This was so fun! What a nice way to spend a morning, and a great motivator to get up, get out there and live! On the way, we did a slow pass of our </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">neighborhood</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> pond. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> I do this each time I leave the neighborhood, in hopes of eyeing an </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">alligator</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I never see one. Saturday, we did! Holy smokes, that little guy was RIGHT THERE! *Wildlife moment #1* We freaked out, thought he was kinda cute and headed to the Farmer's Market. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6kLUEb8w19J-eAVN2j-fIgiZbsUtPqTQ4Mh5NPew6gHb3d-FvS3mzx9VDc0OGj3106PIoHvm-B_7rnpRYPtGwjjIs8BhQL1mmSkdHg4nsLBz2bWthXXt_HEqdc9ANdA1OcP3FFw/s1600/FullSizeRender+(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6kLUEb8w19J-eAVN2j-fIgiZbsUtPqTQ4Mh5NPew6gHb3d-FvS3mzx9VDc0OGj3106PIoHvm-B_7rnpRYPtGwjjIs8BhQL1mmSkdHg4nsLBz2bWthXXt_HEqdc9ANdA1OcP3FFw/s1600/FullSizeRender+(18).jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">What beautiful colors there were to see. Freshly picked fruits, veggies and flowers. We saw honey bees, and olive oils and fabrics of every shade. One of the most fun moments was a visit with some chickens and their chicks. My son loved them! *Wildlife moment #2* </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLSKmC08jcwMbcvBopQlebxSMI3AiUPbdkRa61dKN8wj7jtVLj5IT1nhh4ezsbO1oRU9w_i3CZRYoHQT61ocEWtH1S_J3N5GVK1vjSQ6gYIi4SzP7VphcWqBt2RpSmwHLr9HO41w/s1600/FullSizeRender+(20).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeLSKmC08jcwMbcvBopQlebxSMI3AiUPbdkRa61dKN8wj7jtVLj5IT1nhh4ezsbO1oRU9w_i3CZRYoHQT61ocEWtH1S_J3N5GVK1vjSQ6gYIi4SzP7VphcWqBt2RpSmwHLr9HO41w/s1600/FullSizeRender+(20).jpg" height="320" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This boy of mine, tried his darnedest to free the little guys. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">On the way home, we drove past our alligator viewing spot and wrapped around to check in on the cows at the end of our street. If you can zoom in, check out the white cow beneath the tree on the right. You know, the one flaring his nostils and snorting angrily at my family. My husband informed me that he wasn't all that interested in the visit. *Wildlife moment #3* And, don't worry, there was a fence between them.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note to self: Visit cows very quietly. Or, from your car.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> 2. Decorate the house for Easter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This did not happen, though I started. I accomplished this:</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell I was doing this in haste? If you have OCD like me, you already know what bothers me about my towel placement!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I know. I outdid myself. With temps in the upper 80's, the neighborhood pool was calling for us on Saturday afternoon. So, we listened without regret. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> 3. Bake bread, waffles, and various other baked goods for freezing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Nope. I bought the rice and tapioca flours for the bread. That's a start. I made waffles for breakfast Saturday, but they ate all of them! So, yeah... Not a problem. I just added it to my weeks to-do list.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> 4. Get started on an Easter sewing project for my nieces</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I did get started! Look, I pulled the pattern and the fabric for one of them. I then, quickly got distracted by an idea, and started sewing something else. Haha! I will share that with you at a later date. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> 5. Visit our new church, and take my son to Sunday School for the first time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">We visited and attended service, but our son stayed with us this first week. It was wonderful. I'm so excited for Palm Sunday, and for our son's first little school experience to begin. We were able to tour his little Sunday school classroom and meet his teachers. They were wonderful and reassuring for momma!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">6. Go to the beach on Sunday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Do you ever feel like you're forcing a plan, and you follow through, but it's slightly an "off" experience? Did we go to the beach? Yes. Did it feel forced? Yes. The tide was strangely high, the water was surprisingly choppy and rough and the sky clouded up the second we laid our towel down. It was an hour of fun for our son, and that's what counts. It did, though, remind me that if something isn't coming together, maybe just skip it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">How was your weekend? </span></div>
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The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-55034187313053329342015-03-19T08:05:00.002-07:002015-03-19T08:05:29.169-07:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It's Important.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's not life or death important, but it's important. At any giving time, I like for my home to be decorated for the next approaching holiday. Most months this works, and I can find something that needs celebrating. I did this as a single person (some seasons of life less than others), and it has carried over nicely into my family life. As an added bonus, it is really helping to teach my son about each holiday, and ready him as each approaches. So, just as soon as one holiday passes, I gather all of the decorations to one central location. Most every time they land in the center of my dining room table. I wrap them up and store them away for next year. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's this year's St Patrick's Day pile, awaiting it's plastic storage bin</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I'm not big on spending a ton of money on decorations, and I like for each piece</span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> to remind me of where I got it or of who gave it to me. This makes each collection ever-growing and special. I try to add at least one decoration per holiday, per year. Making them from things I have on hand is typically the deal, unless I've found a treasure while visiting say, a sweet gift shop along the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Last year I made this Easter centerpiece</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> for my kitchen table, entirely with items I had on hand. I wrapped a Christmas Cookie jar candle with old, scraps of pastel fabric and some Easter colored ribbon. I placed it on a placemat surrounded by Easter grass I had tucked away in my craft closet. The only thing I bought were some chocolate eggs, that I sprinkled around in the grass. This was so easy and I loved it so much, I may do it again this year!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a no-sew project. I simply tied the fabric strips around the jar. What could be easier?!?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: small;">So, go make a pot of coffee, raid your craft closet and get creative. It doesn't take a ton of money or skill to make something out of nothing. It also doesn't take very much time. We are all busy, but a few minutes of decorating is important. Not food, water and shelter important, but it's important just the same.</span></div>
