tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41110829956319644932024-03-12T19:18:38.418-05:00Cranberry Cottage...chatting about my lifeCathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-66258244878858656722011-09-17T20:34:00.002-05:002011-09-17T20:48:23.989-05:00The Rest of the Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has taken me long enough, but here is the completed project that I gave you a peek at in my last post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has a padded exterior pocket for my phone...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UCK8XIz7sjmiHkECn66IKvJSpT2sizWglUY7aqQ9S8bww1DgDEofgWvKzs_wivfnoPFihuaar-RRqsGVnVG1_47qdVIMjKuIuc79JTLUHDU-06mANMc7ZtaWX_OYVboE__bOKPDYQwsl/s1600/IMG_1268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UCK8XIz7sjmiHkECn66IKvJSpT2sizWglUY7aqQ9S8bww1DgDEofgWvKzs_wivfnoPFihuaar-RRqsGVnVG1_47qdVIMjKuIuc79JTLUHDU-06mANMc7ZtaWX_OYVboE__bOKPDYQwsl/s320/IMG_1268.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A padded interior pocket for my nook...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8eUTIv5mqL9GmtaQVfkY_t1RadyfC-Et74dXLtw4w507bUmbbKRKoBw6-9A5kPwokzxgwfGZo1wTW5w-7dWIOfaNaYz5HgrCcQRU7mVktCbldcbdbIOQvN_fqq5x6KLCEeSoRq5Y_Czt/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE8eUTIv5mqL9GmtaQVfkY_t1RadyfC-Et74dXLtw4w507bUmbbKRKoBw6-9A5kPwokzxgwfGZo1wTW5w-7dWIOfaNaYz5HgrCcQRU7mVktCbldcbdbIOQvN_fqq5x6KLCEeSoRq5Y_Czt/s320/IMG_1270.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A cute little flower embellishment...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9nY-tXNIQGapSWvT2HpCxyPD1Eb7T8zc4B10soKsSX2fjTEf1Nw_M2YoVKQU6qM2tbex6EOLifm6Y1hW4LlavFgEGz8jbv0rVCjCwHJBAZaX4_Mdc2ERtVii2CZhYxjuaNLbvso13fup/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9nY-tXNIQGapSWvT2HpCxyPD1Eb7T8zc4B10soKsSX2fjTEf1Nw_M2YoVKQU6qM2tbex6EOLifm6Y1hW4LlavFgEGz8jbv0rVCjCwHJBAZaX4_Mdc2ERtVii2CZhYxjuaNLbvso13fup/s320/IMG_1275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">AND here it is...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmgIbAz_sGpOK0BORcHiE4KooNIWBdq8lezN7eyVeTrDS2F90qPpkhPoEk-BtVkEEcn2nhCQoR2gVa3MhWihMt2qENznNcGMn0o0Fu5wl8ZJIrbMJw-6NNrORFA-0EHmpKIJFOpp8jn-c/s1600/IMG_1272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmgIbAz_sGpOK0BORcHiE4KooNIWBdq8lezN7eyVeTrDS2F90qPpkhPoEk-BtVkEEcn2nhCQoR2gVa3MhWihMt2qENznNcGMn0o0Fu5wl8ZJIrbMJw-6NNrORFA-0EHmpKIJFOpp8jn-c/s320/IMG_1272.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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I love how it turned out (if I do say so myself). Especially since I saw a similar one selling online for<br />
$78!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The reason that I need a new bag was because my sister and I took a bus trip. We rode for about four hours and then we hopped onto this ferry!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeIBQ5vyGv8iSqzc4aYklW8gQugR8lQpk7Y9AJo4vrjj_ToMYFDURPx8PqrxKi3Gr2jAb0_GwGaJEl95hlaPDvV88FX8yxXJYp-d12qGwWOIitZPf9srdsOWTVCsh49x34G8iNiZU5XC-/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMeIBQ5vyGv8iSqzc4aYklW8gQugR8lQpk7Y9AJo4vrjj_ToMYFDURPx8PqrxKi3Gr2jAb0_GwGaJEl95hlaPDvV88FX8yxXJYp-d12qGwWOIitZPf9srdsOWTVCsh49x34G8iNiZU5XC-/s320/IMG_1139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes!!! We were heading to one of my FAVORITE places!!! Mackinac Island!!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(So bear with me because I have tons of pictures).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The purpose of our trip was to WALK THE BRIDGE!!!! I have wanted to do this for quite awhile and there is an annual walk every Labor Day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIfd74f43SDADCwvVZQRUmE9iTLrc2WGxXSOQQ-JI31SPzJLzHGCY6hhywfgQYq3-kmsIEESwv8K2JSeY4shSwIjnXyE6xxs18TK5l6mQPWZXyfqznLhL21kKI3bLZC4JaFbilC0u7Khj/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbIfd74f43SDADCwvVZQRUmE9iTLrc2WGxXSOQQ-JI31SPzJLzHGCY6hhywfgQYq3-kmsIEESwv8K2JSeY4shSwIjnXyE6xxs18TK5l6mQPWZXyfqznLhL21kKI3bLZC4JaFbilC0u7Khj/s320/IMG_1153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We had an afternoon and an evening on the island. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a gorgeous day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6M5-V8Z9BwUsXGUwFJKPf76OrSpUuiHE4PK-c3LiB0TdVgRXYEmzXt3ujy6qg2koWbA5-Hc5dBmQ3Upf0oWxYH-Nna1ocKkGWmFUCcq7ObbqjOHHTP_NnOgBsgH4lKbQ5eM4PX1e1U1b/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6M5-V8Z9BwUsXGUwFJKPf76OrSpUuiHE4PK-c3LiB0TdVgRXYEmzXt3ujy6qg2koWbA5-Hc5dBmQ3Upf0oWxYH-Nna1ocKkGWmFUCcq7ObbqjOHHTP_NnOgBsgH4lKbQ5eM4PX1e1U1b/s320/IMG_1159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We stayed in a really nice hotel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIIVbeFlyt1n68J2hQbaB_drEKl1um_se0Yl-IKjJGk_liEoAc_LLf6Oun-u03Z92bj12Eh-YmJ1uIJBHiXz9Br0w2clI37l6PvvRal7Wzi9wj_JcG20qKpirFlJviPkC7YKkXJ01JnNu/s1600/IMG_1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIIVbeFlyt1n68J2hQbaB_drEKl1um_se0Yl-IKjJGk_liEoAc_LLf6Oun-u03Z92bj12Eh-YmJ1uIJBHiXz9Br0w2clI37l6PvvRal7Wzi9wj_JcG20qKpirFlJviPkC7YKkXJ01JnNu/s320/IMG_1161.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The hallways made me feel like I was on the Titanic!! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLgjtC8VjS8thc7ePMUB6Z7BbcD6UzzTnzxISBc2dsD5XUGzFOzq4tZ3N2AYyg7XphQLeSLhQlBoF2kof6TxKYnIXgifEFBvEoxf0j63FhBdmhdP5fMV2Go09ojpKUL4Is3FPAzqzC74I/s1600/IMG_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLgjtC8VjS8thc7ePMUB6Z7BbcD6UzzTnzxISBc2dsD5XUGzFOzq4tZ3N2AYyg7XphQLeSLhQlBoF2kof6TxKYnIXgifEFBvEoxf0j63FhBdmhdP5fMV2Go09ojpKUL4Is3FPAzqzC74I/s320/IMG_1171.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGfMrbIeGhyphenhyphenRsI3sEJyASQTmaRK5dGc0uFwJHqR7oRmXs9VLRMdWOYax5l_e0WZfLGpdbJ4eZPlytK3qYiOSlcHleqoWg-vcP4tyv_lHNo6XU5vz0EZK1xMtiU9hv4-ZI0O2HYCjB6cj1/s1600/IMG_1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGfMrbIeGhyphenhyphenRsI3sEJyASQTmaRK5dGc0uFwJHqR7oRmXs9VLRMdWOYax5l_e0WZfLGpdbJ4eZPlytK3qYiOSlcHleqoWg-vcP4tyv_lHNo6XU5vz0EZK1xMtiU9hv4-ZI0O2HYCjB6cj1/s320/IMG_1167.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Since it was the final big weekend of the summer, the island was pretty crowded.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I actually bumped into a bike and saw the whole domino effect thing happen before my eyes!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">We walked for quite awhile after supper, taking in the sights.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOGkFjozFEemL9LKSDrG3uwc-CNGVfR91AP9X8zI2BHDEyyzkdHNPrgjZjqS2IvAjmdpvM5olOVWMwvaqdB7FcdPHOULV-2ZHUv4181ym1zn3Vi8uOMT6hZ01YyQXNib4IY9mw2QLZty8/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOGkFjozFEemL9LKSDrG3uwc-CNGVfR91AP9X8zI2BHDEyyzkdHNPrgjZjqS2IvAjmdpvM5olOVWMwvaqdB7FcdPHOULV-2ZHUv4181ym1zn3Vi8uOMT6hZ01YyQXNib4IY9mw2QLZty8/s320/IMG_1176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkz2wumHRQqKGj76cFSP8p2aPuTGweZIp8MIW38eVpMnhftrBT-lR88FINNX72wegckSXpPuDd3UKSgQIxzFnY8vZbGl0D-gGItFLl07SgtswJ8cmTZ8s10TwJvSVHNWSVDv7cgPoDIoT5/s1600/IMG_1186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkz2wumHRQqKGj76cFSP8p2aPuTGweZIp8MIW38eVpMnhftrBT-lR88FINNX72wegckSXpPuDd3UKSgQIxzFnY8vZbGl0D-gGItFLl07SgtswJ8cmTZ8s10TwJvSVHNWSVDv7cgPoDIoT5/s320/IMG_1186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2Z_-146Xv5u0Xzn22cG9wmpvy9Gzfbta4tIRN3F5uGfiqgpIYIiJsG8h5MYqjQtEH_VxcmOLW3EU1aFifez77ro7szjaCOWj8AcQVXKExROzy_1IMs069X-BhJg3BxYvhsJkG55pMEY7/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2Z_-146Xv5u0Xzn22cG9wmpvy9Gzfbta4tIRN3F5uGfiqgpIYIiJsG8h5MYqjQtEH_VxcmOLW3EU1aFifez77ro7szjaCOWj8AcQVXKExROzy_1IMs069X-BhJg3BxYvhsJkG55pMEY7/s320/IMG_1199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The next morning we caught the 7 a.m. ferry back to the mainland and started our walk!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was pretty cold, but was actually comfortable for walking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06l0j1qczq8igJO5fBzhtYVztVUJbLNuD4ZKfHhV2UMY1MvWlXhwcV6FtpixqYIlB4wBhvut1kO_525HNbb21U_2uUgaXHDLAGWBDbwY9xXiKT98wq50FzYC83eybdnEqoxDDeC61KLOy/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06l0j1qczq8igJO5fBzhtYVztVUJbLNuD4ZKfHhV2UMY1MvWlXhwcV6FtpixqYIlB4wBhvut1kO_525HNbb21U_2uUgaXHDLAGWBDbwY9xXiKT98wq50FzYC83eybdnEqoxDDeC61KLOy/s320/IMG_1208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Hm9IMjZHcELfGem1FOgMtfFcoG38a6UupEhsNSmgvxn2z408U_5i-Tg8m2SqX1mWR5xXh99mnCCybsyhiVABtb57c9RCX2jZJ7NRmy5wLILXoi1fTyjv7SEYB19L58nCk2F5hx6qnWZK/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Hm9IMjZHcELfGem1FOgMtfFcoG38a6UupEhsNSmgvxn2z408U_5i-Tg8m2SqX1mWR5xXh99mnCCybsyhiVABtb57c9RCX2jZJ7NRmy5wLILXoi1fTyjv7SEYB19L58nCk2F5hx6qnWZK/s320/IMG_1213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><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/AVvXsEjqSuC80MgNcBhWbXyQbUQUpS_8AdGS3I5jkomTtM-TnDsvkrnqDYgmLnhjRC43CtD-HykWLDkODBA9mAgTbEOrvg5dysEv-BM4O1eSaGQaTXkxZkWmoG_RNewws89vs-SkJPu5JxWALP3K/s1600/IMG_1226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSuC80MgNcBhWbXyQbUQUpS_8AdGS3I5jkomTtM-TnDsvkrnqDYgmLnhjRC43CtD-HykWLDkODBA9mAgTbEOrvg5dysEv-BM4O1eSaGQaTXkxZkWmoG_RNewws89vs-SkJPu5JxWALP3K/s320/IMG_1226.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here I am walking over those crazy grate I can't stand driving over!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEH5bqdE1JpoXR2n_fOHyUE3TwJm5bnCKbXSWMSprlXk7Kehf8nM6C41XzdKEj6McvgQ3GToPWH_1gqFe4r-dbU52LVkd-hDfQEAiMhwkzcQWZVZOoltNclG76SYEHtx0JaEnUWB1N6fK/s1600/IMG_1220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEH5bqdE1JpoXR2n_fOHyUE3TwJm5bnCKbXSWMSprlXk7Kehf8nM6C41XzdKEj6McvgQ3GToPWH_1gqFe4r-dbU52LVkd-hDfQEAiMhwkzcQWZVZOoltNclG76SYEHtx0JaEnUWB1N6fK/s320/IMG_1220.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7_G5EOXJxKmoM2z6QC8BioNA-kjuXBn0Q_0NIj53XmNAaQWePWYkmyJrfh12NyXNfM8hricE21Ail90epMD1gIYpt4JODD18CExTe1ot0yVfyy1bA50Xyq40Mk7MvhO7_EVjRlQHuHMX/s1600/IMG_1223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7_G5EOXJxKmoM2z6QC8BioNA-kjuXBn0Q_0NIj53XmNAaQWePWYkmyJrfh12NyXNfM8hricE21Ail90epMD1gIYpt4JODD18CExTe1ot0yVfyy1bA50Xyq40Mk7MvhO7_EVjRlQHuHMX/s320/IMG_1223.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was surprised at how fast the walk went. It only took about an hour and a half.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn55_-HcFHacIJRrd_PPyL0p_NOKs2PBsVn8CFSDu3sSpRqazeRDjtWwFEydGPZawyybGLQcuc_PSAh8bthqWVCU6NNKPsZSvbmRJOaV-TkA0lJ6DXKSD92tTDiuSHdCLvrborligeoVLH/s1600/IMG_1238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn55_-HcFHacIJRrd_PPyL0p_NOKs2PBsVn8CFSDu3sSpRqazeRDjtWwFEydGPZawyybGLQcuc_PSAh8bthqWVCU6NNKPsZSvbmRJOaV-TkA0lJ6DXKSD92tTDiuSHdCLvrborligeoVLH/s320/IMG_1238.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUw_IkiHSnxLPNVUWhR-Cd_04V5n8EnegQ4SNl3bJXQJUfW3JmeJLiL0GqqU63F9yiUq5-QvBYCVkfC3zCnUN5qIVNF0qYYFQ4BymyTD5c-cvLrvOrHfrApkQ7wjkjdbnnoLFFDoIs0FH/s1600/IMG_1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUw_IkiHSnxLPNVUWhR-Cd_04V5n8EnegQ4SNl3bJXQJUfW3JmeJLiL0GqqU63F9yiUq5-QvBYCVkfC3zCnUN5qIVNF0qYYFQ4BymyTD5c-cvLrvOrHfrApkQ7wjkjdbnnoLFFDoIs0FH/s320/IMG_1251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPq2SPrLw2gpMlt_GvawU5Im957QUgVxCHzLJNra7bHvOm-NTjKEOqDIyxip9LG9ckdAEoT8GWZtffgGvz7TIRwkMX6epCjN-as4Uxk0gRh_QA3cQ7SfXUupPrwii-AXJRAeHSIifhGzf/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPq2SPrLw2gpMlt_GvawU5Im957QUgVxCHzLJNra7bHvOm-NTjKEOqDIyxip9LG9ckdAEoT8GWZtffgGvz7TIRwkMX6epCjN-as4Uxk0gRh_QA3cQ7SfXUupPrwii-AXJRAeHSIifhGzf/s320/IMG_1262.JPG" width="288" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">See my bag??!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> It was perfect for the trip across the bridge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I didn't want a fanny pack...didn't want a back pack...and didn't want </div><div style="text-align: center;">something falling off of my shoulder.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm looking forward to walking again next year!!!</div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-11336678947687491862011-09-01T21:52:00.002-05:002011-09-01T21:55:00.640-05:00Sneak Peek<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm looking forward to a SUPER weekend! I'll be doing something I've wanted to do for a long time. I even made something especially for this special event! Here's a peek.