tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29886563597376004452024-02-19T11:13:09.941-05:00A Girl Called Erika"I dwell in possibility." -Emily DickinsonErikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-4306258116331685752015-07-08T15:21:00.001-04:002015-07-08T15:21:42.781-04:00Here's a Thing<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Howdy, friends. It's been a while. No recaps about my silence or anything, I just want to jump right in to what's going on now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Husband and I are adding to our family in just about four weeks! Yep, I'm having a baby. He's due on August 3rd, which seems RIDICULOUSLY SOON. Maybe because it is? Probably.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyway, once upon a time, I made three receiving blankets for our, at the time, nonexistent future child. Now I get to use them with this baby! Over the weekend, I finished seventeen burp cloths for him. I also did nine tiny cross stitch patterns to hang in the nursery. What's left to do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-More burp cloths (you can't ever have enough, can you?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Crib sheets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Crib skirt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Framing all of the art for the walls of the nursery</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are probably other things, but I can't think of them right now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I will update with pictures of finished projects very soon (though if you peruse my instagram, you've probably seen the little cross stitch guys...).</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091887169854564001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-60142609145766434282014-09-01T11:30:00.000-04:002014-09-01T11:30:01.053-04:00Etsy Shop!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Friends, I finally did it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I opened an etsy shop!! It's true. You should be able to see it to the right of my entries here, or you can visit the page <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AGirlCalledErika?ref=hdr_shop_menu">directly</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I started out making receiving blankets and burp cloths a little while back after looking at some good tutorials for both. Having fiddled around with methods, I now make them in my own way and I am very excited to try my hand at selling them. If you or anyone you know is in the market for handmade baby items, give my shop a look-see. Eventually, I'd like to include some other types of products (maybe infinity scarves? maybe bags?) and see where this can go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm feeling optimistic.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10091887169854564001noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-56241535970957743112014-09-01T09:52:00.003-04:002014-09-01T09:52:46.828-04:00Monthly Book Roundup: August<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">First of all, how in the world is it already Labor Day?! WHERE DID SUMMER GO?????</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Secondly, I don't know if I've ever discussed this before, but I have been keeping track of every book that I've read since the summer of 2004. That does not include books I read for classes in either college or graduate school. My number as of this very moment? 445. Honestly, that doesn't seem like a lot to me, but if you break that number down, we have 44 per year or three per month which is a pretty fair average. Wouldn't you agree? I'm not sure. Does anyone else do this kind of thing?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Finally, it would seem that all of the books I read in August were by female authors. I'm pretty impressed by this because it really seems like my lists are dominated by male authors more frequently. Without further ado, I will tell you that, in August, I read: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Rescue-Untold-American-Nurses-ebook/dp/B00B73T1WW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409578874&sr=1-1&keywords=the+secret+rescue" target="_blank"><i>The Secret Rescue</i></a> by Cate Lineberry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Someday-Maybe-Novel-Lauren-Graham-ebook/dp/B00ALBR6E6/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409578846&sr=1-1&keywords=someday+someday+maybe" target="_blank"><i>Someday, Someday, Maybe</i></a> by Lauren Graham (book club selection)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Queen-Sarah-Addison-Allen-ebook/dp/B00125MK78/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409578907&sr=1-1&keywords=the+sugar+queen" target="_blank"><i>The Sugar Queen</i></a> by Sarah Addison Allen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Attachments-Novel-Rainbow-Rowell-ebook/dp/B004BDOZZI/ref=sr_1_1_ha?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409579033&sr=1-1&keywords=attachments" target="_blank"><i>Attachments</i></a> by Rainbow Rowell</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flirts-Romantic-Short-Stories-Collections-ebook/dp/B0056VBOCQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409579117&sr=1-1&keywords=flirts" target="_blank"><i>Flirts</i></a> by Lisa Scott</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">All of these were fairly wonderful. Lauren Graham's book is cute and funny and I could easily imagine her (as I know her from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238784/?ref_=nv_sr_1" target="_blank">Gilmore Girls</a>) as the main character. I'd recommend it. The <i>Flirts</i> book, was something I had picked up for free on my kindle and it was a nice, light read. Five romantic, funny short stories that didn't drag out for ages and ages. I liked it pretty well. I think I read <i>The Sugar Queen</i> at least once every six months or so. That is, honestly, not often enough. I really love that book. Husband told me I should just buy it if I read it that much, and he's right, but I just keep checking it out from the library. Maybe someday I'll get around to purchasing it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What did you read in August? Anything great? Anything terrible?</span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-88729616659782616792014-08-17T11:11:00.000-04:002014-08-17T11:11:06.422-04:00Memory<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">How much can you remember from when you a small child (like under the age of four)? Husband remembers a LOT of stuff from when he was tiny and it always amazes me. I don't know if I remember that much, but I suppose if I sat and pondered it, I might remember something. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I do have one memory that sticks with me. I can't even be sure of how old I was, but since it has to do with my great grandmother and she died several months before my sixth birthday, I know I was younger than that. If I had to guess, I would say that I was three or four. Anyway, I remember going over to my great grandmother's apartment with my grandpa one day. I believe he was there to fix her air conditioner. While he worked, she made me scrambled eggs and gave me orange juice (with pulp! the nerve!). I remember sitting on the floor in front of her television, but I don't remember what I was watching. I do recall that she let me hold her precious stuffed Kermit the Frog while I was there, though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Even though that memory isn't really that significant, it is one that I treasure. I've always been close with my grandpa and I think it's nice that I got to go with him to visit his mother. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Speaking of my grandpa, he just celebrated his 79th birthday yesterday! Huzzah! He told me he wasn't having birthdays anymore, but I called him to say happy birthday anyway. He and my grandma were having dinner at Olive Garden. Cute times.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Happy Sunday! </span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-27402628170786515482014-08-05T23:00:00.000-04:002014-08-05T23:00:03.825-04:00Little Booper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have wanted to write about this for a bit, but I wasn't able to do it until now (and I still might cry while I write it, but what can you do).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As you know, Booper was constantly plagued by asthma and sneezing. Toward the beginning of this year, he stopped responding to the steroids and antibiotics that the vet was giving him every couple of months. This meant that we switched over to an oral antihistamine only. On June 3rd, I came home from work and noticed a bump between his eyes. I emailed a picture to the doctor the following morning and he said he would be over on Thursday. He also said that it looked pretty serious and I should prepare myself for potential bad news. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bad news.