tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22199728084157457392024-02-07T14:12:35.686-08:00Raspberries n' CreamStephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-70838893492407048562012-10-05T11:45:00.002-07:002012-10-05T11:45:24.968-07:00Love it<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNYsUWroN3u9e9_dUGYrCcB5qI7n-doRD81GbrGRgk97POjCIgiiHu6VTKthw-1_WBRp6qm_z9PI8mzUuefORCrWSc-iOuBzUtFaxO2HJEF04eyVuO9f0y2aYQp99IBCZ2tt9KCIHylDP/s1600/IMG_6130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNYsUWroN3u9e9_dUGYrCcB5qI7n-doRD81GbrGRgk97POjCIgiiHu6VTKthw-1_WBRp6qm_z9PI8mzUuefORCrWSc-iOuBzUtFaxO2HJEF04eyVuO9f0y2aYQp99IBCZ2tt9KCIHylDP/s400/IMG_6130.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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A gift from Eric a few months ago for my birthday. I just love it.</div>
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From <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ERiaDesigns">here</a>.</div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-34096339925248173252012-10-01T10:36:00.000-07:002012-10-01T10:49:16.439-07:00Good Stuff Maynard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Recently added four new <i>wonderful</i> albums to my playlist entitled "Good Stuff Maynard" on my Spotify account.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason Jennings- The Flood</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason Jennings-Minnesota</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avett Brothers- The Carpenter</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mumford and Sons- Babel<br />
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<span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Not sure when I decided it was a good idea to start incorporating my mom's favorite phrases like "good stuff maynard!" into my own </span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">repertoire</span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">. The other day, I was entertaining Eric by bringing out some of her most often used including "Home James! And don't spare the horses!" said to my dad just about every time we got in the car after church. Also, any time I would moan about my need to go shopping due to having nothing to wear, she would say " Well, just put a raisin in your belly button and go as a cookie!" Really mom?? And whenever my 15 year old self would let her know how </span><i style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;">un</i><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">funny that was, she would say "now don't go getting your britches in a twist".. and most recently she was telling me about something to do with useless anatomy on a tom cat. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Pretty special lady. </span><br />
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-33237618477373286002012-09-28T07:52:00.002-07:002012-09-28T07:52:31.004-07:00My Most Favorite Dorks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-86483266408659679382012-09-26T08:17:00.000-07:002012-09-26T09:56:38.178-07:00Sweet Potato Sausage Soup<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been starting to get a bit chilly around here and since I'm still hanging on with tightly clenched fists to my shorts and bare feet, I figured I needed something to warm me from the inside out. Go figure, the day I made it, it got up to 70 F and I should have been outside grilling. Regardless, this hit the spot. Perfect for Fall. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sweet Potato Sausage Soup</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Adapted from <a href="http://www.smittenkitchen.com/">Smitten Kitchen</a>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I first started to add all the ingredients to this soup, Eric and I both agreed that it seemed much too healthy. BUT we both ended up loving it, the added cheese didn't hurt. Also, every bit of spinach was worth it, adding the perfect texture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Makes enough for a dutch ovenfull.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided<br />15 ounces of chorizo sausage broken into chunks<br />2 medium onions, chopped<br />2 large garlic cloves, minced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/4 cup of garlic chili sauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 tablespoons of Sriracha sauce</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes<br />2 pounds red-skinned sweet potatoes (yams; about 2 large), peeled, quartered lengthwise, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices<br />1 pound white-skinned potatoes, peeled, halved lengthwise, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices<br />6 cups low-salt chicken broth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups of parmesan cheese, divided<br />1 9-ounce bag fresh spinach</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage; cook until brown, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Transfer sausage to paper towels to drain. Pour about half of the oil from the sausage out. (I know, gross, but it adds alot of flavor.) Add onions and garlic to pot and cook until translucent, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add all potatoes, garlic chili sauce, sriracha sauce, red pepper flakes, and cook until beginning to soften, stirring often, about 12 minutes. Add broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until potatoes are soft, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Using potato masher, mash some of potatoes in pot. Add browned sausage and 1 cup of parmesan cheese to soup. Stir in spinach and simmer just until wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with parmesan cheese on the side and top as you see fit. Don't forget some good crusty bread straight out of the oven. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh you were hoping to see a picture of that little guy I like to hang out with??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apparently, he has been sneaking dutch ovenfull's of soup. By the looks of it, he isn't too pleased with me broadcasting this. Already has an attitude..kids these days.</span></div>
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Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-1540019696329835162012-04-05T08:48:00.001-07:002012-04-05T08:49:34.641-07:00Thankful<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<div align="center" class="PadderBetweenControlandBody"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If somehow you happen to be the only person that is not my mom reading this blog, and you haven't heard the news, I have an announcement:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLT76gtkZx760m_qUVfaj7Xa1J2ykGW_ziK7potBK7xuNLIPSgf8tDRnSRLbdtooaUeatMZ9W3evG612Z4Fi1_3UH4gG0BUuE0p3Arh4XVQn1V2szJPKtkMe4Cd2HBt3iDaJlqqPBk19t/s1600/IMAG0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLT76gtkZx760m_qUVfaj7Xa1J2ykGW_ziK7potBK7xuNLIPSgf8tDRnSRLbdtooaUeatMZ9W3evG612Z4Fi1_3UH4gG0BUuE0p3Arh4XVQn1V2szJPKtkMe4Cd2HBt3iDaJlqqPBk19t/s320/IMAG0092.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div align="center" class="PadderBetweenControlandBody"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And</span></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JiMd-HK85NVfEcWJ887xJPFI5KTgClVNM4FETSaSqAvM6Dnp_ckCqDFbHIJ8FlKIRRfM6l2ZdX0nkq8f58fRiqfZD8aL8EBXnY5ptrSIwofKpoTdZGFcZyA9TZ_Aj-pRI8Bgxth2FJDt/s1600/imagejpeg_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JiMd-HK85NVfEcWJ887xJPFI5KTgClVNM4FETSaSqAvM6Dnp_ckCqDFbHIJ8FlKIRRfM6l2ZdX0nkq8f58fRiqfZD8aL8EBXnY5ptrSIwofKpoTdZGFcZyA9TZ_Aj-pRI8Bgxth2FJDt/s320/imagejpeg_2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">It says “Easy Bake” on the front..<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Can you connect the dots?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Yep. After a lot of waiting and praying and learning about Him, we have been overwhelmed by His undeserved blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And now, being only 7 weeks away from my due date, I can sit back and see how perfect His timing is.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So often, while I was waiting I was reminded of this:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Child of weakness watch and pray, find in <i>Me</i> thine all in all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I feel that the Lord was so tender with me through it all, not dealing with me harshly in my discontent, but gently. Reminding me time and again how blessed I already was, how blessed I was with a wonderful husband, family, friends, and all the comforts life can offer, how could I think I needed more?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And now, I am so thankful for that waiting period, for the tears, because I feel that I caught a closer glimpse of who the Lord is and His deep love for me, for Eric and I.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This all can sound very trite as I think of so many friends and loved ones who still are waiting, but either way, I am reminded that the Lord is good, and sometimes we can only fully understand that in hard times.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It would have been enough, but You blessed us more.”<o:p></o:p></span></div></div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-70159336940302486672011-08-18T06:46:00.001-07:002011-08-18T06:48:20.302-07:00Shark<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bIBG-nOOwhM/Tk0Xs7B7aTI/AAAAAAAAAiU/-jLkNCWKGps/s1600-h/tumblr_ljj5d878S41qbwrhmo1_500%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tumblr_ljj5d878S41qbwrhmo1_500" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9J5u-QF1r9Y/Tk0XtLZmAgI/AAAAAAAAAiY/r_G7Fx_Vcvc/tumblr_ljj5d878S41qbwrhmo1_500_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="tumblr_ljj5d878S41qbwrhmo1_500" width="497" /></a> <br />