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dpXmx1ZeAcw/TmBE6QsGqsI/AAAAAAAABow/lx65kj6HKS8/2011-08-22%25252012.22.14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dpXmx1ZeAcw/TmBE6QsGqsI/AAAAAAAABow/lx65kj6HKS8/s800/2011-08-22%25252012.22.14.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="clear: both; font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;">Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4</div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-50911764544323816482011-08-12T17:15:00.001-05:002011-08-12T17:15:49.561-05:00What's for Dinner?<p><a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qlc90Z2j8X8/TkWmE0dTQbI/AAAAAAAABoE/fqevw-6vchw/2011-08-12%25252016.59.25.jpg'><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qlc90Z2j8X8/TkWmE0dTQbI/AAAAAAAABoE/fqevw-6vchw/s400/2011-08-12%25252016.59.25.jpg' /></a></p>My mother-in-law stopped by with a huge bag of veggies from her garden. This is a pretty common occurence each summer. Today, the yellow squash, patty-pan squash, onion, basil & bit of dill went in a pan with some chicken. It smells great! Also cooking up some fresh green beans...cucumbers in mayo sauce on the side! <br/> This is also my first attempt at a blog post from my phone. Hopefully this works! Please bear with me!!<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4</div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-1851204315407580822011-07-29T16:49:00.000-05:002011-07-29T16:49:44.552-05:00The Sweetest Thing<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6vbZqZdPWLds0jZuzaszrSjXS2ggAUGjbeGeGuYpa9Pb260a5x1_Wa0Ov_7rPG5XwNanAVigmXje3Ry6AuKpcSMNHLZ0hcaazJmTeYjJqTG_9urvWYjxb6cZYThRsetbXJJ_4Q5z9BPH/s1600/87802031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6vbZqZdPWLds0jZuzaszrSjXS2ggAUGjbeGeGuYpa9Pb260a5x1_Wa0Ov_7rPG5XwNanAVigmXje3Ry6AuKpcSMNHLZ0hcaazJmTeYjJqTG_9urvWYjxb6cZYThRsetbXJJ_4Q5z9BPH/s1600/87802031.jpg" t$="true" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I was pulled in right from the first sentence..."I met Dobbs on the day my world fell apart." <u>The Sweetest Thing</u> by Elizabeth Musser was sent to me by Bethany House Publishers for review. It is written by Elizabeth Musser. I have never read anything by this author and was happy to be introduced to her work! The book takes place in Georgia during the time of the Great Depression. (I love historical fiction!!) </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">The book switches back and forth between the view-points of the two main characters. Mary Dobbs Dillard arrives in Atlanta to stay with her affluent Aunt & Uncle. Her family is from Chicago and is very poor, as her father is an itinerant preacher. She forms a fast friendship with Anne Perri Singleton. Anne is used to a life of affluence, but immediately hardships hit her family and this stretches the friendship of the two. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">I found myself wrapped up in the lives of these characters & would welcome a sequel to this great book!! It was an enjoyable, easy read that I would recommend if you're looking for a book for what is left of your summer reading time.</span></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-6984811304361110562011-06-24T20:18:00.000-05:002011-06-24T20:18:20.224-05:00Wedding Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This past weekend was my daughter's wedding. It was, of course, of the DIY variety! Things started to spin out of control the morning of the wedding, but eventually everything came together. I will have lots to post in order to show you all of the wedding - but let me just start with the cake!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here it is, start to finish:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I started off with 4 square pans and made 2 layers of each - one chocolate and one white.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PM03I8insunP-hWGLxjxaIjrFAuRRvOdHn3f1i5wuX0gz8-3WhzK5n0Jkn0kmn8-2I3fEZED9QrrT0udETrJ_8UYGKbg-JJ7gRwzEFzVhmjwjwovN2T8jD2e1KE2R5OTpJ5NTvSlMoul/s320/IMG_0739.JPG" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Next came the buttercream. The buttercream on the sides and tops was basic vanilla, but in between the layers was either strawberry or caramel. Once the buttercream was on, the dowels were inserted for support.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipArhTews_H4gwcvAG1bKuLQGrdA2qVjbUR6zZ-1nikDBbGPRvO18xBHIefWAPQ7h11SsXwYlookepfe3QYm613_NppaVhAHixzbscfv2qx1QYFFDex_Pa7D_2eBVygD3cwmeD18zkYKkf/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipArhTews_H4gwcvAG1bKuLQGrdA2qVjbUR6zZ-1nikDBbGPRvO18xBHIefWAPQ7h11SsXwYlookepfe3QYm613_NppaVhAHixzbscfv2qx1QYFFDex_Pa7D_2eBVygD3cwmeD18zkYKkf/s320/IMG_0900.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Then came the fondant...lots and lots of fondant! It's really a lot easier than you would think!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5uovqs1420gi572GsQsWecy_S2CuYU3-iui3PW5OZSLWgIjuCubaFkS9sninkuSC6Xnsj5WdIDWI1EviMwVeFYl_vIYqYr_NEAlo67ECP6RYId656OILvFmXkKxztiTeRVPi1tDk7wQV/s1600/IMG_0903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5uovqs1420gi572GsQsWecy_S2CuYU3-iui3PW5OZSLWgIjuCubaFkS9sninkuSC6Xnsj5WdIDWI1EviMwVeFYl_vIYqYr_NEAlo67ECP6RYId656OILvFmXkKxztiTeRVPi1tDk7wQV/s320/IMG_0903.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Several dozen daisies made out of gum paste...I bought a powdered base, mixed it with water, rolled it out and cut it out with daisy-shaped cutters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieA5JXZZWcjlgHq76MRsbSpTcU-a19T1naS2PuaYR3-MfY6Gljg6MzjGClXOpWCcCY3IhEf7ln_AaGKrrGP0drt44gp2Ufm8FoEszBnY2P5V8Ee_pQ-ntOW_a4rGVBJJfF8VBvonR2tqDJ/s1600/IMG_0764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieA5JXZZWcjlgHq76MRsbSpTcU-a19T1naS2PuaYR3-MfY6Gljg6MzjGClXOpWCcCY3IhEf7ln_AaGKrrGP0drt44gp2Ufm8FoEszBnY2P5V8Ee_pQ-ntOW_a4rGVBJJfF8VBvonR2tqDJ/s320/IMG_0764.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After stacking, I added a little ribbon and "glued" on the daisies (with powdered sugar & water "glue").</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FgkTiSBofhv0kBzRBN9QPW8yKBdK7oNQ_9LZwgOXSz_rc6DJw0edFNTnEtDQSS2trmYes_4HX8Z6JIiyRKdRkgqcFZyLC7zwhYJj71Fg0ViGQzTaRBlpazfKVqM1jsjlvpMkTfuyF8Cq/s1600/IMG_0968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FgkTiSBofhv0kBzRBN9QPW8yKBdK7oNQ_9LZwgOXSz_rc6DJw0edFNTnEtDQSS2trmYes_4HX8Z6JIiyRKdRkgqcFZyLC7zwhYJj71Fg0ViGQzTaRBlpazfKVqM1jsjlvpMkTfuyF8Cq/s320/IMG_0968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZscO2O7xtk0mdf4ClBPup_OD9yJh5BZE0BhvuD8sasWfT3-PTkjCpsMS_Ysi63cSTQgGaGDenq5dk88OThoEBs0AAP06CmR9AuortfxLys-cVukf1N9Yi_yoIjQnlTOSEc8bc8c9q3jr/s1600/IMG_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZscO2O7xtk0mdf4ClBPup_OD9yJh5BZE0BhvuD8sasWfT3-PTkjCpsMS_Ysi63cSTQgGaGDenq5dk88OThoEBs0AAP06CmR9AuortfxLys-cVukf1N9Yi_yoIjQnlTOSEc8bc8c9q3jr/s320/IMG_0970.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9yLT-g2UskTlMPY2t5mXRTqAPK4od3B6aB4p_SRoUgLClqpGAIuW_aP-m9BOXCk7-D02_wiQIA6M8nmwewMA4oaaj-HIFMcIi14jC4dY56V-uw9UaHvLU7ZsX53M6Ugv18Um0H2GJlDT/s1600/268186_10150220783827418_504032417_7115523_6620102_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9yLT-g2UskTlMPY2t5mXRTqAPK4od3B6aB4p_SRoUgLClqpGAIuW_aP-m9BOXCk7-D02_wiQIA6M8nmwewMA4oaaj-HIFMcIi14jC4dY56V-uw9UaHvLU7ZsX53M6Ugv18Um0H2GJlDT/s320/268186_10150220783827418_504032417_7115523_6620102_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX80kBMUxC_IkvOiD2-4-LAEBGvuoln2jCZn68FCPF6O_VsVvTIf0GOeM9hu4fFTXSsOAkFRmVFte1tBgT-hk8L2w6JueRI4DNRLIHS6HMY1c85HaiDr0crY2jUD5fat9G7wcLQVT8ErPK/s1600/IMG_0971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX80kBMUxC_IkvOiD2-4-LAEBGvuoln2jCZn68FCPF6O_VsVvTIf0GOeM9hu4fFTXSsOAkFRmVFte1tBgT-hk8L2w6JueRI4DNRLIHS6HMY1c85HaiDr0crY2jUD5fat9G7wcLQVT8ErPK/s320/IMG_0971.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Head on over to <a href="http://www.whipperberry.com/2011/06/who-i-am-skinny-taste-friday-flair.html">Whipperberry</a> for more great DIY projects!!!</div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-18442559841520208042010-10-01T12:46:00.001-05:002010-10-01T12:50:30.639-05:00One of my favorite things is to...<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">...open my front door and look outside on a fall afternoon...</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkoZCFXInwqMlqnAK4HcWpMrNp7G2DsZQJChmweeSuxXPjGDaOM-FvYk0930ISMBr1JSfNbP8aS6lSlxdo4FZsskIU21agq23XPioHTunZsfVkocwFq9boBtGDdmHzY1zSnX8dYsX7j-7/s1600/IMG_2324.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523135986143796642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkoZCFXInwqMlqnAK4HcWpMrNp7G2DsZQJChmweeSuxXPjGDaOM-FvYk0930ISMBr1JSfNbP8aS6lSlxdo4FZsskIU21agq23XPioHTunZsfVkocwFq9boBtGDdmHzY1zSnX8dYsX7j-7/s400/IMG_2324.JPG" /></a></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-7878087031768526482010-09-28T17:41:00.005-05:002011-05-18T17:24:38.555-05:00What's On My Nightstand<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPSHZR0P6Kya52z-5j6VfNheYRjS8yES45ADUZdkCdb2DzKugSYfxPLPeIbdzoUnGco-WW6RNMrElCOYSt3PQ7tv2SUYeyJip3z_Fn162JtVckOGVN2AzcxNUVMTa9oDa_rylm3olIy8s/s1600/Nightstand.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522100855370571922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPSHZR0P6Kya52z-5j6VfNheYRjS8yES45ADUZdkCdb2DzKugSYfxPLPeIbdzoUnGco-WW6RNMrElCOYSt3PQ7tv2SUYeyJip3z_Fn162JtVckOGVN2AzcxNUVMTa9oDa_rylm3olIy8s/s200/Nightstand.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px;" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>I LOVE to see what other people are reading!!</em></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><em>I LOVE to read!!</em></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><em>It's been awhile since I've linked to <a href="http://www.5minutesforbooks.com/9953/whats-on-your-nightstand-september-28/">5 Minutes for Books</a>, but I always enjoy checking out their site.</em></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><em>Right now, I'm working through this stack of books:</em></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522100645392406418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknos37wmVSnavXXQb9zVxjo4qonrlY1xhbYFMRiwO4PeeYvHsynP_UNjjNfQu4bleRrQWZrfa2bnKqlxF5ZGg64iElCBWAe9incOM7f4B9scBJZ_oqVMe1FRPA5jtuptw6U31_WV1CbHf/s400/IMG_2297.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 311px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /> <em>The top book is a book that I just brought home from the library today - <strong>Motherland</strong> by Fern Schumer Chapman. It is the story of a mother who is a Holocaust survivor. After a lifetime of hiding her secrets, she takes her daughter with her back to Germany to face her past. I'm anxious to read it.</em><br />
<em><strong>Rooftops of Tehran - </strong>by Mahbod Serji. I have read a lot about this book and I enjoyed The Kite Runner so I thought I'd check this one out as well. I'm finding that I don't always enjoy vocabulary choices even though story lines may be well written. (Enough said about that, for now.)</em><br />
<em><strong>A New Kind of Normal</strong> - by Carol Kent. I am nearly finished with this book. I also just finished her book: When I Lay My Isaac Down. Both books are about a major change in the life of her family. I would highly recommend these books, so I don't want to give too much away. Let me just say that her life changed to a "new normal" overnight. She came to a crossroads of trusting God or walking away. She found hope when she felt like giving up.</em><br />
<em><strong>While We're Far Apart</strong> - by Lynn Austin. This is another book that I brought home from the library today. I always enjoy reading Lynn Austin. This is a new one from her; I haven't heard much about it but I'm looking forward to reading it!</em><br />
