tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14745358705212772532024-03-28T14:05:38.007-07:00Living, Loving, CraftingTrying to find time to get my craft on while living a busy life that I love!Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-89370213899105016202013-03-06T18:01:00.000-08:002013-03-06T18:01:07.416-08:00Technical DifficultiesI have a post written for today with a picture and blogger has frozen up and won't let me upload any pics to any posts. Super frustrating. Stay tuned tomorrow when hopefully it will be fixed!!<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-16633800920445300022013-03-05T10:05:00.000-08:002013-03-05T10:05:15.604-08:00Gatlinburg TripOur parents are awesome. They believe it's important for my husband and I have to alone time. We think they have the right idea! Because of this, we got to spend 3 days/2 nights in Gatlinburg, TN last week. We got a steal on the hotel and the weather was as close to perfect for February as you could possibly get. We relaxed, spent some time in the Smoky Mountains and toured a few wineries. It was such a nice time. I got a lot of cool pictures with the new camera I got for Christmas. It was overcast one minute and sunny the next which I was loving. Prepare for picture overload!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D30jIw2Zj3LcSDjUkZ99RFcJORTEOJw9TCT-nX85T5SE0TBEWbNfNX1jyxaDY8ECdAcWRNiXaGUVw_QBXUEEOo7pMdiKTM7NtO0xdki2opVRauKbPaAV-1O7mUYffk0HsYtyq9qHDOk/s1600/TN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D30jIw2Zj3LcSDjUkZ99RFcJORTEOJw9TCT-nX85T5SE0TBEWbNfNX1jyxaDY8ECdAcWRNiXaGUVw_QBXUEEOo7pMdiKTM7NtO0xdki2opVRauKbPaAV-1O7mUYffk0HsYtyq9qHDOk/s640/TN.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yvgVS0GzDI267RMq-TEljSqtYbl3eckhwH9MS2TqiNdgwAfPu8dLP7vTNPkLyD5rJ9lfvnZBN94ZIQdgHevy-7H0hAbphp53K-tqJblfnJyF03dVlALI_B8O5ST9pSlGbXqyTxSvKsQ/s1600/TN2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yvgVS0GzDI267RMq-TEljSqtYbl3eckhwH9MS2TqiNdgwAfPu8dLP7vTNPkLyD5rJ9lfvnZBN94ZIQdgHevy-7H0hAbphp53K-tqJblfnJyF03dVlALI_B8O5ST9pSlGbXqyTxSvKsQ/s640/TN2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCaP3SpJd2EOXO72rOze92Y2u9FMmiXN5xbUTEy67EsI-pOCIumEUwVLYUhg_9xyPOnMNG2RJxv_v-lJS0fxQ_jl-arUzzB3iAHyNQyYzCbQ5YYRbbhX8SUIz8zVTON3XwegPBT9EQi4/s1600/TN3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCaP3SpJd2EOXO72rOze92Y2u9FMmiXN5xbUTEy67EsI-pOCIumEUwVLYUhg_9xyPOnMNG2RJxv_v-lJS0fxQ_jl-arUzzB3iAHyNQyYzCbQ5YYRbbhX8SUIz8zVTON3XwegPBT9EQi4/s640/TN3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0No3DnUIvHeqd7lTrj3MxAF2JDUbkf3NhrSTgapwtjwMd_6iyLf5A5BDS5oisfdS_ddmb7MpBO0zf8Sng3wrNSKqFEhVirM42v_9BdH6VMbKUzPImasGX1FuhZoIQSWiLl-72mfzJbI/s1600/TN4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0No3DnUIvHeqd7lTrj3MxAF2JDUbkf3NhrSTgapwtjwMd_6iyLf5A5BDS5oisfdS_ddmb7MpBO0zf8Sng3wrNSKqFEhVirM42v_9BdH6VMbKUzPImasGX1FuhZoIQSWiLl-72mfzJbI/s640/TN4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfG8Y1kUuip9_lA-Dn7fssZ27y_32hX0iVwrSCD7xtyfyVhOGuVucoKZCGjldukxZy1WWto8U4nmnFALZcXiDrFshj3Qlw5A_Rof4E3uVwNI6p0Mpl1IFp_sRh9rkCEr1gtMEh4L0lhrk/s1600/TN6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfG8Y1kUuip9_lA-Dn7fssZ27y_32hX0iVwrSCD7xtyfyVhOGuVucoKZCGjldukxZy1WWto8U4nmnFALZcXiDrFshj3Qlw5A_Rof4E3uVwNI6p0Mpl1IFp_sRh9rkCEr1gtMEh4L0lhrk/s640/TN6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVdlmgEZoS_3YiSrNiVmMtO4nJ_PfZfXimb_Rj80HyZ8I1srWGWKRG8se-ao_lD_uJ7BgNXaYp5EErdKyArMV5HZhGaiLr17vhp7sGPRkkUFyHyLj5eACt9UJDZYuMil0pHWSqp9ynPA/s1600/TN5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVdlmgEZoS_3YiSrNiVmMtO4nJ_PfZfXimb_Rj80HyZ8I1srWGWKRG8se-ao_lD_uJ7BgNXaYp5EErdKyArMV5HZhGaiLr17vhp7sGPRkkUFyHyLj5eACt9UJDZYuMil0pHWSqp9ynPA/s640/TN5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWKQxhC6cso-N4i8vgJwLELFMk92xaHo3XrAr1usgdEC9TuPqcanWULJzR3O9JNAfa7zJadIfVez71FDc6C5xkjKrxAs7S_5CJN1vE70h6kvl0u-EpzFsDEcKI80dK_Y9YwlDyutQBbo/s1600/TN8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWKQxhC6cso-N4i8vgJwLELFMk92xaHo3XrAr1usgdEC9TuPqcanWULJzR3O9JNAfa7zJadIfVez71FDc6C5xkjKrxAs7S_5CJN1vE70h6kvl0u-EpzFsDEcKI80dK_Y9YwlDyutQBbo/s640/TN8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrFuzmg-xXmJcdGAYvA2j5VGQyJWqkoCoQGXU8tdSzKkwZ3jqxepLiMIKd56RSgsbvnu13UZmhvN5jnm9odmZUMoqTcczwcjP5cm49UuqxaAhitn5Re9pJxQvUsyQNEAO72oqc-UVjs8/s1600/TN7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfrFuzmg-xXmJcdGAYvA2j5VGQyJWqkoCoQGXU8tdSzKkwZ3jqxepLiMIKd56RSgsbvnu13UZmhvN5jnm9odmZUMoqTcczwcjP5cm49UuqxaAhitn5Re9pJxQvUsyQNEAO72oqc-UVjs8/s640/TN7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOy4Aj1lOtNsEMqHUqmV-kn-TNze2PM5x2UxrtT5jA9FQUKPxeEZXhzkEfcHDyB5Y4IC-oAQLgc7UCYeBEK5nW2lokVgfW5RNeNnoaTxFrHqwe1O-ksdA5hKzgCJqFvTdJBk8GnygBV8/s1600/TN12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOy4Aj1lOtNsEMqHUqmV-kn-TNze2PM5x2UxrtT5jA9FQUKPxeEZXhzkEfcHDyB5Y4IC-oAQLgc7UCYeBEK5nW2lokVgfW5RNeNnoaTxFrHqwe1O-ksdA5hKzgCJqFvTdJBk8GnygBV8/s640/TN12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XM2fDcmuRfTfUe1P62eEGGbGdkNX9k3mQFMugj7eURVlBI17viLUelGfqcJ6mXpox19uM_lOBzY-oCht4XCEqujGIj2JmA0gstDbtDBVfz5Qw4V0AFYEKYJQU8vw9Vgfm0GQOHpMrH0/s1600/TN10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XM2fDcmuRfTfUe1P62eEGGbGdkNX9k3mQFMugj7eURVlBI17viLUelGfqcJ6mXpox19uM_lOBzY-oCht4XCEqujGIj2JmA0gstDbtDBVfz5Qw4V0AFYEKYJQU8vw9Vgfm0GQOHpMrH0/s640/TN10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBjqPdckA4r5ZBHDePuU1ZE9jYN0kJX_QQ4nR9Kz1geZs4hRjIUu4TjrnL2TvustPX95y6rBVCzkocZ2W9Z6vE3-e8Zu3bFEBlPUhWaIW6cS0cbN-Krh8LoWIS0Vu-djFpn-ANccoddg/s1600/TN11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBjqPdckA4r5ZBHDePuU1ZE9jYN0kJX_QQ4nR9Kz1geZs4hRjIUu4TjrnL2TvustPX95y6rBVCzkocZ2W9Z6vE3-e8Zu3bFEBlPUhWaIW6cS0cbN-Krh8LoWIS0Vu-djFpn-ANccoddg/s640/TN11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXUR3Yj-LYvGGhKsY3vrk2KCVdpqjSUWjXY7hRN7buNTv1DsmNohuTocooRL9ofLEa-r9zHb87jwl-7eaIZIoUSo9-BNbftWFYWkjlMVPoJ77ZEXwjw7DN-un0aWCt7_A30rbzwF7fqY/s1600/TN14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXUR3Yj-LYvGGhKsY3vrk2KCVdpqjSUWjXY7hRN7buNTv1DsmNohuTocooRL9ofLEa-r9zHb87jwl-7eaIZIoUSo9-BNbftWFYWkjlMVPoJ77ZEXwjw7DN-un0aWCt7_A30rbzwF7fqY/s640/TN14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9L8eHUYsJFEexWncI8jruFCexoTHa7I4OiILjRp3A_Jhx-e4xwyM1jKDUfgbEAiHuoHu-0GXhDo4xD64FQL9qwWVfTc3bUb3glDCQyORplO7gg10l7zuM-wNhRUBpEArJUWHdpJKdhk/s1600/TN13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9L8eHUYsJFEexWncI8jruFCexoTHa7I4OiILjRp3A_Jhx-e4xwyM1jKDUfgbEAiHuoHu-0GXhDo4xD64FQL9qwWVfTc3bUb3glDCQyORplO7gg10l7zuM-wNhRUBpEArJUWHdpJKdhk/s640/TN13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlVKhWwJ19y_xU9w7wg4tpz_VHkbwtR5TzHvN-lSCCwX1z-SpRuU8X5nFQiRFv2nuFK5EJePxqghEccWT3wffIYkg4PvQ1BuE9Rv454BfUMR1HvO1BUNLGK0KxZcQJO6hE_kPXbvqDtU/s1600/TN15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlVKhWwJ19y_xU9w7wg4tpz_VHkbwtR5TzHvN-lSCCwX1z-SpRuU8X5nFQiRFv2nuFK5EJePxqghEccWT3wffIYkg4PvQ1BuE9Rv454BfUMR1HvO1BUNLGK0KxZcQJO6hE_kPXbvqDtU/s640/TN15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkNOGhOkvJyB8LebbUdelT7vt8BDTf_Xfv31Qso7J-iOheA2CuH-mBsSfXPLhfG0BG_3xW40cQ2Hanr4HAA9XjX6W6TMrvvCxZ47cs_pS7uy92OYk-h2Zuug95O6PiQAuHdp76doWir8/s1600/TN16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkNOGhOkvJyB8LebbUdelT7vt8BDTf_Xfv31Qso7J-iOheA2CuH-mBsSfXPLhfG0BG_3xW40cQ2Hanr4HAA9XjX6W6TMrvvCxZ47cs_pS7uy92OYk-h2Zuug95O6PiQAuHdp76doWir8/s640/TN16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M0yxkYIWLLqGGqje0E_sk041gd9kCXTS5FB68HBjUHTqDeiBgTfOw_gDZ0HfxP7Fljs3jIY9RgJGQ9s0KIGxEq9ZfrfmN8ddreuywhXGJjNE1lPe3eUvPiL9Zl864BRsahrnnDtEV_g/s1600/TN9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M0yxkYIWLLqGGqje0E_sk041gd9kCXTS5FB68HBjUHTqDeiBgTfOw_gDZ0HfxP7Fljs3jIY9RgJGQ9s0KIGxEq9ZfrfmN8ddreuywhXGJjNE1lPe3eUvPiL9Zl864BRsahrnnDtEV_g/s640/TN9.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn9LEsPmEmaAj257m9X7oQjEcWTAd_iClXk4du4KbZyWRAGjbFLZJmtkkRvIS7N24Pg7zSbSA-oLP8ZooPBz0ZaRNq9aeSnCGPYjBBDIrkarhrTqYoOmoL-0jWyZnfb5sc4MlMf1bPTw/s1600/TN17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPn9LEsPmEmaAj257m9X7oQjEcWTAd_iClXk4du4KbZyWRAGjbFLZJmtkkRvIS7N24Pg7zSbSA-oLP8ZooPBz0ZaRNq9aeSnCGPYjBBDIrkarhrTqYoOmoL-0jWyZnfb5sc4MlMf1bPTw/s640/TN17.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwlr_kZINDXx6L6Bea5RMfnS9rWLxesopyXCxztb91cCgtvQkN5sbW-tKyC5kM1JFRVEi5ZdbOEukgwhRhp5KUili7noVHfYDpiXY7hglflzyuyhDrGvqmweP4tFSmmswlL28aWM_NnQ/s1600/TN18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwlr_kZINDXx6L6Bea5RMfnS9rWLxesopyXCxztb91cCgtvQkN5sbW-tKyC5kM1JFRVEi5ZdbOEukgwhRhp5KUili7noVHfYDpiXY7hglflzyuyhDrGvqmweP4tFSmmswlL28aWM_NnQ/s640/TN18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's such a beautiful place and I'm glad we got to spend a few peaceful days here!</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-58904373844765297492013-03-04T15:04:00.000-08:002013-03-04T15:04:08.032-08:00Ikea Basement OrganizationI showed you our basement playroom in all it's messy glory a couple weeks ago. Here's a reminder.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnQGhyphenhyphenYkEdQlWyAnNaKj1zTwEFX5YZq1ZO8YaFJ_JX8ecMvgjVq1npV8sllyfEgl84n8ofJTmXV1aCGRo0LfIzGyiqEQ9Y9BTbwt9DeE6rCIpHaXAf-hDNIXgNQZnO1vc2kU5PuTfuSs/s1600/clutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnQGhyphenhyphenYkEdQlWyAnNaKj1zTwEFX5YZq1ZO8YaFJ_JX8ecMvgjVq1npV8sllyfEgl84n8ofJTmXV1aCGRo0LfIzGyiqEQ9Y9BTbwt9DeE6rCIpHaXAf-hDNIXgNQZnO1vc2kU5PuTfuSs/s640/clutter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've been talking about going to IKEA since January to get items to organize it. Well folks, it finally happened. Saturday we made it up to Cincinnati to IKEA!! We stopped off at Boston Market on the way and it was so good. Wish we had one of those locally. Heck, I wish we had an IKEA locally too! <br />
<br />
I had a list before we went and we actually got everything on the list and then some. I'm sure that happens to everyone, right? I wanted either one long or two short tables and two chairs, some sort of organizational compartment and picture frames. Check, check, check and check. I was also on the lookout for shelves and a basket to finish off my bathroom makeover. Got those too. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HOwAF7_goeIwAlVL8xik8WCEflz0kR9oYgTobOGNoSWGJMBb2TfFD35iZc-TeEnzhcRUYXlqrnSHKOWu8IG5z2bEUpc6NoGYlMqaWI8qaJZFfXYLBGeaszX_B5ZCXGXOJagdiGaQf6o/s1600/ikea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HOwAF7_goeIwAlVL8xik8WCEflz0kR9oYgTobOGNoSWGJMBb2TfFD35iZc-TeEnzhcRUYXlqrnSHKOWu8IG5z2bEUpc6NoGYlMqaWI8qaJZFfXYLBGeaszX_B5ZCXGXOJagdiGaQf6o/s640/ikea.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We were working with black and red to begin with so the table/chair options worked in our favor. As much as I'd like to bring a more cozy feel to the basement with color, it's just not going to happen. Someone worked super hard on these stripes and unless David Bromstad or Candice Olsen show up to give us a basement makeover, I'm not changing it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRGAtv4h0lwPTBuY_ZMYzYEi5MzkjUWVVbH9KQZIRaa3jLKbSPADWI6H7ERzcpw1PYqbZD0vaviouXTHSZdTNQlU2B1t6aFDaYGFwsa8YX1K8A-EMdHesXiXJ8kFLeyNAdh-Fn7gOfL4/s1600/ikea1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRGAtv4h0lwPTBuY_ZMYzYEi5MzkjUWVVbH9KQZIRaa3jLKbSPADWI6H7ERzcpw1PYqbZD0vaviouXTHSZdTNQlU2B1t6aFDaYGFwsa8YX1K8A-EMdHesXiXJ8kFLeyNAdh-Fn7gOfL4/s640/ikea1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We still have some rearranging to do with the furniture and tv, but other than that, I'm totally satisfied with it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDE3EcNvvadv89ymzH6gEsnVJPpBJ__P1cqnbCGcgLfiTyzzSu_OapMGAfkK02pTesIGiDKCAXz-8yxnX5qImdhy9aOJmsNLgdoW7wyP4w2sP-yNMEWinOZd_zb8R-3xj4pQddYJv7Bp4/s1600/ikea2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDE3EcNvvadv89ymzH6gEsnVJPpBJ__P1cqnbCGcgLfiTyzzSu_OapMGAfkK02pTesIGiDKCAXz-8yxnX5qImdhy9aOJmsNLgdoW7wyP4w2sP-yNMEWinOZd_zb8R-3xj4pQddYJv7Bp4/s640/ikea2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28kzZiEU6sqOJCfZdxtvSElC1VBHRmH_P55JaB3SgSag94B43n6a0ajbAznm42MyehpzxrgpCW2JifRCSy0-LqGArnpMKzpPw337VwwCVL9i5pZJC-czAvYSUN46IbHokUAI3_my_lyg/s1600/ikea3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28kzZiEU6sqOJCfZdxtvSElC1VBHRmH_P55JaB3SgSag94B43n6a0ajbAznm42MyehpzxrgpCW2JifRCSy0-LqGArnpMKzpPw337VwwCVL9i5pZJC-czAvYSUN46IbHokUAI3_my_lyg/s640/ikea3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Big difference!! Love IKEA!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-35365239584037753862013-02-25T10:00:00.000-08:002013-02-25T10:00:02.358-08:00Quilt InspirationAs a crafty person, one of the things I really want to do is make a quilt. Now, I've made a few baby quilts but they were just piecing together a few squares and then quilting around the edge of each square to attach all three layers. It was a great way to start but now I want to try my hand at something more intricate and cool. There are two quilt projects I want to work on. Project A is a quilt for our living room. Something I can just throw over the back of the couch for added color and decoration but still functional at night. Project B is two twin size quilts for the boys new room. The new room is still in the planning stages so I want to get started on the living room quilt first. <br />
<br />