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The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-1808785764091810492015-03-18T10:12:00.000-07:002015-03-18T15:29:53.665-07:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I Think It's Wednesday?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">After some time off spent with family, I am back! What fun it was to show our visitors around our new home. It was a great excuse to take a little staycation. When you live in a popular vacation spot, you don't have to go far to feel like you've gotten away from it all, so that's what we've been up to this last week. We hit some touristy areas and some less visited hidden treasures! I like to think of this as Round One. All of our visitors, so far, will be coming back again. So, I came up with a list of spots for visit number one, and all of our visitors so far have gone on basically the same tour, with minor adjustments. Next round, we'll change it up, but here is our basic Round One visit:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Day One-Fred Howard Park</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Has this ever been a crowd pleaser!!! It's a peaceful, safe, clean and beautiful town beach. The water is shallow and warm, and the sand is white and cool. One of our visitors suggested renting an umbrella and beach chairs from the fella on the beach. I will now do this whenever I visit! He sets it up, he checks on you, and he's from the same area of Massachusetts as my father. I like him, and I like the umbrella. Twenty dollars very well spent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">At the two hour mark, most everyone is ready to go. The next stop? Tarpon Springs for shopping, eating and some history on sponge diving. This visit, I found the best homemade soap shop! Getaguru soaps is dimly lit, incense-filled and just, plain dreamy for this wannabe hippie. It is apparently the oldest shop on the Sponge Docks, and the olive oil soap? Oh my gosh, my skin has never been so soft! I picked up a bar of orange-clove soap the first day, then had to spring back for a bar of rose and a bar of patchouli scented soap the next day. It's true love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Day Two- Clearwater Beach and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This is the super touristy part of the Round One visit. What a beautiful beach! It's enormous and parking isn't quite as easy, but there are bigger waves and lots of space to spread out. Again, having learned the joys of the beach umbrella/chair rental, we grabbed a lovely setup, and got to the business of playing in the sand and surf. Chasing little guys around the beach gets exhausting, so at that two hour mark, we were once again, ready to move on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The next stop? You guessed it! We made our way to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. What a cool place. This is the spot where Winter and Hope, the dolphins from A Dolphin's Tale, live. If you recall, Winter was injured, rescued and fitted for a prosthetic tail. This is the aquarium where that all took place. We saw the famous dolphins being trained, as well as, otters, pelicans, sharks, and my favorite, the sea turtles. Did you know that their spines are connected to their shells? They could feel the trainers scratching their shells!! I had no idea. This is a lot smaller than I thought it would be, with far fewer animals, but what a very neat place. A must-see while in Clearwater!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Day Three- The Manatee Viewing Center and Local Shopping</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The final stops on the Round One visit include shopping at our local shops and a visit to the Tampa Electric Company Manatee Viewing Center. During the winter months, when the waters get cold, the Manatees move toward warmer spots. One of these is in the water outside the power plant. As the months move on and the waters begin to warm again, fewer can be seen. The first time we visited in February, there were many! This last time, there were very few, but it is still a bizarrely, cool stop. For one, you might get lucky and see a manatee, but there is also a very pretty nature path. It runs right through a thatch of mangrove trees. And, of course, there is the gift shop! Yes, I need another manatee Christmas tree ornament! Don't we all?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">While not everyone saw all of this, each of them saw some of it. We had a great time being tourists in our own neck of the woods, and can't wait for Round Two!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-72526942979333310052015-03-12T08:46:00.002-07:002015-03-12T08:46:24.836-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Recipe Card Swap</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Granola is a real treat to me. It's crunchy and salty and sweet. What could be better, really? As a person with nut sensitivities, I always have to be so careful to avoid store-bought granola. I know nuts add a healthy and yummy twist, but I really think that there should be more nut-free options available. Anyway, years ago, I found a nut-free granola brand that I loved. It was super crunchy, and the manufacturer kept it in big chunks. Those crunchy chunks really made it. It was addictive! <a href="http://www.chow.com/recipes/30062-basic-granola" target="_blank">This recipe</a> comes so close to that, now no longer available, brand. What a lucky thing to have stumbled upon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It is a basic recipe, and you can add in anything you choose. When I made this batch last week, I added milk chocolate chips, dried cranberries and raisins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Once it cooled, I broke it up but was mindful to keep some larger pieces. A big, glass jar is perfect to store the granola, and it keeps fresh for over a week. It's usually gone by then around here! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I like to keep a baggie of this in my purse, for those times when you just need a little something. Add this one to your recipe collection. It's tasty!</span></div>