<div align="left"><em>Finally, <strong>Authentic Faith</strong> - by Gary Thomas is on my stack to read this month. Gary Thomas is by far my favorite author (non-fiction). He has such a great ability to take lots of material and condense it into one thought provoking line. I have read and re-read all of his books. I'd encourage you to <a href="http://www.garythomas.com/">check him out</a>. The sub title for this book is: The Power of a Fire-Tested Life. Then, the question "What if life isn't meant to be perfect but we are meant to trust the One who is?" is written across the bottom. I chose this book for a new book discussion group that I am forming with some friends. So far there are 4 or 5 of us who will be reading and discussing this book. The plan is to read a book every month or two and get together for some disccussion.</em></div><div align="center"><em>So, that's enough to keep me busy for awhile!!</em></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-21944464523837804362010-09-19T15:46:00.008-05:002010-09-20T08:17:50.131-05:00Connecticut Trip<div align="center"><em>On June 8<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>, my husband and I celebrated our 25<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> wedding anniversary. </em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><em>I'm not sure where the time went, it sure doesn't seem like that long.</em><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><em>It's been a great 25 years...looking forward to 25 more!!</em></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><em>The last week of August we took a trip to CT to celebrate!!</em></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></div><div align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">We took in some great scenery, viewed several historic sites and enjoyed some relaxation.</span></em></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518738215799287106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOfQHpSnb8_7wpMI1MmdzKTUB0Rn_obS266Tmxp5E4RoeoZgUCrVvNak8v3ENp0zTMvr1Rein5APv7JCOqW7lc_160FnFpgdrG1qc15UAPuWpeUWJRpkmPoE0CDqGaMu50IZlga10PRAU/s320/August+23-30,+2010+138.JPG" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Mystic Pizza!</em></span><br /></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518735996627140098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_zOz6dtRk9VrKRBZLoDx1D2NrdayRy2-EcCV0dtJbolvwXJx3gus05_DwUYopPIBJTXwFwSpKNjOxjw9OW5yTgZeQlW4ORmATXD7MAPbpV0YS35deGROxgytsD-StdNnigrpRvrHKdfo/s320/August+23-30,+2010+b+023.JPG" /><em>Mystic Seaport Museum</em></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1qIsLuMovJRQxqD4fn6Fkrj8Pb7_E2r_ya5SSStwIzf4V30_AeRSMLd1OjAt8ShOWiCSgdmB8ENl2J6LrgsPGMktlSvmBfMhs5H1dzGLPad8dRatyacXRJkbBeR8QBpo2wBQ1GpUWuEW/s1600/August+23-30,+2010+b+106.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518734679391896354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1qIsLuMovJRQxqD4fn6Fkrj8Pb7_E2r_ya5SSStwIzf4V30_AeRSMLd1OjAt8ShOWiCSgdmB8ENl2J6LrgsPGMktlSvmBfMhs5H1dzGLPad8dRatyacXRJkbBeR8QBpo2wBQ1GpUWuEW/s320/August+23-30,+2010+b+106.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicseQeK6QGIanXVS3_V6p-0_hRWEUeCYCFuT-wcURuJ_hAB-44nXRQc30RN9mLT0cnwiPLc0ivAjEiPECvsMoDrWq1tQ6L-vjHgEAmuVYKNKDtUo_VWpojLUt58JscN0KqAOiIO78-edwH/s1600/August+23-30,+2010+b+087.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518734672142226850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicseQeK6QGIanXVS3_V6p-0_hRWEUeCYCFuT-wcURuJ_hAB-44nXRQc30RN9mLT0cnwiPLc0ivAjEiPECvsMoDrWq1tQ6L-vjHgEAmuVYKNKDtUo_VWpojLUt58JscN0KqAOiIO78-edwH/s320/August+23-30,+2010+b+087.JPG" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Looking out onto Long Island Sound.</span></em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi6tHJpsu-sEXKc4VlNKcJYItSJ5VtcOCCZO1Bf3D5r2u-Vya93Z0oXtYKCxAPCA2KBwBm9xSyhij7UhX00ZFRjkPClDEKVl562MS1mWTrATKB7jVhYnScFdjP3EXDhiIx02enfajEuYB/s1600/August+23-30,+2010+023.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518734661370760946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi6tHJpsu-sEXKc4VlNKcJYItSJ5VtcOCCZO1Bf3D5r2u-Vya93Z0oXtYKCxAPCA2KBwBm9xSyhij7UhX00ZFRjkPClDEKVl562MS1mWTrATKB7jVhYnScFdjP3EXDhiIx02enfajEuYB/s320/August+23-30,+2010+023.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbNESBt0XNwB1ON0s_StD3PXikD7Yb5Dq1lCi3IM1dlPkyHFI932eADzPhAb0DY14NNsz4QO8OY5qsiiRtr21fTCMrr8UxhdTJeeZdyFLuuwE9i2kmzNFpBH1Fn9UqqTLqwjqWQQpwi_9/s1600/August+23-30,+2010+024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518734654182538066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbNESBt0XNwB1ON0s_StD3PXikD7Yb5Dq1lCi3IM1dlPkyHFI932eADzPhAb0DY14NNsz4QO8OY5qsiiRtr21fTCMrr8UxhdTJeeZdyFLuuwE9i2kmzNFpBH1Fn9UqqTLqwjqWQQpwi_9/s320/August+23-30,+2010+024.JPG" /></a><em><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The USS Nautilus </span></em></div><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;">(My husband's favorite part of the trip!)</span></em><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRIfugRCLPyU8CbFEkGJBmDMCVvkHRhvMYrn2-cUXp7oqOBf6f4VjYwbs5113_WS27wewoNlS3btzUHYQpXuW6BdlHNXSvhjXzZfa0LDNB71gOrs06XA9IkzAQgpj9I7sYGml02WBK0Lx/s1600/August+23-30,+2010+113+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518733220546662370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRIfugRCLPyU8CbFEkGJBmDMCVvkHRhvMYrn2-cUXp7oqOBf6f4VjYwbs5113_WS27wewoNlS3btzUHYQpXuW6BdlHNXSvhjXzZfa0LDNB71gOrs06XA9IkzAQgpj9I7sYGml02WBK0Lx/s400/August+23-30,+2010+113+-+Copy.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> <em>We spent quite a bit of time at the Mystic <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Noank</span> Library (taking advantage of their free wireless!!) It was a great old library with lots of character.</em></span> </div><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;">(I work at a library, so just humor me here.)</span></em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwx3rJYAnMNwEG38ElIh9772uTZoaCWAFWdhyphenhyphensAouK-2Ek8EtCc_fgrJukF0Z4UH5PKBneuYPx_s_Svn_G-kt5yTUHkrX5sEZNOg_Dm2YEnmVQYG-Q5cpAwgmB0UzpIZMD8dxkmRHRvEc/s1600/August+23-30,+2010+118.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518733198374711634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwx3rJYAnMNwEG38ElIh9772uTZoaCWAFWdhyphenhyphensAouK-2Ek8EtCc_fgrJukF0Z4UH5PKBneuYPx_s_Svn_G-kt5yTUHkrX5sEZNOg_Dm2YEnmVQYG-Q5cpAwgmB0UzpIZMD8dxkmRHRvEc/s400/August+23-30,+2010+118.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXg-i2SPSBcdCIveMOhu6G13XOzQo3BrJSnBFrLvgWJIRyfCNM2Z63BAoreR-S0qzu4TkL7mRBtE5FYrMGhOjYbKHfnLNGfBCJMUp6UTxUN64dVBseyY-k3YnxbuRbi80DABNTdIv44Pk/s1600/August+23-30,+2010+124.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518733194207643458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXg-i2SPSBcdCIveMOhu6G13XOzQo3BrJSnBFrLvgWJIRyfCNM2Z63BAoreR-S0qzu4TkL7mRBtE5FYrMGhOjYbKHfnLNGfBCJMUp6UTxUN64dVBseyY-k3YnxbuRbi80DABNTdIv44Pk/s400/August+23-30,+2010+124.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>The pictures of the library are not the greatest...did you ever walk through a library and try to take pictures inconspicuously?</em></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3My248Ao4CETHONjppt19PpyhdLrczC6Z-ieknNs_aE_7ikjH90RHvEDhFWhL2r9iIPKBHiXWIcFBVODBWntamL5RsVItRaymHjxnLvYRQV6N5oX4swpGxgYhztxVoykG5HMKmF93u077/s1600/August+23-30,+2010+125.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518733184266124802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3My248Ao4CETHONjppt19PpyhdLrczC6Z-ieknNs_aE_7ikjH90RHvEDhFWhL2r9iIPKBHiXWIcFBVODBWntamL5RsVItRaymHjxnLvYRQV6N5oX4swpGxgYhztxVoykG5HMKmF93u077/s400/August+23-30,+2010+125.JPG" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:130%;">Abbott's Lobster in the Rough - enjoying the clams and mussels...</span></em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOa-jR28N7qRcKbFJTZ21wefXOdm3FB5DD0ib7KbvHnrO5lwDx_2p09goft7-ZTLUuCok2Atca2wNSA-19yCEfYRViiI17a0GtPEabjb6uCotL1GhoPEfbMIs1QxqkAOfp-jvkEmKWwkN/s1600/August+23-30,+2010+146.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518733180952618674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOa-jR28N7qRcKbFJTZ21wefXOdm3FB5DD0ib7KbvHnrO5lwDx_2p09goft7-ZTLUuCok2Atca2wNSA-19yCEfYRViiI17a0GtPEabjb6uCotL1GhoPEfbMIs1QxqkAOfp-jvkEmKWwkN/s400/August+23-30,+2010+146.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><em> but the lobster was much better!!</em></span><br /><br /><div><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimo1WmsXk07bUrQ3JaualNL-ilTfUF2ICm8SqR3kbIWYA9l-QnfXomAq9XQ0PydLeX5StKno541xiilASI8r0aSd7hmhoGVpQfZqr6f63IzjO8JidwdxkL1XFjWzUHroaCLck9xqzhGc8H/s1600/August+23-30,+2010+156.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518731977747125378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimo1WmsXk07bUrQ3JaualNL-ilTfUF2ICm8SqR3kbIWYA9l-QnfXomAq9XQ0PydLeX5StKno541xiilASI8r0aSd7hmhoGVpQfZqr6f63IzjO8JidwdxkL1XFjWzUHroaCLck9xqzhGc8H/s400/August+23-30,+2010+156.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Lots of fun, lots of great memories!</span></em></p>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-26991204059011879442010-09-13T18:32:00.021-05:002010-09-14T07:24:47.913-05:00Basement Renovation<div align="center">Today I’m linking up to<a href="http://todayscreativeblog.net/get-your-craft-on-tuesday-23/"> Today’s Creative Blog – Get Your Craft On</a>. There are so many crafty ideas there. I never have time to make it through all the links, but it's a great place for inspiration!!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I’ll take care of the “crafty” part right away in this post. The rest is a reveal! We’ve been working on our basement all summer. I call it a “faux” finish, because it’s not a total finish…(not doing the ceilings and a few other things, yet). It started with these materials for curtains (LOTS of curtains):<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516562230183436082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPqQo8B-9LvZJ_QR9_-6eOeryNJk3QkKPt-2fSnVCMo_FTPBK97oKFMtqkS_yHiH_3A4tmnfEejag6WXXZhvYXKJBO70OhU5hQmMxjH5dnzx32qszKaCIQzwg3Zl9qeMdRiY38ZUDRhCB/s400/Summer+2010+034.JPG" />The leftover material became a pillow for the crib (for when grandson visits!). I copied a picture onto transfer paper and ironed it onto the white. I’ve wanted to make something with a picture on it and was pleased with how easy it was to work with the transfer paper! I purchased mine at Wal-Mart. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516561290624896850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfu5itALSq5Xnbzs5Q9V9awuvOkprr1F516pEhqxHi-wClPZ92Kz2j9sL3p4qMYZnhPYbzsSdVSrsR13JkYVxSp2YvEq-2d3BKKZqCoIwtEeEJ3k7q9OYNvKcZbWqC-J4OLqaylNYinREV/s400/September+13,+2010+015.JPG" /> The main area of the basement, BEFORE:</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516560604886166370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddlnbiVmGQB3vDdoRgfe57rtY5zOBSLziT9XpxyhTv2vygYUlF8GoTZSgjvFYf5p6IsmJHVJOqPxGI5bCsNXC3hSaaxRi8aWWYmav2SCgVmAzp7GUQzHlyIsmuUSdmofd8qM7bMEln2uX/s400/Summer+2010+030.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516560596400337954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScD4x1fN954Vy369mJsVFIn1GbMAhpU3QfQr2Al-cLoizZIaVYWf-IGv1gMG16HhdibUNutWHAB5CLX_0yyoqZznZ6HLwJkmCN4Q9mc783mLoekZAVJ3x_SEuq82IrIk7bY7d_x4-2QbH/s400/Summer+2010+033.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">DURING:</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516558684665664290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzAP0SFjxNatPSt-18wLgzYTsnlrC-LlWtzI909mpSIScl47N_nwL5kCkNkitx94S5D9iiL_ZBYxuFhC4dqzGHHgLXSMpUoRqab1LNgQV8IK28j-msTT-9Mbb1ZQ3nJ2c8LlmcSTEaw8p/s400/Summer+2010+047.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516558678331852530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGzv_TOjPwT3XMev3e87XK4h5INSNR1g4YXsiPHLExWjZhugFXdUy2bLXucaIZ8uymqi7J7P5Cpxa_jDbNhRZbZV03luq_jtWNMksp-CLH5zehnH9COt-MH83SQaSh0ieRquWRhqIDxWo/s400/Summer+2010+051.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">AFTER:</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516557625985554738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHrDCQzSWBuXoteF1BYTYgXO-4dPQcR_-aaEoT0ArGDgGEKSTj8iIsjlBuP6LAIJv-JeHBKAELqIxYTzu-gaY6xXMUQEqgnLcpuc3eic89aVH1hwV60pHHFKXKo92fac4Rvx177SDslJC/s400/August,+2010+011.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516554571590151074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhDir5EsXxP8zQayStDryotkAll7a6Qgt2ER18tLkezIR6xzWfeQ6x053YVz7-yKB2OvJOMrtDZW0JTYgwJ8k3Nr7oK7sJDO-zVkkqXt98azVgqi3MggO3LAogtSXPwhHfzrDuNrZff2X/s400/August,+2010+002.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516553453390498578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRIvbKnnevVg7xfw9X9F7iZ6monuTK2-CAhyhLLywcn-nM5hisbtdQd5cpVEyJsv6QAG0ml9rpOYXgKuYjVK4Ne5mzXxA1AmgFgiQ2tV3kjs4s0Ww4M5AAFtK9-kUWV4zrBVHbL7EKW-q/s400/August,+2010+007.