<blockquote><div align="center">A family was on holiday in Australia for a week and a half when husband, wife and their 15 year old son decided to go scuba diving. The husband is in the navy and has had some scuba experience. His son wanted a picture of his mom and dad in all their gear so he got the under water camera ready to go. When it came to taking the picture the dad realized that the son looked like he was panicking as he took it and gave the ‘OK’ hand sign to see if he was all right.<br />
The son took the picture and swam to the surface and back to the boat as quick as he could so the mom and dad followed to see if he was OK. When they got back to him he was scrambling onto the boat and absolutely panicking. When the parents asked why, he said ‘there was a shark behind you.’ The dad thought he was joking but the skipper of the boat said it was true but they wouldn’t believe him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">As soon as they got back to the hotel they loaded the picture onto there laptop and that was what they saw.</div></blockquote><div align="center">(via <a href="http://yanilavigne.net/post/8454701190">yanilavigne</a>) </div><div align="center">P.S.I saw this on another blog and couldn't resist reposting. I'm not quite sure if this is ethical to post to my blog, even though I did credit it on the bottom. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.</div></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-10773304412965313752011-08-16T19:39:00.001-07:002011-08-16T19:39:56.102-07:00Peaches and Cream<p> </p> <p align="center">One of my new favorite recipes of the summer, and oh so simple. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARCFB1RAkbBrs05Xtc6-meNlx12MagiUSwkLzRcntBUKTmnptJhjNb5BudCLXZ-YcwyO1lngkDu6qiUIbEqNVqV8O5XOjtuKjZGClU7V4w7gE4hO9wndhZTnoft9tmCG05vc4yo2TmnrH/s1600-h/tumblr_lo5qq5fYoU1qa20meo1_500_large.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="tumblr_lo5qq5fYoU1qa20meo1_500_large" border="0" alt="tumblr_lo5qq5fYoU1qa20meo1_500_large" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9ir-dJOaJo-AcM4nX8bgCv2zkNYk_1QPPObiZQ19A0ljgZOYZZHCCkEQ2HY91DLypRZ-4J9V904ZyNqWNKnOYwQws-cyV-ozWO8U2zG_NeF-XnkF5xTAZAIKO9E8usJd4fmRONBEHnxN/?imgmax=800" width="448" height="313"></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="1">credit: </font><a title="http://weheartit.com/entry/12046329" href="http://weheartit.com/entry/12046329"><font size="1">http://weheartit.com/entry/12046329</font></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font size="4">Peaches and Cream</font></em></strong></p> <p align="center">3-4 peaches (very ripe)</p> <p align="center">1 cup cream cheese</p> <p align="center">2-3 TB honey </p> <p align="center">1-2 tsp vanilla</p> <p align="center">1-2 TB brown sugar</p> <p align="center">dash of cinnamon</p> <p align="center">dash of nutmeg</p> <p align="center">1/2 cup of white sugar</p> <p align="center">1.5 cups of walnuts</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-be5Bl5rQl8g/Tksp-bPejYI/AAAAAAAAAiM/iIKOUZMDFAE/s1600-h/CIMG0104%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG0104" border="0" alt="CIMG0104" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OQ0-w2dp1fw/Tksp-1GgCqI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/TV7hz4UuSi4/CIMG0104_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="419"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">Soften the cream cheese in the microwave and then mix in the brown sugar, vanilla, and spices.</p> <p align="center">Next, saute the walnuts with white sugar and butter</p> <p align="center">Pit the peaches, and place face down on the grill for about 10 minutes or until they have nice grill marks on them. Next turn the peaches over and put a large dollop of the cream cheese mixture in each pit opening and leave on the grill until the cream cheese is warmed. After the peaches are done, drizzle each liberally with honey, and then sprinkle plenty of the sautéed walnuts on top. </p> Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-17609489422375001122011-07-09T11:31:00.001-07:002011-07-09T11:31:10.113-07:00Recipes<p> </p> <p align="center">Last weekend when we were visiting Baudette for Darby and Deanna's wedding, I was going through my Grandma's recipe box. I was pulling out ones that I wanted to copy down and Eric had the bright idea to take pictures of the recipes I wanted instead.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WL4OYaex22c/ThieMginxzI/AAAAAAAAAhk/CxdTM49D2yg/s1600-h/IMAG0240%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMAG0240" border="0" alt="IMAG0240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6AMNnb316WSGL4NNiAi0S-0YnuYwdFOMk_TZuBcyZTuINxJTZcudoH7KxY7rKeMqyNlC15F3F04J2wx-tzWI8UAj_pR51e6laUIug386nHb7DHljOY7rkEllznLIWyHB3cdEu0St6Vbw/?imgmax=800" width="543" height="359"></a> <p>If you look in the top right hand of the recipe card you can see written "Roxy Wedding Punch". I thought that was pretty fun to find.</p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--uszz3Bvvkw/ThieNUwm7MI/AAAAAAAAAhs/8tiPNwsAYLc/s1600-h/IMAG0239%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMAG0239" border="0" alt="IMAG0239" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cExtEiPKzq8/ThieN9_Zs3I/AAAAAAAAAhw/inh0jl9I3Uc/IMAG0239_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="539" height="342"></a> I like all the notes she wrote about who the recipes were from, how good they were, and the fact that it is "OK" if the dough is stiff and dry. </p> <p align="center">My Grandma said this is the best muffin recipe she has ever made. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QqrX3YF4r1VMDshsgiiI2iqfV7177iK051DyAljDSyOn8U0BKD3ddTccU6DHBRC-oyIEAt6L35lqgFntJpkx4gmFUiKG_i30WxEkT2PLt7XCbD_xS4BZiakwy-NmNmXAj66Ux6Snv-iX/s1600-h/IMAG0235%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMAG0235" border="0" alt="IMAG0235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OUFYG6bAPXgFTCm0Iz3PKtW3GqdxaDhKva0cJs5lv_1sWnqDYXXWLNUwo3tCJzjmCE9_vCAPkew-snC1DItX-4oUErgG8nt4-uMdHKDFcNO8lTFwRN0CBola7kRSv2SgTgkUQbvxDV5j/?imgmax=800" width="524" height="308"></a> She was ahead of her time with this recipe. My Mom said that Grandma would always have missionary ladies over when they came to visit the chapel and have them teach her new recipes, so they grew up eating all sorts of ethnic foods before it was a popular thing to do.</p> <p align="center">I remember having this dish every once in a while when we were kids and just not being able to get enough of it. Then I found me my own Indian, he doesn't appreciate it when I tell him I married him for the food...</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeOmDqbF9XZuzkrs7ANwPMN61Srd6kgxVduqX5VPRogmQzzD1R6bzEH-LtEr0VpeDRKxQCCGByCLImLcndPpEcLKk0mHbb4ZpUrdRHd1ocekzkoIYmdgR9UmRdoFYL-rRNU7w8px59xFx/s1600-h/IMAG0234%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMAG0234" border="0" alt="IMAG0234" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N7u9GOvY5_o/ThiebVab7bI/AAAAAAAAAiA/lnRJ-9RIBN8/IMAG0234_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="319"></a></p> Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-34723417531490959282011-07-07T13:10:00.001-07:002011-07-07T13:14:56.476-07:00Growin' My Grub<p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center">This year I decided to take the plunge and grow a garden. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kkm_e453t9U/ThYSZ8Ssg-I/AAAAAAAAAg0/G5BRKT1R61Y/s1600-h/CIMG0080%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG0080" border="0" alt="CIMG0080" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YOH_vlMEhNs/ThYSa1hwWTI/AAAAAAAAAg4/pLx2Hc2Jhgs/CIMG0080_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="329"></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="center">Some baby cukes, to try my hand at pickle-making again, since my last batch was so wildly successful.</p> <p align="center">The only draw back? WEEDS! </p> <p align="center">I make myself go out at least once a week and fill up a full bucket with weeds and <em>ooh boy</em> does that bucket look big when I first start out.. I have been known to toss in clods of dirt and small dogs on occasion to get the job over with...</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--HB84_Mu5IM/ThYTvriwvgI/AAAAAAAAAhc/BFuwHMeU4iQ/s1600-h/CIMG0073%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG0073" border="0" alt="CIMG0073" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmOMPNu7F5ldCir1ZdFbGJ3DulTg_csdZqMwYUyi5TkHSKnPIrDcA4lIRgSve7v0N9GK4LBrMXpE3wfpkOBzSBlLHYISchO-GaAyplUWHedQHUBI3HdLu1r92C_TV8RVKhYHgBgoY2d3s/?imgmax=800" width="367" height="279"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9RLnTyr5784efxVnsugxdVsC8hK56CAV3pnYaDwyCH1NQfs7Zx7rddNvwY4PAp4OXpx8QKG6GUr1qvL9o1h4dzzPGeLZNBlESXwbBIilLKE8p0Snp7PJi-s_MsEpx2B55cQE4ikTKRS3S/s1600-h/CIMG0078%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG0078" border="0" alt="CIMG0078" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBs4fTqIcGxsDhIKvYIxH7q5FukuAcJkCH0rPdOtZCA-kSYbIfIvNfLDy50cSox-W707ULCMSgC02DlNom8pd4Eywao_oSwCNUlb3-_hc8n1VrlWdXwQwnAu7gQ5QmznoAl30S4fVocB7/?imgmax=800" width="429" height="329"></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="center">Some yellow pear tomatoes.</p> <p align="center">I'm like a kid in a very healthy candy shop, I have to check every thing three times a day to see if anything more is popping up!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p1NQH78ZjOc/ThYSc24OHtI/AAAAAAAAAhE/h7QfJKh2tM8/s1600-h/CIMG0083%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG0083" border="0" alt="CIMG0083" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8y1T99O2GtM7vCO_qYwWrX9IPS2tNwepDDUyLPVtK-DRIePnqBEbfsznrOcm1kDgr2Ds7ZDkDx3rYMhHhL2DvAsAZ6rnBFipsmuw6yR4wS9u_f9REBwxtdu1b9hIZMxTLCg2nrlzd_wM/?imgmax=800" width="434" height="332"></a> </p> <p align="center">I have yellow zucchini squash coming out of my ears already, which I am thrilled about.. Eric?? Not so much.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC80F3tGLUtqguvq-Zzi7XCceuZXHsV-TuCnG7xh90TQZfkSA0tPScuG7EWwJC-42B4iXW1XrFRWJspOUO_x-SaYHwfmkIf6n5-cGmmzo5i9j4AXB7dkq6_TTJp-58H_jpspbY1RGb8brx/s1600-h/CIMG0036%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG0036" border="0" alt="CIMG0036" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHvxMg-9_kVQVyUb5VCGA7vC4Nq6O_xcmRGTl6B041n8V79JpXqPOpg0lYjvlETMPlJFSIXxcTURcZqf01_nVV58H08rxaSojvH1NzJZZHLoefI-gAUfTKmUiyZVFGzBpK8xka6tX61Cb/?imgmax=800" width="298" height="356"></a> </p> <p align="center">Red peppers.