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BONUS RECIPE ALERT</div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I used both of yesterdays tools last week, while baking the <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/chocolate-chip-muffins-gluten-free-393715" target="_blank">Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Muffins</a> you see here. So, here is a bonus recipe! Yum. Yum. Yum. These pretty little muffins browned in the oven, while my sons dinner cooked on the stovetop. I popped them in the freezer, and they were ready to serve my guests this week. I hope you like them as much as we do! They are a dense and cakey type of muffin, which is why I like them so much. </span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-89349140092416264422015-03-11T06:47:00.002-07:002015-03-11T06:47:52.192-07:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Two Things Wednesday?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Since I was baking a ton, in preparation for out-of-town guests, my two things today come from the kitchen. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">If you can't tell already, it's one of my favorite places. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Both of my grandmothers loved being in the kitchen, as do my mother and sister. Come to think of it, most all of the women in my family enjoy creating meals and sweets for their families</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">. And as with any other hobby, the tools are important. The affinity I feel for certain cooking gadgets is intense. My mixer is a treasure to me, and I actually <i>adore</i> some of my bowls. We'll get into that more in a future post, but just get the idea that I like kitchen stuff. A lot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The first thing I'd like to share today, is this package of PaperChef Parchment Baking Cups. These are unreal! I never really gave baking cups much thought. I mean, have you? I, typically, grab the basic multi-colored pack and move on with my life. Though, looking back, those are a flawed product compared to these beauties. First of all, and the reason that I bought them, was that I thought they looked nice. A plain, brown piece of parchment paper seemed like it would pair nicely with most any color cupcake or muffin I might concoct. Secondly, and most importantly, the baked goods do not stick or attach themselves in any way to these cups. I never knew I wanted that in a baking cup, but good golly do I ever! It is so nice to serve a warm muffin that just pops right out of the paper. I found them at Target, and you need them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The second thing I'd like to share is this <a href="http://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/Cook%27s+Tools/Large+Scoop/1790" target="_blank">Pampered Chef Large Scoop</a>. I have both the large and the small scoop, and I use them for everything. Cupcake or muffin batter is one of my favorite uses, because it makes the process of filling baking cups fast and clean. I also use this with ice cream, cottage cheese, rice pudding, cole slaw, pancake batter and so on. When you use this scoop with batters, your baked goods have a perfect shape and are all uniform in size. Other foods, just plain look better when served by the scoopful. This is worth every penny and has paid for itself over and over again! Love it! Mean it!</span><br />
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The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-77041690605584122592015-03-09T04:16:00.000-07:002015-03-09T04:21:05.762-07:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Weekend Review</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Monday is once again upon us. I like Mondays. They are a fresh start to a whole new week. Now, I haven't always liked Mondays, so if this finds you in one of those chapters of life, I get it. I mean, I REALLY get it. It is hard to believe when you're in it, but another chapter will begin right at the very moment you need it to. If it doesn't, start writing that chapter for yourself now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Anyway, back to Monday. This one is extra-special, because it marks the beginning of a week spent with family. We are headed out to explore this gorgeous Florida landscape together, and bask in the warmth of spring. So, I wish you as much fun in your week, as we will be having in ours!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">First, let's look at the weekend, then I gotta go!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">* Grocery shop for fresh fruit and dairy items- Done. Easy. Fun. And, yes, the strawberries have been washed and topped, placed in the paper-towel-lined freezer bag and are chilling in the fridge. I've tried it with blueberries and raspberries this week, so we'll see how they do. If you missed this tip on my Facebook page, it works. Do it right away to keep your berries fresh longer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">* Bake Bread (wish me luck on this!)- Done. And, I think it came out better than last week. I read up on over-proofing. I thought that's what happened last week, and why my bread sank. So, I avoided that this time, and things were really looking good......Then, it sank on one side. Now, after researching a bit more, I think it's my pan. It may be too thin which causes the crust to bake faster than the inside. Next week I will try baking it in the pan for the first twenty minutes, then removing the pan for the final twenty minutes of baking. Thank goodness it still smells and tastes delish! And, there's always next week, right? <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI5LqrNZIb0VbxdUk5AEAtt4lg0Xp4W98lvTHCzE5WORmpx0Nff_yHh5hZpZoPuTmtMNr3fYKQxLatpekT63S70yY0KOOFVATlSZXuTn9Sv9-4hld1wBfFzz9rtKA-SC-KnYzSDI/s1600/IMG_2408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBI5LqrNZIb0VbxdUk5AEAtt4lg0Xp4W98lvTHCzE5WORmpx0Nff_yHh5hZpZoPuTmtMNr3fYKQxLatpekT63S70yY0KOOFVATlSZXuTn9Sv9-4hld1wBfFzz9rtKA-SC-KnYzSDI/s1600/IMG_2408.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't dough pretty?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKd5EC5Ilyvv_iT-LYNbi5Ua7tTzhBzJXDcPEq0fV8MFl4JKRQQ0DHaJlPMVWhaOzwwNjBJWb7-t5UxU6PYEB1Il1iYZgV6DAsgT1zVfY_UiDASEX_O2JIATeCG-GT2kf1ubzshSI/s1600/IMG_2411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKd5EC5Ilyvv_iT-LYNbi5Ua7tTzhBzJXDcPEq0fV8MFl4JKRQQ0DHaJlPMVWhaOzwwNjBJWb7-t5UxU6PYEB1Il1iYZgV6DAsgT1zVfY_UiDASEX_O2JIATeCG-GT2kf1ubzshSI/s1600/IMG_2411.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh out of the oven and all poofy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkQt0ZeQQmR5rG9AVBuTWQIVxtDOkOtHCsxX1ID18QuBfW2eo-FhTl08n-G9cCgpLR7Nw_nFEoY9n6NfLrvgsPgjmUqPkzd4pgT-yYptY6AsRgku1ewQimIdP-F2XmdBaODdEKBI/s1600/IMG_2412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkQt0ZeQQmR5rG9AVBuTWQIVxtDOkOtHCsxX1ID18QuBfW2eo-FhTl08n-G9cCgpLR7Nw_nFEoY9n6NfLrvgsPgjmUqPkzd4pgT-yYptY6AsRgku1ewQimIdP-F2XmdBaODdEKBI/s1600/IMG_2412.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Partially sunken on the right...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">* Refresh my knitting skills (I recently came across a project started that needs finishing)- I ditched the knitting for this weekend, and decided to make a fast pillowcase for our guests. The cozy blanket that I chose to leave in the guest bedroom for our nephew is a soft, cozy Spiderman blanket. It NEEDED a special pillowcase to go with it, didn't it? I thought so. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I used an idea that I shared on Facebook, as well. I didn't have Spiderman fabric on hand, but I had fabrics in the Spiderman colors, and along with the themed blanket it is just enough "character" for me. The problem was that I only had red cotton fabric and blue jersey fabric. I used them, but as my mother later told me, you really need to use fabrics that are weighted the same. Using different weights led to some pulling and weirdness, and I know now for next time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I also, did not have a pattern, but using a pillowcase that I already own, I was able to trace it, and sort of make one. I have another pillowcase project coming up, and now that I have ironed out some kinks and built some character, I'll share a tutorial then. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFmHEdirKb_RE8RqR5AUtlajiQSaePONKTd7xVf1_g49NJPQ3fAYjPDHnZXRzU5KusTcsEoYnGZ-3vkgW-q6FIERgvdKlJiKgeBHSu0JAF6LJIkcTm86GApZcnNabiEoF83Jckho/s1600/IMG_2400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFmHEdirKb_RE8RqR5AUtlajiQSaePONKTd7xVf1_g49NJPQ3fAYjPDHnZXRzU5KusTcsEoYnGZ-3vkgW-q6FIERgvdKlJiKgeBHSu0JAF6LJIkcTm86GApZcnNabiEoF83Jckho/s1600/IMG_2400.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know just about enough about sewing to get myself in trouble.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIidfIscfJ2UqX81ii45CVnpOdlvGTrGdT3NbqJvMuAr2B34mbMLYDvVm24exWAovnKPgxi01hOIiGcviSDTnNVYgdxfWczW0vMrSoomE8KwOqG0rdhMBDCZRA61LPzDGCoqdJPRw/s1600/IMG_2403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIidfIscfJ2UqX81ii45CVnpOdlvGTrGdT3NbqJvMuAr2B34mbMLYDvVm24exWAovnKPgxi01hOIiGcviSDTnNVYgdxfWczW0vMrSoomE8KwOqG0rdhMBDCZRA61LPzDGCoqdJPRw/s1600/IMG_2403.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was able to complete this, from start to finish, during my son's nap. It doesn't take long to add a few extra touches around your house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakACcLr6Q9clfD3UtjHps6rf29JCqUTyr74TCtWqcRRBmbs7zmZTzWJXMGMI5eMjJDaL5QBP-huTg92fgH0MFXU4FGeQevDw2JjGeSNzhwfvkLHeM8leO6PF75hQnEuW7-q1O6fs/s1600/FullSizeRender+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakACcLr6Q9clfD3UtjHps6rf29JCqUTyr74TCtWqcRRBmbs7zmZTzWJXMGMI5eMjJDaL5QBP-huTg92fgH0MFXU4FGeQevDw2JjGeSNzhwfvkLHeM8leO6PF75hQnEuW7-q1O6fs/s1600/FullSizeRender+(9).jpg" height="183" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the strange pulling where the blue and red come together, but it's fun and a child would never notice!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">* Greet my visiting family, and have a blast showing them around!- They are here! Yay! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">How did your weekend go? </span><br />
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The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-68515367799303704042015-03-06T07:33:00.002-08:002015-03-06T14:49:26.032-08:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We're having guests!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I recently added something to my bucket list. On the timeline of my life, I see it falling in between the time when my son will be of age to begin his own life journey and my dream of retiring into a community of golf carts, quilting bees and gray hair. With those two events as the bookends, I would love to spend my empty nest years running a Bed and Breakfast. Will this ever happen? Maybe not, but it could. A girl can dream, and do I ever!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicv6-vfMVwslKCF5yFfgaowD7gabHzsexMDav7nOW6RWOjIDuAlWXNENhD7KdBBJY6gExPafd3mJywOaEGhF2v8XcvB9605WhoTd2WXvrtIuGblmHZqR3mMC9NbvgHUUG2Q5toxg/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjicv6-vfMVwslKCF5yFfgaowD7gabHzsexMDav7nOW6RWOjIDuAlWXNENhD7KdBBJY6gExPafd3mJywOaEGhF2v8XcvB9605WhoTd2WXvrtIuGblmHZqR3mMC9NbvgHUUG2Q5toxg/s1600/IMG_2384.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">My collection of family tea cups, given to me by my mother</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I picture Laura Ashley rosebuds, mixed with wicker and doilies and knit throws, oh my! The softest towels, the freshest smelling herbal soaps, classical music, just in the background enough that you can barely notice it playing, and breakfast! Oh, breakfast! Delicate tea cups, just-browned-enough blueberry muffins, and I won't forget the molded butter. Nope. Don't worry it'll be there. See, I told you. This girl can dream...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In the meantime, I love having guests come to visit! In advance of family or friends coming, I try to think of things they might need, and then surprise things for them to enjoy. Needs include, say, a bed. The basic stuff is fine to pull together, but it really gets fun to ready the extras! I love to bake and freeze ahead things that are easy to grab for breakfast (like the muffins I mentioned), prepare snacks that are good to take as we leave for adventures (like trail mix or granola), and I make a running grocery list of things to buy fresh.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQsjCBgL89_-OK8WiUoRtmpMZrhim7k1zaeKFjZkD8zg1nZSvhPaueQLxYrihSM1nYRk9vWjXxNdNGXAnxk8QZ8t22cshpGdvfXI5OIR2rgzSbOGPkI6LRHpnGaSb7DJdbFELo_s/s1600/IMG_2385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQsjCBgL89_-OK8WiUoRtmpMZrhim7k1zaeKFjZkD8zg1nZSvhPaueQLxYrihSM1nYRk9vWjXxNdNGXAnxk8QZ8t22cshpGdvfXI5OIR2rgzSbOGPkI6LRHpnGaSb7DJdbFELo_s/s1600/IMG_2385.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">Choose white towels for guests, as they are easy to bleach and keep clean</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">If children will be staying with us, special items, related to our planned outings, might greet them when they arrive. I think it's even more fun to surprise little ones with a small wrapped trinket each day. It's not expensive and it makes for such fun! Also, every guest should have a quiet spot to retreat to, if they need to get away from the fun. For adults, I like to leave current magazines on the bedside table and a spot to set up their laptop. For children, I think it is important to have a television and a cozy blanket. Kids can get overwhelmed while traveling, and this allows them a spot in your house that feels like their own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So, I'm off to bake, fluff, wrap surprise goodies, and mold some butter. That last part is just a joke. I'll save the butter for my inn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My weekend list looks like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">* Grocery shop for fresh fruit and dairy items</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">* Bake Bread (wish me luck on this!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">* Refresh my knitting skills (I recently came across a project started that needs finishing.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">* Greet my visiting family, and have a blast showing them around!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Have a wonderful weekend! See you on Monday morning!</span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-8727780078509584052015-03-05T07:31:00.004-08:002015-03-05T08:10:48.977-08:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Recipe Card Swap</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It's Thursday, once again, and you know what that means... It's time to share what's worked this week in the kitchen. We don't really need to talk about what didn't work, right? Let's think about that another day. I added two great recipes to my collection this week. In honor of family and friends up north, bracing for yet more winter weather, I wrote them each with my icy snowflake pen! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My entry into this weeks Recipe Card Swap, is for a crockpot soup that I served company a few weeks back. Somehow the tab was open and hiding on my iPhone for this long...sneaky little recipe! This <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-taco-soup-40022" target="_blank">Crockpot Taco Soup</a> really hit the spot after a fun-filled day of local shopping. I chose to make this with ground turkey, but any meat would work. Make sure to pick up lots of different topping choices, and don't forget the tortilla chips! This is a great recipe to serve a crowd, and crockpot cooking is spectacular when you have company in town. Pop it in, get in the car, see the sights, and then return home to a warm meal waiting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The second recipe that I added to my recipe card box today, is for a warm and cozy Baked Banana Oatmeal. I tried it out on my little guy yesterday, and if you follow us on Facebook, you know that he gobbled it right up! If you missed it, hop on over to our Facebook page, and the recipe is posted there. While you're at it, "like" our page to ensure you don't miss any future recipes I may share there! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">What worked in your kitchens this week? If you found something yummy, we'd love for you to share it in the comments!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-42072691921962736462015-03-04T08:47:00.003-08:002015-03-04T08:47:52.023-08:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The Little Moments</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Are you losing the little moments in your day? I was. I should go back a bit and tell you that in a previous life I taught school. I think I learned to use the little moments in that role, but never translated it to home...until now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As a teacher, if you finish your lesson plan earlier than you expected, you are left a few moments to spare, maybe even just one. You cannot imagine how much you can do with a minute until you try. A teacher can assess students understanding of a lesson, clarify an element of the lesson if need be, or even work to build comfort in the classroom by sharing a fun story from the weekend. Those little minutes are so easy to throw away, but if you use them, you can achieve so much!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When you have a baby in the house, at least for me, my first instinct was to use the little moments laying on my bed in complete silence, staring at the wall....at first. As I became more comfortable in this role, started to get more sleep, and cut out energy-zapping gluten, I realized that those moments were where it was at! I began telling myself, "Get busy momma, so you can cuddle and play with that little guy as soon as he wakes! Make these little moments count!" I think lots of parents get to this place waaaay faster than I did, but I'm just glad to finally be here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The little moments are awesome for a fast load of laundry. Try it! Stop reading this and go throw one in! Just don't forget to come back... I also catch up on thank you notes, wipe down a bathroom, etc. in these tiny snippets of time. It is mind-boggling to me how much time I wasted here and there (and still do, on tired days or days when I'm just not feeling it). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Last night I used some little moments after bedtime to prepare some St. Patrick's Day decorations. I love construction paper, and these shamrocks and paper chains were so fun to make! I felt like a kid again. I only wish that I had some oak tag on hand!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Then, today, I stole a few naptime moments to hang my creations. What fun it will be to see his surprise when he wakes up! Our boy is having the best time learning about holidays.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">How will you use your little moments, today?</span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-22381645165351540272015-03-03T08:55:00.001-08:002015-03-03T09:08:10.243-08:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Two Things Tuesday</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There are two things that I am completely loving right now. One of them is a girlfriend thing. So, if you have a girlfriend or a girl that's a friend or a wife or know any woman at all, buy it for her. The other is a toddler thing. So, if you have a toddler or know a toddler or are a toddler, buy this. I am not the pickiest person alive, but when I really like something, I like it! Could life go on without these two items in my home? Sure. Is life a bit sweeter, more calm and just better with them? Absolutely. Without further adieu:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I recently visited a small town located here in Florida, and on the Gulf of Mexico, called Tarpon Springs. It is a largely Greek community, and a picturesque place, not far from one of our favorite beaches. The main draw in town, aside from some pretty spectacular Greek cuisine and baked goods, are the Sponge Docks. Here you can walk along the dock and watch the boats, shop local sponge vendors and other shops, listen to live music, as well as, learn a little history about the area and sponge harvesting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have owned natural sponges before, but haven't earnestly given them the time of day. What a mistake! I bought a small sponge from a street vendor this day, and I am loving it! It gently exfoliates my skin, and when paired with a special lavender soap, it's nearly spa-like. So, come on down and visit me. I'll take you to the Sponge Docks, and we'll fetch you one, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">This cup. I mean, I cannot thank it enough. Our son chewed toys and cups and things, pretty constantly through the teething process. This made finding the right sippy cup a challenge. Our little rabbit, could munch the straw right off of most cups in no time flat. The worst part of that is the little bit of straw that is chewed off, becomes a mean and scary choking hazard. So, we had to watch him like a hawk with this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Until, we found the Camelbak. Hallelujah! Thank you, universe for sending me into Target that fateful day last summer, and leading me to the smallest sale section, hidden in the tiniest corner of the store. There it was, sitting among some other random sale items. It was serendipity that led me to this cup, with it's sturdy looking straw. It looked tough. It looked like it could take a chewing or two, and I liked the dinosaur design. I bought it, and have never looked back. This thing does what a cup is supposed to do. It keeps the drink in (you wouldn't believe how many don't!), it <i>is</i> tough, and it really <i>does</i> take a chewing or two. We have a few of them now, and have received some for gifts, as in the one pictured. On top of all of the functional perks, the designs are always super cute. Yep. This is one great product! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-61364533072027372472015-03-02T07:42:00.002-08:002015-03-02T07:42:39.398-08:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Weekend Review</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I hope this finds you excited for the week ahead, and feeling accomplished after the weekend behind. I had a lofty weekend plan. It included some things we needed to get done, along with some relaxation. Let's see how it went:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">* House of Cards- I tried, House of Cards, I really did. However, this season can't hold my attention. I fell fast asleep during the first episode. That's not a great sign. Downton Abbey, on the other hand, never disappoints. What an outstanding season finale. I heart you, Mr. Carson!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">*Dress Making- Done! My niece loves the movie Book of Life, so here is her Maria dress. What a fun project! I was thankful for an excuse to dust off my sewing machine. </span></span></div>
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</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20.790000915527344px;">*Bread Baking- Done, sliced and frozen for the week. This is still a science that I am working to perfect. This loaf was the first to rise so high in the oven that the foil popped off. It looked beautiful when I took it from the oven. When I transferred it to the cooling rack, it acted as a deflated balloon. Oops! The thing went from standing a good 4 inches high, to a sad 2 inches low. So, yes, it's done, sliced and frozen, yet somewhat flawed and weird looking. Will try again next week.</span></span></div>
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The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-8797787084571776712015-02-27T10:28:00.000-08:002015-03-01T03:40:48.829-08:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The Comma Talk</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Before we move forward, there's something you need to know. I'm sure you've noticed already, but I have a love/hate relationship with commas. I love them, because they are so helpful in forming sentences. I dislike them, because there are so many rules surrounding them! Who could ever remember them all? It is very out of character for me to go against the rules, but in this instance, I am conflicted. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have always had a love of words. I am intrigued and entertained by learning word origins and alternative uses of familiar words. I am an avid spelling bee watcher. Is there anything more captivating on ESPN, like ever? And, sit me alone at a bar with a cup of black coffee, a sharpened #2 pencil and a crossword puzzle, and I am in complete heaven. I might not surface for hours. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I also have always had a love of music. Learning to feel when the notes are short and long, and why the composer made those choices. The crescendos and when you must slow things down are all intended to make you feel something. I love how you can manipulate your voice to accommodate those directions. I'll actually never fully understand the voice as an instrument, but I will forever enjoy using mine as a form of expression and art.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Just like a well-written piece of music is art, sentences are, as well. Instead of bringing together whole notes and dotted halves, a sentence combines words. As in music, it is up to the artist to arrange them as they see fit. They can be arranged to evoke feelings of peace, anger, sadness, love, humor, rage, beauty, and you get the idea. The words chosen and the way they are strung to one another is the artful expression of the writer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So, please excuse my misuse of the comma. It is not always unintentional (my "artful" run-on, overly full, wordy descriptions), and it is also not intended to send those who rejoice in perfect grammar batty. I leave them out, I include too many, and I am aware of this. The cause, in the end, goes back to the words. I hope that the words I separate with too many commas help you to see what I see. I also misuse the comma, because of those darn rules. So. Many. Rules.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I apologize in advance, and hope we can move past this together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Now, what's on the agenda this weekend, folks? Here's my bulleted list:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">*House of Cards</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">*Dress Making</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">*Bread Baking</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">*Taxes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">*Park Playing </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">*The Beach</span><br />
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The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-40615945375402590572015-02-26T08:52:00.001-08:002015-02-26T10:34:24.674-08:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Recipe Card Swap</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">It occurs to me that the heading of this post may seem outdated to many. It probably is, but hear me out on this. The printed word matters to me. Paper things matter to me. I like how paper feels, how it smells and how it sounds. I just plain like it. Whether it be in the form of a book you just can't put down, the feel of your Sunday newspaper folded just right as to allow perfect crossword puzzle completion or the distinct weight (or lack thereof) in your hand of a pretty, hand-written recipe card. It matters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I also love technology. I love that I can google any darn thing under the sun, and within seconds gain knowledge I didn't have before. Yet, as with all things, there should be balance. That's what I try to do. Sure, I get most of my news, not from the crinkling pages of the morning newspaper, but from social media. I'm not often found pouring over dusty volumns of an old encyclopedia tucked back in abandoned sections of the library. I do, however, keep an up-to-date recipe card box.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In having so much information available to us, we are left with the task of organizing it. I know that there are computerized was of keeping our online recipe finds at the ready, but I don't like those. I like to write things on paper. So, I do. Once a week or so, I open all of my tabs and choose the recipes that worked. The good ones that my family enjoyed, and I spend a few minutes with a favorite pen and my pretty, little recipe cards. I find that doing this each week keeps it from becoming overwhelming or too time consuming. Heck, this morning I jotted down two delish recipes in the time that it took to finish my first cup of coffee. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Here is my swap for today. And, I look forward to trying any you'd like to leave for me in the comments below. It's one of the recipes that made it into my recipe box this morning, and it is absolutely a must try! On Valentine's Day I made these Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles for my loves (and myself) and adapted them for us by simply swapping the all-purpose flour it calls for with an equal amount of ground oats. And with it being Valentine's Day, instead of sprinkling them with sea salt, I used colored sugar. These are a treat! </span><br />