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516551344572182274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhj7jClw8dbMhVQGa8EGaqHOu3wo4tSNG7bAHJ443qlg8VJtPYGT08L2zbsUfyLWSDpExWxNGlzwZNqqSTL0vJf0nno_7-XVn23zd5OI1mBJiOs5zUzpOKuk58Us19SDQ1BMfelr-OYCJ/s400/September+13,+2010+021.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516549944335949282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyn_-s8lJDHBSZTB-or6N8y-n3EN5emG97ILPWtBRqu4CpgIyQltyx7DZyBZuUim4-SHxugx9vUmoPTvqbiaCij13nAU6tWxs0u6sAjsmJNZv52pnA5uablx3J4wlHoNi7GRk3Ip6ZQgRf/s400/September+13,+2010+023.JPG" />*<em>ignore the pink pillow...I'm not sure what it's doing there!</em><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516549938149638514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrIUN9TrIU6hWUTxy3UDBh_4IS0TvnyBokBxoiPpn_dA8bTlkH5g4wER6_C7lmfgbPGptSby9EyEPU42kUKij5FDNInYhfmrG6dNoIT0UDZiXYYEEEQaTlyqwSb0mLduovyKqEI2L2FsH/s400/September+13,+2010+024.JPG" />The bathroom area had been framed in for about 4 or 5 years… Finally getting it finished!! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516549157978697410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6EQT6dMULPu1pcDzAxLF00zcn4gIWdRwZlOYXwDYgNM0f0hQFqqH5eNfn7Rli6Vp6PReFxYtV-GvHi1r8L-7oXc2K-SvyVe1kKGaFBoeUwjwTJ1SLJvoi7z3j6c-1WEmHH3M2uI0UEG1/s400/Summer+2010+032.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516547899159242626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhsQnboJKyy7kAXBKC8Das_GGD9FDn7P3xqnhZeyHAYme3LZlxZgCEG0XCV8QLCaIEU9ToDQTwFc7Dv6N9hvVYFQLyQz4xs3Oi6wC-SSCHsWhlJGkZ2YWB997BFKgoMToUaUXz3V8Q6tq/s400/Summer+2010+427.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516548334386362882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LHsLAQHzakJCjQJZX470YT8NKo4T9nBvU6l337QbmgA1mtvNnojpEJe_ZprjgUJkHVLSgkN79DgyuVZ0ioyVq1RqJ254uGaAzmOVM2N8fQ_c78t4nFJZhENjljzSkSSHfYwxOxHrC0X6/s400/Summer+2010+425.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516546955852432866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl71NK4-xlaM9sraQusX-ZFiXaJnynTf8-LxYwmpcmpLpR8_IaBmBny0V3mssUZpK07WHoQ_SLIqy9JeekO5PG0Z2Cn7D5m6v6MpcTYAjHNgbcj-aY3n5j5TjhIRTNDiudBMFpzNe1FUTO/s400/September+13,+2010+017.JPG" /><br />This last picture is for a special friend!<br /><br />Thanks for the box!!! :)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516546520306690578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzFRj_nyxe2ESewW51_VuWMXuPJqzJZFOxHs8bCThV3sG-A_hUBQoGe1oIyCOqTjBXw4q4gvaA1eD98UrNCvEU7N3rHKvyENDiVeqXfy9AEjS_Af5S1TBF4rADpL_ugSZE-np-WNPBFZN/s400/Summer+2010+057.JPG" /> There’s still some work to do…painting the stairway, putting a few things up on the walls, repainting and redoing the bedroom and putting in the kitchenette area. It’s getting there and I’m loving it!!! </div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-55089614139798887872010-09-10T10:07:00.003-05:002010-09-10T10:26:22.676-05:00Cabinet Re-Do<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">This morning I spent some time looking through some of the </span><a href="http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2010/09/frugal-friday_09.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:130%;">Frugal Friday</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> Posts at </span><a href="http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/"><em><span style="font-size:130%;">The Shabby Nest</span></em></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>. </em>Lots of great ideas and fun things to look at…so I decided to link up and share the re-do of one of my favorite frugal finds!!!</span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">About 15 years ago my husband stumbled upon this HUGE cabinet. He was reading electrical meters at the time & spotted this buried under hay in an old barn. The owners parted with it for a mere $20. For years it stored canned goods and just sat as we found it…kind of a dirty white.</span> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515302628116058194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOjUEbnkPabVk_CV_LdttC7rEL5lP_aIxC4sXS0r0xosTRS5M1Y4K12bbHLzzhbymK6kL4VpFHAdTMUDTox-RlkNZpxq-EX1gVWMCnd9ctYGN6MKCjuf_8uT3mUVUKYiVAcknCNbqjbpz/s400/blog_138.jpg" /> <p align="center"> <span style="font-size:130%;">I’ve always wanted to do something with it, but was afraid to attempt it. Let me just say…if that’s you, DO IT!!!! APPLY THE PAINT!!!!!!</span> </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515302623711753410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3VgI9QGCxbbWcngCt6mgijngimPaZNZpdYvpTXmUILsxlzRPuO0sx7wR3MhPW7jVb2e3FvlkQSnsUfP5apgmyg8qovKYbZG4IFD6k9IYpXen5bJGrtSYSMQvylyt6qcEyz4grIm_aE_pr/s400/September+2010+001.JPG" /> <p align="center"> <span style="font-size:130%;">I LOVE it in black! Also, I removed the hodge-podge of <em>stuff</em> and am now displaying the dishes that my daughter bought at a garage sale for $10!!!</span> </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515302609738803122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pBjlbVTg-EDk8i-xI_zY1inUirIqhiEovbW05vjCJhI3mNGlAaEmgAXDt9GRIW6oDo7dE17PjUTx450QQQeM5ZDOkK_eqX3ctgo_PXOLAxv13xrf8YM2s1gL2rYU7M9zH1mpXJxRA_6Q/s400/September+2010+003.JPG" /> <p align="center"> <span style="font-size:130%;">Aren’t they pretty? I’m so glad that we bought them. We stood there for awhile debating. What in the world was the debate about? $10??? Goodness!!</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515305972678661746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipKthmcnbo2MDxqZP12XTyGQnwFxL6O6GHKIDUe8flDZvmB3y6y_yDl4fnaTeQAcX0hd36upAYCnbM1XUXhtAnaDbfSBlGhtIe2xpQJ0_0rF78MSvopd5dW9YbMcAjVZF9okdPmC_lpsU/s400/September+2010+009.JPG" /></span>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-83818998414320570842010-09-08T12:38:00.005-05:002011-05-18T17:23:50.899-05:00I love my nook!<div align="center"><em>A few weeks ago I purchased a Nook e-reader from Barnes & Noble.</em></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514605717906170434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArK1P13FX-495f6Rilq4R6j4rSzEPYJUbwmn9wptcEU51t0fGRwXYI7v0Az57cWWuSuScRtL8E8TOOiZOrfeuGYj20NIssfyrzlBFL_ky2VZ0ORDx-ivSZSFrCn2eX_5_0VTmLg57n39-/s320/September+2010+091.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /><br />
<div align="center"><em>I have used it non-stop ever since. Well, not quite, but almost!!</em></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514605732263471442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodn5oPnlPxVllwL9MrxGBV-5Wta85BNjFtm_HJ6asrHWBozCY0sfhROqwBAfiSnPkXFhbfrfR5HDaCpdqtGgXxJDxz7iz3ckhiXtEKAQyvHPadacn6p6skcS2ZpHXE7uly25HAD7AvvCF/s320/September+2010+095.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /> <br />
<div align="center"><em>I chose the Nook over other brands mainly because it is compatable with what our library uses for checking out e-books (the Kindle is not). Since I work at the library, I wanted to take advantage of ebooks our library offers. I've also been able to get quite a few deals on ebooks, some even free. I purchased a NASV of the Bible for $2.79 and have used it during church and even have done some highlighting and notetaking right on the Nook!!</em></div><div align="center"><em>On our recent trip to CT I listened to an audio book that I had loaded onto my Nook.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514605724304310402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaLRBpX1ksuBIbZzKza2N5_c01UXze-kCVHN1tt_aIKJgjsvj3y826HDRO9Zl82Rr0IjPdAm03Oz9jGu3FTUTeTFrsFZNNzsys9o844X_TFtT5v17cgepuy_Je2l1-uLQnFUbdQ6bj9xI/s320/September+2010+094.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 235px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 221px;" /></em><br />
<div align="center"><em>I have actually put several audiobooks on a mini-SD card and can then listen to those books on either my Nook or my netbook.</em></div><br />
<div align="center"><em>Travelling with the Nook was great & it's nice to have lots of books in one location - just pick up and go...However; I don't imagine that I will ever give up the old standard...there's just something about the experience of reading through the actual "hard copy!"<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514607372615681682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkxudWxYjg9etqYLoEh56cn0_mp0Tvj63Lo3fLXlQbGmh1PV6ghtM2SUu9h8VxY5_X8YljNDhebhjwif3YKf6XZqYjVb1AdtQ1kAmhvEwch148XQn8GM2qnpCWTxlS32ZUVsHYp7VTPM9/s320/September+2010+097.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></em></div></div><div align="center">(This picture is a portion of my library that is located in my basement. We've been working on the basement ALL summer and are still not finished with it, but there are parts of it that I'll be revealing to you SOON!!)</div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-43888918512591707492010-09-06T10:05:00.006-05:002010-09-06T10:28:29.202-05:00Time Flies...<div align="center"><em>It's been about 4 months since I last posted on this blog.</em></div><div align="center"><em><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em>A whole summer!! </em></div><div align="center"><em><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em>Time surely has flown by...</em></div><div align="center"><em><br /><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em>But...I'm itching to get back in touch with the blogging world.</em></div><div align="center"><em><br /><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em>I've been preparing and sketching out plans for the past few days.</em></div><div align="center"><em><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em><br /><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em>Please hang in there with me...</em><em><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em>I have a lot of catching up to do.</em></div><div align="center"><em><br /><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em>So much to show you,</em></div><div align="center"><em>Ideas to chat about...</em></div><div align="center"><em><br /></em></div><div align="center"><em>Here's a preview - my FAVORITE picture from my summer!</em></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513818715444469730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FZvNJrqKOUppPtniSwfz3K0NmOjRMy1HoEXRtTUnGytMLBfRcFYwLB2qmx_5nJRzXOhuM-jH3tl8gCpwez6SzV5_R202FelfkLP4UH8u6cIy-CLo524DQV2N5BYDzzMmXX2I8spQVMjF/s400/August+23-30,+2010+139.JPG" /> <p align="center"><em>I hope everyone is having a wonderful Labor Day,</em></p><p align="center"><em>filled with family gatherings & picnic-fun!!!<br /></em><br /></p><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-28027114777633226232010-05-05T11:45:00.004-05:002010-05-05T11:51:46.231-05:00Stating the Obvious<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOR3S2o0nN01S9QEWgruO_SBI_hidNMSxHot9TieF7FQsY9tWEHb6T43vZpzU7Lk6KDqO3AfxcNad-UqmE8fMYmMjo0RQl2Z2D2191kqZ6vJOWxh4zm58qqNCPvIGtv63pbxxYFxLfaen/s1600/May+4,+2005+009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467828741803149426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOR3S2o0nN01S9QEWgruO_SBI_hidNMSxHot9TieF7FQsY9tWEHb6T43vZpzU7Lk6KDqO3AfxcNad-UqmE8fMYmMjo0RQl2Z2D2191kqZ6vJOWxh4zm58qqNCPvIGtv63pbxxYFxLfaen/s320/May+4,+2005+009.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">I think that it goes without saying, that I have been taking a break from blogging for awhile. I will continue with that break for the time being. Not sure when I'll be back, but I'm trying to focus on several other areas of my life right now. Hopefully I'll be back - refreshed & ready to go - at some point! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I enjoyed this rainbow last night!! We got some much needed rain.</span>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-84564009848043781352010-04-16T15:18:00.002-05:002010-04-16T15:24:35.431-05:00I've not been posting much lately...what's up? Well, some of this...<br /><ul><li>reading</li><li>cleaning</li><li>working</li><li>visit from daughter & grandson</li><li>trip to mackinaw</li><li>working</li><li>reading</li><li>cleaning</li><li>reorganizing</li><li>reading</li><li>working</li><li>couponing</li></ul><p>Seriously...that is about it. Over and over!!! (well except my daughter doesn't keep coming back for a visit, but that WOULD be nice!) Speaking of my daughter, she has gotten me hooked on couponing and it has been lots of fun and I am saving some serious money. Some day I will blog about that.