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZAhtAJVFNGlqtFq59d28saKMk5yfEIkf2T-z6KFh_aolEa5wup8cncSisDMfw7MCaCgBS4yE-_Rw2xi5yOpKTBQNjxvfcuhIIpjnCvW2kSpnQ6EYWUxvjFzGPGPwaEsTHF-seoPXztrbJ/s1600-h/CIMG0076%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG0076" border="0" alt="CIMG0076" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nlWHtEW3hUXeX38_hCWR7QMgMmsoPhkND9-CT-krQAQ1yit0sOesoicNlf_wsctdH2M4lHrHXv7qsx72pXApXigHLXO28wbkJwUqTcFeC4iF_L-0Fg0bttjqzvucPHsHzjz9J3s-eYVI/?imgmax=800" width="283" height="381"></a> </p> <p align="center">Banana peppers.</p> <p align="center">And waay more. I have a little tiny garden patch with A LOT of vegetables.. especially zuchinni!</p> <p align="center">Eric is such a lucky guy...</p> Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-31682496922103998312011-06-16T05:52:00.001-07:002011-06-16T05:58:09.740-07:00The Royal Throne Room<p> </p> <p align="center">I painted my bathroom in the basement last year.. or rather I started to and then my darling mother finished it before I woke up the next morning.. those Block women! </p> <p align="center">It turned out to be this very strange yellowish color which Eric described as a typical Indian bathroom in America.. he told me I just needed fake flowers and some carefully placed carved elephants to finish it off.</p> <p align="center"> Soo.. I did the only reasonable thing and bought some sparkly metallic glaze to see if I could tweak it a little.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0hk_frqD5Kk/Tfn8ce3B8dI/AAAAAAAAAgU/jfijh4t1RvE/s1600-h/6%25252C16%25252C11%252520017%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="6,16,11 017" alt="6,16,11 017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFljxdd3Pcmg68f0Wgls_AfCGE-9b0QjG9X7HhQ_4zg6ilflm_4FcMjuzexLUP0_a7JITkOSWKhHCq17Y93EiWu7JYcPPadGTnuU-6_9SAX8UZRG5aBkuJne4BcwUr7n_CLgbEvMXGAJb/?imgmax=800" width="441" border="0" height="335" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I was attempting to give it a textured look and started to develop a minor brain aneurysm trying to make it look just right until my in-house interior decorators came to the rescue.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kFA7oo7hHSw/Tfn8dJYs65I/AAAAAAAAAgc/A8Ka8RCjUgw/s1600-h/ry%25253D400xv%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="ry%3D400xv" alt="ry%3D400xv" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8FwQELKbzej2AIeMVdi6RNv6Cc8er3gF2wjJthC0YDpEZSE8wqb5nG6equjVuuKpcDCsUmPEc-BmL8Ikv4pnRNxvRh41xjbOHfBsaIUSrRVl58b82uYXcf0dZXkAWD1v1fR3oDbF_2AJ/?imgmax=800" width="351" border="0" height="339" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Yep,this is them folks, a couple of winners, taking new customers in need of <em>any </em>type of advice daily!</p> <p align="center">Anyways, my in-house decorators came to the rescue and assured me that they approved of the look and then proceeded to give me a few little pearls.</p> <p align="center">Eric: "Uuuhh... Steph? Are you aware what people are going to DO in this fancy golden room??"</p> <p align="center">David: "Oooh, I am soo excited to spend some time on my fancy throne in my fancy new golden bathroom!!"</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YsqJ3T-DUMM/Tfn8d3RQa2I/AAAAAAAAAgk/UZVuCrxOuVA/s1600-h/6%25252C16%25252C11%252520012%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="6,16,11 012" alt="6,16,11 012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jEz3RwOLtDI/Tfn8eH6y2UI/AAAAAAAAAgo/cSbbv6LK8Yc/6%25252C16%25252C11%252520012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" border="0" height="403" /></a> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPdqL0hyBcD0_Q-2dWg-50v6-ydaehyphenhyphenYOj2T0WCHtMjKmcQ82WDZG5b9dbGK8ixVp963AimjPJoKnEweavKA1HrSt_7JM_caC1Orlg06son2QJWQ4spr6CCzmgMb8aeA5ReliAE2Hu-dy/s1600-h/6%25252C16%25252C11%252520018%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="6,16,11 018" alt="6,16,11 018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-disZqz-proc/Tfn8e26vcII/AAAAAAAAAgw/OF7Y4rRfDjs/6%25252C16%25252C11%252520018_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" border="0" height="403" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And then "Oohh great! Now you're going to <em>blog</em> about this aren't you!!"</p> <p align="center">I've said this before, but life is so good at the Varghese house!</p>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-54333770967597148862011-05-30T17:41:00.001-07:002011-05-30T17:45:51.392-07:002 Years Ago Today..<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0QsQZGog5QE/TeQ5PXY1ICI/AAAAAAAAAf8/_JjYloTQzqA/s1600-h/XXXXX%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="XXXXX" alt="XXXXX" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgR-myH8A4Vd0ZK66WHJ9na6oVuouAeQxWEZrkx_BQQVaPqCaCw6XjQjF-YGl2iAoOph2bwXivq3pdqXbCpoBEhSD0DrbEM28BZuy8jrNJm-v8_l_dqxNi3RmXmNt0Zp-3v9uqVbHhqci/?imgmax=800" width="482" border="0" height="331" /></a> </p> <p align="center">So I'll try not to get all sappy.. but, I'm a big fan of this guy. </p> <p align="center">Right now he is out buying chicken wire to build a fence around my garden. </p> <p align="center">Does it get any better than this?</p> <p align="center">Maybe life seems so good because I had to spend my previous years with these two goons on either side of Eric and I.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJjcS40Hbkc_sso9ucG4XMGvW5YbIKx0UNC3Nzf67ERN13k4u3Etkuj6Q4K3ROAP6G6FlkkwP79U5iizKm1ovnkIgCdFJpio5Zw47_uZQFn8F1FlVm8gAi-XdGexxMeikA6PDd7-YNvtn/s1600-h/RRRRR%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="RRRRR" alt="RRRRR" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LyChxJ__dfU/TeQ5P40XHUI/AAAAAAAAAgI/JpiN6cAhgiA/RRRRR_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="507" border="0" height="345" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Oh wait, I still have one of those goons living in my basement..</p> <p align="center">Who knows, but here are a few of the things I have loved about the last two years:</p> <p align="center">Sitting on our lawn drinking coffee while Eric reads his bible and I... watch birds with the binoculars he gave me for our last anniversary.</p> <p align="center">Eric rating my cooking on a scale of "eeww" "eehh" or "WOW, this is AMAZING"</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://raspberriesncream.blogspot.com/2011/01/this-is-love.html" target="_blank">This.</a></p> <p align="center">Watching Eric figure out how to fix or do anything via Youtube including, how to paint a wall.</p> <p align="center">Forcing Eric to take walks with Scoot and I so we can "bond".</p> <p align="center">Finding Eric every evening by 8 p.m. fast asleep, littered with dog toys that Scoot left in an attempt to coax Eric to play with him.</p> <p align="center">And the little tid bits of wisdom from Eric including:</p> <p align="center">"Steph, things from the thrift store cost money too."</p> <p align="center">"You know, when you cook, you can put things away <em>as you go, </em>then there is a smaller mess to clean up in the end!"</p> <p align="center">and </p> <p align="center">"Yea, those guys in black, they are called umpires..."</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NQYq1SRsBOY/TeQ5QPemXaI/AAAAAAAAAgM/2cERH4EazSA/s1600-h/DSC01696%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC01696" alt="DSC01696" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhShSgkv9x4JpCdGYHYS4ez7R0Uf7Q3qO0WTqNAX7igBVPyu6aRScwJ89HPj4lBhFVxMiisDYkhWa_Hjtc9qaNTKxmc0SkLXGUGFk50B-Cr_7Q1FpdJ1HakRKRMTnPWvhrpwkipE05HU6tB/?imgmax=800" width="287" border="0" height="410" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Yep. Life is good at the Varghese's.</p> <p align="center">I never knew life could be <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> good. </p>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-47995853381581941472011-04-30T10:56:00.001-07:002011-04-30T10:56:58.012-07:00Spring<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzE77Yh8bm75b3NSLlqyLTu7WHcUSkb9Aiuj75ewHFpCedBcs3510_LxpswnK7tUm0Evb3HitDxlih6JDfMdFdJ6qofsTKW2_b90fD1zceBqnymsxPpYZF9HUjQd9hDlmwcd6fRNh2O-8/s1600-h/CIMG0080%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG0080" border="0" alt="CIMG0080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHJ6DHEhOIOFDKJsCF5KWHloEUQwnDTnH2-JT5YYYpLTZznr7jbwC3OnYIxCqO-0XDES8g4RMuRNgr8D2n9nSX1RRU-pK6FjKFwfXq1swTmD3PAOLDIHT3w7LRrUyTglMX1Xp63QDizA5/?imgmax=800" width="487" height="373"></a> </p> <p align="center">"Thy mercies are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness."</p> <p align="center">Lamentations 3:23</p> Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-1964614564728566642011-04-27T21:51:00.001-07:002011-04-27T21:51:31.836-07:00California and the Triestmans<p> </p> <p align="center">Eric and I flew out to California to visit Dan and Priscilla and company. We had such a nice time. One of the best vacations I have ever taken. At the time they were in Riverside, California, which was soo beautiful with flowers everywhere and 85 degrees the whole weekend.</p> <p align="center">There was also a two hour time change which made waking up awesome. The first morning we were there.. we took the kids and walked down to the donut shop and two equally awesome things happened;</p> <p align="center">First the lady behind the donut counter was just as bad at counting as I am and accidentally gave us 14 donuts instead of 12... why we were getting 12 donuts for 4 adults and 3 itty bitty children in the first place??</p> <p align="center">Second, as I was eyeing up the donuts, suddenly I heard Bobby behind me sneeze and then start crying hysterically, I turned around and he was standing there looking as devastated as 3 year old can muster,<em> covered</em> in snot, and for some odd reason his pants were no longer buttoned and threatening to fall down. Apparently it was an epic sneeze.