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I know. The chocolate looks crazytown. Can we try to look past that? I will if you do...</div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-76914093593921322112015-02-25T11:04:00.000-08:002015-02-26T13:41:00.216-08:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Building Character</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">My grandfather had a go-to saying that really stuck with people, including me. When events in life didn't quite go your way, he would reassuringly tell you that, "you're building character". Many times I'd experience a set back and run to that little dity, not thinking much about what it really meant at all. I'd jokingly repeat the phrase. Silly girl...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When I recently took some time to ponder the words, I finally heard him. I heard what he had been trying to say all along! The events in life that make you struggle and feel like a failure are the very same ones that teach you perseverance and courage. In bouncing back from a trial, you grow your self-esteem and worth, your skin thickens for future troubled times and your ego is kept in check, as to not become over-inflated. YOU ARE BUILDING CHARACTER. How reassuring is that? It's amazing. I think if I had joked less and listened more, those words could have gotten me through some toughies along the way. I think if I had joked less and listened more to everything people said...well, anyway. I joke. That's what I do, and it's fine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So, the funny thing about character is that just when you think that you couldn't build any more...you do. You're coasting along, all fine and dandy, and SMACK! More character. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I recently built some character in the kitchen. As I've mentioned before, we are transitioning our family to a gluten-free lifestyle. That, however, should not in any way mean that brownies are out of the picture. Period. It should not. I found a recipe for Black Bean Brownies, tucked it away and waited for a fun opportunity to bake. I noticed a Facebook event on a friends wall entitled "Brownies for Breakfast". It was an event set up by a grieving mother, that recently lost her school-aged daughter in a car accident. The day of the crash, she had allowed her to eat brownies for breakfast. This event was in remembrance of a baby gone too soon, and intended to remind us to let loose and live each day to the fullest. What a amazing event set up by such a strong mother. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Okay, we were way in! I busted out that recipe and the black beans and the...wait, we were out of honey. It was fine, I decided just to sub in maple syrup. Okay, I got out the coconut oil, the cocoa powder, and the...oops! I was out of chocolate chips. It was alright, because I had a darker-than-dark bar of chocolate that I shaved up and threw in there. I was sure that these changes would be undetectable, and that my toddler would be thrilled at the sight of his breakfast. He gagged and spit the black bean brownie out. Fail. My husband came home from work and saw the brownies waiting to surprise him. This man loves food, like I love food. He excitedly took a bite. I watched and waiting, knowing that he was bound to love them. His nostrils flared and I knew. Fail. The Black Bean Brownies were a bust. I dare to say that the recipe was not to blame. Perhaps my creative substitutions had a little to do with it. However, I built some character, and it only makes me want to try again. I'm sure that my family can't wait!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Have you built character lately? I bet so. I'd love to hear about...</span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-78381537318177322112015-02-23T09:05:00.002-08:002015-02-26T14:25:48.199-08:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">A Day at the Beach</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Enough about warm, cozy blankets! Let's talk white sand, blazing sun and okay, still freezing water. That's two out of three in my book! When I noticed that temperatures would reach close to 80 degrees this weekend, I felt a certain responsibility. Sure, I had a full square of bulleted tasks on my desk calendar for Sunday, but we may not live in sunny Florida forever. Gosh darn it, I'm going to soak in every minute of paradise that I can. Also, I did it for you, family and friends. With you enduring such cold, how could I sit home and waste that kind of gorgeous weather? You're welcome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So, yes. I ditched my list, shaved my legs and started reworking the plan. While my husband got in a quick run, I readied my son and I, made a fast breakfast and got to work filling the cooler. A big part of beach days for me is the food. I don't want to eat out, I want a picnic. Oddly, as much as I enjoy junk food, for me beach fare should include fresh, cold fruit and crisp veggies, lunchmeat roll ups with yummy cheese, pretzels, raisins, you get the idea. Baggie after baggie of surprises to slowly divvy up over the course of our stay. So, yeah, I got chopping and bagging and cooling. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When the hubby returned, he was put on beach toy and beach chair acquisition. And, he did a fab job quickly tearing apart our somewhat still unpacked garage to find buckets, shovels, little boats, chairs, and the ever important cup holder for my hot coffee. I know, but you're getting to know me, aren't you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Always. Hot. Coffee.