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dr. Ruble wasn't here very long that Thursday before he told us that the mystery bump was probably cancer. I had cried on the phone when the doctor had told me it was probably something serious. I cried again when he told us that it was probably cancer. He gave Booper the steroids and antibiotics he had been getting in the past, took a sample to examine under the microscope to be sure and we talked about what might happen. He estimated that Booper had anywhere from one month to three (at most) and told us that we would have to make the difficult decision to put him to sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The tumor grew quickly. Very, very quickly. I took pictures nearly every day and the progression is ridiculous to watch. It began to push against his eyes, making them water all of the time, and he started having bloody noses just about every day. He also started to look more tired than usual. We could tell that he wasn't himself, despite little bursts of energy when he'd play with us or his brother cats. Finally, at the beginning of July, we had to call the vet to have him come over for a final visit. I made the call while I was at work but I made sure to have Husband be on the line as well because I wasn't convinced I could talk to the receptionist without sobbing. I'm glad I did. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Dr. Ruble came over on July 3rd. As soon as he walked in, he told us that it was definitely the right thing to be doing. He said that the tumor was likely giving Booper headaches and that it was starting to deform his bones. I won't go in to details about the procedure, but I will tell you that it was very peaceful. Husband held him and we sat on the couch all together. When he was gone, we brought Bandit and Kit Kat downstairs to see him so they would know what had happened </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(the vet said that they likely knew already because of the change in scents in the house, though)</span>. We eventually said our goodbyes. We got his remains back about a week later. It made me feel so much better to have him back with us, even if it was in a completely different way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am so grateful for the care that Dr. Ruble gave to Booper throughout his entire life. It was such a good thing to find his practice when we were considering switching vets several years ago. It was so much nicer to have him come over to our home to see the cats rather than take them out to an office. It was also really amazing that we could all be home together on Booper's last day and that he could feel safe and calm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We did our best to make sure Booper felt loved and pampered during the last month of his life. We gave him all of the best food and treats, we had friends stop over to visit him, we even took him outside a couple times (you know, so that he would be able to get the best smells). He spent a great deal of time sitting near the open window in the kitchen, sniffing the air and sleeping in the sunlight. On his last day, we gave him a feast of delicious lunchmeats as well as a scallop (didn't care for it), cool whip (looooved it, as usual), and dog ice cream (not interested). We cuddled him, let him sit by the window and just spent time near him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Booper turned nine shortly after we discovered the tumor. I am so grateful that I was able to have him in my life for the nearly six years that I did. He was so wonderful. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSv7L05O7RAQGQ-pbx23cXSCwgbOOXgHlxVjs8pCY3OjNTnFePD9Z0nsPClxLWJ9TVjqMLEM5D75np-8UrT8UhZeBE9_r7Mf-zTYr7HZlsF7i6pqznkRXkie43rwyCppWEZuLZGxG_Sw/s1600/20140702_191351-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSv7L05O7RAQGQ-pbx23cXSCwgbOOXgHlxVjs8pCY3OjNTnFePD9Z0nsPClxLWJ9TVjqMLEM5D75np-8UrT8UhZeBE9_r7Mf-zTYr7HZlsF7i6pqznkRXkie43rwyCppWEZuLZGxG_Sw/s640/20140702_191351-1.jpg" height="400" width="201" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pictures above and below were both taken during our outings to the yard and porch.</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OptX9u9TVpWm-A25O_KnFZt_2OS30zhfBzQf69yfGCnyhhUYGOyLPVL1nqvJ1WA2n1Fj7en4xFhnT2QKN-kfSnLm698DnuXKAV8eF34KWMzljdNuUTMGvvCdA5GnBGttURl38KJ6KOs/s1600/20140702_190644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OptX9u9TVpWm-A25O_KnFZt_2OS30zhfBzQf69yfGCnyhhUYGOyLPVL1nqvJ1WA2n1Fj7en4xFhnT2QKN-kfSnLm698DnuXKAV8eF34KWMzljdNuUTMGvvCdA5GnBGttURl38KJ6KOs/s1600/20140702_190644.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After we found out about the tumor, I began crying pretty much constantly. After he had been gone for two weeks, I was finally able to get through a work day without bursting in to tears. I know that we did the right thing and that he was suffering, but I don't think I'll ever stop missing him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bandit and Kit Kat seem to be doing okay as a twosome rather than a threesome. I think they were both missing him right after he was gone, but they seem to be keeping it together now as well. Funnily enough, they have changed some of their habits. Bandit has been meowing more frequently, Kit Kat has been more lovey dovey. It's interesting to note the changes and realize that, unbeknownst to us, Booper may have been the alpha cat (do cats have alphas? I don't know). We are all adjusting to life without him, but it will never be the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Rest in Peace, my little Booper doo. You were just the best.</span></div>
Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-9608519961841478042014-08-01T06:00:00.000-04:002014-08-01T06:00:03.582-04:00Monthly Book Roundup: May, June & July<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Are you ready for yet another book recap? I know that you are. It's okay to admit it. Here we go (and I think a few of these may have been repeats, because sometimes you just need to re-read things, you know?):</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">May 2014</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Night-Novel-Sophie-Kinsella-ebook/dp/B009MYARIK/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843439&sr=1-1&keywords=wedding+night+sophie+kinsella" target="_blank">Wedding Night</a></i> by Sophie Kinsella</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Hands-Memories-Holocaust-Rescuer-ebook/dp/B001O1O7SK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843627&sr=1-1&keywords=in+my+hands" target="_blank"><i>In My Hands</i></a> by Irene Gut Opdyke</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thunderstruck-Erik-Larson-ebook/dp/B000JMKR4S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843651&sr=1-1&keywords=thunderstruck" target="_blank"><i>Thunderstruck</i></a> by Erik Larson</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Lake-Sarah-Addison-Allen-ebook/dp/B00F1R9AWG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843686&sr=1-1&keywords=lost+lake" target="_blank"><i>Lost Lake</i></a> by Sarah Addison Allen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Collector-Nora-Roberts-ebook/dp/B00FX7REI6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843711&sr=1-1&keywords=the+collector" target="_blank"><i>The Collector</i></a> by Nora Roberts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>Rita Hayworth & Shawshank Redemption</i> from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Different-Seasons-Signet-Stephen-King-ebook/dp/B002SR2PZG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843737&sr=1-1&keywords=different+seasons" target="_blank">Different Seasons</a> by Stephen King (book club selection)</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">June 2014</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vanished-Sixty-Year-Search-Missing-World-ebook/dp/B00C5R7BPS/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843773&sr=1-3&keywords=vanished" target="_blank"><i>Vanished</i></a> by Wil S. Hylton</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Witch-Cousins-ODwyer-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00BC25992/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843795&sr=1-1&keywords=dark+witch" target="_blank"><i>Dark Witch</i></a> by Nora Roberts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ember-Island-Kimberley-Freeman-ebook/dp/B00DPM7U12/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843829&sr=1-1&keywords=ember+island" target="_blank"><i>Ember Island </i></a>by Kimberley Freeman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Spells-Sarah-Addison-Allen-ebook/dp/B000VRBBD2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843856&sr=1-1&keywords=garden+spells" target="_blank"><i>Garden Spells</i></a> by Sarah Addison Allen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mariana-Susanna-Kearsley-ebook/dp/B007HB5U0U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843882&sr=1-1&keywords=mariana" target="_blank"><i>Mariana</i></a> by Susanna Kearsley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peach-Keeper-Sarah-Addison-Allen-ebook/dp/B004HFRJQC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843907&sr=1-1&keywords=the+peach+keeper" target="_blank"><i>The Peach Keeper</i></a> by Sarah Addison Allen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crazy-Love-Lani-Diane-Rich-ebook/dp/B00CAE6EHM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843947&sr=1-1&keywords=crazy+in+love+lani+diane+rich" target="_blank"><i>Crazy in Love</i></a> by Lani Diane Rich</span><br />