I have been scouring <a href="http://pinterest.com/jbwife/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> for quilt inspiration. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do but knew I didn't want just a bunch of squares. Then I came across a chevron quilt and knew that was it!! I have the fabric I want to use and know that after coming across all the cool ideas, this will be just my first one! Here are the ones I found most inspiring, starting with the one with the tutorial I'll be using. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwDHBHzlOZScjwsKrAIJ255bLyA8LXOBWA_lBEltMq-GihdsvQR8xDzs9PL3kL0z55DH-kCCzBgeecz_7VnjImunmBjlzGrwjttlvfq4MLHj6JuQAxbPtWd9ugmZ5S9veGLKSeGX3ges/s320/IMG_8578.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://beesquarefabrics.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-make-zig-zag-quilt-without.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_k56Pe0uLWE4/TESIfohBWKI/AAAAAAAADg4/pPaa9CzNEsc/s640/DSC_0092.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ididntsaybanana.blogspot.com/2010/07/my-brother-in-law-marcus-is-getting.html" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://quiltylicious.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/DSC_0319-e1330521929286-810x1024.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="315" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://quiltylicious.co.uk/2012/02/22/chevron-quilt-tutorial/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I am super excited about getting started! I hope it turns out as awesome as these quilts. I'm using patterns for this one but the next one will be solids. There are no limits to what combinations you do! <br /><br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-4559748226554636672013-02-20T12:04:00.000-08:002013-02-20T12:04:55.915-08:00Strawberry Cream PieBlog hops are great because not only do you get to bring people to you and show off what you've done, but you also find great things done by others. This recipe is a prime example. GASP! I didn't get a recipe from <a href="http://pinterest.com/jbwife/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>! Hard to believe, I know. I was excited to come across this recipe too. I wanted to make something yummy for Valentine's day and this was perfect. Little did I know this recipe would have me going to three different grocery stores for strawberries. I was determined to make it though! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://unsophisticatedkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/02/strawberry-cream-pie.html?showComment=1361382977032#c4244311760063402623" target="_blank">The Unsophisticated Kitchen</a> created the recipe for this Strawberry Cream Pie. I was hoping it tasted as good as it looked.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybEE2wYPYweAphOzaqeNQt9V6OPOKGhjZ6saQbK2an08XvKBbsTjXUZu4DG5ubWbvhKqcLKdb3i6XLkiZWcE7YFj6b_N5HV3VUCgxWvTnyDlyoQXxCpKqNVtxRNTgwDTGtmj5Qp__vOA/s1600/pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhybEE2wYPYweAphOzaqeNQt9V6OPOKGhjZ6saQbK2an08XvKBbsTjXUZu4DG5ubWbvhKqcLKdb3i6XLkiZWcE7YFj6b_N5HV3VUCgxWvTnyDlyoQXxCpKqNVtxRNTgwDTGtmj5Qp__vOA/s640/pie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The reviews from the crowd: FABULOUS!!! It was divine! My hubs was asking when I was going to make it again before he even finished the last piece! That, my friends, is a successful recipe!<br />
<br />
I think the best part of this recipe was the surprise chocolate covered crust. You must head over to <a href="http://unsophisticatedkitchen.blogspot.com/2013/02/strawberry-cream-pie.html?showComment=1361382977032#c4244311760063402623" target="_blank">The Unsophisticated Kitchen</a> and try it out for yourself! <br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-75947140234852229852013-02-19T16:53:00.000-08:002013-02-19T16:53:09.493-08:00Taking Down a Builder's Mirror{Before I get to the fun stuff, I need to send a special shout out to all the working moms out there. I normally only venture out of the house into the workforce on Fridays. However, I've been filling in this week and last. Oy vey!! It is kicking my butt. I feel as if my house isn't functioning efficiently, despite my husband helping as much as he has. There isn't enough time in the day to do everything (there isn't even when I'm home 6 days a week) and I've only doing half days. That's why I haven't filled you in on the fun stuff I've been working on. My point, whether you are a mom that works from home or a mom that leaves the house for work, YOU ROCK!!!}<br />
<br />
Now, on to the show.<br />
<br />
Does your home have any builder's grade mirrors?? Every bathroom in our house has one. People are getting smart, though, and framing those mirrors to add character to them. I'd love to do that in our master bathroom. Add that to the long list of things to do around the house to spruce it up. The mirror in our half bath is a different story. It is not a standard rectangle mirror. It is an arch. You can't easily frame an arch. There wasn't anything WRONG with it, but there was just no character to it. That means it had to go.<br />
<br />
The first thing I figured out was that the mirror was glued to the wall. Gee thanks mister builder, make this super hard on me. I looked online for how to get it down and asked around. I got the same general answer. <br />
<br />
Step 1: Tape off the mirror<br />
Step 2: Take a metal putty knife & rubber mallet around the edge to loosen the glue.<br />
Step 3: Pull and hope it doesn't shatter<br />
<br />
YIKES!!<br />
<br />
I called over my friend Jessica for some help and we tried these steps. It didn't work. Step 2 didn't get us any where. It was clear immediately that all of the glue was in the middle of the mirror. The wall that the mirror is on is very narrow and there is little to no clearance to access underneath the mirror from the sides.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5x-YQq5uDe1_qxDDYGkIoUztS7P2wPtzRrBOimIRNJJUVw4LhZkPK-s27HWczbJXeq5QWnaqSE-Vi6-ydpgOu1s4w9sJKDU83UAIYF6pZMuZ8ktnS4iK5-KGTLh_ARxYwgj3rG8pV5Y/s1600/mirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5x-YQq5uDe1_qxDDYGkIoUztS7P2wPtzRrBOimIRNJJUVw4LhZkPK-s27HWczbJXeq5QWnaqSE-Vi6-ydpgOu1s4w9sJKDU83UAIYF6pZMuZ8ktnS4iK5-KGTLh_ARxYwgj3rG8pV5Y/s640/mirror.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the half bath in all it's glory. I did not edit this picture so you can see how there is no light in the room and why I needed to paint the walls. This color is awful. It puts off an orange glow that just needed to go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It was time to get creative. I went on a search for a piece of thin flat metal that I could slide behind the mirror. You'll never guess what I used. A metal piece that you put over the joint where two floors meet. It was long & flat and happened to be the only thing we owned that was long and flat. It was the only thing that fit behind the mirror. We probably looked like crazy girls, but here's what we did:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzC7YTNrIm7v1MSDbTYibYA7XE0wkWEQitVVl9RHgM0gkcxdwNgMxXi9gBJLBKxGAbLLeEIqfB8OVF2y0DHyOd8suwPBDxqzTsvPMLlaLYCbzUSH1JNSiguosz3wPEz7s_oOmk3iLkfNs/s1600/mirror1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzC7YTNrIm7v1MSDbTYibYA7XE0wkWEQitVVl9RHgM0gkcxdwNgMxXi9gBJLBKxGAbLLeEIqfB8OVF2y0DHyOd8suwPBDxqzTsvPMLlaLYCbzUSH1JNSiguosz3wPEz7s_oOmk3iLkfNs/s640/mirror1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I stood on a step ladder in front of the mirror. Jessica stood behind me with her hands braced up against the mirror. I took the metal floor joint and slide it down behind the mirror. I beat on it with the rubber mallet. I'd take it out and put it behind the mirror again in a different spot. Once we got the hang of what we were doing, it really only took about 5 minutes. The problem was that it took over an hour to find the right piece of metal that fit behind the mirror. Oh well. It worked!! The mirror was off and in one piece. No one got hurt either :) Man oh man was that some nasty black glue holding it on. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadSH53wbAVDP0MQ7apooq26tieSABZcZfdWhKrNCTCnIs21vxIK2P3AyfY4Eb0ZzSlh2AfVZsrnWzqtxRkq49Lzq_Lkovvq0VVsNRW9t2KLlXTA0PozIdA6HbVnrOa5zF04HdTd0bF6I/s1600/mirror2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadSH53wbAVDP0MQ7apooq26tieSABZcZfdWhKrNCTCnIs21vxIK2P3AyfY4Eb0ZzSlh2AfVZsrnWzqtxRkq49Lzq_Lkovvq0VVsNRW9t2KLlXTA0PozIdA6HbVnrOa5zF04HdTd0bF6I/s400/mirror2.jpg" width="256" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGjJ4JW4J4Ilu03Bo1LIoj6dV_nX4mhu5skPu4Lf5l4Y07WsmTwAj3DgPwZl8t3BNHwzUbgvzRA0K5KreFzaLNLxel99L_4W4g4J-rNoIKF-o1GnNO9Q5qUcpoBrziQb0dmoXqpG5cmQ/s1600/mirror3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGjJ4JW4J4Ilu03Bo1LIoj6dV_nX4mhu5skPu4Lf5l4Y07WsmTwAj3DgPwZl8t3BNHwzUbgvzRA0K5KreFzaLNLxel99L_4W4g4J-rNoIKF-o1GnNO9Q5qUcpoBrziQb0dmoXqpG5cmQ/s400/mirror3.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
That's what it looked like after the mirror was gone. Thankfully after some sanding and patching, it wasn't a big mess. I put up a new mirror after painting and you can't even see any blemishes. These pictures even give you a sneak peak of the new bathroom color. The painting is finished and the new mirror is up but the bathroom isn't completely finished. After a trip to Ikea next weekend, I'll be able to unveil the new space. It's coming together so nicely :)<br />
<br />
That's how you take down a builder's grade mirror. If you try it, hope it comes down as easily!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="post signature" border="0" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" /></a></div>
Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-83531729631885098742013-02-12T15:30:00.000-08:002013-02-12T15:30:02.657-08:00Let's Get Organized, OrganizedLet's get organized, organized. I wanna get organized. Let's get into organized. Wait! That's not how Olivia Newton John sings it. That's how it is in my head though.<br />
<br />
I want to let you in on a little secret. My life is full of clutter. Oh, that's not a secret? What tipped you off? Could it be the fact I live with two preschool boys? Yup! I organize. I try to teach them everything has a place. Ultimately, though, in a day my house is back to messy. Here's an example of what my basement looks like right this second. (yes I'm blogging instead of cleaning)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnQGhyphenhyphenYkEdQlWyAnNaKj1zTwEFX5YZq1ZO8YaFJ_JX8ecMvgjVq1npV8sllyfEgl84n8ofJTmXV1aCGRo0LfIzGyiqEQ9Y9BTbwt9DeE6rCIpHaXAf-hDNIXgNQZnO1vc2kU5PuTfuSs/s1600/clutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnQGhyphenhyphenYkEdQlWyAnNaKj1zTwEFX5YZq1ZO8YaFJ_JX8ecMvgjVq1npV8sllyfEgl84n8ofJTmXV1aCGRo0LfIzGyiqEQ9Y9BTbwt9DeE6rCIpHaXAf-hDNIXgNQZnO1vc2kU5PuTfuSs/s640/clutter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Even when they help me clean it still ends up looking like this when they're given play time. I've had enough. ENOUGH! I've pinned plenty of organizational tips and spent some time looking through them today. It's time to declutter my house! In the process it will get organized. I've managed to go through my drawers and closet today pulling out clothes I know for sure need to be removed. Tonight during evening clean up, I got out some clear bins I got from the dollar store and organized some toys. I threw away things that needed to go and set aside things that will go to my nephew. There are two storage areas in my house full of stuff waiting for a yard sale. I'm psyched for yard sale season. The hubs and I have an Ikea trip planned to get some furniture/organizational items for our basement. <br />
<br />
Here's what I know. You have to purge, purge, purge. Why keep things you don't need or use? Don't keep things for the what if's. If it doesn't have an intended purpose, get rid of it! This is something I'm in the process of implementing in my house. It feels good to see space opening up as things I don't need are being removed. It gives me motivation to keep going. I'm looking at this like a home decor project, which excites me. <br />
<br />
Here's what I started in our living room today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jEzLJJ7uEaWSl2olr7YwuAPrKy921aAyGZuS23bb5sSLQsM1GZF1bc9L8yDqLxiI8Vk_SnoWg7jxbokD2OVHHIHhxCQF8wVjUHxrfyRgTiuJu6f0GqyuD4Gy_PQ6zfZncECtF1bXuD4/s1600/clutter1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jEzLJJ7uEaWSl2olr7YwuAPrKy921aAyGZuS23bb5sSLQsM1GZF1bc9L8yDqLxiI8Vk_SnoWg7jxbokD2OVHHIHhxCQF8wVjUHxrfyRgTiuJu6f0GqyuD4Gy_PQ6zfZncECtF1bXuD4/s640/clutter1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Batman and other superheroes in one container. Cars and other action figures in one container. Legos in a smaller container. The boys can see what's inside and won't need to dump them all out since they can easily see them all. Why didn't I do this sooner? <br />
<br />