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SRy2MlKUhqP1QQnND6lZUz71gfu7gT6wDLb7azXJCsELHOzts5ElHmXankkZQF0QhpHrL032kqfUqsaBNK-ZFwEVVK8lE1FLD8zt-gKHShZqqQcOz-XJI7L_GoYSbdMxhzJpgIsJANLV/s1600-h/Riverside,%20California%20083%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 083" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 083" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/Tbjx903qmqI/AAAAAAAAAc8/QMEZjWFX0Mg/Riverside%2C%20California%20083_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="313"></a> </p> <p align="center">What an awesome kid.</p> <p align="center">Later we went to a beautiful beach where I decided to go boogie boarding with Dan. The waves were big and crazy and I amazingly managed to collect around 20 lbs of sand in a swimsuit that is much smaller than anything my mother would approve of while the waves kicked my butt every time I made any attempt to do any boogie boarding. Some cool surfer dude walked up to me and was like "first time?" and I was like "Nah.. I'm pretty used to kickin' it on Cedar Island Lake..."</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/Tbjx-ZMX6mI/AAAAAAAAAdA/OiaGWzP6U74/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20011%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 011" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 011" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1MoOKibBKQrxOjpkGs6QbQdaNcWKtemjgGO-jniRzprmYmhEfuL2XnRxobvd3kl8a7nu_m93-Ad9oBKOPd56OgfxUqTs2P_DOoFswtJyWReGOQmFxSxcIk2iFiOQG7chRQwERDM7SdWZ/?imgmax=800" width="364" height="277"></a> </p> <p align="center">The kids had a great time tiptoeing towards the water and then as soon as the waves got within 10 feet, they would run away with bloodcurdling screams and collapse safely on the sand by their Uncle Eric.. I guess they're more used to kickin' it on Cedar Island too..</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/Tbjx-6xAtwI/AAAAAAAAAdI/Y8_TnP6vNcs/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20013%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 013" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 013" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOyVEffpqWHYM83EfOwRI9J1VWUWBSiPtGugmAAP4kDHU-9G9LBP0SqVZdksDIqEmFiQg33u6XXpHLJj1jQI7H5MNBJIknexw8o9J7h4LtWRnR0bLAtvZsuuAz0jGvWkK8jYwIImO3HSzF/?imgmax=800" width="241" height="337"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG-zNADexj7DvFnFAMcrepmf9nQA3sEo7LeRUHfbtFUbwRuT9kVbddBaEkSFXsfjCRU3HBWD-rxwjzctHq8i6r8E20yc0z-PEuiKEEVsNhxxpA6Qcz4kdVJB-nWbRwfZzIJ0hHIx6SLpD/s1600-h/Riverside,%20California%20010%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 010" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/Tbjx_7xX7aI/AAAAAAAAAdU/5eAOW_axwE0/Riverside%2C%20California%20010_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="219"></a> </p> <p align="center">Starfish as big as my head.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyJs6filI/AAAAAAAAAdY/xY2JfQ1aiXo/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20017%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 017" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyKHUqd-I/AAAAAAAAAdc/XQ0lYGAyN9Y/Riverside%2C%20California%20017_thumb%5B14%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="351"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyKMOpyvI/AAAAAAAAAdg/DO29HUZeUZw/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20020%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 020" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 020" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbaNcc7oRTEtShDJsUgHESu3zzvYP8ZINu6ZT2xcdOj6O0k3oiMhjPAFvfvBP4BBDqcEbomSWuRh-BrlQXtDtGnwoYltlqau3OKu8f0z5Tal5qUlFivS03GRxGtWbzazDYNHdL5pB7zY1/?imgmax=800" width="384" height="294"></a> </p> <p align="center">D and P.... feel free to bring this kid back to me anytime!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyK0PWBzI/AAAAAAAAAdo/mu8EKSctxk0/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20023%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 023" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 023" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ4TuR5_lwZQvvYg9Q3wnGJ8xqgKHJe-W29AwMC4-8-cyJkR_JPAwGDhQ3JPuSxIMyubxCL06JzeVejlmKumYjh9kRMA02GutzL5rTljKrx0QtLHRo7nhPcj3IjS_ccHhPbDim6ajfYEX/?imgmax=800" width="325" height="428"></a> </p> <p align="center">Teamwork.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKKInXR4aQ4wR50ziJ0-jRMSnlcdBmxlSNEwfagMYC9Tjvi9mVLlPqAoRv_p_13fiK5qURHiV982vzviIzMKliO_tcroX63kf2Vz8MLhSCpt9zcrCc8ZmVibCH-HDofHQ9yIlLrD8LUop/s1600-h/Riverside,%20California%20021%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 021" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 021" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6RtVNgIJH0zC6arBBvdfyNDQInti5cU9KBDD2sgqPdwodqiaPRTfWKFfTWXK4S13vN8WwAPVgpxvw8n6kG_FO-4nu5mBEW3VspkPfS2XvURhDqPoMPFGyBIJqcL-tbcBcuTb3N9FlvAz/?imgmax=800" width="434" height="330"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyMBobW2I/AAAAAAAAAd4/IlyNf0DD46c/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20026%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 026" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYXRWAIBo3B5jT37MDGKsG2hvpKt4LShbGzCcKJ7Gs9VAwoLC1E_cnvKqciI_6xvRpc3y01riXWTwDIr5rr33LQlvpqV4U3kcbVhCR7cG1RqjTOIEF0xsnQnjZQArPAO4PhsEvofE9kx0/?imgmax=800" width="351" height="399"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyMmSi2ZI/AAAAAAAAAeA/89a4Xa99sDY/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20031%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 031" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyM1ftooI/AAAAAAAAAeE/gMRafno3rIM/Riverside%2C%20California%20031_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="219" height="352"></a> </p> <p align="center">My beautiful big sister.</p> <p align="center">Later we went out for fish tacos.. and then grabbed some gelato.. can a day get any better?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyNDof0JI/AAAAAAAAAeI/P3u0mtqIDQY/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20035%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 035" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 035" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyNUTbvjI/AAAAAAAAAeM/59sTk7_zmMo/Riverside%2C%20California%20035_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="296"></a> </p> <p align="center">Too tired after a long day at the beach to walk.</p> <p align="center">We went to an citrus national park the next day.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyNmldN1I/AAAAAAAAAeQ/0tDrHruWxeI/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20038%5B11%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 038" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 038" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyN0wssuI/AAAAAAAAAeU/H3ezAzvRIg4/Riverside%2C%20California%20038_thumb%5B17%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="371"></a> </p> <p align="center">My favorite little orange thief.. eating the fruit was strictly prohibited, Hadassah had a new half-way peeled orange every time I turned around. I may or may not have eaten 25 to 30 kumquats, heaven in a fruit.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfKcrv6VrkSWsxsWkHjoMz34RIof3H65R10VsrvpQ_N5pMYrbrMLwfFDqwE3571rdJFBZ2LSA2FiX2hDHUA9hUs_cgJnB2bTbNPpdBCq_d21Rzabx_c-lnpbbXvfeG7WfJgoOQ6DSynys/s1600-h/Riverside,%20California%20044%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 044" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 044" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlN7XG-Bp0c6gBI5Gk68CEIqIdYRBwThvQJPOPOeMd5nyswrlHT5z11zhDQL7gcvcqyY7meW4-2lrHkxLbnHrO9CDzRODYpZyqRMHv13QI00sa-6dIY_r7Tqw0YDx9eut5UXVRyp9_xS8R/?imgmax=800" width="172" height="307"></a> </p> <p align="center">We went to the famous Casey's Cupcakes and met the Easter bunny.. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjukeGnB7_S5wS4rWl6bgudLmaAlJK-gvzgslBDl1fthcR2s_oZfqGMwOzLreCGejy5o6MJgysLkvn4Zl5XXsKxEHBZPkHYkJ8ld4RoPrNVDDjTaPQFcnt9RWxS925gI7YP86VBRH00UkP/s1600-h/Riverside,%20California%20057%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 057" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 057" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjyilSDI2_4jmDzV9D1dXNcmwJ620T3NhZwfpkSk-qDaMKQDyPa-9RAEIhvK4BjPSnPO3CAONXd2oZ8oyv4aaEoEUwB1D8VyK0pP-EG04ftZJN5trXhqdJoBqzfJxsOwrIcPB8UHG-Hy0/?imgmax=800" width="415" height="363"></a> and ate the best cupcakes ever.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS_fOtKTRkalTDGlolLeWhttdRULTvzB6-sus6xa404auluqm8lJKtPcEOuUvJOMDrLD_5smpWclO7bPfVXkwPFyr1HV4n7PfOdOiOptCBnr-7YC7rcJslvjNwjDzvllU3EX8_IGzfbQR/s1600-h/Riverside,%20California%20050%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 050" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 050" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyPwB8_jI/AAAAAAAAAes/Nr5jhPySVv0/Riverside%2C%20California%20050_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="316"></a> </p> <p align="center">We visited Southern California wine country the next day, and spent some time playing in a park.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyQGPGk1I/AAAAAAAAAew/m8TSsAIZjS0/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20062%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 062" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 062" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyQh0WsNI/AAAAAAAAAe0/jYwQxB9J5ys/Riverside%2C%20California%20062_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="312"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyQw2KaxI/AAAAAAAAAe4/82YbtKr7zNw/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20063%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 063" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 063" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyRC-C3fI/AAAAAAAAAe8/8Rt_Uytd8QM/Riverside%2C%20California%20063_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="319"></a> </p> <p align="center">Apparently this is what the cool kids were doing....