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<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">July 2014</span></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Green-Gables-L-M-Montgomery/dp/1500426040/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406843994&sr=1-1&keywords=anne+of+green+gables" target="_blank"><i>Anne of Green Gables</i></a> by L.M. Montgomery (book club selection)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Priscilla-Hidden-Englishwoman-Wartime-France-ebook/dp/B00DB3DA64/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406844025&sr=1-1&keywords=priscilla+by+nicholas+shakespeare" target="_blank"><i>Priscilla</i></a> by Nicholas Shakespeare</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Suddenly-Royal-Nichole-Chase-ebook/dp/B00F8P1X6C/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406844055&sr=1-1&keywords=suddenly+royal" target="_blank"><i>Suddenly Royal</i></a> by Nichole Chase</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lawful-Escort-Eternal-Bachelors-Club-ebook/dp/B003I64DN8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406844089&sr=1-1&keywords=lawful+escort" target="_blank"><i>Lawful Escort</i></a> by Tina Folsom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-June-Novel-Sarah-Jio-ebook/dp/B00FX7ULEK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406844121&sr=1-1&keywords=goodnight+june" target="_blank"><i>Goodnight June</i></a> by Sarah Jio</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If I had to tell you which was these I would recommend first, I would say <i>Rita Hayworth & Shawshank Redemption</i> and... hmm... probably <i>Goodnight June</i>. They were both pretty great. Not that the other books were not, of course. I enjoyed all of the books I read.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What have you read lately? Anything good? Anything amazing? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Yep, it's true! Boyfriend and I tied the knot!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And... I guess that makes him Husband now, rather than Boyfriend. Hmm. I can dig that. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Anyway, you are probably thinking any number of the following things:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-"Wow! I didn't know you were planning a wedding."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-"You didn't invite me and I'm sad."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-"It's about time!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-"Wait- you got married? Were you even engaged?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-"Cool! Way to go!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Let me explain:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">About two and a half years ago, Husband and I decided that we wanted to get married. We also agreed that we didn't want to shout it from the rooftops until we knew how everything would go in terms of the kind of wedding we wanted and such. About six weeks before Thanksgiving, we were talking about how excited we were to have my parents come up from North Carolina to spend the holiday with us and we were like, "hey what if we just get married at Thanksgiving?" We both really liked this plan right away. In order to make this plan work out the way we wanted, we had to do a couple of things. The first: steal Thanksgiving dinner away from Jamie and Jason so we could be married in our home (which meant we had to tell them what we were up to). The second: get Holly and Alex to travel from Michigan. I ended up having to tell Holly what was going on as well (followed immediately by her crying, haha) so she could ask off from work. I also tried to get my grandparents to come, but my grandma was not well enough to travel. Also on the guest list were our dear friends and neighbors Elisa & Chantry who moved to Pittsburgh from Utah and thus didn't really have any family to spend the holiday with. We also told them so we could hide champagne at their house. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We didn't want a huge thing. I've been a bridesmaid four times in the last four years and I have seen the huge amount of work and stress that can go into a larger, more traditional affair. I was 100% not interested in that. I just wanted Husband and I to be married. That's really all (and if you know him, you know that he is definitely not a big to-do type of person, so that worked out well). We started researching our options and learned that, in Pennsylvania, you can choose to do a self-uniting license (This means that you marry yourselves. There is not allowed to be an officiant if you choose this option, just two witnesses). It's incredibly easy. We went through the same <a href="http://www.alleghenycounty.us/wo/plan.aspx" target="_blank">process</a> as anyone else applying for a marriage license, but when we went to the City County building here in Pittsburgh to finish applying, we just checked an extra box. That's all. Seriously.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">On Thanksgiving day, we were both so nervous that I am sure everyone knew something was going on. First of all, deciding to host Thanksgiving dinner is already a pretty big deal (we'd done it before, so we totally knew that going in). Throw in the whole getting married part and you've got an interesting thing happening. Neither of us even changed into our dinner/getting hitched clothes until RIGHT BEFORE we served dinner. It was bananas.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Anyway, we sat down to dinner and neither of us could eat at all. My father in law looked at me across the room and asked why Husband wasn't eating. Haha. Eventually, we stood up and Husband thanked everyone for coming, saying how nice it was to have our families all together for the holiday, blah, blah, etc. The rest of it went something like this:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Husband: ...and we want to tell you that we're getting married...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">*cue gasping mothers here*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Me: Right now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">*cue crying mothers here*</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So Husband whipped the document out of his pocket (Jamie and Holly served as our witnesses and had signed it before dinner), he signed it, I signed it and we put rings on our fingers and TA DA!!!!!!! <b>Married. </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We finished up dinner, answered questions from our families, had a first dance, cut a carrot cake and just generally had an excellent time. We made some phone calls to let others know about our exciting news as well.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">As of Monday, we've been married now for eight months (!!!!!!!!) and it has been just wonderful. We are both so, so happy to be married and are looking forward to many long and happy years together. </span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-80275838266787074862014-05-30T16:55:00.001-04:002014-05-30T16:55:50.412-04:00Monthly Book Roundup: November-April<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Clearly, you want to know what I've been reading over the past several months. Don't deny it. Here you go (and buckle up, because there are a lot):</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><u>November 2013</u></b></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/High-Fidelity-Nick-Hornby-ebook/dp/B002RI9XOW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401481456&sr=1-1&keywords=high+fidelity" target="_blank"><i>High Fidelity</i></a> by Nick
Hornby (book club selection)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Monuments-Men-Thieves-Greatest-Treasure-ebook/dp/B002LHRLNE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401481513&sr=1-1&keywords=monuments+men" target="_blank">The Monuments Men</a> </i>by Robert
M. Edsel</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b><u>December 2013</u></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gone-Girl-Gillian-Flynn-ebook/dp/B006LSZECO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401481567&sr=1-1&keywords=gone+girl" target="_blank"><i>Gone Girl</i></a> by Gillian
Flynn (book club selection)</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shadowy-Horses-Susanna-Kearsley-ebook/dp/B008BWDBUA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401481685&sr=1-1&keywords=shadowy+horses+susanna+kearsley" target="_blank"><i>Shadowy Horses</i></a> by Susanna
Kearsley</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Madonnas-Leningrad-Debra-Dean-ebook/dp/B000FCKRKQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401481653&sr=1-1&keywords=the+madonnas+of+leningrad" target="_blank"><i>The Madonnas of Leningrad</i></a> by Debra
Dean</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thirteenth-Tale-Diane-Setterfield-ebook/dp/B000JMKRKC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401481721&sr=1-1&keywords=thirteenth+tale" target="_blank"><i>The Thirteenth Tale</i></a> by Diane