Here's a very small portion of the books we have. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfnzJVVX7E6BJuA2J6M_AqWeBH7Y_vQHEuvPUhMCD3b_HbCrlsWakFv00kdkGKxNCAW_ymkQhXu2BpfhKLuCqpSYHqSTndBViRbkPrA2bpI15UuT-KgTG4NadUKDwhQlqzDsh5_c61YQ/s1600/clutter2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfnzJVVX7E6BJuA2J6M_AqWeBH7Y_vQHEuvPUhMCD3b_HbCrlsWakFv00kdkGKxNCAW_ymkQhXu2BpfhKLuCqpSYHqSTndBViRbkPrA2bpI15UuT-KgTG4NadUKDwhQlqzDsh5_c61YQ/s400/clutter2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've pulled out board books that they don't need. Now I need to go through and remove the books that are more for older kids who can fully read on their own and store them away for now. Just doing a little at a time might take a lot longer but I'll see progress. If I wait until I have a whole lot of time or a full day to work on it, it'll never get to it. I'll keep you updated to hold myself accountable. Happy organizing!!Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0United States37.649034021578657 -86.3085937531.217587021578659 -96.635742249999993 44.080481021578656 -75.981445250000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-47343432470517632122013-02-11T15:10:00.000-08:002013-02-11T15:10:39.482-08:00Let's Try Something ChocolateThe best part about the Super Bowl is the food. People come to us because of the boys so I always like to make a great selection of snacks. Knowing we'd have plenty of awesome tasting bad for you food, I wanted to have a slightly healthier dessert spread. Wait a minute, a healthy dessert? Yup. What did I do? You know that answer! I went straight to <a href="http://pinterest.com/jbwife/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>. I picked out two recipes and here's what the food panel said. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes</u></span> <br />
<a href="http://culinarytuesdays.com/chocolate-cheesecake-cupcakes/" target="_blank">Culinary Tuesdays</a> has a great recipe for these cupcakes. You use greek yogurt when making the batter rather than eggs and oil. That makes it a healthier dessert option. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0aXJFFul10yiP0n6gZLmojS74NRMXaWoc0lUh13z9idYQZ8ngB0BLNQ9GAeqVFdphNLgyn73aYr2Udglmcv6iKLEH2jJZP8WVJ65eTYouF5dyBOY0-abTHCA0FjG2AC1crL_w63tSF8/s1600/superbowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0aXJFFul10yiP0n6gZLmojS74NRMXaWoc0lUh13z9idYQZ8ngB0BLNQ9GAeqVFdphNLgyn73aYr2Udglmcv6iKLEH2jJZP8WVJ65eTYouF5dyBOY0-abTHCA0FjG2AC1crL_w63tSF8/s640/superbowl.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Let me tell you, <a href="http://culinarytuesdays.com/chocolate-cheesecake-cupcakes/" target="_blank">Culinary Tuesdays</a> got this recipe right!! These were delicious. The cheesecake part of the cupcake made it great without icing. I had a can of cream cheese frosting in the pantry and got that out for people to use if they desired. Turns out, the frosting gives the cupcakes a completely different flavor which was still awesome!!! Across the board, these were loved by all. Score!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Healthy Chocolate Brownie Cookies</u></span><br />
This recipe came from <a href="http://www.elizasedibles.com/2012/12/16/secretly-healthy-chocolate-brownie-cookies/" target="_blank">Eliza's Edibles</a>. It's healthy because you get protein from pureed black beans. Sound gross? You couldn't taste them one bit. Did I like the cookie? The cookie was good, but I didn't like it. That clear as mud? It was very rich but it was a bitter dark chocolate flavor. I'm not a fan of dark chocolate. If I was a lover of dark chocolate, these cookies would be on my list of recipes to repeat. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTuzjobOvWwE-PSCqkLV6Qh18yehdpSN5spu1WLBau-b7masDjN7tEVe-BmeJMDerhoi3g_5ke-O3bwXWXAut9QWJyXUqmiU57LobvTL6SmmU4INF-xyp0QSpDmUqteg5AkrUaN7nclg/s1600/superbowl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTuzjobOvWwE-PSCqkLV6Qh18yehdpSN5spu1WLBau-b7masDjN7tEVe-BmeJMDerhoi3g_5ke-O3bwXWXAut9QWJyXUqmiU57LobvTL6SmmU4INF-xyp0QSpDmUqteg5AkrUaN7nclg/s640/superbowl2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
If you try them out, let me know how you like them! <br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-43231293823552897122013-02-07T16:01:00.000-08:002013-02-07T16:01:58.531-08:00HairWhen it comes to my hair, I'm a chicken. There are tons of styles out there that are super cute but I'm too afraid to try them on myself. On top of that, I'm super picky. So instead of trying something new and fun and risk not liking it, I settle for super boring. I chopped my hair off when the boys were about 3 months old. It's been growing out ever since with a maybe 2-3 trims in there some where. Long and stringy it had become. BLAH! I have been pinning hair styles in preparation for getting it cut. I knew since my sister (who normally cuts my hair) was going to be out of commission for a while with my new nephew I would <strike>get to</strike> need to go to a salon. Here are the two I liked the best. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Reese Witherspoon" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/192/69/ba/9d/69ba9d5afadac4617b04dec820c24fcd.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't go wrong with Reece!! BUT I feared the bangs<br /><br /><br /><img alt="hair cut" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/192/61/4c/1d/614c1d0c148f2bf777694764459beea2.jpg" width="240" /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ashley Greene's hair is beautiful in this picture. The layers are long enough and the color is pretty. She won out. I sent this picture to my hairdresser cousin and she was game. YAY! Time for a change. <div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVxwUONBxlEGg5u2GCp-71NZboxS10_aNuEQ0_9uUZ6v4U9dx2a33ON8Q9KwnvZpG5YQZwcA2hONeU8p6_HL72YhyphenhyphenVn-IpSEOY0tOZ6lv_rD1R0pAfiQi1m1hkDb4l3s5iuq2quLAUhM/s1600/hair3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVxwUONBxlEGg5u2GCp-71NZboxS10_aNuEQ0_9uUZ6v4U9dx2a33ON8Q9KwnvZpG5YQZwcA2hONeU8p6_HL72YhyphenhyphenVn-IpSEOY0tOZ6lv_rD1R0pAfiQi1m1hkDb4l3s5iuq2quLAUhM/s640/hair3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Long & limp</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc0ur8BWS0p_4aPjND_gWOwEu4Yag7LRSp8MJK9tftwbkQpLboJRmmoF52M2cFQnr0SJ1J-fwxXo_c0udP-tXOZlqKwTAWiSXFj9JpMosvYkkHbb7_BvUwaJTyhNvnBNdqd3n2wCjqRc/s1600/hair4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc0ur8BWS0p_4aPjND_gWOwEu4Yag7LRSp8MJK9tftwbkQpLboJRmmoF52M2cFQnr0SJ1J-fwxXo_c0udP-tXOZlqKwTAWiSXFj9JpMosvYkkHbb7_BvUwaJTyhNvnBNdqd3n2wCjqRc/s400/hair4.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In progress</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3wOd80Z69NeyJ4PuY7TDfiXdsKuRiFijO5Sd27gh7af725dB_tdr01LWbLZn6_p1QZ13TxQXXEI99boxt9j8I5D6QRlJ8ODXOiaxAgNN7YI6ddWMF3VB3Yo0YlvOF6CKW69HSO7FtYw/s1600/hair5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3wOd80Z69NeyJ4PuY7TDfiXdsKuRiFijO5Sd27gh7af725dB_tdr01LWbLZn6_p1QZ13TxQXXEI99boxt9j8I5D6QRlJ8ODXOiaxAgNN7YI6ddWMF3VB3Yo0YlvOF6CKW69HSO7FtYw/s640/hair5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The After</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She took off about 4 inches. It feels like my hair is gone, but it's nice not dealing with so much. She did a great job. Looks about as close to Ashley Greene as I'm ever going to get. We even decided to go with some caramel highlights which is so different than anything I've done in a very long time. I was overdue for a change and change is exactly what I got. I love it!! Thanks Chas!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /><div>
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" /></div>
</div>
Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-81850571048064366682013-02-06T07:28:00.000-08:002013-02-06T07:28:11.401-08:00Changing Up the China CabinetThe two major projects I have going on right now are my dining room and half bath. My half bath is on hold until I can get to IKEA. My dining room is in progress. I can see it from the two rooms I spend the majority of my time in, the kitchen and living room. It's a big room with green walls, a dining table, buffet and china cabinet. There is a small random white mirror on the wall above the buffet and nothing on the opposite wall where the china cabinet is. It just feels so unfinished and cold. I've lacked inspiration to complete the space for the last two years. All it took was new curtains and some time on Pinterest & Houzz.com to fill me up with inspiration. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFC6WMLl2lkM8rcixZXBaZP3KyqVI1HsoBGO3yU3mLyZeKPya50vHPuWVvz87V6ICq_Qi_e1K4HRaTqRMd8HMGo6ZtHQtOfjSgDSQisDWqZFt1BDV9oMPreSqeeoCgasowIOepAe09bY/s1600/cabinet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFC6WMLl2lkM8rcixZXBaZP3KyqVI1HsoBGO3yU3mLyZeKPya50vHPuWVvz87V6ICq_Qi_e1K4HRaTqRMd8HMGo6ZtHQtOfjSgDSQisDWqZFt1BDV9oMPreSqeeoCgasowIOepAe09bY/s640/cabinet2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My biggest hang up with the dining room is my china cabinet. Let me first say that I love my china cabinet. I love how the design is traditional but the high gloss white paint and the fabric in the back are modern. I love mixing those elements. Here's a reminder of my first furniture renovation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7NPMOnZ5hzhWcosnLX3_XzDmx8PJ_FIQ5v4Z6ZbJ7yVAABmQDu_cV2LCSwyQa15gRQK6LI3j6thTYIE67gOhyphenhyphenetQy7BXPIuABu_FPZY7EF3asU0Dn_TH7lbQFXn7QNuYZrkHQbM11TE/s1600/2012-06-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7NPMOnZ5hzhWcosnLX3_XzDmx8PJ_FIQ5v4Z6ZbJ7yVAABmQDu_cV2LCSwyQa15gRQK6LI3j6thTYIE67gOhyphenhyphenetQy7BXPIuABu_FPZY7EF3asU0Dn_TH7lbQFXn7QNuYZrkHQbM11TE/s640/2012-06-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The thing that bugs me is the fabric in the back clashes horribly with the wall color. You can see just how much in the pictures. Even though the wall color was one of the colors in the fabric, it just doesn't go. Last week I had enough of the clashing. I ripped out the fabric. It was cheaper and less hassle (and argument from the husband) than painting the whole room. I thought I would be sad that my first baby was no more, but it instantly made me happy. After discussing some options with my dad, I decided to paint the backing. The best part about that option was the price tag: FREE! I had a sample of Olypmic's Earl Gray paint left over and it worked perfectly!! It makes me excited when projects work, especially those on the fly. The neutral color makes it feel warm and it still feels like a good mix of traditional and modern.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqoFE7Rt2SCAtIgE0ERI4pZ-YHBqMrU41LTxxxXi98RFVZZRABlPkrkYsippj1Yhyphenhyphen3EPmhf3SmqJ8VMgWpPA1hxXNLruafLdDmfgI68aF5CoSAatWYBuBGMg8BTmKsgBivfgAVctZKlM/s1600/cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqoFE7Rt2SCAtIgE0ERI4pZ-YHBqMrU41LTxxxXi98RFVZZRABlPkrkYsippj1Yhyphenhyphen3EPmhf3SmqJ8VMgWpPA1hxXNLruafLdDmfgI68aF5CoSAatWYBuBGMg8BTmKsgBivfgAVctZKlM/s640/cabinet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After we rearrange the furniture, I'll get to add my new china to the cabinet. Well, it was just handed down to me by my grandma but it's new to me! With each item, I get excited to be one step closer to a finished room! <br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-9767350786402453582013-02-05T12:48:00.000-08:002013-02-12T04:13:05.867-08:00Yes, I Made That Bench!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
There's something to be said for the pride you have when you complete something. Anything. That sense of accomplishment is such a great feeling! I get it for many things but last night it was for finishing a project I started about 6 months ago. From 8-12 with several glitches and a snack break, I worked on...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuM85k7DPntaq8748HXn65nDF5DfH6ydxjeR49fqTb5OKn5gMQ8y2XC1XcNJR-u5Tg0qvnzS0JDJEuxuulrdCMjW8UGtfJyFVt6R9FhcSpbjzjhsfpmh634SpSgTF-BJM7LlJHswK3U4/s1600/bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuM85k7DPntaq8748HXn65nDF5DfH6ydxjeR49fqTb5OKn5gMQ8y2XC1XcNJR-u5Tg0qvnzS0JDJEuxuulrdCMjW8UGtfJyFVt6R9FhcSpbjzjhsfpmh634SpSgTF-BJM7LlJHswK3U4/s640/bench.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's how it went down.<br />
<br />
I saw this picture on <a href="http://pinterest.com/jbwife/furniture/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Easy DIY- a piece of wood- 4 legs (all of which are sold at home depot for around $5)- padding ( or an old old comforter or 2) and then staple pretty fabric :)" height="354" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/550/11/37/4c/11374c02c77f92e6d8ff1dae59dbb501.jpg" width="400" /></div>
It takes you to a tutorial on <a href="http://www.themotherhuddle.com/tutorial-diy-upholstered-bench/" target="_blank">The Muddle Huddle</a>. It's a super easy tutorial that I knew I could pull off without any help. I headed to Home Depot for the supplies I didn't have on hand. <br />
<br />
To do this project, I needed:<br />
A board -size of your choice (Mother Huddle used left over shelf but I did not have one of those)<br />
Spindles for legs<br />
Connector to attach legs to board (H.D calls it a heavy duty top plate - triangle shape)<br />
Foam<br />
Fabric<br />
Scissors<br />
Hot Glue<br />
Staple Gun/Staples<br />
Drill<br />
<br />