<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyRYR_hSI/AAAAAAAAAfA/TbggcqbW2Ls/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20064%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 064" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 064" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyR77BiYI/AAAAAAAAAfE/YlTkvAPsXTk/Riverside%2C%20California%20064_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="445"></a> </p> <p align="center">And just to make his Auntie's day Rocky took his first steps walking from me to Priscilla! What a sweetie!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjySEf-CcI/AAAAAAAAAfI/s1KEtpMZP8s/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20068%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 068" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 068" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjySXwIB5I/AAAAAAAAAfM/m7rqbxMwRSE/Riverside%2C%20California%20068_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="352"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjySp2KduI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/9ckMLJ68tWc/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20072%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 072" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 072" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyS6JRAgI/AAAAAAAAAfU/zgexItmMo1I/Riverside%2C%20California%20072_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="463" height="352"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyTVXHpBI/AAAAAAAAAfY/sor2Zyi0O3c/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20074%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 074" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXM8DEGka2iYBxwpSRZ-veaL-huhFN8gmQRq5DpEbkveQbnS3aluOycCJ8vAxBmHt1jsUAZDzgDfLwU719tQ5dupT45bHaWF6Pjm7MMyQ2bEgvq-ysvpiaS5tUyH-6zcy_gwLG5qBLAb-j/?imgmax=800" width="386" height="293"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyT6zmtQI/AAAAAAAAAfg/rAhIxcGHjUo/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20075%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 075" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 075" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TQIbtcmUHeSuWaSsakY3rCPdm1s3vFX8Mza7m1WuKruxI7ZLRRHo3MEzhYA0-IIG7xHI75zU36AC64KjRJctP9wtSP-At7OJCr4RUI_voHqV4IyBj3t4oVdVR9QEQWE2AN6ZdcHVFGwb/?imgmax=800" width="318" height="418"></a> </p> <p align="center">Pretty proud after his first steps!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TbjyUkpPyfI/AAAAAAAAAfo/e1jWMMG-rWY/s1600-h/Riverside%2C%20California%20087%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Riverside, California 087" border="0" alt="Riverside, California 087" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_mfgbG9bG8ZBh2iZhpDXW9oKWdFSjosa2gQ3fDYdL1QpK8SoboMDQEikO8we-KhZTuoxRf13T4pvcbswwOh_nDCflxRxeECcAOsJ6dQxN8Q98LOoKu5j_F7-RlxC4qhnFdlMb_t6pCoA/?imgmax=800" width="372" height="490"></a> </p> <p align="center">And our last view as we left... </p> <p align="center">When I was hugging Hadassah good bye before we left and tears were streaming down my face Hadassah said " Don't cry Stephie! Sometimes I miss Grandma and then I cry too!!" </p> <p align="center">Anyone have an extra pair of tickets to California lying around???</p> Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-47660222929754639042011-04-13T17:13:00.001-07:002011-04-13T17:13:55.351-07:00Dark and Murderous Secrets<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TaY8QWg9XpI/AAAAAAAAAcw/uteWjcCoEqo/s1600-h/yyyyyyy04214.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="yyyyyyy 042" border="0" alt="yyyyyyy 042" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TaY8QhA0HDI/AAAAAAAAAc0/oGFhmy30KSw/yyyyyyy042_thumb15.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="372"></a> </p> <p align="center">There is nothing I love more than a good murder mystery. Nothing is more wonderful to me than a hint of arsenic in the afternoon tea. I first discovered Agatha Christie in 7th grade and I read every single Christie book in the library. My mom banned me from reading them for a couple months, fearing her friends and family would mysteriously start popping off with no explanation. I was like "really mom?? You are going to keep me from reading??" </p> <p align="center">Eric graciously let's me pick up a few Agatha Christie novels each time we happen upon a used book store. I have started to notice a theme.. it seems that each time there is an especially exciting game on TV, suddenly we have to make a stop at the bookstore. I guess the three to four hours of dead silence seems like a pretty tempting payout! Eric is a very clever man.</p> Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-43871385165707086232011-04-12T08:54:00.001-07:002011-04-12T08:54:48.771-07:00Block Girls Weekend<p> </p> <p align="center">In the beginning of April, all the Block girl cousins and cousin-in-laws got together for a girls weekend. </p> <p align="center">We had a <em>wonderful</em> time! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TaR1tUWDGMI/AAAAAAAAAbo/YoTLSlxFcuI/s1600-h/yyyyyyy0119.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="yyyyyyy 011" border="0" alt="yyyyyyy 011" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TaR1tq03fQI/AAAAAAAAAbs/Q9QSHOmGDc0/yyyyyyy011_thumb12.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="318"></a> </p> <p align="center">It took us a couple of tries to get this picture in our super cool matching t-shirts, setting up <em>all</em> of our cameras on automatic timers (who knew?? And I'm married to an engineer!). </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeV1ELOq-mrccJLjX6k1U1ImVRMWFvDoSd0dSlLL6bHK_WAXnnMVW7Lc3QmZ5v_m4t9VUVocUcNLNl5ypD3ew_c62P7EIt_PINkCvLoAKCnHuwNqJ2_qRv_TgtfCMCF-2sRFqeOl48o16/s1600-h/yyyyyyy0106.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="yyyyyyy 010" border="0" alt="yyyyyyy 010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUEu2V3pGgXcYInrSF1bgggmTSgzQQ-_AceIwM3zBxBzspYYafEvuy5Morq0L7nkHD_ZG5bc_cmknwkmu4fT_3qAYn6AA3UyJ6EXLODd1Y4P7vEP-5VQI9aWZP9twtauOiPeb8ddFfOKR/?imgmax=800" width="434" height="341"></a> </p> <p align="center">Apparently speed or timing isn't one of the wonderfully pregnant Sarah's many attributes, but it sure is funny!</p> <p align="center">Since we are all super mature the back of our t-shirts says:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzoNF7dVDHehP8tQY6PHRyOXekK_s3F9jkNccUz36MyxRZOgraTCg4Ur9mgt0vxGkAZe3zGPLTREX6tqS7DnbfWTj7Z9BPzUPHrM7ylhytKYVQvSgI2LjJgL4Zcf3r1X0bGbiOVsyYzLX/s1600-h/image6.png"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTswVaagR-kQoO-guKKhjxQzfWpIHtaWtsh0Er-5KDNIb18IO21PZKXt9YK3gwvohnjUrHd5oWRBzQErfNPO3kPSkq7z7vvpwhu-l11PTNjrWk7IcSkBbyk5reMjgEviN1N-SrcfXvvon/?imgmax=800" width="232" height="160"></a> <p align="center">Rumor has it we all missed that day in church about pride going before destruction and haughtiness before a fall. <p align="center">Oops! <p align="center">We had pizza and a wild game of Pictionary on Friday night, poor Jill O. got stuck with the losers who couldn't draw.. or guess for that matter! <p align="center">On Saturday we all went out to the Albertville Outlets and shopped until all of us but Sarah dropped. <p align="center">Afterwards we got all dolled up and went out for dinner and a hilarious comedy show. <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimw3eVgPyFdeb8ES9g7rX8op0xBk7IYjYGYUpSzgsqOvgYlw9qWZ3updPljZ62b8kbvbww1gxwMfQ_pLKtl_IJRhZx6r39P30O56giz1vXOquDd5TuIQY9gIla3Z1s0__lBtsmUt55Dnb1/s1600-h/yyyyyyy0196.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="yyyyyyy 019" border="0" alt="yyyyyyy 019" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkJB-5PdED0ocxfc9I7Gw5NbKtk37JbLOGDSpi1tK-xsfoOru1Ku5db_7sFXXWVstJeogUXuW6BjZbGOqXvCMYvkkzQq59qKHDeeKiNt5t_pGXKzbxim-n8xHs3jQKOhzacfaVuZQqWqt/?imgmax=800" width="512" height="306"></a> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">One side of the table..</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TaR1vRY2UaI/AAAAAAAAAcI/UFUkesOGbTA/s1600-h/yyyyyyy0177.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="yyyyyyy 017" border="0" alt="yyyyyyy 017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViIvmZhrqBSBxW57kIULTRyU2xf42fFu6sRGZnN7mqn79PhDMV950kCdpak4FsLM3FsyXQpxuxqBXzCciDICxdTM9lJ_5jlTDRXfK4wc9e9io02EWUeMeQJdAr73u3ZQNj2h462JIQO63/?imgmax=800" width="568" height="314"></a></p> <p align="center">The weirdos on the other side of the table.. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Lynz3XFDXfPJ0kOBQwpGtS1tpl1ivmFxLN7hxSRE2jgcCFnjsGHcL2rQVccHr-lqzbweTUg_aQo0qEXLMbOz3ffRKuQdlg-Iai5Pct6cwiuVIHOZaNDNWbEHbvoFr3QWB7FnZSA6NJoo/s1600-h/yyyyyyy0185.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="yyyyyyy 018" border="0" alt="yyyyyyy 018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOazkp5sga1rdg4qEpJ7s4dk-wQbWoVodNqwKsWJEjPDX8yW40tVbZRto9mt2G3iLmG3i3j-alBBEyd2dM-EuE9K-kbdMQIbzo-cLnQsF7MDd9AN302LWcGXeozd0X4K1pweBrkLEk0bz/?imgmax=800" width="535" height="249"></a> </p> <p align="center">Doing their best to appear normal..if you only knew.. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TaR1w6jMguI/AAAAAAAAAcY/QdJzDNOBVUM/s1600-h/yyyyyyy0146.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="yyyyyyy 014" border="0" alt="yyyyyyy 014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TaR1xLS4i3I/AAAAAAAAAcc/KRHLC8cO5uM/yyyyyyy014_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="595" height="260"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3G_99vs4DfiZ2ywG4aIWmKQ5g9jr-9bV5wSUQ8RVG2XRSSWtU6wbGwh0ymJ4jW4qcK3N_xeos2werI8u2Tf4LmTCVh3gMvFCWKawmlf2uP9lu3hor25gW_aL1ZB47pAsIhyphenhyphenldQezlvft/s1600-h/yyyyyyy0227.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="yyyyyyy 022" border="0" alt="yyyyyyy 022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuXBdEkOaZwGqeo21NPPFd5t43eYM2AxfcFH6edBQ558an_HsxWJNzS1g5tEi2NbtSr874uMagYoq_gDQ96hNw9ZSGcVulMvAe4njxIDo8In9qJiBHq907b7aunePK9Rwlvn5g9gsHsSJ/?imgmax=800" width="452" height="264"></a></p> <p align="center">Apparently Anna had something a <em>little</em> more interesting to drink than the rest of us! </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TaR1x5un00I/AAAAAAAAAco/-y3emBA9qno/s1600-h/yyyyyyy0215.