tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329193512024-02-07T23:27:35.132-07:00SuzyQSparkleMental ramblings of Suzy Q Sparkles; primarily related to family and quilting.SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.comBlogger448125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-51485435519046967782013-06-01T21:25:00.000-06:002013-06-01T21:25:07.490-06:00Gift Idea: Teams and Coaches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wanted to share a recent creation. I took several ideas I've seen floating around (mostly on Pinterest) and combined them to create these little gems:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZO9Ekgq74L_8PmJpd_LY5aKJcetA24KKgK6rVPA_w6vChC2mLqBVcPv2QJAmPMFhttE7lEkxNWdp8nDgnShtmIz88e0iJ6g5kDqMRe2Ev_Ecxr8jbTUn1rPHTfGIYTeZIhz1Ug/s1600/Baseball+Team+Washer+Necklaces+Fobs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZO9Ekgq74L_8PmJpd_LY5aKJcetA24KKgK6rVPA_w6vChC2mLqBVcPv2QJAmPMFhttE7lEkxNWdp8nDgnShtmIz88e0iJ6g5kDqMRe2Ev_Ecxr8jbTUn1rPHTfGIYTeZIhz1Ug/s640/Baseball+Team+Washer+Necklaces+Fobs.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I had fun playing with my new (and first) die sets. Above, I've shown just a few of my favorite configurations of the team name, number, and player name. For the players, we (Jack helped with this part) attached satin cord as an adjustable length necklace. For the coaches, I just attached reclaimed handles from discarded </span><span style="text-align: center;">paper bags (I love finding new uses for the gift and shopping bag handles, which I harvest whenever I see one destined for a landfill!) </span>On the pieces for the girls and ladies, I added some layers with glitter and sparkle (look closely at the pieces with the turquoise cording). They are subtle, but in the light, they sparkle ever so nicely!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Here are the posts where I gleaned some of the ideas I used:<br /><a href="http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/metal-stamps-tips-and-techniques/" target="_blank">Washer Stamping and Filling the Letters with Sharpie</a></span><br />
<a href="http://oneofakindgiftideas.blogspot.com/2010/01/one-of-kind-hand-stamped-washer.html" target="_blank">Washer Stamping and Filling</a><br />
<a href="http://www.accentuate-n-ink.blogspot.com/2009/11/wow-stunning-home-crafted-pendant.html" target="_blank">Paper Covered Washers</a><br />
<a href="http://captaincrafty.com/2012/04/make-recycled-necklaces/" target="_blank">Painted Washers</a> (I used Spray Paint and Permanent Marker to make the Baseballs, but started out with this as my idea source.)<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJzF1IeQQck" target="_blank">Slip Knot Necklace</a> (I tied the square knots three times each, because the satin code is so slippery, and I left the ends long to make them easier to grab and pull).<br />
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I added my own twist by applying a brush on acrylic in thick layers on the paper and painted surfaces. Next time, I think I will find a two-part resin to layer on this type of item, because even a week after application, the product I used takes a mark when pressed firmly (with a finger nail, or even a rubber band). Though, they are still smooth enough to serve their purpose here.<br />
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Oh! One other thing, the knots on the necklaces. I regularly look at <a href="http://www.fusionknots.com/" target="_blank">JD Lenzen's Fusion Knotwork</a> on his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/TyingItAllTogether?feature=watch" target="_blank">You Tube Channel, Tying it All Together</a>. I wound up watching several of his videos, then creating something that worked well for me. I just looped the satin cording around and around, tying it different ways until I found one I thought was secure and nice to look at.<br />