I got right to painting the board and spindles. Then I put them in my art room and there they sat. October. November. December. January. I'd see them laying on the floor and want to work on it but never got around to it. The mood struck me just right last night and once I started I refused to stop. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. Cut your foam (or batting if that's what you're using) to fit the top of the board.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. Hot glue the foam or batting to the board.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. With fabric face down, lay the foam side down on top of the fabric. Cut the fabric leaving about 2-3 inches of extra fabric to pull tightly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. Staple the fabric in place, pulling tightly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. Take your triangle top plate and put in each corner. Take a crayon (that's just what writing utensil I had accessible to me) or pencil and mark inside each hole in the plate. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6. Take drill and make small hole in each crayon mark</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">7. Add screws in the holes of top plate (should line up with your drill holes)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">8. Turn over and sit on :)</span><br />
<br />
It's a very simple idea. As long as your staple gun doesn't run out of staples and then get jammed requiring a 45 minute break while you fix it, putting it together shouldn't take you long. <br />
<br />
I love it!! The spindles give it a traditional look but with modern fabric. I just need to get two baskets to put underneath for shoes and VIOLA! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehumNIGaqnbcxyIXoeWC6uGbWysNft1QVVYjDttk_y6yrqQVldUaFG3uMr2DQi7jZUJGJMeffq5VP423_QZ9ufv2LosBsCTZ80bnNk0MDOJjLv8YoU_Xuo7Gn9LYklGFZWaPMpeiyLzc/s1600/Bench2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehumNIGaqnbcxyIXoeWC6uGbWysNft1QVVYjDttk_y6yrqQVldUaFG3uMr2DQi7jZUJGJMeffq5VP423_QZ9ufv2LosBsCTZ80bnNk0MDOJjLv8YoU_Xuo7Gn9LYklGFZWaPMpeiyLzc/s640/Bench2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbU-enV5PqvrI5PsQibE7OHWGI1GKSfgBf-qTrhp5oTnQhvnUjSA5MNo4h9MaroEihVbXs06Epq0eUcjI1tfxgsLBnDzGcEbirLRcqfPlRLE0e1yMMgTmX_pPCRWboeh7zRAmgn3P2POY/s1600/bench3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbU-enV5PqvrI5PsQibE7OHWGI1GKSfgBf-qTrhp5oTnQhvnUjSA5MNo4h9MaroEihVbXs06Epq0eUcjI1tfxgsLBnDzGcEbirLRcqfPlRLE0e1yMMgTmX_pPCRWboeh7zRAmgn3P2POY/s640/bench3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Linking up to these great parties~<br />
<a href="http://www.vintagegwen.com/2013/02/show-share-78.html" target="_blank">Vintage Gwen</a> <a href="http://www.733blog.com/2013/02/sugar-spice-149.html" target="_blank">733 Blog</a> <a href="http://lilluna.com/lil-luna-link-party-113/" target="_blank">Lil Luna</a> <a href="http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> Someday Crafts</a> <a href="http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2013/02/pink-hippo-party-114.html" target="_blank">Pinkapotamus</a><br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-80076237686552322252013-02-04T14:34:00.001-08:002013-02-04T14:34:16.673-08:00Heeeeeeeere's Jeannie(say that in your best Jack Nicholson voice!)<br />
<br />
I'm back!! It's been too long!! Our hectic life is slowing down to normal which means I get to be creative again!!! That's exciting for me. I have several projects pending or in the works and I'm chomping at the bit to get to them! I have been bitten by the inspiration bug big time. <br />
<br />
My dining room is a work in progress. I'm not overly fond of the color but I'm not painting it again. It went from orange to green but almost a 70's green. It's not a bad color, I'm just not a big fan. I learned the hard way not to match a room color to fabric. Last week I traded out my old curtains for new ones. Thanks to Target's shower curtain that i cut up, I have fresh, modern curtain panels that help change the feel of the room. After searching Pinterest and houzz.com I came up with a few more ideas to complete the room. <br />
<br />
One of the ideas I have for our dining room is to add more seating. We are always two chairs short when we have guests so I went on a hunt. I wanted to find some matching captains chairs that I could paint and reupholster and wouldn't break the bank. I found just that at our local peddlers mall on Thursday. They were sturdy and clean and only $20 a piece. I hesitated, though, and walked out without them. I kept thinking about them and decided before things got crazy for Super Bowl to go back for a second look. It was meant to be because not only were they still there but they had been marked down to only $12 a piece. I took them with me this time. While the boys were at school today I ran to Hobby Lobby and got the fabric for them. Thursday it's supposed to get up to 50 and I plan to prime them(after getting my hair done which I'm super excited about). Hopefully by next weekend they'll be finished!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXT731E8lgI6MKuDsaiSd41uW7ld_D68lobygHp2uTkP5x_4O8QXB5Du1KgezUjj2A-P6HnoIhHpEqCz6qa0K6vmlcUMd7qSBYHLzzLjS5Lts4NxeH2rx6fBzQRs4Nlm0rTrhGPP7JQgk/s1600/chair+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXT731E8lgI6MKuDsaiSd41uW7ld_D68lobygHp2uTkP5x_4O8QXB5Du1KgezUjj2A-P6HnoIhHpEqCz6qa0K6vmlcUMd7qSBYHLzzLjS5Lts4NxeH2rx6fBzQRs4Nlm0rTrhGPP7JQgk/s400/chair+collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In the midst of the after Christmas craziness, my nephew was born. He is such a little sweetie and I just love him to pieces!!! How can you not love that face??<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLx5HYPWXDZNbqSO-1Hy0-i9Bz6DXKhh2gS70Ubpmu5P0WEFujoZ15fKnFxzFr5FHA_cO12t4QWEqKXYPpV-YZHhU3djiLlm_KhgnN4B9HSkpByw2aNaworVBb1OMQAgDDre2Vy8aOqM/s1600/CSC2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLx5HYPWXDZNbqSO-1Hy0-i9Bz6DXKhh2gS70Ubpmu5P0WEFujoZ15fKnFxzFr5FHA_cO12t4QWEqKXYPpV-YZHhU3djiLlm_KhgnN4B9HSkpByw2aNaworVBb1OMQAgDDre2Vy8aOqM/s400/CSC2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bf5qgJF4WXE0UpEkmNG7ArS5JynWyr4fernVMReOBezbN8UpCUlyRqCzd63eh-wOKe1ucTHn6CHMM-BHL-ilbibynnZDAYrpjDHUvyFP5l2Yo5wbsQuUlQYijQcTcJpTeqYp7e6W2uk/s1600/CSC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bf5qgJF4WXE0UpEkmNG7ArS5JynWyr4fernVMReOBezbN8UpCUlyRqCzd63eh-wOKe1ucTHn6CHMM-BHL-ilbibynnZDAYrpjDHUvyFP5l2Yo5wbsQuUlQYijQcTcJpTeqYp7e6W2uk/s400/CSC1.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lots of exciting things going on around here and I'm loving it :) </div>
<br />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-87669115957405712632012-12-10T16:17:00.000-08:002012-12-10T16:17:06.335-08:00Holiday Cookie Swap 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Welcome to the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">(really it's a linky party)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthpFF8YhYbZ_djnbSa5p2OccUjH7H8muUn1yfTC13nsgq19LqyxQVv2fKQn-LpxGmcoW5JWgp2IcMkSwEb1uflo01sh9OmvHcQPNxKq5cixHgDN6IkAQBaYtBIHKKwSRMeUeN37bF8Zs/s1600/smitten_christmas_lightbanner_pattern1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthpFF8YhYbZ_djnbSa5p2OccUjH7H8muUn1yfTC13nsgq19LqyxQVv2fKQn-LpxGmcoW5JWgp2IcMkSwEb1uflo01sh9OmvHcQPNxKq5cixHgDN6IkAQBaYtBIHKKwSRMeUeN37bF8Zs/s640/smitten_christmas_lightbanner_pattern1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">(All these adorable graphics are done by <a href="http://www.smittenblogdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Smitten Blog Designs</a>)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Join us for all FOUR weeks of cookie features, recipes, and linky parties.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Here is the line up:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://swtboutique.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Boutique</a></span> <span style="color: #999999;"> November 20</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Domesticated Princess</a></span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: #999999;"> November 27</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.michellestastycreations.com/" target="_blank">Michelle's T</a><a href="http://www.michellestastycreations.com/" target="_blank">asty Creations</a></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span> December 4</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #999999;"><a href="http://livinglovingcrafting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Living, Loving, Crafting</a> December 11</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Make sure you come back each week for a great new cookie recipe, plus each blog will be featuring their own favorite cookie links from the party!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOM7i0vmZXTD9rFGAp32ntbrh9SO2dl1Vl6cfDEqeBr9o_P8hFOYcUG79fvlbqJ5unkIsjfltP_Ak_rYqvuvch1ydUe7C0kJUGhB-qwAoujadf_txcKfE5YNJXhSKm5mFWIM7Pb51GrQ/s1600/Picture1living+loving+crafting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOM7i0vmZXTD9rFGAp32ntbrh9SO2dl1Vl6cfDEqeBr9o_P8hFOYcUG79fvlbqJ5unkIsjfltP_Ak_rYqvuvch1ydUe7C0kJUGhB-qwAoujadf_txcKfE5YNJXhSKm5mFWIM7Pb51GrQ/s640/Picture1living+loving+crafting.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You'll notice when you start this cookie, it's kind of more like a bar than a cookie. HOWEVER, it's been called a cookie for years and was handed down to me as a cookie so my friends, it's a cookie :) Here's a special note to those who dislike coconut (like myself), you can't taste it. So don't let that ingredient scare you off!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And now, the good stuff...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHslp55zectQfo7Q3JzxXXhP60UByLkheO6nu3QazKkNIc99s8hBg2wBHgze01ytTHIMkAWfCEZR4Go8d7exr-qZN7V6EUoxIY62ssC55M3IgM2CF00z7xBje-d_Q1xvzmHXvUZBTdo7M/s1600/cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHslp55zectQfo7Q3JzxXXhP60UByLkheO6nu3QazKkNIc99s8hBg2wBHgze01ytTHIMkAWfCEZR4Go8d7exr-qZN7V6EUoxIY62ssC55M3IgM2CF00z7xBje-d_Q1xvzmHXvUZBTdo7M/s640/cookie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ingredients: 1 cup graham cracker crumbs</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1 cup coconut</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 6 oz chocolate chips</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 6 oz butterscotch chips</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1 cup walnuts</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1 cup Eagle brand milk</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 1 stick butter</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The How To:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melt butter in 9x13" pan. Layer each of the ingredients in order. Graham cracker crumbs, coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, walnuts. Dribble milk over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tell me that isn't just as simple as it can get?!?!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O_Z_SpOT50qT3U51VV0N6wuTcC3v3wky4ysJUMA2NR8D9qPEE4PnacC05vp4VodUgCwTCMO1YqvhRggSiYQr7L3UcGMMRVdJuzjki1cnx2yzuD2yR410x1t-NWb5vuHNHNE04NTkAb0/s1600/feature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O_Z_SpOT50qT3U51VV0N6wuTcC3v3wky4ysJUMA2NR8D9qPEE4PnacC05vp4VodUgCwTCMO1YqvhRggSiYQr7L3UcGMMRVdJuzjki1cnx2yzuD2yR410x1t-NWb5vuHNHNE04NTkAb0/s640/feature.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week's feature was a no brainer!! One of my little guys is obsessed, like OBSESSED, with Santa so as soon as I saw this cookie, I was sold! What little one, or big adult, doesn't love Santa? <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/fat-santa/" target="_blank">Half Baked Harvest</a> has a recipe for the cutest Santa cookies I've ever seen!! This is a must try in our house :) Thanks Tieghan for showing us how! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="426" src="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/IMG_0730.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yummy & adorable!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">Don't forget to grab a button if you were featured!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<center>
<a href="http://livinglovingcrafting.blogspot.com/" target="”_blank”" title="”Living,loving,crafting“"><img alt="sweet button" border="0" src="http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q504/sms0213/Blog/Picture2lkjlkjlkjlkj-1.jpg" /></a> /><center>
</center>
<center>
<textarea id="”code-source”" name="”code-source”" rows="”3″"><center>
<a href=”http://livinglovingcrafting.blogspot.com/“><img src="http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q504/sms0213/Blog/Picture2lkjlkjlkjlkj-1.jpg" border="0" alt="sweet button" /></a> “ /></center>
</textarea></center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">On to the party!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">Please follow all four co-hosts.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">This linky is for </span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">COOKIE RECIPE</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"> posts only, please!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">Link up as many times as you want! </span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">This is a month long party so keep coming back for more recipes and features! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"> Each blog will be featuring their favorite links each week! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;">(Make sure you get a button if you have been featured.)