Setterfield</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b><u>January 2014</u></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unseen-Katherine-Webb-ebook/dp/B006FOEAI8/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401481748&sr=1-3&keywords=the+unseen" target="_blank"><i>The Unseen</i></a> by Katherine
Webb</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Attempting-Elizabeth-Jessica-Grey-ebook/dp/B00B3OEUJO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401481787&sr=1-1&keywords=attempting+elizabeth" target="_blank"><i>Attempting Elizabeth</i></a> by Jessica
Grey</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Maltese-Falcon-Dashiell-Hammett-ebook/dp/B004G5ZU32/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401481868&sr=1-1&keywords=the+maltese+falcon+by+dashiell+hammett" target="_blank"><i>The Maltese Falcon</i></a> by Dashiell
Hammett (book club selection)</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tuscan-Rose-Belinda-Alexandra-ebook/dp/B008J2B8D4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401481897&sr=1-1&keywords=tuscan+rose+by+belinda+alexandra" target="_blank"><i>Tuscan Rose</i></a> by Belinda
Alexander</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fortune-Quilt-Lani-Diane-Rich-ebook/dp/B005DFC16S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401481927&sr=1-1&keywords=the+fortune+quilt" target="_blank"><i>The Fortune Quilt</i></a> by Lani
Diane Rich</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/House-at-Tyneford-Novel-ebook/dp/B005GSZIYY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401481955&sr=1-1&keywords=the+house+at+tyneford+by+natasha+solomons" target="_blank"><i>The House at Tyneford</i></a> by Natasha
Solomons</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b><u>February 2014</u></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eleanor-Park-Rainbow-Rowell-ebook/dp/B008SAZHLQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482025&sr=1-1&keywords=eleanor+and+park" target="_blank"><i>Eleanor & Park</i></a> by Rainbow
Rowell (book club selection)</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Empire-Life-as-Mountbatten-ebook/dp/B00AB19536/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482053&sr=1-1&keywords=daughter+of+empire+by+pamela+hicks" target="_blank"><i>Daughter of Empire</i></a> by Lady
Pamela Hicks</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Light-Behind-Window-Lucinda-Riley-ebook/dp/B00A28JDZS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482078&sr=1-1&keywords=the+lavender+garden+by+lucinda+riley" target="_blank"><i>The Lavender Garden</i></a> by Lucinda
Riley</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Summers-Beatriz-Williams-ebook/dp/B00AEBERQI/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482106&sr=1-1&keywords=a+hundred+summers+by+beatriz+williams" target="_blank"><i>A Hundred Summers</i></a> by Beatriz
Williams</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b><u>March 2014</u></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Empty-Mansions-Mysterious-Huguette-Greatest-ebook/dp/B00CK8CJOU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482136&sr=1-1&keywords=empty+mansions+the+mysterious+life+of+huguette+clark" target="_blank"><i>Empty Mansions</i></a> by Bill
Dedman & Paul Clark Newell, Jr.</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Queen-Sarah-Addison-Allen-ebook/dp/B00125MK78/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482181&sr=1-1&keywords=sugar+queen+sarah+addison+allen" target="_blank"><i>The Sugar Queen</i></a> by Sarah
Addison Allen</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-After-Three-Girls-ebook/dp/B008OYMA6G/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482221&sr=1-1&keywords=the+truth+about+ever+after" target="_blank">The Truth About Ever After</a> </i>by Rachel
Schurig</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Who-Chased-Moon-ebook/dp/B001NLL784/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482251&sr=1-1&keywords=the+girl+who+chased+the+moon+by+sarah+addison+allen" target="_blank"><i>The Girl Who Chased the Moon</i></a> by Sarah
Addison Allen</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Plum-Tree-Ellen-Marie-Wiseman-ebook/dp/B009AY433M/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482279&sr=1-1&keywords=the+plum+tree+by+ellen+marie+wiseman" target="_blank"><i>The Plum Tree</i></a> by Ellen
Marie Wiseman</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Movement-Stars-Amy-Brill-ebook/dp/B008U4H39E/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482338&sr=1-1&keywords=the+movement+of+stars" target="_blank"><i>The Movement of Stars</i></a> by Amy
Brill</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Language-Flowers-Vanessa-Diffenbaugh-ebook/dp/B004J4WLB4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482370&sr=1-1&keywords=the+language+of+flowers" target="_blank"><i>The Language of Flowers</i></a> by Vanessa
Diffenbaugh</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Labor-Day-P-S-Joyce-Maynard-ebook/dp/B002HPRBZS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482396&sr=1-1&keywords=labor+day" target="_blank"><i>Labor Day</i></a> by Joyce
Maynard (book club selection)</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bungalow-Novel-Sarah-Jio-ebook/dp/B005Q8254K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482424&sr=1-1&keywords=the+bungalow+sarah+jio" target="_blank"><i>The Bungalow</i></a> by Sarah
Jio</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b><u>April 2014</u></b></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Rooms-True-Gothic-Mystery-ebook/dp/B00DMCPKHG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482462&sr=1-1&keywords=the+secret+rooms+catherine+bailey" target="_blank"><i>The Secret Rooms</i></a> by Catherine
Bailey</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Winter-Sea-Susanna-Kearsley-ebook/dp/B004DCB32K/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482483&sr=1-1&keywords=winter+sea+by+susanna+kearsley" target="_blank"><i>Winter Sea</i></a> by Susanna
Kearsley</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Half-Forgotten-Song-Katherine-Webb-ebook/dp/B009NG1D3A/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482506&sr=1-1&keywords=half+forgotten+song" target="_blank"><i>A Half Forgotten Song</i></a> by Katherine
Webb</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Firebird-Susanna-Kearsley-ebook/dp/B009RXJONA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482540&sr=1-1&keywords=the+firebird" target="_blank"><i>The Firebird</i></a> by Susanna
Kearsley</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Maisie-Dobbs-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B004J4XA6E/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482572&sr=1-1&keywords=maisie+dobbs" target="_blank"><i>Maisie Dobbs</i></a> by Jacqueline
Winspear</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hitchhikers-Guide-Galaxy-ebook/dp/B000XUBC2C/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482601&sr=1-1&keywords=hitchhikers+guide+to+the+galaxy" target="_blank"><i>The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy</i></a> by Douglas Adams (book club selection)</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lovestruck-London-Rachel-Schurig-ebook/dp/B00CW44YIQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401482629&sr=1-1&keywords=lovestruck+in+london" target="_blank"><i>Lovestruck in London</i></a> by Rachel
Schurig</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><u>
</u></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Light-Ruins-Vintage-Contemporaries-ebook/dp/B00B3GMIBY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1401483129&sr=1-1&keywords=the+light+in+the+ruins" target="_blank"><i>The Light in the Ruins</i></a> by Chris
Bohjalian</div>
</span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-53236822283691637192014-05-07T15:00:00.000-04:002014-05-07T15:00:05.334-04:00Garden Experiments<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The last time I planted a garden was two years ago. Last year, I never got around to it and, if you must know, that makes me feel really silly. Anyway, you may know that I used the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Square-Foot-Gardening-Second-Revolutionary/dp/1591865484/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399486048&sr=1-1&keywords=square+foot+gardening" target="_blank">Square Foot Gardening</a> <a href="http://squarefootgardening.org/square-foot-gardening-method" target="_blank">method</a> for our first garden and that worked out pretty well. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This year, I began thinking about the garden pretty early on. I had read a bit about companion planting online and so checked out a few library books on the subject including <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Great-Garden-Companions-Companion-Planting-Chemical-Free/dp/0875968473/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399486146&sr=1-1&keywords=sally+jean+cunningham" target="_blank">Great Garden Companions</a> by <a href="http://sallycunningham.blogspot.com/p/garden-author.html" target="_blank">Sally Jean Cunningham</a>. I really liked it, and picked up a copy on Amazon. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I decided that I would try a garden that used bits and pieces of both methods. Who knows if this will be a success or not, but I went for it. I got everything planted on Sunday afternoon after sitting down at my picnic table with both books, my notebook, and a crapload of seeds. I mean, a bunch. AND I think I have more seeds somewhere, because I know I didn't use all of them last time so they must exist somewhere in my basement. Someday, I will find them. Anyway, here is what I planted:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-cucumbers ("picklebush" variety which means I may not be contending with a ton of vines and the cukes will be small)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-nasturtium</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-marigolds</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-dill</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-roma tomatoes</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-sugar snap peas</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-Serrano peppers</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-sweet banana peppers</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-bell peppers</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-zinnias</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-poppies</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-lettuce</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-carrots ("little finger" variety, so they'll be pretty small like the cucumbers)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-basil</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-oregano</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">-cilantro</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I think that's all of it. I'm pretty excited to start seeing things coming up, maybe as soon as next week for some things. I know that peas move along pretty quickly. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Are you planting a garden this year? What will you grow?</span></div>
Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-21564799949353014032014-05-05T21:57:00.001-04:002014-05-06T18:10:11.048-04:00Weekend Recap<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This past weekend was a good one. A nice mix of fun, productivity and relaxation. I:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">- watched hockey;<br />
- read;<br />
- did laundry;<br />
- ran errands;<br />
- went to a concert;<br />
- did some sewing;<br />
- took a nap;<br />
- planted my garden.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Stay tuned for more about the sewing and the gardening as well as that all important life update I promised. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Happy Monday! </span></div>
Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-15775551052891140842014-04-22T16:49:00.000-04:002014-04-22T16:49:02.644-04:00Annnnnd... I'm back!Oh, hello.<br />
<br />
It has been a while. I mean, dang. A long time.<br />
<br />
I just haven't felt like writing. Do you know what I mean? Occasionally, I'll come up with something I want to write about, but then I just don't feel like actually sitting down at the computer. I can always come up with something better, more productive or more exciting to do. It is springtime, though, so here I am. Perhaps I am coming out of a hibernation state like all of the plants around here. Could be.<br />
<br />
I have a LOT to catch you up on, life-wise. I'm not even sure what direction I'll be taking this blog in the future, but I'm hoping to write more frequently.<br />
<br />
For now, I will say... Happy Earth Day! Go hug a tree.Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-33096797613401175272013-11-20T19:29:00.000-05:002013-11-20T19:29:00.878-05:00Monthly Book Roundup: October<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ah, October. It seems like it was so long ago, but it most certainly was not. I read some delightful things in October. They were:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Coastal-Summons-Katrina-Thomas-ebook/dp/B008RBTSVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384993455&sr=8-1&keywords=coastal+summons" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Coastal-Summons-Katrina-Thomas-ebook/dp/B008RBTSVQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384993455&sr=8-1&keywords=coastal+summons" target="_blank"><i>Coastal Summons</i></a> by Katrina Thomas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Objects-Susanna-Moore-ebook/dp/B007QPHHW6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384993490&sr=8-1&keywords=the+life+of+objects" target="_blank"><i>The Life of Objects</i></a> by Susanna Moore</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Wife-Alyson-Richman-ebook/dp/B005ERIK56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384993522&sr=8-1&keywords=the+lost+wife" target="_blank"><i>The Lost Wife</i></a> by Alyson Richman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lives-Like-Loaded-Guns-Dickinson-ebook/dp/B003QMLBMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384993571&sr=8-1&keywords=lives+like+loaded+guns" target="_blank"><i>Lives Like Loaded Guns: Emily Dickinson & Her Family's Feuds</i></a> by Lyndall Gordon</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Not a lot of reading material, I suppose, but I enjoyed everything. Especially <i>The Lost Wife</i>. I'm a sucker for WWII stories. The Gordon book was very interesting, but it took me ages to get through it. That drives me crazy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What did you read in October?</span><br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
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<![endif]--><br /></span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-73480271415516357922013-11-15T22:35:00.000-05:002013-11-15T22:35:02.054-05:00A Happy Ending <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Does it seem like 90% of things that pop up on the news lately are depressing? Senseless violence, natural disasters, etc. You know. It sucks. Today, I got to see something really happy, though, and it kind of redeemed some of the terrible things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A little bit after I got home, I heard a dog barking outside. I stepped out to see if it was one of my neighbor dogs because I like them and I always try to say hi to them and their human counterparts. The barking was coming from my next door neighbors' house. I started talking to the dog in question, thinking it was their funny old beagle, Cleo. Then I looked over the fence. It was not Cleo, but a little fluffy white creature. Karen, one of the neighbors, came out and explained that Kathy, her housemate, had found the dog (minus a collar, unfortunately) on her way home and brought it to the house until she could find its owner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I helped Kathy find the non-emergency number for the police station near where she'd found the dog. She called them, but no one had called about a missing dog. I posted a found dog ad on Craigslist, accompanied by a funny little picture of our new friend. After spending a little time with the pup, it seemed to me that he might be blind. I recognized the way he was acting very confused and not coming over to me when I called. His eyes, when I could catch a glimpse of them, were cloudy like my dog Onyx's eyes were when she lost her sight (RIP Onyx. She passed away when I was in high school and I still get emotional thinking about her). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At first, I thought that the foundling was a girl and decided to try calling her Judy. And then I saw that she was definitely not a girl. Ha! Kathy suggested that we call him Gerald. I agreed that that was good, but I wanted to try some other options. I tried calling him:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Punchbowls</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Kleenex Box</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Cheez-its</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He sort of responded to both Gerald and Punchbowls, soooooo I started calling him Gerald Punchbowls. It killed me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway, anyway. I went home and only a few minutes later, Kathy came over to tell me that the police dispatcher called her. The owner had made contact!!!! We learned then that our little friend was about 15 years old and known as Peaches. We got the address of his family and were going to head over there when we got a phone call from them. I was hanging out there with Peaches, trying to keep him calm, when someone came to the door. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I answered it and the woman standing there looked so cautiously hopeful that I just immediately blurted out, "Are you here about the dog?!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She looked so relieved. "Are you Kathy?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"I'm not," I said, "but she's inside and so is Peaches."