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So. That's it. I used the above links. Played a great deal, and created these fun pieces. Now, to help my (almost) 13 year old niece make a set for her basketball team!SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-21278638522424093802012-07-13T13:22:00.000-06:002012-07-13T13:22:48.821-06:00Homeschool Talking PointsThree years ago, Rock Springs, Wyoming was implementing a Daytime Curfew. There was a general outcry from the homeschooling community. The Chief of Police ask me to help educate the local Police Force; to help them understand just what homeschooling was/is. Here are a few of my talking points from that presentation:<br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">There are many reasons to homeschool and many methods that parents approach it with. Many of these methods include children being out in public during the “traditional” school day. Additionally there are some families that use a combination of home and public schooling (different children or different times of life).</span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">Fear (from Police with the Curfew) limits the ability to effectively Homeschool children.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGKKn9jx5RX_TH7RuiOk5k8n4cOpbd9u8N-uUCzUf01-ust2ebDWS0oVGGyO_m6AoBp1wVmxRItYXG_WM8RxoLFH5TKpcDwB0hNfEdU4CX81aWBM3z74gH7-MaxkBZ3kymLEpUQ/s1600/CIMG4078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGKKn9jx5RX_TH7RuiOk5k8n4cOpbd9u8N-uUCzUf01-ust2ebDWS0oVGGyO_m6AoBp1wVmxRItYXG_WM8RxoLFH5TKpcDwB0hNfEdU4CX81aWBM3z74gH7-MaxkBZ3kymLEpUQ/s320/CIMG4078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">We use the environment to teach. The world is a learning environment.</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RPUMVZT2FAii40gYtJzfd5aIegvwklc_QyTO9LQvMjwWuRxkeavT3fdgLwE77EqmtfNmfG_fR8VLxwQCh0PpLSrDjjS0sjV1n-ham3tGHsDXIkergCcph_T6ZxsK0YJ4ueqb1Q/s1600/CIMG3614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RPUMVZT2FAii40gYtJzfd5aIegvwklc_QyTO9LQvMjwWuRxkeavT3fdgLwE77EqmtfNmfG_fR8VLxwQCh0PpLSrDjjS0sjV1n-ham3tGHsDXIkergCcph_T6ZxsK0YJ4ueqb1Q/s320/CIMG3614.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">Volunteer – Community service creates hands on learning opportunities as well as socializing the children.</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinb-fKGtVLy5l8aBz_TrLjdRHaZVilG24xnQtLvYzBrLESOngLz8eFV3LoPvzaAesO-qAFGofbDNHxKs3FWDkwo4fRibuLcT2_ESI_5TVRph_UjSkM_fg9Enr4a5BZriHgLzxVMA/s1600/CIMG3665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinb-fKGtVLy5l8aBz_TrLjdRHaZVilG24xnQtLvYzBrLESOngLz8eFV3LoPvzaAesO-qAFGofbDNHxKs3FWDkwo4fRibuLcT2_ESI_5TVRph_UjSkM_fg9Enr4a5BZriHgLzxVMA/s320/CIMG3665.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">Curriculum and schedules vary by family… think of what could happen to our children if parents that worked away odd shifts (oil fields, mines) were to keep their children home, and school them on a schedule compatible with their work weeks.</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONy2_5yXWEjKLThCA1zn2Rbuca783drKTKla_CUIBfTLc6ZwKaZYDmqfOWqkUMxqJGXqmdFN5GfJ5MeaFx0BBrvydurXuWXsn1yKPuWNjJDbRpcUJ6KCKMmpT6nyNN4zRa3uyvA/s1600/CIMG4082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONy2_5yXWEjKLThCA1zn2Rbuca783drKTKla_CUIBfTLc6ZwKaZYDmqfOWqkUMxqJGXqmdFN5GfJ5MeaFx0BBrvydurXuWXsn1yKPuWNjJDbRpcUJ6KCKMmpT6nyNN4zRa3uyvA/s320/CIMG4082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: white;">Wyoming is great about Homeschooling! It’s a very permissive state in which to undertake this adventure!</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AxqlBMhw60N22RQ5jdl9IPuFHgzo5dGZYBUsQhzqfDWyIv5CXJJdFVYwmjZZ71gatfsgkg52fz3MJv_i6wRfTB6kLPZ7xe1cZAyHFexXHgJJ7JP5RgzzuEGDIyzXg0HzOU7KGQ/s1600/CIMG4125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6AxqlBMhw60N22RQ5jdl9IPuFHgzo5dGZYBUsQhzqfDWyIv5CXJJdFVYwmjZZ71gatfsgkg52fz3MJv_i6wRfTB6kLPZ7xe1cZAyHFexXHgJJ7JP5RgzzuEGDIyzXg0HzOU7KGQ/s320/CIMG4125.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com244830-44998 U.S. 26, Arminto, WY 82630, USA43.0759678 -107.290283940.1073388 -112.34399490000001 46.0445968 -102.2365729tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-28629899256114883422012-07-13T11:22:00.000-06:002012-07-13T12:34:33.674-06:00Some General Information About Different Approaches to Homeschooling<m:smallfrac m:val="off">