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=212638&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-69739749292774390912012-12-04T05:17:00.000-08:002012-12-04T05:17:39.423-08:00Holiday Cookie Swap 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Welcome to the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">(really it's a linky party)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthpFF8YhYbZ_djnbSa5p2OccUjH7H8muUn1yfTC13nsgq19LqyxQVv2fKQn-LpxGmcoW5JWgp2IcMkSwEb1uflo01sh9OmvHcQPNxKq5cixHgDN6IkAQBaYtBIHKKwSRMeUeN37bF8Zs/s1600/smitten_christmas_lightbanner_pattern1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthpFF8YhYbZ_djnbSa5p2OccUjH7H8muUn1yfTC13nsgq19LqyxQVv2fKQn-LpxGmcoW5JWgp2IcMkSwEb1uflo01sh9OmvHcQPNxKq5cixHgDN6IkAQBaYtBIHKKwSRMeUeN37bF8Zs/s640/smitten_christmas_lightbanner_pattern1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">(All these adorable graphics are done by <a href="http://www.smittenblogdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Smitten Blog Designs</a>)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">Join us for all FOUR weeks of cookie features, recipes, and linky parties.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">Here is the line up:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://swtboutique.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Sweet Boutique</span></a> </span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;">November 20</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">The Domesticated Princess</span></a><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;">November 27</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.michellestastycreations.com/"><span style="color: red;">Michelle's Tasty Creations</span></a><span style="color: #444444;"> December 4</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://livinglovingcrafting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Living, Loving, Crafting</span></a><span style="color: #999999;"> </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">December 11</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">Make sure you come back each week for a great new cookie recipe, plus each blog will be featuring their own favorite cookie links from the party!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PPsyFoFw0gR4OyQek8aTv85qX8E1rAFeYIW5Am8xAlWts9pSNK32o_MrMsWKMR9z2bFMddY2iAalE3J-9hCVhIOL4925lTW8JU0MzvNQMMFc0nd0xgPmYhbxZNZxH10ovJshzMdmPnmw/s1600/candy+cane+cookie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PPsyFoFw0gR4OyQek8aTv85qX8E1rAFeYIW5Am8xAlWts9pSNK32o_MrMsWKMR9z2bFMddY2iAalE3J-9hCVhIOL4925lTW8JU0MzvNQMMFc0nd0xgPmYhbxZNZxH10ovJshzMdmPnmw/s640/candy+cane+cookie.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today's recipe is one I've been making for years that I originally got from my friend Traci. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When the kiddos were little we used to get together during the holidays and make all kinds of cookies and baked goods. Now as we are all getting a little (and I mean teeny) bit older we don't seem to have as much time to get together anymore other than the occasional lunch . But I still always make the Candy Cane Cookies that Traci taught me each year at Christmas. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Here is the usually reaction I get from people who haven't ever tried peppermint cookies. "Peppermint? In a cookie? That's kinda strange." But let me reassure you the end result is always the same "Wow! Those are the best cookies ever!" <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So give these cookies a try this year and maybe they'll become a regular addition to your holiday cookie baking too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFcey5hxl0reXEyStElI6jPDaot9L4tYUgd4KKiUsjFFXD8H3pBaTfXaL2oPkg_gDTadxub8RFJ8NK_VDD6OWZgYFpzFc3hhsnYqhCMK4xoEZzNRLHpjPYxXZdAnGDa1_EVzMHEguR4Kc/s1600/Candycane+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFcey5hxl0reXEyStElI6jPDaot9L4tYUgd4KKiUsjFFXD8H3pBaTfXaL2oPkg_gDTadxub8RFJ8NK_VDD6OWZgYFpzFc3hhsnYqhCMK4xoEZzNRLHpjPYxXZdAnGDa1_EVzMHEguR4Kc/s640/Candycane+cookies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's what you need:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1 cup margarine</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1 cup sugar</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1 egg</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1 tsp. vanilla extract</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3 cups flour</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2 tsp. baking powder</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract ( I use a 1/2 tsp. but the original recipe calls for 1/4 tsp. It will be really strong smelling until after baking)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
red food coloring (about 15 drops)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the bowl of a stand mixer or medium bowl, cream together margarine, sugar, vanilla and egg. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing until incorporated. The dough
will be a little stiff. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Place 1/2 the dough in a
separate bowl and set aside. Add about 15 drops of red food coloring to the dough still in the mixer to tint. Mix until the dough is a nice red color. It will be on the slightly pink side.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4dvDEynOurnIoN-oi5j1Abysp00FCew1DfOADdf40-iNkz0FYC3PYWoBR5CWasrx8B4TduLaRKM0k_EA8OINUiuTp50pZNlURDAnFLIEZbB-smtYO3Ksg9tzfesaExORRPmtYDL_4uQX/s1600/IMG_1465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4dvDEynOurnIoN-oi5j1Abysp00FCew1DfOADdf40-iNkz0FYC3PYWoBR5CWasrx8B4TduLaRKM0k_EA8OINUiuTp50pZNlURDAnFLIEZbB-smtYO3Ksg9tzfesaExORRPmtYDL_4uQX/s200/IMG_1465.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ha-U5WPaBxQFrqAEkXt8yIur9KH5YGFTmJNOkiI5bliusKsZMfE_-z83lUbVfdRsek5NIAs91eXTLMqAEvwmHbluP2j-dzVF65OS91IZQM4YNL3ZrXP5DdUcj22JHfNzTwKaPDyaKy2T/s1600/IMG_1466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ha-U5WPaBxQFrqAEkXt8yIur9KH5YGFTmJNOkiI5bliusKsZMfE_-z83lUbVfdRsek5NIAs91eXTLMqAEvwmHbluP2j-dzVF65OS91IZQM4YNL3ZrXP5DdUcj22JHfNzTwKaPDyaKy2T/s200/IMG_1466.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With lightly floured fingertips pinch off a piece of dough about the size of a small walnut and roll in a long rope about 6 or 7" long and the width of a wooden spoon handle or skinny finger, about 1/2". Repeat with the other color. Press both colors together lightly along the whole rope then twist together and
shape into a candy cane shape. If they break just press them back together. I only had this happen on a few.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkw7udJzjn7WipovMbDOSKx1FmoM3BXh2_PhDVkUksm91Rn5Vmuwl7gHF07BFC7yXHI8ZDkYH8bnrjn88Cqe3FcUCEHqca4Q2BlRHD5XiSWCER5hz3Iev21g9RrcCn4mo6IBGbOHqDeKq/s1600/IMG_1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkw7udJzjn7WipovMbDOSKx1FmoM3BXh2_PhDVkUksm91Rn5Vmuwl7gHF07BFC7yXHI8ZDkYH8bnrjn88Cqe3FcUCEHqca4Q2BlRHD5XiSWCER5hz3Iev21g9RrcCn4mo6IBGbOHqDeKq/s200/IMG_1467.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqPwAJnhmYf6euhqxsgkkuHUIB0x4HJO3Tj8dnMAC5Kfv4_3jZQ79qtn1y-qOXBQmIVv3RfmL1maK3WeevB5NFNlZggsKMnALOMDqdiljumBNDLL9Jrs-6_LDCmS7GSigi4r41hWpNtKO/s1600/IMG_1468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqPwAJnhmYf6euhqxsgkkuHUIB0x4HJO3Tj8dnMAC5Kfv4_3jZQ79qtn1y-qOXBQmIVv3RfmL1maK3WeevB5NFNlZggsKMnALOMDqdiljumBNDLL9Jrs-6_LDCmS7GSigi4r41hWpNtKO/s200/IMG_1468.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6SwP2Ln0SveQlezGZ5fnjkBV5Vjx7ai6cfbayA8VgLPnbvIDdygZ6Hs46uobXo5v5aude2zRFT5LPQgbKXa0jiytKhyb8MPo15juQ0xzXK_r_qmUaXnt466fMk5HAC-w0J0hareS6fnX/s1600/IMG_1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6SwP2Ln0SveQlezGZ5fnjkBV5Vjx7ai6cfbayA8VgLPnbvIDdygZ6Hs46uobXo5v5aude2zRFT5LPQgbKXa0jiytKhyb8MPo15juQ0xzXK_r_qmUaXnt466fMk5HAC-w0J0hareS6fnX/s200/IMG_1469.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bake for
10 minutes. You don't want them to brown. Let cook on tray a couple of minutes then move to a cooling rack. These cookies can also be marbled and made into round cookies.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Serves - approximately 36</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Enjoy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZdjo9VeeGzeHDtRlQBHN92_-38Mnf5K8-_nysdBalPzcAKs9ycoSVN3S8v1aUC5XFS2E51Xg85k9NvaQ0SMFgpjquSERe9OD_AJOE0TRdlAoStPv6Z9eqa3LGB74g1VwTxO6G_dooAGP/s1600/Holiday+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZdjo9VeeGzeHDtRlQBHN92_-38Mnf5K8-_nysdBalPzcAKs9ycoSVN3S8v1aUC5XFS2E51Xg85k9NvaQ0SMFgpjquSERe9OD_AJOE0TRdlAoStPv6Z9eqa3LGB74g1VwTxO6G_dooAGP/s320/Holiday+signature.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Here's the handy printable - <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ThnAaAhStWpJFohbrRd-6ljFnduyvL16b8_-kOebqGc/edit">Candy Cane Cookies</a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O_Z_SpOT50qT3U51VV0N6wuTcC3v3wky4ysJUMA2NR8D9qPEE4PnacC05vp4VodUgCwTCMO1YqvhRggSiYQr7L3UcGMMRVdJuzjki1cnx2yzuD2yR410x1t-NWb5vuHNHNE04NTkAb0/s1600/feature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O_Z_SpOT50qT3U51VV0N6wuTcC3v3wky4ysJUMA2NR8D9qPEE4PnacC05vp4VodUgCwTCMO1YqvhRggSiYQr7L3UcGMMRVdJuzjki1cnx2yzuD2yR410x1t-NWb5vuHNHNE04NTkAb0/s640/feature.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So far we have had a wonderful amount of scrumptious looking cookies that I can't wait to try for Christmas this year!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is the cookie that caught my eye this week!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVoDM6vO2H_Z2Y5J_NIS4s9XSeqNxj8ZYhu_bb5_vOFZrKkwalAN1ijJ9T11ig7qZU9GIN11cY1_warL_TH6hYVkVBJZ-zNmjFCbGLL_75SrhPWFI0J4EFOYPcOVHYb04qWaD8s-a3P_z/s400/chocolate+mint+cookies.jpg" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.worthpinning.com/2011/11/chocolate-mint-cookies.html" target="_blank">Worth Pinning</a> has the right idea with a mint cookie at Christmas time! How festive!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Since each of the four co-hosts pick their own feature of the week, be sure to stop by each blog and check out their weekly pick.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Don't forget to grab a button if you were featured!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<center>
<a href="http://www.michellestastycreations.com/" target="”_blank”" title="”Michelle'stastycreations“"><img alt="sweet button" border="0" src="http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q504/sms0213/Blog/Picture2lkjlkjlkjlkj-1.jpg" /></a> /><center>
</center>
<center>
<textarea id="”code-source”" name="”code-source”" rows="”3″"><center>
<a href=”http://www.michellestastycreations.com/“><img src="http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q504/sms0213/Blog/Picture2lkjlkjlkjlkj-1.jpg" border="0" alt="sweet button" /></a> “ /></center>
</textarea></center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">On to the party!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Please follow all four co-hosts.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">This linky is for </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">COOKIE RECIPE</span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"> posts only, please!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">Link up as many times as you want!</span> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">This is a month long party so keep coming back for more recipes and features! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"> Each blog will be featuring their favorite links each week! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444;">(Make sure you get a button if you have been featured.)
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=212638&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-67309278209801307112012-11-27T13:26:00.000-08:002012-11-27T13:26:44.762-08:00If You Can't Buy it, Make It!My boys love our flannel sheets we use in winter. They care more about the seasonal print than they do the warmth of the flannel. You can't find seasonal flannel sheets to fit a crib. Thanks to <a href="http://pinterest.com/jbwife/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> I have developed a very simple philosophy: If you can't find it, make it. I did just that. Instead of hitting all the stores for electronic goods on Black Friday, I found myself at JoAnn's buying up fabric at great prices! $1.47 a yard for flannel is the right price when you need 2 yards for each sheet. <br />
<br />
I started with a fitted crib sheet tutorial from <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-crib-and-toddler-bed-sheets.html" target="_blank">Dana Made It </a>. It is about as easy as any tutorial can be. She has a few pictures of her steps. I didn't take any pictures so if you're a visual person, like me, you'll want to check out her tutorial. Here's a breakdown of the steps and pics of my final products. <br />
<br />
What you'll need:<br />
2 yards of fabric<br />
2 yards of 1/4" wide elastic<br />
Sewing necessities<br />
30-45 minutes of time<br />
<br />
Take your sheet and fold it in half. Fold it in half again, making sure to line up your edges precisely. Cut an 8x8" square out of the top corner with all the lose edges. Next you want to make your pockets for the corners of the mattress. In each of the four corners you've cut out, line up the sides right sides together. Sew them together to form the pocket. Serge or zig zag stitch all the way around the edges to prevent fraying. To make the casing for the elastic, iron down the edge of the fabric about a 1/3" all the way around. Sew it down all the way around leaving a 2 inch opening to thread the elastic. Attach a safety pin on the end of the elastic and thread it through. Once you get to the end, zigzag stitch it multiple times along the end so it holds. Then close up the 2 inch opening. Shift the sheet evenly around the elastic and put your made to order sheets on your mattress! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkf7r-UG0ONj_AXZE4GQTXyXqnGdPwobzE5ZJxFarStoFyIBxNPMU40NKXJySgKjpnoqSjqOa3rH77Emwb8GUr2tvFp6LmTRlB120IPUgyl5Ck5Yns1Vua8YcDlo43r5nfxaLSGJwLpA/s1600/crib1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkf7r-UG0ONj_AXZE4GQTXyXqnGdPwobzE5ZJxFarStoFyIBxNPMU40NKXJySgKjpnoqSjqOa3rH77Emwb8GUr2tvFp6LmTRlB120IPUgyl5Ck5Yns1Vua8YcDlo43r5nfxaLSGJwLpA/s640/crib1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
and....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4qU_op9144GEK2HXh-fKNNBLcp7eaw-VIiQDpqfP_KPZd1zaldBQK_MXXHf5DpnXokDldnDCzbmiUCOIIFPXBK-bOGPbqDPhi82kEA-KYfX7jA5zuighqOhN_CprIUT5c-CSZ0vvKXM/s1600/crib2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4qU_op9144GEK2HXh-fKNNBLcp7eaw-VIiQDpqfP_KPZd1zaldBQK_MXXHf5DpnXokDldnDCzbmiUCOIIFPXBK-bOGPbqDPhi82kEA-KYfX7jA5zuighqOhN_CprIUT5c-CSZ0vvKXM/s640/crib2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP7yNogoDOM2TMWUtm8J-saYQ1hOzgTUNEci3vRpvFrT8x6XGV-_SFIDiZs1hSnusw47FZdvbvcG9LOXlaoRzsZdeGuyvRYRaoFvmbR7xaWbORmiyQuXVo_FoD9yL8ydE_2rGasEP2uQ/s1600/crib4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP7yNogoDOM2TMWUtm8J-saYQ1hOzgTUNEci3vRpvFrT8x6XGV-_SFIDiZs1hSnusw47FZdvbvcG9LOXlaoRzsZdeGuyvRYRaoFvmbR7xaWbORmiyQuXVo_FoD9yL8ydE_2rGasEP2uQ/s640/crib4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzV7QF8oPIGjF5-uEIB9wtfq_KVB3D2JcJc3oyzdNZOHNyoOFQU4586FgeZUNZpfqx79SBlAQAC9ix4MS5RZ2EeqM_WxsBt5oW1gyKwRFtGvFULwkQNySkEfIl3ufIaDRFMRc_YFH0Ayg/s1600/crib3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzV7QF8oPIGjF5-uEIB9wtfq_KVB3D2JcJc3oyzdNZOHNyoOFQU4586FgeZUNZpfqx79SBlAQAC9ix4MS5RZ2EeqM_WxsBt5oW1gyKwRFtGvFULwkQNySkEfIl3ufIaDRFMRc_YFH0Ayg/s640/crib3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
First my first go at it, I couldn't be happier! I tell you what, if there ever comes a time when I need to decorate another nursery, this gal is making EVERYTHING!!! Why be limited by what's in the stores? Not me! Not anymore!<br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-80379921026377038512012-11-26T17:12:00.000-08:002012-11-26T17:12:35.249-08:00Holiday Cookie Swap 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Welcome to<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span>the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">(really it's a linky party)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthpFF8YhYbZ_djnbSa5p2OccUjH7H8muUn1yfTC13nsgq19LqyxQVv2fKQn-LpxGmcoW5JWgp2IcMkSwEb1uflo01sh9OmvHcQPNxKq5cixHgDN6IkAQBaYtBIHKKwSRMeUeN37bF8Zs/s1600/smitten_christmas_lightbanner_pattern1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthpFF8YhYbZ_djnbSa5p2OccUjH7H8muUn1yfTC13nsgq19LqyxQVv2fKQn-LpxGmcoW5JWgp2IcMkSwEb1uflo01sh9OmvHcQPNxKq5cixHgDN6IkAQBaYtBIHKKwSRMeUeN37bF8Zs/s640/smitten_christmas_lightbanner_pattern1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">(All these adorable graphics are done by <a href="http://www.smittenblogdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Smitten Blog Designs</a>)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Join us for all FOUR weeks of cookie features, recipes, and linky parties.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Here is the line up:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://swtboutique.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Boutique</a></span> <span style="color: #999999;"> November 20</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Domesticated Princess</a></span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: #999999;"> November 27</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.michellestastycreations.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;">Michel</span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">le's Tasty Creations</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-size: large;"> </span></a><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span> December 4</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #999999;"><a href="http://livinglovingcrafting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Living, Loving, Crafting</a> December 11</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Make sure you come back each week for a great new cookie recipe, plus each blog will be featuring their own favorite cookie links from the party!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oBAyE6Tx60phKKv-1KtspYK2t0VgeZ8MgGLTybjAxQGQLBdNuEv5HIaK65BRZDMKxclo4PolhXWUzeEhM-FZXbsAXlciKhN31uCoPQAHrJwGNcq228kyuVcLRuaREjkbNookELtBzuQ/s1600/Picture2dfdfdnowball.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3oBAyE6Tx60phKKv-1KtspYK2t0VgeZ8MgGLTybjAxQGQLBdNuEv5HIaK65BRZDMKxclo4PolhXWUzeEhM-FZXbsAXlciKhN31uCoPQAHrJwGNcq228kyuVcLRuaREjkbNookELtBzuQ/s640/Picture2dfdfdnowball.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This particular recipe took a bit of coaxing from my sweet husband to get it. It's one of my mom's recipes she makes every Christmas, and everyone loves it, so, of course, she was slow to part with it. However, I take after my dad when it comes to sharing and believe that if you have something worth sharing, you should share it. This recipe is definitely worth sharing!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnyOX6lgRwRsDKxMl8Ugu4tWIKqmqAtThby0yLDMuCPb8oeGUIs5NUcB70bSHDY17qNB3pWn7vHsXWA_UpqClhPT2QydBdvZCkCsQw7Q0y3FEWMAyNPcsckA7aJNv7kHuxNuBht0j0OuU/s1600/IMG_4806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnyOX6lgRwRsDKxMl8Ugu4tWIKqmqAtThby0yLDMuCPb8oeGUIs5NUcB70bSHDY17qNB3pWn7vHsXWA_UpqClhPT2QydBdvZCkCsQw7Q0y3FEWMAyNPcsckA7aJNv7kHuxNuBht0j0OuU/s400/IMG_4806.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm not sure of the cookie's origin, but my dad's parents had a lot of pecan trees on their farm, so when I was a child, there was an abundance of pecans every winter. I have fond memories of helping shell them. While the farm has long ago been turned into a neighborhood development with those trees now gone, my mom still manages to acquire bags of pecans from friends and family members every year, which means we can make lots of these cookies every winter! Whether you are given pecans or buy them from the store, I hope you'll try this recipe for Bertie's Pecan Snowball Cookies:</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<u>Ingredients</u>: </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1 stick butter (margarine can work, but the butter makes it so much better!)