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="yyyyyyy 021" border="0" alt="yyyyyyy 021" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TaR1yJ95LKI/AAAAAAAAAcs/jEmm4iXtIM4/yyyyyyy021_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="346"></a> </p> <p align="center">We had a wonderful weekend.. but it just wasn't complete without Marsena, Sember, Annie, Jill M., Alyssa, Lisa, Kris, Lacey, and Priscilla and soon Deanna!</p> <p align="center">Next year! </p> Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-83483914058260342382011-03-07T19:55:00.001-08:002011-03-07T19:55:56.504-08:00L-O-V-E<p> </p> <p align="center">I feel as if there is a possibility I am using this word loosely.. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3Pau15gK1hUivNfII3itZhlWkAqhlRrL4Vo8bI_iR2TsNK2rYkvBRrwkoJJXKgRn6pIgisNWG4Dbf90PdtzHHmvVijH4gP7sZ7qYP7grXL849peA1XvJey4UQtcLqnidgX1nm9nfqjXl/s1600-h/pr_swiffer_sweeper_vac_large_narrow%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pr_swiffer_sweeper_vac_large_narrow" border="0" alt="pr_swiffer_sweeper_vac_large_narrow" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-HhtxEvQKusQus6VpZBj95swgNPGvze_MCyB5GEd3HgUKweZL_yJQR438mEzm-2NG1zT9D_K8eJz99GovpLNqmTEOM2LSvGw7Yy-n4qu-cwd4StvdT6P7uaOfqVexLF1YCioQuGiAfRX/?imgmax=800" width="204" height="372"></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">You know you're getting old when you find yourself fawning over cleaning supplies hoping someone will buy you an early Christmas present.</p> <p align="center">My wish was granted.</p> <p align="center"> Swiffer Sweeper Vac is one of the best things that has ever happened to me (Eric, please don't take this personally). I despise sweeping my expanse of wood floors because it takes an eternity and I never seem to get all the dirt, but the Sweeper Vac, recently gifted to me by my thoughtful mother, has changed my life. </p> <p align="center">I think I need to get out more.</p> Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-30962712250306308812011-02-21T18:51:00.001-08:002011-02-21T18:52:45.537-08:00Temptation<p> </p> <p align="center">The AARP is after me like no other.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoT_gQJI-hM4rH0M6QUGQMPq_4kEsJpzbmzt9aQvnfDdRFgLrhtrGeRxFHEoRwjjgJ8K2CshWQh_otGK2jwjuXK9OCl_j2mNXC4FTZ0LjsS39T9pLqg_lfGi-1tSgy5fXmWhIhjnVdvOgg/s1600-h/DSC02596%5B15%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02596" border="0" alt="DSC02596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqCwm4eupbWUGbh6VJf2e2OyfvZOSb-IHXc0uBcFBA_p9IaDuAKAdhNoGmknTpnu8SNRj4NyJO4aeF8a-IAVzpfoUMf8VC6NopzO-Fk-TEB0RN8WIUPftzH9yOycQaWgmSHF-3VYir55n/?imgmax=800" width="403" height="268" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Almost every day I get a new letter in the mail asking me to join. </p> <p align="center">I'm so popular.</p> <p align="center">Pretty soon I think I might cave, have you seen the free tote bag they are offering if you sign up? And all those discounts?? </p><p align="center">I can't hold out much longer!</p>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-68143128112636143672011-02-17T19:08:00.001-08:002011-02-17T19:08:42.000-08:00London Bridges.. and more.<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheehffLJLFCW08h6B9VK2BxwlHwEJ16Jv-GPQVeeDsmFne7N6mtqNax8pBfV4daP5_BgFRN184RntMdaIZm1QwPQfx6qZFi0n25R13eGYyFEWk78gA3p9Id31w3sPGOdZJtbxWWldaXnZ3/s1600-h/DSC02535%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02535" border="0" alt="DSC02535" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TV3iqXk1J0I/AAAAAAAAAZI/nGvF_h5tk6c/DSC02535_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="490" height="372"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>This really is the "London's bridges falling down" of the children's song!</em></p> <p align="center">I have decided to blog about our trip, already two months ago, starting from the end and going backwards! </p> <p align="center">While in England, we stayed in a beautiful town outside of London called Abingdon with Eric's kinda-sorta Aunt and her family, more about that later. While there, Eric's "Uncle" Dan took us out to London and brought us on a wonderful tour. </p> <p align="center">Here are a few pictures.</p> <p align="center">Big Ben</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEudP71BCHssY-T9kjL9_ujqhEizYEn1cgNZ4lOEJ6muwb7cf2WIi9lgoT07_9SdYmBftkTAQMP9VCYU-ztClJRBuWxQ4a868cCHiaY_Ob6Tl-8L7_Ew0ch4MTtr7GNxDOdmQTBGrx5UR_/s1600-h/DSC02489%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02489" border="0" alt="DSC02489" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TV3iq_oXdII/AAAAAAAAAZQ/mZ5NumX3Jmg/DSC02489_thumb%5B15%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="565"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">The beautiful Westminster Abbey where Prince William and the future Princess Kate will be getting married. It was impossible in such a crowded city to get a full shot of Westminster Abbey due to it's immense size, this picture does it no justice.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TV3iresSb0I/AAAAAAAAAZU/k-St0wC0f6k/s1600-h/DSC02508%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02508" border="0" alt="DSC02508" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TV3irh69DgI/AAAAAAAAAZY/CwBWD1Y-nfs/DSC02508_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="356"></a> </p> <p align="center">The Princess Di memorial walk. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdKm_HMc3lNZ1FnNrN9s_u6O8CUSZqTFXuDf6VZZDo-3AgIvoi5k92buIZW3DvVrz7uxcyo9WK7mwLX5katS62nhrwKmZFKvJO8zUIuseCjXgrg_aZPM1L83eKUbjMX_jzCK7zkh4Waao/s1600-h/DSC02526%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02526" border="0" alt="DSC02526" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TV3isPOVkbI/AAAAAAAAAZg/3FSXbBTkTp0/DSC02526_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="321"></a> </p> <p align="center">At the time Princess Di died, I was only 9 and wasn't completely sure what the significance was. I do however remember <a href="http://secondstreetdesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this lady</a> who was living with my family at the time sitting in her room with Priscilla listening to Elton John's A Candle in the Wind on repeat and using up kleenex after kleenex after kleenex! Oh the drama!! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TV3isoGqyiI/AAAAAAAAAZk/ehWPrASZBKs/s1600-h/DSC00060%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC00060" border="0" alt="DSC00060" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIeMGc904QHRyeKqbslb2axrDwBvIBQ0Njiu1RCe2lEiqJTxJqT9sb4y6WW_sJOKMOQOjHbtcCm-2h74X3vnbflwY45Qw2kkVkM8SfZAy-TRSW9jGjQjLtFpOVbuAS2RMUwC8q9hvchGO/?imgmax=800" width="369" height="284"></a> </p> <p align="center">In front of the Queen's Palace.. as close as we could get to it! She was home, she had her flag was up just like the royalty back in the 1700's to show their subjects they were home, and they were bringing in Christmas trees to decorate, which was pretty fun to watch!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TV3itYUMDRI/AAAAAAAAAZs/dRgMeGHrnf4/s1600-h/DSC00049%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC00049" border="0" alt="DSC00049" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TV3ittzuxVI/AAAAAAAAAZw/X4mN3ts7QWQ/DSC00049_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="464" height="355"></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center"></p> <p align="center">Posing with a guard, yep it's true, they don't smile!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TV3it9LC96I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/OPYQCgKx66c/s1600-h/DSC02542%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02542" border="0" alt="DSC02542" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TV3iuQx_-BI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/UbPEvoitX4E/DSC02542_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="335" height="435"></a> </p> <p align="center">Last but not least, we saw this lady on the London Underground. What do you think her favorite color is? Yea, real mature, I know. Eric was aghast at my less than sneaky picture taking..</p> <p align="center">We have a ton more pictures of London, but I thought I would quit while I was ahead! </p> Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-23471987629513210022011-01-12T15:22:00.001-08:002011-01-12T15:22:15.698-08:00Home Remedies<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TS43pi20W-I/AAAAAAAAAY4/NaslLlJblDs/s1600-h/CIMG0037%5B16%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="CIMG0037" border="0" alt="CIMG0037" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TS43p0aFx7I/AAAAAAAAAY8/B2U6gAXopdQ/CIMG0037_thumb%5B21%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="313"></a> </p> <p align="center">Today, I was sent home from my internship because I am a miserable sniffling mess, and they didn't want me to get all the patients sick!</p> <p align="center">I decided to do all that was within my power to heal myself as quickly as possible, and hopefully I won't have to miss work tomorrow also!</p> <p align="center"> <strong>Healing Chicken Noodle Soup</strong></p> <p align="center">64 oz of Chicken Broth (or more, my soup ended up being pretty thick)</p> <p align="center">One Whole Chicken, cut into 8 pieces</p> <p align="center">1 large onion</p> <p align="center">2-3 carrots</p> <p align="center">2-3 stalks of celery</p> <p align="center">3 TB lemon juice</p> <p align="center">10 oz of wide egg noodles</p> <p align="center">2-3 large cinnamon sticks</p> <p align="center">Fresh ginger to taste</p> <p align="center">1/2 c. finely chopped fresh parsley</p> <p align="center">2-3 TB tumeric</p> <p align="center">1/2 TB cayenne</p> <p align="center">Combine chicken broth and chicken in heavy large pot, like my lovely blue Christmas present in the picture! Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover partially and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Transfer chicken to large bowl. Cool chicken and then discard skin and bones from chicken. Cut chicken meat into bite-size pieces and reserve. <p align="center">Return broth to simmer. Add onion, carrots and celery, parsley,cinnamon, ginger, tumeric, and cayenne. Simmer until vegetables soften. <p align="center">Stir in lemon juice, noodles, and reserved chicken. Simmer until noodles are tender. <p align="center">I ended up adding all the fresh herbs in my fridge, and a quite a few spices I got when I was in India.. wish I could tell you what the Indian spices were, but I bought a lot of them just because they looked and smelled interesting! <p align="center">*The reason, I started throwing in all these spices is because my mom told me tumeric, cayenne, and ginger were supposed to be especially good for sinus infections and colds. I thought if one is good, why not them all?? We will see how that theory pans out once I have recovered my sense of smell...:)* <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"></p> Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-40847515463292416882011-01-09T13:24:00.001-08:002011-01-09T13:25:26.633-08:00Fresh Lime Soda.. salty!<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TSonb8LbNtI/AAAAAAAAAYw/YEUtIxguF0Q/s1600-h/DSC02216%5B28%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC02216" alt="DSC02216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1a2UkpHB4TQkquE_7DmrvV71w_zebcVnf7Q-SB6nELkLCgsnwCehwXgGPHBylkgIerOg9oQFPJuc_8W61x40W-d4aCHkjoNKeQWr23RqP0030yMrL_Y2I9UvJAWEurEKyCroMj4lH9zs4/?imgmax=800" width="277" border="0" height="361" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I have been planning for days to blog about our big trip, but it seems way to overwhelming.</p> <p align="center"> So, let me tell you about one of my favorite parts of being in India. A few days into our trip, I discovered this drink and just the thought of it got me through every crazy, hot day after that. </p> <p align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Calisto MT;font-size:180%;">Fresh Lime Soda</span></strong></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Calisto MT;font-size:130%;">Salty or Sweet</span></p> <p align="center">1/4 c. Freshly squeezed lime juice</p> <p align="center">2 tsp of salt, or 2 TB sugar/<a href="http://cocktails.about.com/od/mixology/r/simple_syrup.htm" target="_blank">simple syrup</a></p> <p align="center">Club Soda</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Stir together your lime juice and salt or sugar in a tall glass, then fill to the top with Club Soda. Enjoy! </p> <p align="center">I don't know anyone else who enjoys the salty version of this, most like it sweet, so it's up to you to decide if you are as crazy as I am, or not!</p>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-32743858830247961062011-01-06T08:55:00.001-08:002011-01-06T09:41:16.398-08:00This is love...<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TSXz_tAo7oI/AAAAAAAAAYg/k68f64CE_QM/s1600-h/CIMG0025%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="CIMG0025" alt="CIMG0025" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVV-8go7GGZpaN_GS-8IXASZ7y9Waf1LBwNtlpwcBGg3VXP1bQzi3pO-m273d18UUfe-LZ0L21nOC56Mh2KZi9nVRhqdh1SGG5x-eDAnL4-N_bLmYajZzG2oWrCQUB2xCYn9E-JZGjik_/?imgmax=800" width="504" border="0" height="317" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Last Valentine's day, I got it into my head that I <em>desperately </em>needed a bird feeder outside my kitchen window. This Christmas, I got it. This little chickadee comes to my feeder about 50 times a day. Doesn't take much to entertain this lady.. oh wait, there is one thing that I <em>do </em>find more entertaining!</p> <p align="center">My husband hanging out the window in 5 degree weather putting up a bird feeder and telling each and every one of my precious birds <em>exactly</em> what he thinks of them.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlXB5l7FMccwF1mNJfg-XDT3x0JggOX55M1oLA9Yx7StW7TOF4QugohxiEdyRXhv-MihZkZCEPRW4kPcEEVMkCpt__0Udbha9G4zmUUfEgnxw30WHJ6uaxwE-EdTTJ8OinaGzGR09IP-8/s1600-h/DSC02595%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC02595" alt="DSC02595" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TSX0AngQp6I/AAAAAAAAAYs/1Ozf-lNUGMQ/DSC02595_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" border="0" height="405" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">Should I be posting this picture on the internet?? </p> <p align="center">Life is so good at the Varghese house.</p> <p align="center">But maybe you should check with my long suffering husband before you take my word for it, I am confident he will be getting many crowns in heaven for this.</p>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-62321343252454559802010-11-19T01:30:00.001-08:002010-11-19T01:30:30.371-08:00Away we go!<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TOZDs8XmXnI/AAAAAAAAAYU/FDNAZYrATG4/s1600-h/DSC01917%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSC01917" border="0" alt="DSC01917" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TOZDtULYnsI/AAAAAAAAAYY/GGuUsgPFZM8/DSC01917_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="326" height="248"></a> </p> <p align="center">We are off! We have already flown from Minneapolis to New York, New York to London, and now we are waiting for a flight to Kuwait, and then finally to India!</p> <p align="center">The picture above is our meal. A stroke above the cookies and juice on the last flight! There was even a chocolate and a toothpick! </p> <p align="center">So far we have been through security three times in the last 20 hours. I think the longer I sit on a plane, the more suspicious looking I get as I had to be thoroughly patted down and scanned for "suspicious items" (Eric says I can't say the "B" word, as they are apparently scanning the internet for cooking blogs with terrorist tendencies) on the last checkpoint. I considered making a scene about the racial profiling going on, but Eric said he would under no circumstances visit me in jail if I did so.</p> <p align="center">Now we are sitting in the London airport and Eric is enthralled by the British accents. He has been trying to talk like a native, and is falling terribly short. He is reading over my shoulder as I type and just said "what do you mean <em>trying</em> to talk??". </p> <p align="center">Time to fly to Kuwait!</p> Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-77597462949729046692010-11-11T08:17:00.001-08:002010-11-11T08:17:26.405-08:00Shower-time Education<p> </p> <p align="center">A couple weekends ago Eric and I visited my brother David, and we were given quite the education. Just like almost every bachelor I know, David has a world map shower curtain.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRo2OrYJK5xKrVzEattOGk-86Jg9CtHuFiJkzxE64iHDfEjh-sRxHwgjX9AbiDrQJooipcDHJymXkDZP4Giby9_ID-p-StNnMgr3oT2ADUbGGTo5VJY3gWEvb_Co7M6IVIQBzvQEG9u02/s1600-h/61FYNFXHV8L._SS400_%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="61FYNFXHV8L._SS400_" border="0" alt="61FYNFXHV8L._SS400_" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNwXDrTVuwI/AAAAAAAAAYA/gqtPI0Pcjss/61FYNFXHV8L._SS400__thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="374"></a> </p> <blockquote> <p align="center">Since I am the world's longest shower taker ever, I had quite the brush-up on my geography. I was almost embarrassed to admit how much I had learned, but on the car ride home Eric brought it up. "Did you realize Russia was so ginourmous??" "Half of these countries I have never even heard of!" We ended up talking about this world map for another 45 minutes, and then officially decided we needed one in our shower. <em>Behind </em>our pretty one! :)Obviously Public Education has done us well! Or maybe it was all the giggling I did in 7th grade geography that did me in....</p> <p align="center">I started looking around and found all sorts of shower curtains.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNwXDzYnhZI/AAAAAAAAAYE/XLCDJ7tmQzc/s1600-h/yhst-13231240529997_2129_21710302%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="yhst-13231240529997_2129_21710302" border="0" alt="yhst-13231240529997_2129_21710302" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNwXElQkcII/AAAAAAAAAYI/WjyvImt3Ciw/yhst-13231240529997_2129_21710302_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="353"></a> </p> <p align="center">If I lived in New York, I could definitely use this map of the NYC Subway. I can barely find my way to the grocery store as it is.</p> <p align="center">They even have SAT words shower curtains. </p> <p align="center">And periodic table shower curtains.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNwXE6eMzlI/AAAAAAAAAYM/YRfQL0xxusI/s1600-h/GK215_XL%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="GMP 006" border="0" alt="GMP 006" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqttHnlPGn6zza_i55ZM-hdspEEmyOr5SlGpFiM2CvY9D80vuNVTgP8J7gL05VrL9zD32hG3chjjg7jcFP2Mcgu-KuU9Pb4yFFEDMmfBmZMyx7fCYHOepbTuud78cBmcybMnEqRFaohvCH/?imgmax=800" width="323" height="392"></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p></blockquote> <p></p> <p align="center">What kind of education are you looking to get in the shower? :)</p> Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-80079072777802998382010-11-07T13:22:00.001-08:002010-11-07T13:23:41.148-08:00Birthday Party!<p> </p> <p align="center">Last weekend we ended up having one big Football/Halloween/Birthday party! On the menu was bacon, pink cupcakes, and crepes, as per Hadassah's demand. </p> <p align="center">We found out some interesting facts like, my Mom sure didn't get a fancy party like this when <em>she </em>was 5! She was pretty sure she did manage to get a nice kick-in-the-pants from Rex and Randy though. </p> <p align="center">We also had some wild trick-or-treaters. I almost got knocked down by quite a few little girls trying to make it into the "Princess Party" going on at our house. We also managed to run out of candy, and all the tiny vampires and werewolves were <em>very</em> displeased. I was pretty impressed with all the 16-year-old moms (yes, "<em>all the"</em>, need I remind you, we live in Coon Rapids) getting candy "for their baby". Veeery tricky!