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When Peaches made his way to the foyer to greet her, she just started sobbing. She explained that he'd made a mess in the house while she was at work and, while she cleaned it up, she put him in the yard. He doesn't usually escape, but he did this time, and since he is so old and blind, he got lost and confused. She honestly didn't think that she'd see him again and had called her daughter, the one who named him Peaches at the age of eleven, to tell her that Peaches was gone. Her joy and relief was contagious. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When I got back to my house, I was just overwhelmed. Isn't it amazing that something so simple as reuniting a dog with his family can be so wonderful and happy? I can't imagine the relief that her daughter must have felt when her mom called to say that Peaches had been found safe and sound. Not all stories have a happy ending like this. I'm glad I got to see this one. </span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-20824236657813220532013-11-03T12:01:00.000-05:002013-11-03T12:01:28.895-05:00Spinach Tortellini Soup<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A few weeks ago, I whipped up some spinach tortellini soup for a weekend meal, <a href="http://www.shutterbean.com/2013/spinach-tortellini-soup/" target="_blank">recipe</a> courtesy of Tracy over at <a href="http://shutterbean.com/">shutterbean.com</a>. It. Was. Awesome. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was incredibly easy to make, it tasted like I had spent hours slaving over the stove making it, and (maybe best of all) Boyfriend loved it. He said it tasted almost exactly like the pasta fagioli his grandma would make him when he was small. That, my friends, is a high compliment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What I'm telling you is that if you make this soup, not only will your stomach thank you, but your family will love it and make you feel like a rock star. PLUS, this has delicious pasta in it. I don't think we have to address why that is amazing. </span><br />
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Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-1300389732807471962013-10-13T12:44:00.002-04:002013-10-13T12:44:59.847-04:00Monthly Book Roundup: September<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">September was a fairly calm month in terms of reading. Meaning I did not bulldoze over a million books this time. Sad, but true. The ones I did read were pretty great, though. They were:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Birdsong-ebook/dp/B007M29RJ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381680942&sr=8-1&keywords=birdsong" target="_blank"><i>Birdsong</i></a> by Sebastian Faulks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Code-Talker-Original-Talkers-ebook/dp/B005ERIRHW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381681110&sr=8-2&keywords=code+talker" target="_blank"><i>Code Talker</i></a> by Chester Nez</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Cliff-ebook/dp/B007EDOU2K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381681146&sr=8-1&keywords=the+girl+on+the+cliff" target="_blank"><i>The Girl on the Cliff</i></a> by Lucinda Riley</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Austenland-Novel-1-ebook/dp/B00422LESO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381681205&sr=8-1&keywords=austenland" target="_blank"><i>Austenland</i></a> by Shannon Hale</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Circular-Staircase-ebook/dp/B0083ZIT7A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381681244&sr=8-1&keywords=the+circular+staircase" target="_blank"><i>The Circular Staircase</i></a> by Mary Roberts Rinehart</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think I have something to say about all of these. First of all, I read <i>Birdsong</i> because I saw the Masterpiece <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1127876/?ref_=sr_2" target="_blank">series</a> pop up on Netflix and I thought, "Well, I have to read the book before I can watch this." So I read the book. It was not exactly what I expected, but it was pretty enjoyable. I think the series is no longer on Netflix, which is a bummer, but I may be able to watch it through Amazon instant video. We'll see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Side note, when I went to IMDB to get the link for the <i>Birdsong</i> series, I saw this trailer and got all teary-eyed and I think I probably need to see this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yay? Nay? What do you think?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway. Back on track... I really enjoyed reading the Chester Nez book. His life has been an amazing one and it was really exciting to read about the use of the language of the Navajo in codes during the second world war. <i>The Girl on the Cliff</i> was kind of ehhhh for me. Know what I mean? I liked parts of it, but I was most certainly not blown away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I read <i>Austenland</i> because Amanda and I had plans to go see the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1985019/?ref_=sr_1" target="_blank">movie</a> and I wanted to compare the two. For the record, the movie is nothing at all like the book. I mean it. Very, very little is the same. The book was very cute and I liked it. The movie was... ridiculous. Amanda and I laughed our heads off, but mostly because it was just insane. I think the movie wasn't trying to take itself too seriously, which really helped.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>The Circular Staircase</i> was the book club selection for September. I enjoyed it. Partially because the author, as I may have mentioned at some point, is from Pittsburgh, and partially because it was just a darn good story. I'd recommend it.</span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-49804915952069849472013-10-13T08:38:00.001-04:002013-10-13T12:14:43.781-04:00Ikea Dream House<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do you ever get jealous of the fake houses in the Ikea catalog? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You don't? Oh... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Neither do I. Nope. Not ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The rooms they make up just look so wonderful! I love my house and I'm happy with the way we are working on making it lovely and ours, but damn. Ikea. You make me crazy. I want all the things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It is a good thing my sister is an interior designer. I can use her brain to steer my house toward magnificence. MAGNIFICENCE!!!!!!!!!! </span></div>
Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-78444891469292391982013-10-06T10:36:00.002-04:002013-10-06T10:36:47.001-04:00Birthday Gifts for a Duck<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is my final post to catch up on all of the drafts I had floating around here! YAY! I'll feel much better about things now. Maybe I'll even be more inclined to post things timely. That would be amazing, right? Right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway. Back on track. Do you remember the <a href="http://www.agirlcallederika.com/2013/01/foxy.html" target="_blank">fox bags</a> I made for me and for Holly back in January? The one that I made using the techniques I learned in Deborah Moebes' book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-Learning-Sew-Project-Time/dp/1440211612/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358810755&sr=1-1&keywords=stitch+by+stitch" target="_blank"><i>Stitch by Stitch</i></a>? Yes... those bags. I decided that the little Duck needed some cute bags for her birthday. See, ever since she was very small, she has liked to pretend that she is going to the office. To play this game, she needs to find a hat, a bag, someone's keys and someone's shoes (never her own). I actually don't know if she still plays this game, but I hope so. Maybe three year olds are too fancy to play going to work games.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">ANYWAY. Geez. For her third birthday in July, I made the Duck two little skirts (I need to work on my child-size skirt skills; her mom said they fit her like pencil skirts) and two little matching bags. Here are the skirts:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And here are the matching bags. They are not the same size. I definitely made them smaller than the ones that I made for myself and for Holly, but they are also not equal in size to one another. I used the cotton webbing for the handles, rather than the fabric itself. I think they turned out pretty nicely:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think she loved the Dora stuff the best, but she also seemed to like the cupcakes. She's pretty easy to please, though. And, adorably, she is so emphatic with her thank yous.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm looking forward to making her other cute bags in the future. She started dance class a few weeks ago and, if she keeps with it, I'll make her a special bag for that. </span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-85792010309436940482013-10-05T12:30:00.000-04:002013-10-05T12:30:01.603-04:00Minestrone Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here's a thing you should know about me. When I read magazines, I rip out the pages of stuff that I like. (I subscribe to <a href="http://www.bhg.com/" target="_blank">Better Homes & Gardens</a>, so the majority of my torn pages are from issues of that publication.) I then use a three hole punch and those little circle reinforcing labels and put the pages into a three ring binder. I have sections like: color, recipes, decor, garden, and pretty things. You know, the usual. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway, I had a recipe for minestrone soup ripped out that I had been wanting to try for a while. In early August, I finally did it. It was delicious. I would share a link to it here, but I cannot find the same recipe on their website to save my life. Instead, I'll type it out here. You should know that this particular recipe was published in their March 2012 issue. It was a pretty quick meal, which was nice for a weeknight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 14 or 15 ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 cup vegetable or chicken broth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 medium yellow sweet pepper, chopped</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 tsp Italian seasonings or 1 tsp each dried basil and garlic powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1 cup dry rigatoni or penne</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2 to 3 cups baby spinach</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Parmesan cheese and/or basil (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-In a Dutch oven, combine the tomatoes, 2 cups water, beans, broth, pepper, seasoning, and pasta. Bring to boil over high heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Reduce head to medium and cook, covered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is just barely tender.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Stir in spinach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-Ladle into bowls and top with Parmesan and/or basil.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You should try this soup! I think it would be really delicious now that it is socially acceptable soup weather and the temps are <i>supposed</i> to be cooling down. I plan to make it again very soon.</span></div>
Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-31347411756818587782013-10-05T10:19:00.001-04:002013-10-05T10:19:37.291-04:00Girls Weekend 2013<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Since I have been so bad about keeping up with blog posts, it isn't super surprising that this one is so late. It is a bit ridiculous, though. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the tradition of the girls weekend we had at my house last November, my mom, sister and I got together for a weekend in April. APRIL. That is six months ago, isn't it? Goodness. I'm sorry for the delay. This trip, like the other was full of crafts and hanging out. Marmee and I traveled to Holly's house this time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The first night we were together, we decided to use hot glue and buttons to create something pretty on a canvas. It was pretty fun and I liked the way it turned out. The picture below is our finished works. I am, clearly, the odd woman out. My flower makes me smile, though. I have had it up on my mantle since that day and it adds some color to the room. I figure it will get a more permanent spot somewhere in the house as we work more on our rooms.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We also made terrariums while we were together (and bracelets, but I don't love any of the pictures I took of those enough to post them)! Holly had most of the supplies ready when we got there. We just went searching for the plants themselves as well as little animal figures to put inside. It was more challenging to make them than I had expected, but I liked the way they turned out. I had to be sure to get plants that were non-toxic to cats, just in case. I put a little porcelain duck in my terrarium, and dubbed her Susannah. She's very cute. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sadly, my terrarium did not make it. I have since given up on it, but Susannah is hanging out on our bookshelf now. She's a cutie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was a joy to be all together for a relaxing weekend. I got to see Alex, my brother-in-law a bit (he's usually out riding his bike if he is not working, you see) and visit with the cute pups, Charlie and Penny. They are very funny dogs and I love them. I made Marmee and Holly have a photo shoot with them before I left.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am hopeful that we can get together for another girls weekend soon! It's always one of the best things ever. I always hate that my family is so far away and spread out, but I love it when we have the chance to be together. </span><br />
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Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-72988743618283105772013-10-04T06:30:00.000-04:002013-10-04T06:30:02.583-04:00Peach & Blueberry Buckle<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gosh, I've been so bad about posting lately that I can't actually remember when I made some of the stuff I've wanted to write about. That's not great, right? Probably not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'll keep this short, because I need to get my drafts cleared out so I don't feel so guilty about them lingering around here mostly unfinished. I made a super delicious, amazing dessert a while back. A peach & blueberry buckle. I had never made a buckle before, much less heard of one. I think it seems most like a coffee cake to me. I got the <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/peach-blueberry-buckle-00100000105376/index.html" target="_blank">recipe</a> from real simple and it was pretty easy. I took some over to Elisa when it was still hot and Boyfriend and I had some right away as well. I will definitely make this again. The combo of the peaches & blueberries was a great one. </span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-59846853712054535472013-10-03T19:56:00.002-04:002013-10-03T19:56:27.445-04:00Monthly Book Roundup: August<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As I anticipated, August was considerably slower for reading than June & July had been. Oh well. Any reading is good reading, I suppose. This month, I read:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Omens-ebook/dp/B0054LJGWS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380843885&sr=8-1&keywords=good+omens" target="_blank"><i>Good Omens</i></a> by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Romanovs-Final-Chapter-ebook/dp/B0075WPKCY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380843930&sr=8-1&keywords=the+romanovs+massie" target="_blank"><i>The Romanovs: The Final Chapter</i></a> by Robert K. Massie</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Fixer-Upper-ebook/dp/B001NLKZI2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380843968&sr=8-1&keywords=the+fixer+upper" target="_blank"><i>The Fixer Upper</i></a> by Mary Kay Andrews</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Legacy-ebook/dp/B004PYDNFQ/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1380844008&sr=8-2" target="_blank"><i>The Legacy</i></a> by Katherine Webb</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Harriet-the-Spy-ebook/dp/B000SEGZRK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380844056&sr=8-1&keywords=harriet+the+spy" target="_blank"><i>Harriet the Spy</i></a> by Louise Fitzhugh</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Gaiman/Pratchett book was our book club selection and I really wanted to love it. I was such a huge fan of <i>American Gods</i> and <i>Stardust</i>. Tracy hypothesized that the problem was that I didn't like Pratchett's style of writing. It's possible. I did finish the book and I liked it much better by the end and I enjoyed some of the specific characters, but I don't think I really loved the book as a whole. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Massie book was really interesting. I've always had a fascination with the Russian Imperial family and this book was well done. It made me want to watch the animated film <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anastasia-Meg-Ryan/dp/B001FAFO3W/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1380844523&sr=1-2&keywords=anastasia" target="_blank">Anastasia</a> which, of course, is really, really untrue. Haha. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think my September book roundup will be up in very little time. Keep a look out, friends.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-4973437563528498942013-10-03T19:38:00.002-04:002013-10-03T19:38:33.601-04:00Freezer Jam!