1 cup flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
powdered sugar
Pre-heat oven to 300. Soften butter, and mix with flour, pecans, sugar, and vanilla. Then roll into balls. (Ours are always about the size of traditional bouncy balls, so you can pop them in your mouth.) Bake at 300 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Roll them in a small bowl of powdered sugar while they are still very warm.
This batch should make between 3 and 4 dozen cookies, depending on the size of the balls. I also wish I could tell you exactly how much powdered sugar to use, but we just guess each time. Start with a cup and add as you run low.
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKwiOUplYhwo_6YBbRaaw_WZIhPsKyEaY_1m0opnfPqosdqbH673w4MXWLr-kTUOECF9F7jpop63z_Y5LwRizb1crwd48GwHY8t00olcyGPj0m0bSYq93sypZ0AoH5Q6yw1Gx0bmkdo9_/s1600/IMG_4808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKwiOUplYhwo_6YBbRaaw_WZIhPsKyEaY_1m0opnfPqosdqbH673w4MXWLr-kTUOECF9F7jpop63z_Y5LwRizb1crwd48GwHY8t00olcyGPj0m0bSYq93sypZ0AoH5Q6yw1Gx0bmkdo9_/s400/IMG_4808.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope you'll enjoy these cookies as much as my family does!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-Bonny</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O_Z_SpOT50qT3U51VV0N6wuTcC3v3wky4ysJUMA2NR8D9qPEE4PnacC05vp4VodUgCwTCMO1YqvhRggSiYQr7L3UcGMMRVdJuzjki1cnx2yzuD2yR410x1t-NWb5vuHNHNE04NTkAb0/s1600/feature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O_Z_SpOT50qT3U51VV0N6wuTcC3v3wky4ysJUMA2NR8D9qPEE4PnacC05vp4VodUgCwTCMO1YqvhRggSiYQr7L3UcGMMRVdJuzjki1cnx2yzuD2yR410x1t-NWb5vuHNHNE04NTkAb0/s640/feature.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After looking at all the yummy cookie recipes, I knew there was one I had to feature! You just can't go wrong with a Candy Cane Oreo Stuffed Sugar Cookie!!! Yum to the 10th power! They look just as festive as they must taste! Looking forward to trying this one out ASAP :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="300" src="http://asweetbaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Candy-Cane-Oreo-Stuffed-Sugar-Cookies.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://asweetbaker.com/candy-cane-oreo-stuffed-sugar-cookies/" target="_blank">Liz's Candy Cane Oreo Stuffed Sugar Cookies</a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Since each of the four co-hosts picked out her favorite cookie, be sure to check all four blogs to see them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">Don't forget to grab a button if you were featured!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<center>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttp://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com//" target="”_blank”" title="”thedomesticatedprincess“"><img alt="sweet button" border="0" src="http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q504/sms0213/Blog/Picture2lkjlkjlkjlkj-1.jpg" /></a> <center>
</center>
<center>
<textarea id="”code-source”" name="”code-source”" rows="”3″"><center>
<a <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">goog</span>-spellcheck-word"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span></span>=”http://<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">goog</span>-spellcheck-word"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">thedomesticatedprincess</span></span>.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">goog</span>-spellcheck-word"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">blogspot</span></span>.com/ “><<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">goog</span>-spellcheck-word"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span></span> <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">goog</span>-spellcheck-word"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span></span>="http://i1161.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">goog</span>-spellcheck-word"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">photobucket</span></span>.com/albums/q504/sms0213/Blog/Picture2lkjlkjlkjlkj-1.<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="<span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">goog</span>-spellcheck-word"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span></span>" border="0" alt="sweet button" /></a> “ /></center>
</textarea></center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">On to the party!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">Please follow all four co-hosts.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">This linky is for </span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">COOKIE RECIPE</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"> posts only, please!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">Link up as many times as you want! </span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">This is a month long party so keep coming back for more recipes and features! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"> Each blog will be featuring their favorite links each week! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;">(Make sure you get a button if you have been featured.)
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #999999;">
</span></div>
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=212638&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'll be sharing this post at some of these parties <a href="http://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com/p/bloggy-stuff_5.html" target="_blank">here.</a></span> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x60DGNwuGTs/UFokhlS4UeI/AAAAAAAAD_0/j7Goi7DsPrk/s1600/IMG_4041-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x60DGNwuGTs/UFokhlS4UeI/AAAAAAAAD_0/j7Goi7DsPrk/s1600/IMG_4041-001.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-66947373764057381452012-11-21T16:19:00.001-08:002012-11-21T16:19:46.505-08:00Twas the Night Before Turkey Day<div><p>Dinner has been eaten and cleaned up. Baths have been given.  Now we are snuggling on the couch, winding down for the evening basking in the glow of how I spent my day.  </p>
<p>That's right, y'all.  I put up my Christmas tree.  I know, I know.  Some of you are out there shaking your heads because my tree is up before Thanksgiving.  Normally I don't put up my tree until the day after.  This year I had to take advantage of the two sets of helping hands I had today.  One set to help me and the other to occupy my young.  Unfortunately things were still broken, but what can you do?!  </p>
<p>So we sit here next to our Christmas tree waiting for A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.  Everyone is happy and in this moment, all is well!!</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIAK0HLLV3WdRyqVF1ky83De2cc1oGrewuTBz5E7DoWHUEDlhVr_Wucnj4CV4fsBUz6Gyz3T4jDZ9XJYWQj4jstNu0g0LpvoFlKtbNJ7EWBAcdSq6yx7JiQ7UoeLd8VAeJ5vG9UFLyvU/' /></div>Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-43237398007498170452012-11-19T15:53:00.000-08:002012-11-19T15:53:41.716-08:00Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Welcome to the Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap...Blog Hop</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">(really it's a linky party)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthpFF8YhYbZ_djnbSa5p2OccUjH7H8muUn1yfTC13nsgq19LqyxQVv2fKQn-LpxGmcoW5JWgp2IcMkSwEb1uflo01sh9OmvHcQPNxKq5cixHgDN6IkAQBaYtBIHKKwSRMeUeN37bF8Zs/s1600/smitten_christmas_lightbanner_pattern1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthpFF8YhYbZ_djnbSa5p2OccUjH7H8muUn1yfTC13nsgq19LqyxQVv2fKQn-LpxGmcoW5JWgp2IcMkSwEb1uflo01sh9OmvHcQPNxKq5cixHgDN6IkAQBaYtBIHKKwSRMeUeN37bF8Zs/s640/smitten_christmas_lightbanner_pattern1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">(All these adorable graphics are done by <a href="http://www.smittenblogdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Smitten Blog Designs</a>)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Join us for all FOUR weeks of cookie features, recipes, and linky parties.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Here is the line up:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://swtboutique.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Boutique</a></span> <span style="color: #999999;"> November 20</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><a href="http://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Domesticated Princess</a></span><span style="color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: #999999;"> November 27</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.michellestastycreations.com/" target="_blank">Michelle's Tasty Treats</a></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999;"> </span><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span> December 4</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #999999;"><a href="http://livinglovingcrafting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Living, Loving, Crafting</a> December 11</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Make sure you come back each week for a great new cookie recipe, plus each blog will be featuring their own favorite cookie links from the party!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZpRVbzLXLq2Cc9dR-rWiBf1kzEeLpClQ_XqnwnAyRB5INnfhyCCU_4A0Ez2cMuLDo9KfaTyUTZuZmGfkmrbqTUQjWMqBWvCbWsUnKVM4STdghd1WDCh9R-CHlLMD0iFVpB1-XS9fPOU/s1600/Picture1fjdklfad;.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZpRVbzLXLq2Cc9dR-rWiBf1kzEeLpClQ_XqnwnAyRB5INnfhyCCU_4A0Ez2cMuLDo9KfaTyUTZuZmGfkmrbqTUQjWMqBWvCbWsUnKVM4STdghd1WDCh9R-CHlLMD0iFVpB1-XS9fPOU/s640/Picture1fjdklfad;.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">I know you guys are thinking, boring...a sugar cookie, really? But, just hear me out on this one.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeds732LpXLpkDqnhrT9XeEp8VNwpHju064JFrqTHiTwH72KooB1sgagDdbTbq9Jaf9XF6jm7GmO4ir_rxatXUWhyiMnVua4PPhq9Dv4JAmdKHFkHE5bMXRKFOHdRoghpMXSRE5MT0834/s1600/jkjkjkjkljlijoihy;jbk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeds732LpXLpkDqnhrT9XeEp8VNwpHju064JFrqTHiTwH72KooB1sgagDdbTbq9Jaf9XF6jm7GmO4ir_rxatXUWhyiMnVua4PPhq9Dv4JAmdKHFkHE5bMXRKFOHdRoghpMXSRE5MT0834/s640/jkjkjkjkljlijoihy;jbk.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;">Not only is this the BEST sugar cookie recipe I have ever tried, just look what you can do with it. Basic becomes beautiful with just a little effort.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGLejV3G-8uND-MlsO2U15PSFSK02Gd9SN0RHpgTFp6Njiz3f9hy0xSV2tHJVbUWg_xpXHKxiKnCuAqG-MpneZ-ZDzpqoXQF8bGBshIyh_yGbY2Epoik1c79gtZE35qFwYKPgAMbgc6w/s1600/klklklklklklklk;kpoj'oj.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGLejV3G-8uND-MlsO2U15PSFSK02Gd9SN0RHpgTFp6Njiz3f9hy0xSV2tHJVbUWg_xpXHKxiKnCuAqG-MpneZ-ZDzpqoXQF8bGBshIyh_yGbY2Epoik1c79gtZE35qFwYKPgAMbgc6w/s640/klklklklklklklk;kpoj'oj.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I chose several different looks to share with you today.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dLQnlghQgLc5MbscSAqAnbovrbS3o_EwcfAUoeA4pPYKi6jswQdtGJDZVlMDmO5C1p3yJOOmbRoXDB5MFjCaV3yCc3QDJrX95l6t07a4XDHg74d_fOlScAY6lzKHxba0g8nNuHpQpVU/s1600/jkjkjkjiuiuiuiuytytyt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dLQnlghQgLc5MbscSAqAnbovrbS3o_EwcfAUoeA4pPYKi6jswQdtGJDZVlMDmO5C1p3yJOOmbRoXDB5MFjCaV3yCc3QDJrX95l6t07a4XDHg74d_fOlScAY6lzKHxba0g8nNuHpQpVU/s640/jkjkjkjiuiuiuiuytytyt.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Top left: Royal icing topped with silver dragees.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Top middle: Royal icing drizzle</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Top right: Fondant cut out</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bottom left: Cream cheese icing with silver sprinkles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bottom middle: Royal icing topped with candy cane white chocolate bark</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bottom right: Royal icing with a hand painted design topped with silver dragees.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">When put together they make an elegant, special, and delicious holiday treat.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"><u>The Recipe</u></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">(This is from The Confetti Cakes Cookbook by Elisa Strauss)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">2 1/3 cup plus 2 Tbs. All purpose flour</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">1 tsp. Salt</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">1 tsp. Baking powder</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">1 1/2 Sticks butter, unsalted</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">1/2 cup plus 2 Tbs. Sugar</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">1 egg</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">1 tsp. Vanilla extract</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">In a bowl sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined. Add half of the flour mixture and mix until combined. Add the other half of the flour mixture and beat until combined. I wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour. Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut our cookies to desired shape and bake at 350 for 10 minutes.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;">If you have any questions on how I achieved these looks please feel free to ask.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">Sweet Holiday Wishes,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"> -Stephanie</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">On to the pa</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">rty!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">Please follow all four co-hosts.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">This linky is for </span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">COOKIE RECIPE</span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"> posts only, please!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">Link up as many times as you want! </span><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;">This is a month long party so keep coming back for more recipes and features! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: large;"> Each blog will be featuring their favorite links each week! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;">(Make sure you get a button if you have been featured.)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=212638&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-56259131288524041822012-11-19T10:28:00.000-08:002012-11-19T10:28:55.487-08:00Gobble, GobbleThe boys are excited for Christmas but I didn't want them to overlook Thanksgiving. They were studying Thanksgiving and pilgrims this week at school. I thought what better way to get them in the spirit than with their own turkey shirts!! <br />