</p><p>Don't forget to check out my <a href="http://cranberrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-giveaway.html">book giveaway</a>. It's a great book.</p><p>Spring is finally making its way here to northern WI. Daffodils are blooming and the trees are budding!!! Sorry no pics, perhaps soon...</p>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-68098160641244720262010-04-12T18:01:00.005-05:002010-09-06T14:28:15.709-05:00Book Giveaway!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kyPsSyL3mykrxd0p1oad3Otx1ssT2ZjcOXCuvDeLDLNrhbB7tLAKOk4aqYxMH_vB0PYZVRpGX5t4MhNeqiGf08h_1BWPO_cQ2MTzAKARLK1Smpgpx-1KbuNpPan_5COGxRpmNCbc3dJ8/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 88px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 135px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459390491441682946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kyPsSyL3mykrxd0p1oad3Otx1ssT2ZjcOXCuvDeLDLNrhbB7tLAKOk4aqYxMH_vB0PYZVRpGX5t4MhNeqiGf08h_1BWPO_cQ2MTzAKARLK1Smpgpx-1KbuNpPan_5COGxRpmNCbc3dJ8/s320/images.jpg" /></a> I have another book to give away! <em>Start Here - Doing Hard </em><em>Things Right Where You Are</em></div><div align="center"><em></em></div>I was thrilled to see another book by Alex and Brett Harris. Their first book<em> Do Hard Things </em>was a wonderful read & this follow up book is even better (in my opinion).<br /><br />From the back cover: <em>Do Hard Things </em>inspired thousands of young people around the world to make the most of the teen years. Now Alex and Brett Harris are back and ready to tackle the questions that <em>Do Hard Things </em>inspired: <em>How do I get started? What do I do when I get discouraged? What's the best way to inspire others? </em>Filled with stories and insights from Alex, Brett, and other real-life rebelutionaries, <em>Start Here</em> is a powerful and practical guide to doing hard things, right where you are.<br /><br />What I really appreciated about this book is that it focused on being faithful right where you. So many want to run out and accomplish something that seems "important" while leaving their first priorities unfinished. This book gives great examples of how young people can learn from observing what others have done, how to take the first steps and how to make plans. Brett & Alex have a great way of keeping the would-be world changer grounded. There is an order to stepping out, such as first being under the authority of one's parents and keeping a focus on Christ. The chapter "How to Move Against the Crowd - And Why" is great. It answers such questions as: Can hard things be fun? What about my friends? How should I relate to pop<br />culture?<br /><br />This is a book that I will have my college-aged son read this summer. It is super practical and very motivating.<br /><br />Leave me a message and you will be entered for a chance to win this book!!!!<br /><br /><em>This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.</em>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-64560114408602602872010-03-12T11:23:00.011-06:002010-09-06T14:28:58.196-05:00Morning Coffee & Two Giveaways!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmhWJ3-ww6RJS15UGNqqr6tVY_Wcgbdm7xQhnpSNcFdWYRDFSf3nDuCD7pYJU3Px3yMlHJzbZYNRcGCt7P62ZIc8dycrDQjeaoRVzvp2rlK3To_KsfAMmcLq-ZSIQiiZhqvbcg8Ns-0gH/s1600-h/untitled+(3).bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 140px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447804857678879122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmhWJ3-ww6RJS15UGNqqr6tVY_Wcgbdm7xQhnpSNcFdWYRDFSf3nDuCD7pYJU3Px3yMlHJzbZYNRcGCt7P62ZIc8dycrDQjeaoRVzvp2rlK3To_KsfAMmcLq-ZSIQiiZhqvbcg8Ns-0gH/s200/untitled+(3).bmp" /></a> Welcome to all of the Company Girls coming via <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/">Rachel Anne's Home Sanctuary blog!!</a><br /><br /><div align="center">This morning, I not only am having some coffee, but I was ambitious enough to make <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/cinammon_rolls_/">Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon rolls</a>!!!</div><div align="center">They are AMAZING, of course, as are all of her recipes!</div><div align="center">This blog is a "catch-up" as I have two books to share with you that I should have posted last week...but that is another story.</div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiVp6poHI3cEvi_OLDSYAEZ_Cyv1KVhA7ofaxPTiyIsHk3iA1rRNDRjC8N7K2zF4KQus-bRzxxNy1p6buRSd9-9LIMVtxwDwBWl7fA1Js3jpcVLYa4Iz4jAPCwMlVVVnurudd0Y6NF9P3/s1600-h/IMG_0626.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447804688494191314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiVp6poHI3cEvi_OLDSYAEZ_Cyv1KVhA7ofaxPTiyIsHk3iA1rRNDRjC8N7K2zF4KQus-bRzxxNy1p6buRSd9-9LIMVtxwDwBWl7fA1Js3jpcVLYa4Iz4jAPCwMlVVVnurudd0Y6NF9P3/s320/IMG_0626.JPG" /></a> The following books were provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Please read the following reviews, post a comment letting me know which book you are most interested in, and you will be in a drawing to receive that book, FREE!!!!</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">The first book: <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601421623&ref=externallink_mlt_motherdaughterduet_sec_0119_01">Mother - Daughter Duet: Getting to the Relationship You Want with Your Adult Daughter</a>. This book caught my eye because I have two adult daughters. It is my desire to have a sweet relationship with them. </span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPAuA9Nyc3mHTYla8ppPlIGOWTcbFPWzYzYI4m3VTqmSI-308XrKph2JApxUiWjnFjjL8TTrOJPCBrVSia38qPC3bH52o_VoitmRJGYwYDnEo1xSjXG_I6i195S9FAL1rKKFA_hkW7VaB/s1600-h/51PNc+64zRL%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 208px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447804264267902002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPAuA9Nyc3mHTYla8ppPlIGOWTcbFPWzYzYI4m3VTqmSI-308XrKph2JApxUiWjnFjjL8TTrOJPCBrVSia38qPC3bH52o_VoitmRJGYwYDnEo1xSjXG_I6i195S9FAL1rKKFA_hkW7VaB/s320/51PNc+64zRL%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Cheri Fuller, along with her daughter Ali Plum, use lots of personal stories along with the wisdom of experience in describing what the mother-daughter duet should look like. Having the insight and perspective of the daughter certainly is a benefit!<br />After discussing such topics as Respect and Belief, Communication, Connecting and Bonding, Now that she's a Mom, When Crisis Arise, each chapter has a section entitled "A Daughter's Perspective." These were very helpful. Also included at the end of each chapter is a section entitled, "Two-Part Harmony." This section wraps up the chapter with some real practical application. The author and her daughter share what has worked for them, lessons learned and just open their hearts with the reader.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">From the back cover: "Mother-Daughter Duet" helps moms open wide the door of communication so that daughters want to walk through it."</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I highly recommend this book! I must say that I have enjoyed transitioning to this stage of mothering two very beautiful adult daughters.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Here they are:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0ZHjPQSyF3lQGKpOTLevRmpFRyyirG0NcW-WUJovZqYXABRjlINdjmVXRFwN3wQDVDHAV4IllOybRrJis7srHrw05yzGbGCrkQ30Cf5V8nbGcEbjW1_Jw79oZ-h4-QdoCTmvtOjxc0Wf/s1600-h/232323232%7Ffp35=ot_2328=395=___=XROQDF_2323763_53;8_ot1lsi.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447804256301746418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0ZHjPQSyF3lQGKpOTLevRmpFRyyirG0NcW-WUJovZqYXABRjlINdjmVXRFwN3wQDVDHAV4IllOybRrJis7srHrw05yzGbGCrkQ30Cf5V8nbGcEbjW1_Jw79oZ-h4-QdoCTmvtOjxc0Wf/s320/232323232%7Ffp35=ot_2328=395=___=XROQDF_2323763_53;8_ot1lsi.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM-1eE7Y07ZugqR8UQAcYmRSCimg4ZxEAxA4IlFOPekWhNkeqCwvOlBuIgMxst0Kiavc5bprA94Dz3w7JQ5e65NYIC-bc1GQWz0Lz7NYsupH4Cf1QjEaon9eS9Yhw6AOr4_hcUpFPSHjJ/s1600-h/me.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447804246243926658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM-1eE7Y07ZugqR8UQAcYmRSCimg4ZxEAxA4IlFOPekWhNkeqCwvOlBuIgMxst0Kiavc5bprA94Dz3w7JQ5e65NYIC-bc1GQWz0Lz7NYsupH4Cf1QjEaon9eS9Yhw6AOr4_hcUpFPSHjJ/s320/me.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The second book is: <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307457066&ref=externallink_wbp_dancingwithmyfather_sec_0119_01">Dancing with My Father</a> by <a href="http://wholeheart.typepad.com/itakejoy/">Sally Clarkson</a>. I have been a fan of Sally Clarkson and have read some of her previous books, so I was excited to be able to read her latest. The sub-title for this book is: How God Leads Us into a Life of Grace and Joy. Sally wrote this book after a time of noticing a lack of joy in her life. It's very easy for us, especially as women, to become overloaded with "busyness." She describes for us how we can take the time to live in beauty, grace, joy and peace. I love the title of Chapter 9: "Exchanging the Drudgery of Duty for the Dance of Delight." Sally's writing reflects her heart and she shares so much of her life with her readers. She comes across as someone who has been there and understands.</span></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pA2x1WFaOy3_VUBlGdOtK8-fLAIt53Fmy_zTsQWAOsGp1C71S9FXcyQJ2Iu74oMFhRWidt3FKYxG7uijk9nFkPuQbof4zhOTaE4ZvWcxA5FIh15ibi7_0sqfJvkVcK3GI577BPjpXkIB/s1600-h/51Pb1G9bGrL%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 211px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447804241676378114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pA2x1WFaOy3_VUBlGdOtK8-fLAIt53Fmy_zTsQWAOsGp1C71S9FXcyQJ2Iu74oMFhRWidt3FKYxG7uijk9nFkPuQbof4zhOTaE4ZvWcxA5FIh15ibi7_0sqfJvkVcK3GI577BPjpXkIB/s320/51Pb1G9bGrL%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">I know that I will be returning to both of these books again and again. They are both packed with practical advice and wisdom.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;">Don't forget...leave a comment and let me know which book you would prefer and I will put you into a drawing for that book. If you don't leave a preference, I'll just put you in both drawings!!</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">If you are entering the drawing for the Mother-Daughter Duet book, I'd love to have you comment about how you adapted (or are adapting) to this stage of life. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Before I leave you...here's one last look at those marvelous rolls. (All credit goes to <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/cinammon_rolls_/">The Pioneer Woman</a>) I suggest that you take some time out and whip up a batch. (You know you want to!!)</span><br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4AWMKj4Mrpg1gw15emY_46wVpsPdf0u5vB_IFtrLYtSEuY10JG8qtcKho8b6iQ2MN6D22PLkQF_MbB8SZjRg6kyqSGF-Tg0xjxh4Dv0u_AnotTbqbWA2B8_1Jbe8gaCiERTkSh7gSHDH/s1600-h/IMG_0622.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447804241154752674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja4AWMKj4Mrpg1gw15emY_46wVpsPdf0u5vB_IFtrLYtSEuY10JG8qtcKho8b6iQ2MN6D22PLkQF_MbB8SZjRg6kyqSGF-Tg0xjxh4Dv0u_AnotTbqbWA2B8_1Jbe8gaCiERTkSh7gSHDH/s320/IMG_0622.JPG" /></a></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-89285177701532436052010-03-01T16:00:00.008-06:002010-09-06T14:30:16.565-05:0028 Day Organizing Challenge<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4E7BN1Gb5uL6aHO6w4mX7HEeQn1nqs5qHHi9ebV59qucqun9SOEc5RoUk_GcTwQ8SLAobMkX13lCIsqt0JTfk4aOhOQxC-4OIzco1Mc7LtcwNnnrnpNCyLo2zKxTyyq4zML2rVgbNhWef/s1600-h/OrgJunkieLarge-1.