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Wow, breakfast, lunch making, beach bag packing and car loading all before 9:30 AM! It felt like vacation behavior. We were off. It took about an hour to get to St. Pete Beach, but it felt much faster. Parking was readily available at 10:30 AM and we set up camp for the next few hours. What memories we are making. Not yet for our son, but definitely for his momma and dad. The kid loves all things beach. He loves the water. He loves running over to our beach neighbors and throwing his ball on their towel uttering some sort of 2 year old invitation to play. He loves the picnic. He loves playing in the sand and pretending it is snow. And we love him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As always, I overshared photos of our day. I'm kinda sorry for that, but not really. I am so grateful for the happy days in life. Bad days have come, and for sure they will come again. Knowing that, I will always rejoice in the joyful ones. The ones that I hope to never forget. The ones that make you stop and notice the sand in your teeth, the sun on your face, the warmth in your heart and the snuggly nap on the way home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-19649875129367290502015-02-19T10:32:00.004-08:002015-02-19T10:46:37.117-08:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My Itchy Pink Blanket</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As in most of our country today, it is a chilly afternoon in Florida. I'm finding that it is far chillier here than I could have ever imagined. I was under the false impression that we would be spending our days basking in the sunshine, perfecting our sun-kissed glows beach-side while sipping freshly-squeezed orange juice each day, all year round. Um.....yeah, no. It gets cold here. Maybe the number isn't as low as places farther north, but it just <i>feels</i> colder here. I was scammed by Florida, but I still like it and forgive it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">You know what? I'll admit it. I'm somewhat glad to have a bit of winter here. I've always lived in a four season climate, and I would have missed wearing my gray hooded sweatshirts and snuggling all of my soft, warm blankets. Anyone that has spent considerable time with me knows my love of blankies. If I am at home or even in the car, there is always one close at hand. Out of all of the many I hold dear, my favorite is one that wouldn't be chosen out of a lineup. It's old, itchy wool, faded and misshapen from my poor laundering skills, and I LOVE it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Before it found it's home, resting on the back of my desk chair, it was my nana's. It kept her warm in bed during cold New England winters. When she passed away, it somehow made it's way to me. With tears in my eyes as I type this, and my lap covered warmly in her blanket, I am grateful to those who save things. For a person like me, it's such a gift. I have items in my home that belonged to and remind me of each of my grandparents. So, before you toss that old, warm blanket...think of mine.</span></div>
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The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-41152477160268778502015-02-18T07:43:00.001-08:002015-02-18T07:46:57.188-08:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Recipe Card Swap</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I love food. I mean, I love it a whole lot. I have a favorite food for most any kind of occasion. Many occasions are defined for me by the food I will serve or expect to eat. I have my go-to sick day food, sad day food, snow day food, holiday food. You name the day, and I've got a food. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I sadly, tested positive for a wheat allergy recently. Can you imagine the dismay? I was honest to goodness sad. I always suspected, but it was never official. Now it was, and I couldn't ignore the signs my body had been sending me for years. I was forced to explore my options. It has been my mission, in the weeks since this discovery, to find recipes that won't make me sick, but that will allow me to continue my love affair with food. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Guess what? I've become healthier, I've become more conscious of the items and ingredients that I am serving my family, and I've also saved money! Eating fast and easily prepared processed food is surprisingly pricey. Shopping the perimeter of my grocery store and making many things from scratch has absolutely been beneficial to our family budget.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">There is also a satisfaction I get from the entire process. Researching new recipes, selecting the fresh ingredients at the store, and combining them into delicious and nourishing final products has made me an active participant in my health and the health of my family. Watching the dough rise, smelling it bake in the oven and seeing our two year old gobble down my homemade bread has been more fun than I could have ever thought at the beginning of this endeavor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So, the love affair continues...Thank God!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Here's a recipe that we enjoyed last night. It was a gluten-free, dairy-free, most-everything-free crowd pleaser! It looks too simple to be love affair worthy, but that assumption is very wrong. Make this. Trust me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://glutenfreehomemaker.com/beef-pepperoni-soup/?utm_content=buffere13ec&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer">http://glutenfreehomemaker.com/beef-pepperoni-soup/?utm_content=buffere13ec&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer</a></span></div>
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The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925205620900890029.post-42893688195201401002015-02-17T10:36:00.001-08:002015-02-17T10:36:15.586-08:00<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">My trusty home calendar</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Do you have one? I didn't, but I cannot tell you how vital it has become to my day-to-day life. If it's on the calendar, it happens. If it isn't on the calendar, it doesn't. So, things like laundry, dishes and everyday things are on there, as well as, above and beyond things that are important to me. Recently, Valentine completion was on the list, and reseting our guest bedroom made it, too! If you are a homemaker, and still winging it, I encourage you to give this strategy a go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I use a simple month-at-a-glance desk calendar upon which I make my bulleted list. Of course, you may like a book-style planner, or some other format. Whichever you choose, stick to your list. Do not rest until you have checked off each item. Now, that brings up a great point. When planning your week, and selecting your intended tasks, be realistic. I know that my son will nap each day for about 2 hours, and I plan accordingly. Any baking or kitchen tasks can easily be done while he is awake. We actually have lots of fun in the kitchen together. I plan tasks that involve my complete attention for his nap time. For example, ironing napkins or an important sewing project. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Also, in being realistic, don't bite off more than you can chew. Divide lengthy tasks up over the course of a few days. An example that comes to mind is the recent Valentine mailings I mentioned earlier. The first day, I held a brief photo shoot with my son. The next day, I edited the photos and selected the one to send off for printing. The following day, I procured the cards at the grocery store and picked up the photos. And on and on, until each was addressed, stamped and mailed off to beloved family and friends. Having each of those small tasks separated and listed on my calendar ensured that they would happen, and that it was a relaxing and fun experience for both the giver and the receiver. How do you plan your days, and stay focused on what's important to you?</span>The Oldish Soulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15697973588384208962noreply@blogger.com2