<br />
I'd like to say I came up with this cute little idea, but we know exactly where I got it. <a href="http://pinterest.com/jbwife/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!! <a href="http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/2011/11/turkey-shirt.html" target="_blank">The Artsy Fartsy Mama</a> has a quick tutorial that gave me the basic idea. I got myself to the store for supplies and got to work. <br />
<br />
Here's what you'll need:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx649r3eg2Eu38qHAZOYCQnyyQfbOA5GyZHDA4UVRjwNcx9h_7ebzABNgQFJ0NQ2vzyE6HZZsAiWYZIGETTRbGASRA-wAu3jKUEmBvgQFVj-TzBFtiohkIVm6sE8Ia-IjK9Do0nJmuRqQ/s1600/turkey1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx649r3eg2Eu38qHAZOYCQnyyQfbOA5GyZHDA4UVRjwNcx9h_7ebzABNgQFJ0NQ2vzyE6HZZsAiWYZIGETTRbGASRA-wAu3jKUEmBvgQFVj-TzBFtiohkIVm6sE8Ia-IjK9Do0nJmuRqQ/s400/turkey1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Brown tshirt<br />
Felt in different colors<br />
Paper<br />
Scissors<br />
Wonder Under<br />
Iron<br />
Sewing supplies<br />
<br />
Iron your shirt flat. I used a brown turtleneck because it was the only brown shirt I found ANYWHERE in their size. I have this fear of turtlenecks from my childhood for some reason and didn't want to see my kids in them, but it worked out. Set your shirt aside for now.<br />
<br />
Get your paper and sketch out a feather, triangle for beak, a gobbler and a big and little circle for eyes. This is how mine looked. You can see it wasn't a perfect science, but I ended up with shapes I thought would work well. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TFCyCnvxd8ryzKWeup62Z4PqOCtWzzse02D8nQCn5OnCoBPLWVHuZnzFWIAxpCuBw_soqV_wXB2BtefPk-TTO97FfO9-1r3klfC5_8FDJ2Z6jcWaY4EZyvpRxinb_8oTJRrApPeJWOU/s1600/turkey2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TFCyCnvxd8ryzKWeup62Z4PqOCtWzzse02D8nQCn5OnCoBPLWVHuZnzFWIAxpCuBw_soqV_wXB2BtefPk-TTO97FfO9-1r3klfC5_8FDJ2Z6jcWaY4EZyvpRxinb_8oTJRrApPeJWOU/s320/turkey2.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I cut my shapes out of my cardstock and traced them on to my felt. You could use thin paper and pin to your felt, but I liked this method best with felt. Cut out your shapes from your felt. I had a red gobbler, white big eye, black little eye, yellow beak and red, orange, blue and green feathers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK25_rusfo0bMCf__i1sWTjeJOB5ETjCGDuWylusM93tAvZtW4Dc9o_3N-tdhTRLeAhtqL16g2aCFi0Q8s11stA8d435Q3vZUswwVRr-QzpO5TlRsvHhH2L57LBjLhldD_DokMvqyLCiA/s1600/turkey3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK25_rusfo0bMCf__i1sWTjeJOB5ETjCGDuWylusM93tAvZtW4Dc9o_3N-tdhTRLeAhtqL16g2aCFi0Q8s11stA8d435Q3vZUswwVRr-QzpO5TlRsvHhH2L57LBjLhldD_DokMvqyLCiA/s320/turkey3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Follow the directions on your Wonder Under to attach it to your felt pieces. Arrange your feathers to your liking and use one big piece of Wonder Under so that it's a unit and easier to attach. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdatv2APDqcyBHHOt3EK2BSVWtWJBCd4OfND-qBxRQAJ7ZvTLDwwEkHMiqju8MPhMVdf6OQrOq_agA8dwzdvtpGaaZq18u-raN4LDwqLU_gePHWI1PMFyNI9IbJSWIyG7AcZliPPQAlA/s1600/turkey4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdatv2APDqcyBHHOt3EK2BSVWtWJBCd4OfND-qBxRQAJ7ZvTLDwwEkHMiqju8MPhMVdf6OQrOq_agA8dwzdvtpGaaZq18u-raN4LDwqLU_gePHWI1PMFyNI9IbJSWIyG7AcZliPPQAlA/s400/turkey4.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Using your iron, attach the face first. I attached the white circles, beak and gobbler. I didn't use Wonder Under for the black eyes. After the shirt cooled off from the iron, I sewed the black eyes on. I didn't sew anything else down for two reasons. 1. I do not like sewing on felt and didn't want it to look messy. 2. They were only going to wear it a few times and I knew the Wonder Under would be strong enough of a bond that they wouldn't tear it up. You can do it either way. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWDWprqKWOiqGbtN2Qj78wMV3Pz0K3iyf6mrO8pmS5rNtCtY9hnj7qRSS6SSIffwjInacEQX3Rol-VqTh03AZh7zrEwxQhcwycBQ14GjF8kFrgd1XDcgRp95VNFlW69DAzLuaKrsZBU0/s1600/turkey5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWDWprqKWOiqGbtN2Qj78wMV3Pz0K3iyf6mrO8pmS5rNtCtY9hnj7qRSS6SSIffwjInacEQX3Rol-VqTh03AZh7zrEwxQhcwycBQ14GjF8kFrgd1XDcgRp95VNFlW69DAzLuaKrsZBU0/s320/turkey5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Attach the feather unit to the shirt using the iron. I did want to reinforce the feathers with a quick stitch around the edges. You can see here how close to the edge I got. I did this around each individual feather to give it a cohesive look. <br />
<br />
Here's the finished product. They turned out so cute and the boys loved them. That's all that really matters!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMqz02NjnrpffRwPaDaLdpN-V7pxQTzAyrZiEKvEdc3i3Qw7Yl80DNLrUkO89ggrzZNmoqmpcDBVaBECO2URodJjDUPxDS19PXDdx8BTBtTizflwG0lcyrBb1u3H-BeiETL20yO4wbu8/s1600/turkeyshirt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMqz02NjnrpffRwPaDaLdpN-V7pxQTzAyrZiEKvEdc3i3Qw7Yl80DNLrUkO89ggrzZNmoqmpcDBVaBECO2URodJjDUPxDS19PXDdx8BTBtTizflwG0lcyrBb1u3H-BeiETL20yO4wbu8/s640/turkeyshirt1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQt5HtbnrOPpn0t1K-TMABrb9WhM6bA1UaZj4uz91plk4-k7aDVtihErMD7LVjKvPTwfWvvx-L9erVIYkoXPnx_cnLlVaNyAprpaBguIChDbsabnvorxuCVIQtpNo0Rx16fkK-MGRaP0/s1600/turkeyshirt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQt5HtbnrOPpn0t1K-TMABrb9WhM6bA1UaZj4uz91plk4-k7aDVtihErMD7LVjKvPTwfWvvx-L9erVIYkoXPnx_cnLlVaNyAprpaBguIChDbsabnvorxuCVIQtpNo0Rx16fkK-MGRaP0/s640/turkeyshirt2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What fun Thanksgiving crafts have you done this year?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-57854246503959182302012-11-17T05:23:00.000-08:002012-11-17T05:23:03.125-08:00Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jtNRq7-F2ySmjGyKqhTntf3_yF4hGlJkurQd9d3iTDOHL8J75kEw6CDnrkiDQBuNo0JYRSwqrbWLnZUPcBdIN4uoIHRSBqxuinXXDbFDqNyw_PLI8MYVVmNiG6gSqml9Usjat8MFg_I/s1600/Picture1kjhkhkjhkjhjk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jtNRq7-F2ySmjGyKqhTntf3_yF4hGlJkurQd9d3iTDOHL8J75kEw6CDnrkiDQBuNo0JYRSwqrbWLnZUPcBdIN4uoIHRSBqxuinXXDbFDqNyw_PLI8MYVVmNiG6gSqml9Usjat8MFg_I/s640/Picture1kjhkhkjhkjhjk.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span>(all of the adorable graphic artwork is from Smitten Blog) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Get your ovens warmed up and your mixers ready...it's time to bake.</span>
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">Join us for FIVE weeks of cookie features, recipes, and linky parties!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6ysi-qZ3R_TJryaJeG6zfreHDyQdiqLWM8DTHiNN9t9y2WrIyAOf89uguA_rrOMu6hyFIUpdEecRdmJS9BZhozAHZcPhxIJmMRxM1LgmMJJotYLalqVwtV6qXOPVBMg5U2PQdF5eTj0/s1600/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6ysi-qZ3R_TJryaJeG6zfreHDyQdiqLWM8DTHiNN9t9y2WrIyAOf89uguA_rrOMu6hyFIUpdEecRdmJS9BZhozAHZcPhxIJmMRxM1LgmMJJotYLalqVwtV6qXOPVBMg5U2PQdF5eTj0/s200/Picture2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;">The holidays are right around the corner, and I can already smell the cookies baking in the oven. Be ready for all your cookie exchanges, baking parties, and holiday gifts with our big, huge Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap. Find all the great recipes you'll need for the holidays right here!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoclKlWpnjn8ZgWBTPMaoh4_kMKiL4LSOrsfw7jLhG_QMHrr8k0LYTnoeeGNO8BRkBmPEOFmWLtFYVGn79nhV1MTNN2OIdl4tQTSRBA2IsDGoKnKaW9jcsaoK-vIqalK3_clOnG5Btcs8/s1600/Picture4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoclKlWpnjn8ZgWBTPMaoh4_kMKiL4LSOrsfw7jLhG_QMHrr8k0LYTnoeeGNO8BRkBmPEOFmWLtFYVGn79nhV1MTNN2OIdl4tQTSRBA2IsDGoKnKaW9jcsaoK-vIqalK3_clOnG5Btcs8/s640/Picture4.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_M9fu4z12gVDwBRmnkbhcbo8ancpVKuJibLEXAV4dhjTFTsLYpK9zaKxN8kYt9aAsly9j_i3v5Ju_CExMu-2x-NNlXKcRNxbrBTQuZVlPpCIbpD47p0ICDKLZPgbWGKZ5y9IAc9twLU/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_M9fu4z12gVDwBRmnkbhcbo8ancpVKuJibLEXAV4dhjTFTsLYpK9zaKxN8kYt9aAsly9j_i3v5Ju_CExMu-2x-NNlXKcRNxbrBTQuZVlPpCIbpD47p0ICDKLZPgbWGKZ5y9IAc9twLU/s200/photo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sweet Boutique </span>November 20th
Hi my name is Stephanie from Sweet Boutique. I have a passion for baking, sweet treats, and parties! I will be sharing my favorite sugar cookie recipe with you, great for any holiday or occasion.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQ2HX0JnvfwOPQOdGNNAtrbwvr1wuSrG47-MLLV2cjXQLRrOlHxhEa-yrZQyKRB0vEoAtDXg2j7eWrDkmZmTo7d8gJr4M2Mhmz2SYPVfIXAapK2_tc-8btPIfMq70hAUsh35ohyphenhyphenahh-M/s1600/photokjkjkj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQ2HX0JnvfwOPQOdGNNAtrbwvr1wuSrG47-MLLV2cjXQLRrOlHxhEa-yrZQyKRB0vEoAtDXg2j7eWrDkmZmTo7d8gJr4M2Mhmz2SYPVfIXAapK2_tc-8btPIfMq70hAUsh35ohyphenhyphenahh-M/s200/photokjkjkj.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Domesticated Princess</span>
November 27th
Hello! I'm Bonny from <a href="http://thedomesticatedprincess.com/" target="_blank">thedomesticatedprincess.com</a> where I share recipes, craft projects, sewing tutorials, and a few personal stories as a mom of four silly but sweet children. I'm looking forward to sharing my mom's Pecan Snowball Cookie recipe, which is always a hit at holiday parties.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSzRmfPg5jAHgEpzaOcWqXwFC3TmXq8jHPo2GxdsgTZF4P63-HdK4qzhY4Ld3aRHPsGh0csuDgM5h3BzaAMtCgbmvCMw3YevKmy6Wl3JX1AB25bqOlUIuFkqQJSnrSwIn0sc9sjwKoytF/s1600/Linky+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSzRmfPg5jAHgEpzaOcWqXwFC3TmXq8jHPo2GxdsgTZF4P63-HdK4qzhY4Ld3aRHPsGh0csuDgM5h3BzaAMtCgbmvCMw3YevKmy6Wl3JX1AB25bqOlUIuFkqQJSnrSwIn0sc9sjwKoytF/s200/Linky+Pic.jpg" width="200" /></a>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Miche<span style="font-size: x-large;">lle's Tast<span style="font-size: x-large;">y Creations<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Dec. 4th</span></span></span></span></span>
Hi! I'm Michelle from <a href="http://www.michellestastycreations.com/">Michelle's Tasty Creations</a>. My passion is to cook, bake and occasionally share some crafts. I also love to host parties and have family gatherings! I'm looking forward to sharing my famous Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies with you. The most requested cookie for the holiday season.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6Ht1TwmVT3GXdnbOM0DiUpeuXHmyi7a-lw447Bk5GMpeNCiGstA-rJwkbb08_N_EnD19p1X0CjMpYmagnWH6QxBiKo-vcmD1FoUY0-65pyLMW-CfkDJEqyLKUxq0PHu220eDbLePgsM/s1600/Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Face Behind LLC" border="0" height="230" id="Image1_img" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6Ht1TwmVT3GXdnbOM0DiUpeuXHmyi7a-lw447Bk5GMpeNCiGstA-rJwkbb08_N_EnD19p1X0CjMpYmagnWH6QxBiKo-vcmD1FoUY0-65pyLMW-CfkDJEqyLKUxq0PHu220eDbLePgsM/s230/Me.jpg" style="visibility: visible;" width="185" /></a><span class="caption" style="font-size: x-large;">Living, Loving, Crafting</span>
<span class="caption"><span style="font-size: x-small;">December 11th </span> </span>
<span class="caption">I'm Jeannie from <a href="http://livinglovingcrafting.blogspot.com/">livinglovingcrafting.blogspot.com</a>. I love staying home with my twin boys and I live to be creative. I will always find time to do something crafty!</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6ysi-qZ3R_TJryaJeG6zfreHDyQdiqLWM8DTHiNN9t9y2WrIyAOf89uguA_rrOMu6hyFIUpdEecRdmJS9BZhozAHZcPhxIJmMRxM1LgmMJJotYLalqVwtV6qXOPVBMg5U2PQdF5eTj0/s1600/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">We hope you'll spread the word <span style="font-size: large;">by grabbing our button for your blog.<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> We'll see you on Tues<span style="font-size: large;">day! </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<center>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9D" http:="http:" livinglovingcrafting.blogspot.com="livinglovingcrafting.blogspot.com" target="”_blank”" title="”sweetboutique“"><img alt="Picture2-2" border="0" src="http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q504/sms0213/Blog/Picture2-2-1.jpg" /></a> <center>
</center>
<center>
<textarea id="”code-source”" name="”code-source”" rows="”3″"><center>
<a href=” http://livinglovingcrafting.blogspot.com/ “><img src="http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q504/sms0213/Blog/Picture2-2-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Picture2-2" /></a> “ </center>
</textarea></center>
</center>
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-21239528111441983342012-11-13T05:19:00.000-08:002012-11-13T05:19:17.537-08:00So Who's Ready For Christmas?It's not even Thanksgiving yet and...<br />
*The stores are loaded with Christmas stuff<br />