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443793991487083314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4E7BN1Gb5uL6aHO6w4mX7HEeQn1nqs5qHHi9ebV59qucqun9SOEc5RoUk_GcTwQ8SLAobMkX13lCIsqt0JTfk4aOhOQxC-4OIzco1Mc7LtcwNnnrnpNCyLo2zKxTyyq4zML2rVgbNhWef/s200/OrgJunkieLarge-1.png" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">Today, I'm linking to</span><a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2010/03/28-day-org-challenge-small-space-category.html"><span style="font-size:130%;"> OrgJunkies 28 Day Challenge</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. Because I was away unexpectedly for a week this month, I put aside my hopes of accomplishing a large area and settled for working on some kitchen drawers. Here's the silverware drawer before:</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnXAL2pwL09z9RdUhHO_Pqe1VXeXnj9eRHwgmA3AwqjsaQaBAX1P0acVQ-j3NwZkS6XvasvRCPK07F53uv_cnC5sm6KHF6wnRuT02R6SKqufP5OcMJdprNZj4qdJYOS-jvtfXA7cRV0ua/s1600-h/February+29,+2010+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443793625919057154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnXAL2pwL09z9RdUhHO_Pqe1VXeXnj9eRHwgmA3AwqjsaQaBAX1P0acVQ-j3NwZkS6XvasvRCPK07F53uv_cnC5sm6KHF6wnRuT02R6SKqufP5OcMJdprNZj4qdJYOS-jvtfXA7cRV0ua/s320/February+29,+2010+001.JPG" /></a>And here it is after:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS460VNCDSsIiaQxsIFNOyvHhHWuppudSGE0fsA-gYNuJ6-RVXUyzFnCOEaJEHMJtp-jhcEaAR0a01OAgrGLnKxHd4lH8rWf-8b8caG4-t_rUMqj6aJXA3pV2CdaGplPNMOCN7j7QE1-EU/s1600-h/February+26,+2010+001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443793621416260434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS460VNCDSsIiaQxsIFNOyvHhHWuppudSGE0fsA-gYNuJ6-RVXUyzFnCOEaJEHMJtp-jhcEaAR0a01OAgrGLnKxHd4lH8rWf-8b8caG4-t_rUMqj6aJXA3pV2CdaGplPNMOCN7j7QE1-EU/s320/February+26,+2010+001.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">My inspiration for this drawer was the two silverware trays that I purchased at IKEA for only 99 cents each!!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Then I moved on to the junk drawer. It was SERIOUSLY, a bunch of JUNK!<br /></span><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443793612572342626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHiFxbRTgoWa_sHkD7ApvdhiqXXVbFQxy8bZoeAvo9hvywXbsMlii9WyLse88hcItLmi6tEjHmmfaSzY58gokho-tIVmepwMCoqlkZsUxmXRNL_-9WSP4J89kNV_Ewf0kLzkJ8svfFM0Z/s320/February+29,+2010+002.JPG" /> <span style="font-size:130%;">Afterwards, it became the towel, hot pad drawer. Again...IKEA!! I purchased some of their wonderful towels...49 cents each. It feels great to have some new, clean towels!!!</span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejCXY-Pjs1UsBkr5qu2crR_xTlcBoQK-Pg0njUhHSpodbPsCqmQnF5g375qWirErxpEOSLFNE4zQTa55rlURQ3DH_zZKOkUPiFKMy35ZA-etd44wJ5-VdsaoMMnTrLykPw9e0Fnbs-Raw/s1600-h/February+26,+2010+003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443793605177659874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejCXY-Pjs1UsBkr5qu2crR_xTlcBoQK-Pg0njUhHSpodbPsCqmQnF5g375qWirErxpEOSLFNE4zQTa55rlURQ3DH_zZKOkUPiFKMy35ZA-etd44wJ5-VdsaoMMnTrLykPw9e0Fnbs-Raw/s320/February+26,+2010+003.JPG" /></a> The challenge comes with 5 questions...So here we go...</div><div align="left">1. <strong>What was the hardest part of the challenge for you and were you able to overcome it?</strong> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">I'd have to say that just getting started was the hardest part. I had wanted to go BIG and get a lot accomplished in my bedroom, but when I knew that was not going to happen I pretty much wanted to sit back and do nothing. I'm glad that I DID attack something, if only 2 small drawers!! <a href="http://cranberrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/02/this-week.html">(See my last blog post)</a></span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>2. Tell us what kind of changes, habits you have put into place in order for your area/room to maintain its new order?</strong> </div><div align="left">I<span style="font-size:130%;">'m trying to be more aware of putting things away and not TOSSING things away! Actually, my theory is that I am finally getting things in order and now that my kids have all moved on, things will stay that way. (We'll see how long that theory holds!)</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>3. What did you do with your "stuff" you were able to purge out of your newly organized space?</strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">I had three bags...one bag got thrown away (this was most of the stuff!), another went to goodwill, and the third I am going through piece by piece and finding new homes. (Some of that will eventually get thrown too).</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>4. What creative storage solutions were you able to introduce in order to create additional spaces as well as establish some limits and boundaries?</strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Nothing too creative here...just a few inexpensive new items to inspire!! (And lots of tossing!!!)</span></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>5. Why do you think you should win this challenge?</strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">Well, I'm not too sure about that, but I am glad that I did accomplish something even though I had to give up larger goals. I'm so glad though, that I was able to get away and help out some <a href="http://5stamps.blogspot.com/">friends</a>...so worth the time away...my bedroom will still get finished at a later time. Switching to smaller areas instead of focusing on a large area helped me to see my home in more manageable chunks. I'll accomplish order in the bedroom through tackling one small area at a time!!!</span><br /></div><div></div></div><br /></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-51938856221030276582010-02-19T19:21:00.015-06:002010-09-06T14:31:24.829-05:00This Week...<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:130%;">There has been plenty of activity since my last blog post. The week has absolutely flown by. It began with another trip to <a href="http://www.ni.edu/">Northland</a> for my daughter's final home game of her basketball career.</span><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5u3Om_DATVACP_reNNdSR-Vu4tRor0jupBOukfxlshD_xELCvvQlh4jnEr7EhUQXoIlxaZ54Db_o4FKGkvFrC69TipGxZVp-cb7vNoqS-ZpC6bKTu0FrB23wI1ilHmY895plvpcteKyY/s1600-h/February+19,+2010+036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440132692019890866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5u3Om_DATVACP_reNNdSR-Vu4tRor0jupBOukfxlshD_xELCvvQlh4jnEr7EhUQXoIlxaZ54Db_o4FKGkvFrC69TipGxZVp-cb7vNoqS-ZpC6bKTu0FrB23wI1ilHmY895plvpcteKyY/s320/February+19,+2010+036.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Then we headed to Minneapolis to help out our good friends. Jason recently spent 23 days in the hospital with a life-threatening abscess. We are so thankful that he is recovering!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWG9GkkUnlDtvpvODxa04pWmc5FNVMzs2cQmTq0WyiY_yTm5WOx32Wm3zDLzeiQFvheNPVAY87zRibuQi1E4H3XPjS-30vmWcPzdhlas1bDmByzjq9e4r776aGuJj7fy4hrevkpJH9D5FF/s1600-h/February+19,+2010+083.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440131442557486834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWG9GkkUnlDtvpvODxa04pWmc5FNVMzs2cQmTq0WyiY_yTm5WOx32Wm3zDLzeiQFvheNPVAY87zRibuQi1E4H3XPjS-30vmWcPzdhlas1bDmByzjq9e4r776aGuJj7fy4hrevkpJH9D5FF/s320/February+19,+2010+083.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">We enjoyed their kids!!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWuIgAGdGrTgI11MRVI1pvbldf2WKKiH0MzJW6ikKwtHOm5S_596Uiwf65KROp2HL8iYpnEEO8LC1gNo-P0qVCTzWuP3U2brW79QeCHJk6Q8X_fV-7anNIqrLDEghIoefLjGn-toE20Gk/s1600-h/February+19,+2010+042.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440138114070778338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWuIgAGdGrTgI11MRVI1pvbldf2WKKiH0MzJW6ikKwtHOm5S_596Uiwf65KROp2HL8iYpnEEO8LC1gNo-P0qVCTzWuP3U2brW79QeCHJk6Q8X_fV-7anNIqrLDEghIoefLjGn-toE20Gk/s320/February+19,+2010+042.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqznnt-ET5f3pSMf_qTEGxJZSPXhmQ7K4KWiMAWqa2tyVFn_mJ2xRcLw-uMcFLg9bACvxHJb-cXFaeuTeGPjAxOhpXU5tRlA4shyfR26U2SHnWwvY9h5hqQEyIAoxg6sOJmt12nhpFOrDp/s1600-h/February+19,+2010+079.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440137453823076322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqznnt-ET5f3pSMf_qTEGxJZSPXhmQ7K4KWiMAWqa2tyVFn_mJ2xRcLw-uMcFLg9bACvxHJb-cXFaeuTeGPjAxOhpXU5tRlA4shyfR26U2SHnWwvY9h5hqQEyIAoxg6sOJmt12nhpFOrDp/s320/February+19,+2010+079.JPG" /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqZ9LTutqtdeYthjd50cpPI1l4nlo6t_vw6CsckSABCtb7K1wXEH0oMmEmIRouNiFnJ4SIwjHKEYruSOJNs__LjvEFJ-D99BYOV5xgZ1Mv5l43fPX5Y0YAA8GyHD9bKWMAuFS0nP0m1YH/s1600-h/February+19,+2010+077.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440137448274692130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqZ9LTutqtdeYthjd50cpPI1l4nlo6t_vw6CsckSABCtb7K1wXEH0oMmEmIRouNiFnJ4SIwjHKEYruSOJNs__LjvEFJ-D99BYOV5xgZ1Mv5l43fPX5Y0YAA8GyHD9bKWMAuFS0nP0m1YH/s320/February+19,+2010+077.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Here we are watching a Northland game online!!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBZP1uc-o4wpaaTnCUwRV-LBk20qy_RdztsH3G0VYVMsBcl3kLxjw3G8KYrRFFb816XARjmX3FCYbCCLwweeiAgkdRd9Ycem_Yzytq0eWILLJxg9FvSOENQIkrFuL6gBwQvxpRN4XbQRP/s1600-h/February+19,+2010+049.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440132233715071602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBZP1uc-o4wpaaTnCUwRV-LBk20qy_RdztsH3G0VYVMsBcl3kLxjw3G8KYrRFFb816XARjmX3FCYbCCLwweeiAgkdRd9Ycem_Yzytq0eWILLJxg9FvSOENQIkrFuL6gBwQvxpRN4XbQRP/s320/February+19,+2010+049.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">We were able to get some work done around the house.<br />This was a fun project...a chalkboard on the kitchen wall!!!</span><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin63tjpRiMFePOZu69_sspqLFzFwf48B4soIlsy9aWm5lBq5kkNfxEAE0iJLgcP6D6luAD7XF2WABmqDr3h23n4guHYjaVPThzvFidCKREPtBIThgt0eco5GHEu1zgCqEof2fxv9NyHMNt/s1600-h/February+19,+2010+053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440132230445757538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin63tjpRiMFePOZu69_sspqLFzFwf48B4soIlsy9aWm5lBq5kkNfxEAE0iJLgcP6D6luAD7XF2WABmqDr3h23n4guHYjaVPThzvFidCKREPtBIThgt0eco5GHEu1zgCqEof2fxv9NyHMNt/s320/February+19,+2010+053.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">It turned out great. Beth is going to be putting a border around it and I can't wait to see it finished!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4xYyc6FyC4GBgVOCMkSWnOU0WXE9av5S_2r7xlyInwnJ0RtsmCHAc7s03c_JFmymPLtQrfdYz5eiMXqntIZkLwAb5lDp7TZ52HvH4dHaZBtYVkaMIJ865pNzgGdUbY2dFUWKZKPLBnFi/s1600-h/February+19,+2010+074.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440136005883512514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4xYyc6FyC4GBgVOCMkSWnOU0WXE9av5S_2r7xlyInwnJ0RtsmCHAc7s03c_JFmymPLtQrfdYz5eiMXqntIZkLwAb5lDp7TZ52HvH4dHaZBtYVkaMIJ865pNzgGdUbY2dFUWKZKPLBnFi/s320/February+19,+2010+074.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">We couldn't go to Minneapolis without stopping in at IKEA!!<br />We found some useful items and some good deals and ended up spending less than $40!!!<br />Not bad at all.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkF-9Ln7_tgb9WElrWtY7hLqmexJLFsiCaQJQoKInoQro-IPwhFG1_mghddo3TgZjsyziCXWdR_X_phMppNqQs41qaAqFADNmF92mXBgQ-irF-qC3FFFabtI5JOhbDDtcG-ILR05jkAwJZ/s1600-h/February+19,+2010+087.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440139152849838898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkF-9Ln7_tgb9WElrWtY7hLqmexJLFsiCaQJQoKInoQro-IPwhFG1_mghddo3TgZjsyziCXWdR_X_phMppNqQs41qaAqFADNmF92mXBgQ-irF-qC3FFFabtI5JOhbDDtcG-ILR05jkAwJZ/s320/February+19,+2010+087.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Today I spent some time working on my organizing for the<a href="http://orgjunkie.com/challenge"> 28 Day Organizing Challenge</a>. Due to our unexpected trip out of state, I've had to change my organizing up a bit. I'm now working on several small spaces instead of a major room project. Pics will be coming, soon!</span> </div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-80650510558965852292010-02-11T09:37:00.005-06:002010-09-06T14:32:18.249-05:00Road Trip!!Today, my husband and I will be taking off for Minneapolis!! We are going to help out some very dear friends of ours. The husband just spent the past 3 weeks in the hospital fighting a very serious infection. He had three surgeries and now is slowly recovering. He and his wife also had their fourth child 8 weeks ago (the other three are 2, 4, & 6). They both just need to rest. So, I'm going to kick the mom/grandma mode into high gear...and I'm off!!!!!Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-25545761488350602822010-02-04T17:53:00.023-06:002010-09-06T14:33:28.137-05:00My Week in Pictures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITvnf2hsy7MUhRT3uXf8taylxMCBxjKOXXNIKfboB9LaDC5o2eGwi3l3N1cQ6MhXtADXATaKjs3Qowd3hXOI0LicB__4yDKNCLHVQnk-gAYebyTaCYJqylV2yJibfFOeCTwkmsfBkau-P/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 140px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434545004744462002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITvnf2hsy7MUhRT3uXf8taylxMCBxjKOXXNIKfboB9LaDC5o2eGwi3l3N1cQ6MhXtADXATaKjs3Qowd3hXOI0LicB__4yDKNCLHVQnk-gAYebyTaCYJqylV2yJibfFOeCTwkmsfBkau-P/s320/untitled.bmp" /></a><br /><br />Welcome <a href="http://www.homesanctuary.com/rachelanne/2010/02/company-girl-coffee-25.html">Company Girls</a>!! I'm looking forward to making the rounds and seeing how all of you did this week. I have to admit...my week was pretty routine. I tried to get some of the "small things" from <a href="http://homesanctuary.typepad.com/">Home Sanctuary<br /></a>accomplished.<br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><div align="center">Sunday, of course, started out with church. The furnace was not working in the auditorium, so we all went into the gym and had church there. It made things a bit more laid back and we changed up the schedule some, but it still was a blessing and a good time of being together.<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434767433103907506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb72vD6I3JrLvSpfC9ZVj8pAbNK73G1EP0i342_s0Ia0KzMTsntO86PUrXTjPWUWE0SBHtNIMugx1rVSnZjJIa5VI4X6VJzjT2UfdeIo7Ne3ZZicsIj-KghN0qRBZUCGAKoSzv6_h2_H_/s320/IMG_0257.JPG" /><br />On Monday, we headed up to <a href="http://ni.edu/">NIU</a> for my daughter's basketball game. Unfortunately, they did not win, but it was a great game!!<br /><br /><div align="center">Here she is during pregame...</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 389px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434552007787205010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tiBIbzX3KxtVuegSNpAD2-mQs14gpEgcb_dxQHBdk9SzpdvK0ROAv2L9PVknrA7RJbi8OGTVeZtgEPS0NB-qcufvGcbFMbI-TmvPtWYLRwCJdNeIuvsq3DJSspGHTaXD1wFpnhgraC8Y/s400/February+1,+2010+006.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">...and in action... </div><div align="center">(and yes, she is only wearing one sock...but it's a special sock for some leg problem she is having)<br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434543679965865298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYO6wCTPZvOkS9aIira9GPn1zlih5vWAsDwEI_2SlPw-hluG4yWiRamyc1-bpdIbKNVfeJKyPNZzkLN-mtoRnz-FtedZ0TIVGhmHb_0cOwezhxzpTVN73FkghbjK4lVzM-XC9hPE_8sq7X/s400/February+1,+2010+010.JPG" />...and here she is with her team - front and center - (well, left and center), </div><div align="center">doing I'm not sure what...<br /></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434543258310738418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6PvvYXf_9uqbZe-lDmBa-Ms2aTQDr8NdJlPw5b3typlb9zpow1psRC_JurWq2ePurN78Y2wTP3vyCdHa9vVpF710cQIl9IILCMrQOe6JJE4THhz5ZYLJ8GPFNotw4r73YEilxO0MVWaT/s400/19036_281331054505_509914505_3530235_2323719_n.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_keFVh4m6XAB2llfbMZLnlgUIprt6pGfYl0_aF8WYQIt1LTDBHm5FglT6-l6-GNtge7xV1zQvXkJB67dr2i09GvGJlOtkDFT6NUqAsoQNtf5alYysWuF5bMGIiOMpFMeGLrpfjHicudA/s1600-h/OrgJunkieLarge-12.png"></a></div><div align="center">On Tuesday I headed in to the library for work. This is behind the circ desk (where I spend most of my time).<br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434543252934884034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwmXgHO67ow_416VQcTvNwN4TZNNscZDa9of6lnbV_BTuqOSXVb2CcCvRg87n-Qvx1yxWjnoCbYgaRU903OiI4tTawrlMInOIzly6jo07WcLeJwvfmvJVdfnywtbx0xtRymGrxXmzA6DD/s400/February+4,+2010+003.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_keFVh4m6XAB2llfbMZLnlgUIprt6pGfYl0_aF8WYQIt1LTDBHm5FglT6-l6-GNtge7xV1zQvXkJB67dr2i09GvGJlOtkDFT6NUqAsoQNtf5alYysWuF5bMGIiOMpFMeGLrpfjHicudA/s1600-h/OrgJunkieLarge-12.png"></a></div>Tuesday was story time and we read lots of books about crazy clothes!!<br /><br />Then we made some cute clothes for some paper dolls. (It's a tough job!)<br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434543242156251474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1YR8Sg73GG2IQXIuBTPV4b_3tJuhnt-UZiCS09VjOiNEEBqFAGlGQk0PgpkRKFEiSNeqRycv0lQKNK7V-zZaNb4K9wk_7YITlH3EvrZiRxqKtYd_np42_beM5X_xDt8ossJgQpW90p1f/s400/February+4,+2010+002.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_keFVh4m6XAB2llfbMZLnlgUIprt6pGfYl0_aF8WYQIt1LTDBHm5FglT6-l6-GNtge7xV1zQvXkJB67dr2i09GvGJlOtkDFT6NUqAsoQNtf5alYysWuF5bMGIiOMpFMeGLrpfjHicudA/s1600-h/OrgJunkieLarge-12.png"></a></div><div align="center">On Wednesday I was back at the library for most of the day.<br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434543241653539778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5yX9jQ0yA2VDWZqfjxIhviPalG4yGopvdFW-RKfqHT0FhfzUUei_HB9DoRb2kORxy3bWLEEU1g18H9HLC3J-la_3eVQi5N8Qj3LutuyV-ssWCKdVWnmj-LcVMuBvHGiX_p30t3WgP4Cx/s400/February+4,+2010+007.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_keFVh4m6XAB2llfbMZLnlgUIprt6pGfYl0_aF8WYQIt1LTDBHm5FglT6-l6-GNtge7xV1zQvXkJB67dr2i09GvGJlOtkDFT6NUqAsoQNtf5alYysWuF5bMGIiOMpFMeGLrpfjHicudA/s1600-h/OrgJunkieLarge-12.png"></a></div><div align="center">On Thursday I was back at the library for ALL of the day.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434551110641042882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjFOwuowoJg_aiP9LtwW79GtS-wF8O63qgdzskPfhTgxms6X2TIVgpCWtSrjWCLfq9SMEuZtfHSWnGkCVsNWAT-ulpTha1Au44FUON76o1lQOkgiODrUaWwmXYijs7shUK7RdVGbN_UXc/s400/February+4,+2010+004.JPG" /></div><div align="center">And today, I will head back to the library for the evening!!!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434543233533090210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOGFucbMahVgxMa3DdS_LxqJG2EbEeZShSxYPSoDNHbHjzXqeuXN13313xVz9TYmBH8NVObQC7xAqY1e5-Y1j7vfNqOz2pumvROaYOKuGtzspnnY1uDnt0UKXeK_HrjwCUHMqCQev5GcW/s400/February+4,+2010+008.JPG" /><span style="font-size:130%;">That pretty much wraps up the week!!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">I worked a bit more than usual so I wasn't able to accomplish much around the house.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Working on organizing, purging and simplifying is still high priority around here.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Soon, VERY soon, I am planning on posting some pictures of what I plan on working on for </span><a href="http://orgjunkie.com/challenge"><span style="font-size:130%;">ORG JUNKIES 28 Day Organizing Challenge.</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> I've taken the pictures already. They're not very pretty & definitely embarrassing, but perfect for this challenge!!</span> </div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-79389041676297148592010-01-29T20:20:00.003-06:002010-01-29T20:33:41.313-06:00What is up with this blog??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYPyDwmaIMYyV-bSoDTT9vgK0Cpj1KoVxLT19E9BtDbZszIMfwq8VFoV0Prl3KN56zX2_Bcp3Uvuk-N8_rTYpD5RuYpmB_nuy1A_IVesA1a91cedIb7nOkeG6P82MNa-eJH-Wf5EcPymA/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 140px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432354624650849858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYPyDwmaIMYyV-bSoDTT9vgK0Cpj1KoVxLT19E9BtDbZszIMfwq8VFoV0Prl3KN56zX2_Bcp3Uvuk-N8_rTYpD5RuYpmB_nuy1A_IVesA1a91cedIb7nOkeG6P82MNa-eJH-Wf5EcPymA/s400/untitled.bmp" /></a><br /><br /><div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">I'm sorry!!</span></strong><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">I keep changing the layout of my blog...I think I've gone through 3 in the past 2 weeks.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">It's just that I can't seem to find "<em><strong>it</strong></em>." You know what I mean???</span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">AND...just what is CRANBERRY COTTAGE?? It doesn't really give anyone a clue as to what this blog is about. Let me explain - several years ago when I began my soap-making business I struggled with a name for it and somehow along the line came up with Cranberry Cottage (I do have several Cranberry scents.) The blog came along with the soap-making, which made "Cranberry Cottage" seem appropriate. The soap business is on the back burner for the time-being, although I still have a bit in my <a href="http://cranberrycottage.etsy.com/">etsy shop.</a> So..that's the story there.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">This week was a wonderful week spent enjoying the <a href="http://awomaninspiredconference.org/">Woman Inspired Conference</a> on Creativity. Please go to their site and check out all that they have to offer! You won't regret it!!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Before I leave you, I must show you this picture of my grandson that just begs to be shared with the world. Here he is sporting his Mr. Potato Head glasses.</span></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432354617888442498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zv0wW1cIDztuMVuo6Hi1eFBgdRyHIdnr700XqBoCMSw5O4BPHCYhq_DyOeM1xp3DN2lrJvY1R_RV8nz745TdNceUggO9qaWK28-HdT0D1FppTXCF-ZoVt_aYxkEijVue_RPOZKAw7tVn/s400/22633_273474684902_505374902_4540954_4624578_n.jpg" /></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-83146044834157943912010-01-23T15:32:00.003-06:002010-01-23T16:16:27.705-06:00Conference<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUDF6CE028NlbTdHtgL5m10-ZLVyRYXhh2oa9L7OpN54xyggUM5TyqNnqCSK6xxeMrhg0jcv14_XZ_rHQXs2A67O3rqzxps6A3fdyLNgs5jNtMMr7Te9F7WA9xwp_rQCaUnX9aZg3vcTm/s1600-h/n99939874902_1669.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 181px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430053201663280354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUDF6CE028NlbTdHtgL5m10-ZLVyRYXhh2oa9L7OpN54xyggUM5TyqNnqCSK6xxeMrhg0jcv14_XZ_rHQXs2A67O3rqzxps6A3fdyLNgs5jNtMMr7Te9F7WA9xwp_rQCaUnX9aZg3vcTm/s200/n99939874902_1669.jpg" /></a><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div>If you are not already signed up...might I suggest that you head on over to the site..."<a href="http://www.awomaninspiredconference.org/">A Woman Inspired</a>"... and sign up for the Nurturing Creativity and Efficient Living conference which will begin on Monday!!!</div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-84093552878708280062010-01-15T07:50:00.011-06:002010-09-06T14:34:55.790-05:00Getting OrganizedThis past week I have been seriously following along with Rachel Anne at <a href="http://homesanctuary.typepad.com/">Home Sanctuary</a>. The tasks have been small and easy to accomplish, but the fact of the matter is that I AM accomplishing something!!! I love her thoughts on making our home our sanctuary, and this includes beauty, peace, and order. This week, during my minimum maintenance routine, I did some "ordering" behind closed doors. It's always easy for me to shut a door and forget about it - "Out of sight, out of mind." I must say, that in my mind, this small task not only brought some order, but also a measure of peace and beauty to me!!!<a href="http://homesanctuary.typepad.com/"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 345px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426969148098248578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNiAFbg0Xfpvfmv13Q4H5r58Yz4vVbUphZx3QVc4VRog8p1I_dx28347sU99DNJexzGE7cU3-Vfsi_5W26OzXWVHmG8codgGJgO194Fr_nf3tLXZS88HWuubnrCGOPB7-n3LMFcLvzTNj/s400/6700512769_MrSkz.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 345px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426968551867906402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXA25BeqCpeP_paQ62RcKPxcGs_hIESFJ3zHUnRVSmHgeNZwQxl4qX6kgvUbxc4jShxjq7IG6hBqXAuuBQXndrxisTl7RbVKI9XysrXGPsc9Hk1FdpwSbgc-TxrRLKGxjTyGYJUdyxudN7/s400/January+11,+2009+003.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div><div></a></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Hmuo4jjNnNqR3M1ga-mBYZoLZTejb8OmVJDuBiLDe2V3GHaQKK0yPclggfrvJvF608r1t9ucZDSNif7H59J0Wfd9Ripjdadll2Hlx3Rr8JDmHJtHxLhD7LwM0tZ3clJ2VJfWWS5TyTc-/s1600-h/January+11,+2009+003.jpg"></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 345px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426968548343374178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rSoJ5v3iGi0y9Fr54zG0qlKRS8FaPZniahtJ8AsLC8Wzt1OQIJM8CfHklaVcydvdE_FI7EMsi5SPT3rzI_Hnl-ApkeBhGZrfp0Q27ssZ3zSKyeGaVpbUvuPXObVbwr-W5l0VSrA9Sr5E/s400/6700456118_NjsSr.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 345px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426968546320771122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpiHXeRM0l5fm8smRxgx9KcZf3ulGIilFEZBtJ6Kf976ZbG7czeCN34O9SEGf3TPwDreSrEC1LATLH0L-dPZPzCrfJWSY8urladpzt_sCam6J2A45EMqzsL3td1IyolSN3DWT6cv6B7Xy/s400/January+2+2010+005+(2).jpg" /><span style="font-size:180%;">Don't forget to check out my post where I'm giving away a copy of the book - <a href="http://cranberrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-and-giveaway.html">The One Day Way </a>- I will be choosing a winner tomorrow!! <span style="font-size:130%;">(Click on the book title and you will be taken to it!)</span><br /></span><div><br /><div></div></div>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-68194870947292480992010-01-11T18:18:00.032-06:002010-11-13T19:31:42.318-06:00Support Your Local Library Reading Challenge<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6i7r3cOldiRWY7wfYi6Y4FYm_0fqyzLMNSiPpfSiqve_f6e1rwEmnNuA0mu57Cqj0fqr30pd4l9iPiW1FLa7LXzJI7fN88TtWxc24evo4oEmga2UtqxdjP77SOJAtpp6Il8SvnQwjagF/s1600-h/LibraryFlowersSm.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425641597640901330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6i7r3cOldiRWY7wfYi6Y4FYm_0fqyzLMNSiPpfSiqve_f6e1rwEmnNuA0mu57Cqj0fqr30pd4l9iPiW1FLa7LXzJI7fN88TtWxc24evo4oEmga2UtqxdjP77SOJAtpp6Il8SvnQwjagF/s320/LibraryFlowersSm.jpg" style="float: left; height: 168px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