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been thinking about freezer jam for months. MONTHS. I found <a href="http://www.withinthekitchen.blogspot.ca/2012/08/easy-raspberry-lime-freezer-jam.html" target="_blank">this recipe</a> via pinterest a long while back and knew I had to try it. Regular canning intimidates me, but I figured that freezer jam was more reasonable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A couple of Fridays ago, I embarked on my endeavor. I decided to do a straight up raspberry jam, despite the recipe calling for a lime zest. I thought I could get raspberries at Aldi, but I was wrong. So I ended up getting everything at Giant Eagle. Fruit, pectin, jars. The whole process was pretty simple and didn't take long at all. I ended up being able to make five jars. I kept two (mostly because we basically inhaled the first one), gave one to Elisa & Chantry, one to Jamie & Jason, and one to Boyfriend's parents. So far, rave reviews! If you've ever wanted to make jam but were afraid of boiling jars and all that, try this out. </span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-9242868668180810112013-09-22T13:01:00.002-04:002013-09-22T13:01:49.703-04:00Set Sail for Productivity<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been so productive over the last few days, it is ridiculous. I took Friday off from work and used the time to work on things that I have been wanting to get done around the house. Here is what I did on Friday:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-bought three gold candlesticks at my local thrift store so that I can use them for a project inspired by <a href="http://www.onsuttonplace.com/2013/08/easy-spray-paint-update" target="_blank">one I found on Pinterest</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-got supplies to make my own freezer jam</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-picked up some things I needed at Rite Aid (body wash, mascara, you know) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-mopped my floors</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-made my jam</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-sewed another blanket for the Bear (a bigger version of one I had made previously because Jamie loved the fabric so much) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After going over this list, it doesn't seem like much, but mopping took a bit and then I had to wait for the floors to dry. I also took some time to eat lunch and watch an episode of Law & Order: SVU. Overall, I was quite pleased with myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Friday evening, Boyfriend and I decided that we would have a lazy day on Saturday. The forecast was pretty much rain, rain, rain all day so we thought it would be perfect. We later decided to clean the cat litter areas in the house. We figured this would take a couple of hours. We were wrong. Once we got into it, we spend pretty much the whole day on it. We did take a couple of small breaks, including one for dinner, but by ten o'clock we were finally done and pretty exhausted. This whole thing was known as A Salute to Cat Hygiene. Did I mention we groomed all three felines? We did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today will involve an afternoon of porch rail painting, I believe. And I'm also baking a pumpkin pie. It's autumn, after all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'll be updating again more frequently. I don't know what my deal was before. Oh well.</span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-79115640799086284852013-08-12T17:23:00.001-04:002013-08-12T17:24:00.372-04:00Monthly Book Roundup: July<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you guys thought I read a lot of books in June, you ain't seen nothing yet. July was a whirlwind of delightful things to read. Here's the list:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Catch-Wave-Redemption-Beach-Wilson/dp/1594867496/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376342253&sr=1-1&keywords=catch+a+wave" target="_blank"><i>Catch a Wave</i></a> by Peter Ames Carlin</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paris-Wife-Novel-Paula-McLain/dp/0345521315/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376342230&sr=1-1&keywords=the+paris+wife" target="_blank"><i>The Paris Wife</i></a> by Paula McLain</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Then-There-Were-None/dp/0062073486/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376342208&sr=1-1&keywords=and+then+there+were+none" target="_blank"><i>And Then There Were None</i></a> by Agatha Christie</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Some-Girls-Hats-Hitler-Rediscovered/dp/B00BRAFCBE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376342186&sr=1-1&keywords=some+girls+some+hats+and+hitler" target="_blank"><i>Some Girls, Some Hats & Hitler</i></a> by Trudi Kanter</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_13?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=a%20vintage%20affair&sprefix=a+vintage+aff%2Caps%2C188&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aa%20vintage%20affair&ajr=2" target="_blank"><i>A Vintage Affair</i></a> by Isabel Wolff</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heartbreak-Tennessee-ebook/dp/B009XU2D76/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376342110&sr=8-1&keywords=heartbreak+tennessee" target="_blank"><i>Heartbreak, Tennessee</i></a> by Ruby Laska</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Skeletons-at-Feast-A-Novel/dp/0307394964/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376342084&sr=8-1&keywords=skeletons+at+the+feast" target="_blank"><i>Skeletons at the Feast</i></a> by Chris Bohjalian</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Very-Picture-You-Novel/dp/0553386638/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376342058&sr=8-1&keywords=the+very+picture+of+you" target="_blank"><i>The Very Picture of You</i> </a>by Isabel Wolff</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Spells-Bantam-Discovery-Addison/dp/055338483X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376342026&sr=8-1&keywords=garden+spells" target="_blank"><i>Garden Spells</i></a> by Sarah Addison Allen</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Thief-Percy-Jackson-Olympians/dp/0786838655/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376341996&sr=8-1&keywords=the+lightning+thief" target="_blank"><i>The Lightning Thief</i></a> by Rick Riordan</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Where-Heart-Oprahs-Book-Club/dp/0446672211/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376341973&sr=8-2&keywords=where+the+heart+is" target="_blank"><i>Where the Heart Is</i></a> by Billie Letts</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mariana-Susanna-Kearsley/dp/B00ANYD9YM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376341949&sr=8-1&keywords=mariana" target="_blank"><i>Mariana</i></a> by Susanna Kearsley</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I really loved the Carlin book. It's a Brian Wilson biography and it was completely engaging. If you have any interest whatsoever in the history of the Beach Boys and the genius behind their music, start with this book. I'd read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paris-Without-End-Story-Hemingways/dp/0062108824/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376342370&sr=1-3&keywords=the+paris+wife" target="_blank"><i>Paris Without End</i></a> (the nonfiction account of the relationship between Hadley and Ernest Hemingway) before picking up <i>The Paris Wife</i>, so I was very intrigued to see how McLain did with the material. I liked it very much. And, of course, I loved <i>Mariana</i>. I'd probably read Kearsley's books every day if I could. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh, and the Agatha Christie book was our book club selection for July. It was short and wonderful and I read it in one day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I think August is going to be a slower book month. I was taking a lot of time with one of my selections. Oh well. I'm trying to introduce a bit more nonfiction back into my reading, so we'll see how I do with that.</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988656359737600445.post-45282229277864945522013-07-17T21:09:00.001-04:002013-07-22T18:03:48.122-04:00Burp Cloths<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On May 20th, Jamie and Jason welcomed their baby boy to the world. I got to go see him the day after he was born and he was so tiny, it was ridiculous. When the Duck was born, we didn't get to see her until she was four days old and I know she was really small also, but I guess it's overwhelming to see such tiny humans when you don't see them that size for long. Does that make sense? Anyway, the baby has hilarious dark hair on his shoulders, so I decided he looks like a tiny bear. I will refer to him as the Bear until he inspires another nickname. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I know that I posted about making receiving blankets, but I never did tell you about the burp cloths that I made! I used a great <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/2012/04/celebrate-baby-tutorial-burp-cloth-gift-sets.html" target="_blank">tutorial</a> from Dana over at <a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/" target="_blank">Made</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fabric-wise, I used leftovers from the receiving blankets (so some match the blankets! yay!) as well as some remnants. All were cute flannel prints. On the opposite side, I used a cozy white chenille. It was lovely and soft. The tutorial was very easy to follow and the cloths were really simple to make. I was very happy with the results.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Huzzah! Baby things!</span>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06438233834779571795noreply@blogger.com2