*Two local radio stations are playing nonstop Christmas music<br />
*Hallmark has started airing Christmas movies<br />
*Christmas commercials have started<br />
*Pinterest has been overtaken with Christmas food and crafts<br />
AND...<br />
I'M LOVING IT!!!<br />
<br />
I have seen a few people boohoo over all of the above and I just giggle. It is what it is and you might as well get in the spirit. As a former high school choir member who had to start singing Christmas music before Halloween to prepare for our Christmas concert, I love that Christmas music is already available. It helps get me in the mood. I love that Christmas movies are on tv so that when I sit down at night to work on the Christmas gifts I am making, it gets me in the mood. I love that my son has moved on from witches back to Santa because Christmas stuff is out. I love the season and no matter the griping, I'm enjoying it!! (I do not appreciate that stores are opening earlier on Thanksgiving, though. I think that stinks a big one!)<br />
<br />
My first Christmas craft went to my unborn nephew last weekend. I was super proud of how it turned out! <br />
<a href="http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/10/crochet-snowman-hat-pattern.html" target="_blank">Repeat Crafter Me</a> had an adorable frosty crochet hat pattern floating around on <a href="http://pinterest.com/jbwife/crochet/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> and I knew I had to make it. The best part about how it turned out, my sister loved it. Score!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiub9szdRux_R2hZwQ01Xct69aTjHq88PlFDMXcatuybKLynAvdk6Jlv3kgt2BqYJ9d2969O-VUGs2uOgC7hN8-j_Q7y-kiRPt_DlabcT2pQt4kD5uP31e9xp0vFly0Jr7-fkrBz781fko/s1600/forsty1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiub9szdRux_R2hZwQ01Xct69aTjHq88PlFDMXcatuybKLynAvdk6Jlv3kgt2BqYJ9d2969O-VUGs2uOgC7hN8-j_Q7y-kiRPt_DlabcT2pQt4kD5uP31e9xp0vFly0Jr7-fkrBz781fko/s640/forsty1.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9kbO4_QBLq8aWHjV-Ia7Obxo-0mXW4jIxwjp_wAWv-GVeK8bc2g-glrFzb7JLgNBBazI-M20Uoc0eXPBluY4vdA1Ssc9NlYdgGP6lLiNeEyDSXNonYJi1H4j3kpPDWbrqbqie0BW_kg/s1600/frosty2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9kbO4_QBLq8aWHjV-Ia7Obxo-0mXW4jIxwjp_wAWv-GVeK8bc2g-glrFzb7JLgNBBazI-M20Uoc0eXPBluY4vdA1Ssc9NlYdgGP6lLiNeEyDSXNonYJi1H4j3kpPDWbrqbqie0BW_kg/s640/frosty2.jpg" width="442" /></a></div>
This will be perfect for his newborn pictures in January! What Christmas projects have you started on already??<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-28171697269943361652012-11-07T10:29:00.000-08:002012-11-07T10:29:01.248-08:00DIY Lip BalmSo one of the favors we had at the Mustache Bash was homemade lip balm. As soon as I saw it on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/195695546279003007/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> I knew I had to make it for the shower!! <a href="http://www.meetthedubiens.com/2011/01/make-your-own-lip-gloss.html" target="_blank">Meet The Dubiens</a> has a great tutorial that I followed. It was super easy to make and with all the other things I needed to make, simple was just what I needed. <br />
<br />
I must admit, I screwed up the first batch and had to make a second. I wasn't paying full attention and it backfired on me. Make sure your kool-aid hasn't clumped in the packet before adding it!!!!!!! It won't dissolve if so. <br />
<br />
You'll need:<br />
1 container of petroleum jelly/vasoline (approx. 1 cup)<br />
1-2 packets of kool-aid<br />
Lip balm containers (like <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/30-Clear-cosmetic-empty-jar-Pot-sample-container-0-35oz-/160840906758?pt=US_Makeup_Lips&hash=item2572dd7806" target="_blank">these</a>)<br />
Microwave safe bowl<br />
<br />
Empty your vasoline into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave every 30 seconds, stirring between, until it becomes liquidy. Add your kool-aid packet and stir until dissolved. I learned it won't 100% dissolve. There will be a few granules that you can still see, but that's ok. They won't stain your lips. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HqS3G48yWVKHAe2WNze8zWwuRen37gDGLaS03N62329Clccl2xew_3TTgRZfI6fVWygSuLgHgdkvSNcTkoxqXM2KmPmU0Lcs8WzcDSLuFHC3Ckh8hoQI7m2xaglx9Je8I06DZ0Y4SUA/s1600/lips1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HqS3G48yWVKHAe2WNze8zWwuRen37gDGLaS03N62329Clccl2xew_3TTgRZfI6fVWygSuLgHgdkvSNcTkoxqXM2KmPmU0Lcs8WzcDSLuFHC3Ckh8hoQI7m2xaglx9Je8I06DZ0Y4SUA/s400/lips1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I started with cherry but didn't like that all I could smell was vasoline so I added a grape packet also. That was a bit stronger. Once it's dissolved and before it cools back to a solid, fill your lip balm jars. Don't fill all the way to the top. If you do, when you put the lid on, it will squish out the sides. Messy Messy!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIRPbJN0uWStoseLyRdWTzhcamijd8A5OOpEOTW774-gokJh7Y1BWuIGhc6HjB0nKL28ne1AKVqiTpjvIkYhUWrsaD4lgxJolnP9ulhelYl53P8DIVYRxRUUrPzK6fVeko6PO8gH1jk8/s1600/lips2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIRPbJN0uWStoseLyRdWTzhcamijd8A5OOpEOTW774-gokJh7Y1BWuIGhc6HjB0nKL28ne1AKVqiTpjvIkYhUWrsaD4lgxJolnP9ulhelYl53P8DIVYRxRUUrPzK6fVeko6PO8gH1jk8/s400/lips2.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgpotNTk3_Tr9UOmZgryCH9tl4V0E4Ulvgu9Qvbqvohq9xMH3FcwEsCJroLrQaVwk_bLL6riHH4CTDkeq7YaJ6GMUjxaSopbqiu2pPsZh7brzlQSCaoINQ2qVt0rXDEMQ4Wl4PF68pgc/s1600/lips3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgpotNTk3_Tr9UOmZgryCH9tl4V0E4Ulvgu9Qvbqvohq9xMH3FcwEsCJroLrQaVwk_bLL6riHH4CTDkeq7YaJ6GMUjxaSopbqiu2pPsZh7brzlQSCaoINQ2qVt0rXDEMQ4Wl4PF68pgc/s400/lips3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/22682_4942489283814_713749633_n.jpg" width="310" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There you have it. It requires several minutes to get the vasoline to the correct consistency and time to cool in their containers and that's about it. Hosting any get togethers between now and Christmas? This is a great "Thank you for coming" gift or even better, makes a great stocking stuffer! I know I've started my "To Make" Christmas list, have you??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-42352987430291713062012-11-06T12:01:00.001-08:002012-11-06T12:01:26.307-08:00Mustache Bash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
I am back from the land of party planning and let me tell you, it is a very scary place. I loved planning a baby shower for my sister, but man, everything else seemed to fall by the wayside for the last week or two. But, things are back to normal now and life resumes as usual. Yay!! <br />
<br />
I was very thankful that my cousin, April, and my sister's best friend, Casey, were so willing to help. Together, we put on a fabulous Mustache Bash!! (Photos courtesy of April)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/548470_4942488843803_159306846_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/548470_4942488843803_159306846_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hot chocolate bar by Casey</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="280" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/46241_4942489003807_1304103787_n.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mustache cups and straws</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="321" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/36331_4942489203812_920754450_n.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome sign</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/22682_4942489283814_713749633_n.jpg" width="310" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Homemade Lip Balm (tutorial coming soon!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/302705_4942489603822_19776569_n.jpg" width="384" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Attached to chocolate mustaches as a favor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="640" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/154224_4942490123835_1165101394_n.jpg" width="428" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sign & prize bags (yes those are my cuties on the mantel)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="150" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/311222_4942490883854_428217891_n.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Caleb sign</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="640" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/222573_4942492123885_1417208464_n.jpg" width="485" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My beautiful sister!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="277" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/425901_4942493123910_1331403769_n.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Working hard on Mad Libs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/390155_4942495403967_1127393252_n.jpg" width="334" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Laughing at the Mad Libs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img height="400" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/304489_4942497804027_1814134795_n.jpg" width="247" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The awesome diaper bag she received (made by yours truly)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I wanted this to be a different kind of shower. We had an awesome dessert spread instead of lunch type food. We had 6 prizes, four of which I made (necklace, clutch, two heating pads), an adorable mustache mug ("staching through the snow!)and a bottle of wine. It all came together so well. I was glad it was a success. This baby is super loved already and won't want for anything. January is almost here :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Can't wait to show you all the things I made her over the next several posts!!)</div>
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-36387398934340405732012-10-30T07:19:00.001-07:002012-10-30T07:19:19.858-07:00Funerals Suck!<div>
They do. There's no way around it. And it's purely selfish too. I'm so sad. I won't get to see you or talk to you again. I want you here with me. Of course you're glad they aren't suffering anymore and with our savior in heaven, but it still hurts. <br />
<br />
At least funerals bring families together. We got to be together as a family and haven't been that way since Nana's 90th surprise party 7 years ago. We got to hear stories about Nana, learning things about her as a person and not just a grandparent. There is so much family history and it just hasn't been shared. It was wonderful spending times with cousins. It was therapeutic for Nana's three children to be together sharing their memories. <br />
<br />
The hardest part for me, on top of dealing with adult grief, was trying to explain to my 3 year olds. They just don't understand, not fully. They don't know why Nana can't be in heaven and with us at the same time. With time, it will make more sense and will be easier for us to explain. Holding back tears while talking to them about it was nearly impossible. <br />
<br />
Nana, you were quite a woman. You were dearly loved by your family and will be missed dearly as well. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2jNbHeEy_V08PumidMt5oXj26NzSMTli_z9Wcr-FpVo14LO70IDLiMUGThn7wqYOEuiMq6q3YLYLteh17-oz7IxB2j2dLadYm2ThHadvaEy1DnoQY_GgmMldYo_VYXATy8bkdPPQza4/s1600/For-039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2jNbHeEy_V08PumidMt5oXj26NzSMTli_z9Wcr-FpVo14LO70IDLiMUGThn7wqYOEuiMq6q3YLYLteh17-oz7IxB2j2dLadYm2ThHadvaEy1DnoQY_GgmMldYo_VYXATy8bkdPPQza4/s640/For-039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZjrRT-dnNsgeVzBPb_zG2IGiNhqzQ1VZpBdvbyISTajL87cOh02cFrITjCZoc0fA9T9XRoqmhceTL7kGOiJ4LMc6o1sHjxH9fICiap-E1claS_J4K8hb41GMbtP3Pn75r8HYCnF0YZ8/s1600/HPIM4509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZjrRT-dnNsgeVzBPb_zG2IGiNhqzQ1VZpBdvbyISTajL87cOh02cFrITjCZoc0fA9T9XRoqmhceTL7kGOiJ4LMc6o1sHjxH9fICiap-E1claS_J4K8hb41GMbtP3Pn75r8HYCnF0YZ8/s640/HPIM4509.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1474535870521277253.post-91655420171705972562012-10-24T18:34:00.000-07:002012-10-24T18:34:09.149-07:00Goodbye, For NowEarly this morning, our Nana passed away. She had lived 97 years on this earth. Imagine all of the things one sees over 97 years. The good, the bad. The wonderful and horrendous. It is an amazing life, 97 years. What a very blessed lady she was. Up until last year when she had a stroke, she was in excellent health for her age. Even after her stroke, she fought to get back to speaking and being understood. She succeeded too. She was a very straightforward person. Sometimes, too straightforward, but she was Nana. She always lit up when she saw her grandkids/great grandkids. <br />
<br />
I dread telling my boys. I know what I'm going to say and I truly believe what I'm going to say with all of my heart, but it doesn't make it any easier. They are in the "why?" stage full on right now and I don't believe that our conversation will end with me just telling them. I don't know that I will be able to hold it together trying to explain all the whys. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIiF-Ur40JMZGoqQz5VKN0lFsLe_htOp50_r-YAXHCtPkkUHSjvFLIm20VP9tmkQqM2-lCr57kkOAQ1_Krzen_Cim9rHJ1YG2E2EZBBpO6XCB1xZcUJRsKzpn3xQ-cnAZFvAg0gLhyphenhyphenK4/s1600/IMAG1621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIiF-Ur40JMZGoqQz5VKN0lFsLe_htOp50_r-YAXHCtPkkUHSjvFLIm20VP9tmkQqM2-lCr57kkOAQ1_Krzen_Cim9rHJ1YG2E2EZBBpO6XCB1xZcUJRsKzpn3xQ-cnAZFvAg0gLhyphenhyphenK4/s400/IMAG1621.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Goodbye for now Nana! </div>
<br />
<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w397/livinglovingcrafting/signature.jpg" />Jeannie @ Living Loving Craftinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749950323408993936noreply@blogger.com1