</p> <p align="center">We had a great time, and were so happy to be able to host it!</p> <p align="center">Some of the thrilled party attendees, enjoying Favre and company.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNcYihircoI/AAAAAAAAAWc/wGRq0017arQ/s1600-h/DSC01880%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC01880" alt="DSC01880" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXFds537y_I52tAkvgQFUup8giIvf7-yDUD30q24i28Z8Q34Ldjr8bNaZ0APW-01ghOiS_xWZEAHnSYxEiAZc0rpAcFwi4CLJe6ztYVOSVxjiOyFSIuetzZrovsSL5k_lTDB53kep6pc8/?imgmax=800" width="396" border="0" height="232" /></a> </p> <p align="center">This is Carson and Chloe brooding about Favre. Midway through the game when they finally did put in Tarvaris Jackson, Carson basically screamed for 10 minutes straight when he made the touchdown. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOxccBwkkLw0jaUl8u3n0gShDv-3GQU_khctH1tDZGprX397t436eCCToA9Q2EoWJezPZTfepLME3_YuS6sw8t3VLKTggFEarsDzEfdOsUOzw9Hk3I-1ME97WjXSBNYtqEqn3BbYnEwdF/s1600-h/DSC01882%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC01882" alt="DSC01882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgSVaRKzMJsruoNrLKE5FP00QwI2tyftC9bYhOyi75f_utwsTEyFUa3pg2QAgyRkNgHM36t6lvSOyNdsIQSmwEtvUArQYGnqxB2yaFu56wRHgNUi-ftq5JQZ8uj6RcJLpAcFBwQFm444u/?imgmax=800" width="324" border="0" height="309" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Hadassah, a.k.a Princess-Fairy Godmother-Queen waiting to get the party started already!!!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8fCf0KOHmbXd7oC6bpClxFw2u4CfvhudfdRAMo6DmK0XeqM0adhvVR2NY_PeU_nL-swnbrhwMQ_UZoh2XzziSBGxCvl1QlERhTEVN8ixFJi9r0mfb6su0dDJ5QcSgoMeuVEQadDVp-TD/s1600-h/DSC01883%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC01883" alt="DSC01883" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWAIAQSZfXTGTED3-L0vFM8CucnXaL9VoALIBvWjusOAvHxT_AnosnrywKoGp7zlPXVJ5nFujxFTtVchCGVdwzn6Mp3EIkPbU33kLAJAw5otHxD-TuCVY3zb6z2taX1ee457_AW8g0tSu/?imgmax=800" width="191" border="0" height="304" /></a></p> <p align="center">I was able to pick up enough flowery-pink china for all 16 of us at the thrift store, and we decorated <em>everything </em>in pink. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNcYk5ePsII/AAAAAAAAAW0/Zp3e1kL5N0w/s1600-h/DSC01879%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC01879" alt="DSC01879" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcZ-CAkRD__rFHEl7LfC5j2apObHeJHt0N0lG8SiSOanNShcAr2LaGE3OOLK79m7XrLISMyuCyLIGZfTvKT35mLd09XT5Ocv8DHRedjO1K7G1Hcpe2E_Cn2BwwWedZA-WHp1OWQ2Hi9V_/?imgmax=800" width="252" border="0" height="370" /></a></p> <p align="center">The kids with their crepes and bacon.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbP5jXFF1FOJhXTUkMpWb7KNApa0C9-ZO2uLEP9KzICcG2D4mkRwKxqNtL0xp4kRsFhVCPw3V9_SHz4DPJ7nnlxS3nOiTB5RZbZYmOydLkTXOnBKL3cwQSVk9LTx_PIOiiEskuuEIs5d8/s1600-h/DSC01885%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC01885" alt="DSC01885" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNcYm6A-TAI/AAAAAAAAAXA/USYXl_gJask/DSC01885_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" border="0" height="272" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Some of our more serious party-goers, Larry Sr. and Larry Jr..</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNcYnG053NI/AAAAAAAAAXE/ZSnE6NCwVjw/s1600-h/DSC01887%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC01887" alt="DSC01887" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHFBAQYe-98bECjkDsaOzbLeXcadkN9r6at74a5__5E5VgksSgQSrpIgHutY6h9KeJoWGHHKAKxXAJ80DcnIgduYUwhn7jEYbABngF6CwZ1XIOwFSdDHVtHldURp_2s8MIEvRE8XdtIP7/?imgmax=800" width="317" border="0" height="339" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Singing "Happy Birthday".</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNcYnwL92fI/AAAAAAAAAXM/3MmPSglkn-k/s1600-h/DSC01889%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC01889" alt="DSC01889" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdQ67xy9TDfEeSmzENpeacbL-0RgKtumZggBS5Y6lj1Og5h_m-GE5XfO7MvlotHcx7HbeWttxTN_5cjxHK4yEj6wCpUeKNUjn7sM4N2ctfg-IyuiluJClrCw9DLIxAKt6DmAnL1XRObi-/?imgmax=800" width="266" border="0" height="346" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Bobby in his chicken suit finally finding a part of the party he could <em>really</em> get into.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-FZtDi_-1HGgvfsXW0xSWRQopqg3pwZHje3E1IEF-otkrlcodJny4DnPidg2d0CvsjU28zrV4OxEfXSVtU39yrOkQx6PtcmEGQl3McxJdKlxE5ompkpZbGTlJCLZwqqvKEdsHCvRIyo3/s1600-h/DSC01891%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC01891" alt="DSC01891" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lmhlVLozWXx3TRxitMOSRJY6UCIFUsaXSjVDgxZ8yZyOn8AJdj9XRNso5KCoU3ABiPkXH4Wyn9wXo7LH5JEEr-yOtGDM26xgNDMzeLl0olBagqzUL4saBCxG86AVoev3TtehQaNoCm2m/?imgmax=800" width="249" border="0" height="274" /></a></p> <p align="center">Eric's dad getting his baby fix with Rocky! </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNcYpb1jhcI/AAAAAAAAAXc/djI7SUfhBls/s1600-h/DSC01893%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="DSC01893" alt="DSC01893" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggP-JboK1RhvVdlQ1e5TbwOsTPqO8PlrCjCF_HDonXxEtdweX5UOghyphenhyphenPylcAwVIb9ShYLigq6ruX3qw-aLghEFkkRpEYeoB1sJDu9Z3Wa9Al8byx_3tyZbQRXDewjlNYCzzHpdAKlH6I8e/?imgmax=800" width="238" border="0" height="313" /></a></p> <p align="center">A Viking's cheerleader uniform from Grandpa and Grandma! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNcYqH47YkI/AAAAAAAAAXk/4PcpIRA5wHk/s1600-h/DSC01898%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC01898" alt="DSC01898" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNcYqf-I5gI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Y840bWDOeag/DSC01898_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" border="0" height="272" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Pink cowboy boots from Uncle Carson!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNcYqgFTg1I/AAAAAAAAAXs/2VitDALLqks/s1600-h/DSC01902%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC01902" alt="DSC01902" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANG39vVcSk4mbDV2p7dh_70dP92GsMruDVAyTbLx2sfJtaE_cCdgb8p5YLpjM-vCWlv2DkC6Ku_RF1KenTqgRQHAZtIgTaUJzFOOgsahSk_7igb0M1DIxNpn_UmvCp03RreeIArXPYFOk/?imgmax=800" width="271" border="0" height="286" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Getting ready to trick or treat as a cowgirl-ballerina!</p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNcYrk2h71I/AAAAAAAAAX0/v9mESWlIvTk/s1600-h/DSC01911%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC01911" alt="DSC01911" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6_MIfJmIYK-ww_I9mOvukMGL5uShyVrGijdPFW-IvhpC924dtzda7q8oDYZTMCwIGVjUhe0lo6Sc6zWZvy5HbKR2DWpSB8iNsFtmxxVMjzm7RWAmm62ruB3cgkeNyXcP2uH2tFlf1aAv/?imgmax=800" width="272" border="0" height="332" /></a> </p> <p align="center">It was a pretty exciting party! I took a lot more pictures, but these were just some of the highlights!</p> <p align="center">Also, just so David doesn't get his knickers in a twist, Hadassah got some pretty cute ballerina shoes to go with her tutu and a huuge pack of Polly-Pockets from him. Hadassah is still deciding who won the Best-Uncle-Ever award.</p>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2219972808415745739.post-55203585471030095632010-11-05T09:29:00.001-07:002010-11-05T09:37:40.634-07:00Making a list, checkin' it twice!<p> </p> <p align="center">We are on our way to the Motherland ( his, not mine, I think I'm German??), in 2 weeks! We got our shots, visas..almost, and let's see, we only have one million more things to do! </p> <p align="center">Here's all my drugs:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-kaW7To64z1krzYPyO8FUT264s48yk4cDBuhSfzQ-MPoKNWNVh75EG2sdVdxwmWAHDtkueJYbpC28AOXIkUY2NZ0fYJuZqjSAoHyexE-3w4nVM9D5jKw93zgvEynnDUNawqc_tsPV0ue/s1600-h/DSC019155.jpg"><img style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="DSC01915" alt="DSC01915" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNQw63BwNzI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/h9jmcsYWhmM/DSC01915_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" border="0" height="229" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I was so mortified, I had to walk up to the counter and say, "umm, I have some extra strength anti-diarrheal medication to pick up...".</p> <p align="center">Yep, apparently it is of utmost importance to have this along, no over the counter stuff is good enough for India. Then I had to get Malaria pills, some heavy duty bug repellent so I don't get Dengue fever, and shots for everything you can think of including Hepatitis A, Typhoid, a Polio booster, and more. Oh boy.</p> <p align="center">My Doctor also recommended <a href="http://www.go-girl.com/how-to-get-gogirl.asp">this</a>. Notice they sell T-shirts!! Apparently one time she had a mishap with the squatty potties there, and lost her pants to the depths below. Does anyone remember that scene from Slumdog Millionaire? Well if you were denied the privilege of seeing this, here is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C62K-D_WC1I"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">link</span></a> slowed down and put to some pretty great music. It is almost worth watching to get the full effect. (This post has suddenly gone downhill at a frightening speed.)</p> <p align="center">Last but not least, a present for Felix. If you have not tried these, once you do, you will realize your life has been devoid of pleasure thus far.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNQw7OTYndI/AAAAAAAAAWU/971EhsKql_U/s1600-h/DSC01916%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline;" title="DSC01916" alt="DSC01916" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_HeNJ8OAvqbU/TNQw7V7ZMcI/AAAAAAAAAWY/wc7UTZXa60M/DSC01916_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" border="0" height="313" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="center">There is a possibility these will never arrive in India, I don't have a huge amount of self control. Sorry Felix!</p>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06072194164244592526noreply@blogger.com4