I just so happened upon a <a href="http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/2009/11/2010-support-your-local-library-reading.html">reading challenge </a>that utilizes the local library. WELL... here is a picture of the library that is just two blocks from my house. I have to say, it is a very nice library for our small town. I should know, I work there!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitk_IR2E7vN4N-7KrJvYFklkvd01v2Bh5YoomXxgW6YjiImaSlOUaszP3Qc1LdUwAqvp9K0lwEWPM_PPyD3dx5LiKC5SbPKUV5wvo_T4DXVgxUmPs9rIu6DBX4W108m7jau9er_nigIg_M/s1600-h/library-rc.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425642693049147810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitk_IR2E7vN4N-7KrJvYFklkvd01v2Bh5YoomXxgW6YjiImaSlOUaszP3Qc1LdUwAqvp9K0lwEWPM_PPyD3dx5LiKC5SbPKUV5wvo_T4DXVgxUmPs9rIu6DBX4W108m7jau9er_nigIg_M/s320/library-rc.jpg" style="float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 244px;" /></a>There are several levels to the challenge:<br />
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<ul><li>Mini - check out and read 25 books</li>
<li>Just my size - check out and read 50 books</li>
<li>Stepping it up - check out and read 75 books</li>
<li>Super size me - check out and read 100 books</li>
</ul>I am all for supporting my local library, so I think that I will step up to the challenge with the "Stepping it up" level.<br />
I will record the books that I read at this post. Our library has a wonderful loan network, so I am able to get just about any book my heart desires!! <br />
<span style="color: red;"><em>**I just want to say that after reading some of these books, they are not all ones that I would recommend. After working at the library, there were several authors and genres that I wanted to check out. Some were great reads...others not so much.</em></span><br />
1. White Picket Fences - by Susan Meissner<br />
2. When She Flew - by Jennie Shortridge<br />
3. Rain Song - by Alice Wisler<br />
4. Breach of Trust - by DiAnn Mills <br />
5. Things Worth Remembering - by Jackina Stark <br />
6. The New Frugality - by Chris Farrell <br />
7. Leaving Carolina - by Tamara Leigh <br />
8. Not My Daughter - by Barbara Delinsky <br />
9. Going Rogue - by Sarah Palin <br />
10. Tender Grace - by Jackina Stark <br />
11. The Passion of Mary-Margaret - by Lisa Samson <br />
12. The Moment Between - by Nicole Baart<br />
13. White Crosses - by Larry Watson<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span><br />
14. Roses - by Leila Meacham <br />
15. The Choice - Suzanne Woods Fisher<br />
16. Sarah's Key - Tatiana de Rosnay<br />
17. The Things that Keep us Here - Carla Buckley <br />
18. The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half - Stephanie Nelson<br />
19. Grooming the Next Generation for Success - Dani Johnson<br />
20. Anything but Normal - Melody Carlson<br />
21. The Help - Kathryn Stockett<br />
22. The Wives of Henry Oades - Johanna Moran <br />
23. The Parting - Beverly Lewis<br />
24. Sixteen Brides - Stephanie Grace Whitson<br />
25. The Language of Secrets - Dianne Dixon<br />
26. The Postmistress - Sarah Blake <br />
27. A Soft Place to Land - Susan Rebecca White<br />
28. House Rules - Jodie Picoult<br />
29. The Other Family - Joanna Trollope<br />
30. At the Scent of Water - Linda Nichols<br />
31. My Name is Mary Sutter - Robin Oliveira<br />
32. Maid to Match - Deeanne Gist<br />
33. Hannah's List - Debbie Macomber<br />
34. Whistling in the Dark - Debbie Kagen<br />
35. Velva Jean Learns to Drive - Jennifer Niven<br />
36. Though Waters Roar - Lynn Austin<br />
37. Sold - Patricia McCormick<br />
38. Putting Away Childish Things - Marcus Borg<br />
39. Sister Wife - Shelley Hrdlitschka<br />
40. Look Again - Lisa Scottoline<br />
41. The Sister Wife - Diane Noble<br />
42. The Mountain Between Us - Charles Martin<br />
43. Secret Daughter - Shilpi Somaya Gowda<br />
44. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini <br />
45. Stiltsville - Susanna Daniel<br />
46. Crossing Oceans - Gina Holmes<br />
47. The Castaways - Elin Hilderbrand<br />
48. No Time For Goodbye - Linwood Barclay<br />
49. Alone: Orphaned on the Ocean - Tere Deperrault<br />
50. Daisy Chain - Mary DeMuth<br />
51. A Slow Burn - Mary DeMuth<br />
52. When I Lay My Isaac Down - Carol Kent<br />
53. A New Kind of Normal - Carol Kent<br />
54. While We're Far Apart - Lynn Austin<br />
55. Winter Garden - Kristin Hannah<br />
56. The Violin of Auschwitz - Maria Angels Anglada<br />
57. Motherland: Beyond the Holocaust - Fern Chapman<br />
58. The House on Malcolm Street - Leisha Kelly<br />
59. Lady in Waiting - Susan Meissner<br />
60. Authentic Faith - Gary Thomas<br />
61. Life in Defiance - Mary DeMuth<br />
62. Promise Me - Richard Paul Evans<br />
63. A Secret Kept - Tatiana De Rosnay<br />
64. For Time and Eternity - Allison Pittman<br />
65. Safe Haven - Nicholas SparksCathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4111082995631964493.post-29101941155123016572010-01-07T17:51:00.007-06:002010-01-22T10:38:17.488-06:002010 and a Giveaway!!<div align="center"><span style="color:#990000;"><em>This giveaway has ended!! Thanks to all who commented. The winner is the blogger </em><a href="http://wrecklamation.blogspot.com/"><em>Wreaklamation!</em></a></span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">For the past week I have been looking through blogs and articles, eagerly reading what others have planned for the new year. While I have not set any specific new year's resolutions, I am looking forward to this year as a year of growth...in many areas. I'd have to say that I plan to work most on ...or change the most... in the following three area (not in any particular order!!)<br /></div><br /><div align="center">Homemaking</div><div align="center">Marriage</div><div align="center">Health/Weight </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div>One of the blogs that I happened upon was <a href="http://homesanctuary.typepad.com/">Home Sanctuary</a>. Each day Rachel posts "Today's Small Thing." The "small thing" is designed to help <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WotezfwzfF6Hu48Tl9MmWKoty3tyJg7GF_75nUezvbOgnTP_zBaQALwAuKya3sZZ3qmfiQtsK1-YGHsx5N0R6QPKNXdnqy35KFd7cQUyV3jO1BW1cf4ChFDFXqfaQdn7gqGcId104LYU/s1600-h/company-girl4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424152549773017058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WotezfwzfF6Hu48Tl9MmWKoty3tyJg7GF_75nUezvbOgnTP_zBaQALwAuKya3sZZ3qmfiQtsK1-YGHsx5N0R6QPKNXdnqy35KFd7cQUyV3jO1BW1cf4ChFDFXqfaQdn7gqGcId104LYU/s200/company-girl4.jpg" /></a>us make our home a sanctuary. They may be small things, but every small thing adds up!! Literally, too...because Rachel assigns points to each small thing and then points are tallied, sent in, and prizes are given at the end of each month. So far I've been able to accomplish each task given and I look forward to finding out what the task of the day will be! I know that this site will be a great help to me in getting the little things accomplished rather than putting them off...again and again!! I look forward to making my home more of a Sanctuary in 2010!<br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424157881236455810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XNk8XxUpUugxfTWLn81yilNiai9x57C-eZVjnxt1AbCw3LhgAtSq5q5OtPKtRjHVgTSkOLCX-k-jYY-uJYEBU0kN_NI4q0XRXeTyRRr5FT8e04-wPGrrbdJLiZUzFUpMlOlLphsaDsOf/s200/51qHRYrUS2L.jpg" />Bethany House Publishers sent me a free copy of "Closer" by Jim and Cathy Burns for review. The sub-title is Devotions to Draw Couples Together. After reading through this book, I will have to say that 2010 will be a year of working on my marriage. I look forward to going through this book with my husband. The Burns admit that they have tried just about every devotional and have not been disciplined enough to keep at it. I'm sure that's the case for most of us. Their book offers 52 chapters - each chapter is just a few pages long. So, there's enough to focus on just one short chapter per week for a year! At the end of each chapter is a section called "Faith Conversations." These conversations are three questions or statements to draw out conversation. After the "Faith Conversations," the chapters conclude with a section called "A Step Closer." This section requires more involvement, such as writing out the story of your relationship, setting goals, brainstorming date ideas, listing weakness of your marriage, etc. The chapters are short, yet packed with so much to think about and many ideas to implement into one's marriage. Very, very practical and doable. I, for one, am looking forward to going through this book with my husband this year.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 132px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424157877328020098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJL036ktogETJEV-h_wv_JMQS_g9wPFukXtvI_6rXMA0NTGM3Zbyq6HjCFt_HgOvMwc1Kr796IRRh8568wnlubMpYZ4gsZgIA-tUkHHKl68u-iN3rdWl_KDg9hv7-dEWlZxFTj3ayA0DLV/s200/51i57Zt8g-L.jpg" />Last, but perhaps not least...it's the dreaded thinking about how to get in shape/lose that weight in the coming new year. "The One Day Way" was provided to me for review by the Waterbrook-Multnomah Publishing Group. The premise of the book is to keep it simple, nothing complicated, expensive or temporary. The author, Chantel Hobbs, encourages you to keep your focus on today and today only. Personally, I felt that Chantel took a lot of time laying the foundation (the "how to think" part) of the book. But once I get farther along in actually working my way through this in actuality, I think I may find that I will need to go back and reread the beginning sections for motivation. (She's been there, done that, and most likely knows what she's talking about!) I have to say that the section on meal plans was fabulous! The foods are simple, easy to obtain, easy to make - they look like something I could stick with. There's a great section on strength-training workouts along with pictures. I highly recommend this book and expect it to be my constant companion throughout the coming year! You can purchase the book <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780307458780">here.</a> </p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">The publishers have given me an extra copy of "The One Day Way" to give to one of my readers!! Just make a comment on this post telling me three things you plan on working on this coming year. Mention this giveaway in a post, tweet, etc. and let me know and you will receive two entries!!!</span></p>Cathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12137228756793743869noreply@blogger.com21