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<m:smallfrac m:val="off"><m:dispdef><m:lmargin m:val="0"><m:rmargin m:val="0"><m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"><i>It is interesting to me that while we haven't been officially "Homeschooling" since October 2011, I am still approached by people with queries on the how's and why's of it. I still consider myself a "homeschooler", and as such remain an advocate for the modality. Recently, I dug up this bit of information I compiled in 2009 to help educate the Rock Springs Wyoming Police Department. (I also found all of these photos archived in our 2011 Homeschool Year Adventures.)</i></m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt;">One
of the best things about homeschooling is the fact that there are different
approaches available. No two children are exactly the same. Each child has a
different learning style and each family has different routines and needs. Many
educational methods lack the ability to adapt to the unique needs of the
individual, but homeschooling is different. A homeschool approach can be
whatever best fits for the particular student and family.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2rouPoAnBUx75-57cLGqOlMKGS52oftkMBr52LL6EHuenkj2HZHGufYc80YTPDQEFu2qR4T-AwAHtfWbm2lBj_C4bgmbp7dTzjaKVAz1tl3P3PVb90BlCBxYQAxax5gmstPlBA/s1600/IMG_8405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2rouPoAnBUx75-57cLGqOlMKGS52oftkMBr52LL6EHuenkj2HZHGufYc80YTPDQEFu2qR4T-AwAHtfWbm2lBj_C4bgmbp7dTzjaKVAz1tl3P3PVb90BlCBxYQAxax5gmstPlBA/s320/IMG_8405.JPG" title="Jack Holding Pair of Mating Frogs" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Although
every homeschool is unique, certain homeschooling "styles" have
become very popular. Most homeschoolers do not follow one style or method
exactly. Instead, they select the ideas and suggestions that fit their family
and eventually end up with a method all their own. The following are the most popular
homeschooling styles.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">School-at-Home - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">This homeschool approach is very similar to education in a traditional
school setting. Homeschool parents who choose this method typically use
standardized textbooks and curricula to teach their children. Homeschool parents
who use this method often create traditional lesson plans and adhere to
homeschooling schedules. Other homeschool parents choose to purchase lesson
plans. Some who use this homeschool approach set up separate schoolrooms,
complete with desks for both the homeschool children and the parent teacher.
However, this is not always the case as homeschooling lends itself to just
about any location.</span></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Unit Studies - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Available free or for sale to homeschoolers. Also how to make your own.</span><br />
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<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">"Relaxed" or "Eclectic" Homeschooling - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Some like to pick and choose
among various methods, enjoying the flexibility it affords. </span></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Unschooling - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Natural learning is letting your child lead the way.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz147U24CNDC2t96R0IoiwDk_5Ylg_kRlyIi_aGIqCmlORdVY-aHfGzJ9GeJIuhlsrbF4FLlhdSbFxY_AflMHnzVSdK7XlD6kkS5dAL430hx1ZtFfgFr9irvRKU_JwrAd8eL36xQ/s1600/IMG_8332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz147U24CNDC2t96R0IoiwDk_5Ylg_kRlyIi_aGIqCmlORdVY-aHfGzJ9GeJIuhlsrbF4FLlhdSbFxY_AflMHnzVSdK7XlD6kkS5dAL430hx1ZtFfgFr9irvRKU_JwrAd8eL36xQ/s320/IMG_8332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Classical Homeschooling - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Many Christian and other families prefer a liberal
arts education for their children, including lessons in Greek and Latin, as
well as formal instruction in logic.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08SqeohMbQTiUNaHx9hP7Z7Rwsy0SbmwP3ZItA_hnEUfYdJdrC0io4ZbmX07aSek-Qghm8ly9y6jZP301IUodvKl8tQtr-jg-AywdUH2MgWYf-eJDRUf4lWIk4m-WVr8INFnk5w/s1600/IMG_7563.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj08SqeohMbQTiUNaHx9hP7Z7Rwsy0SbmwP3ZItA_hnEUfYdJdrC0io4ZbmX07aSek-Qghm8ly9y6jZP301IUodvKl8tQtr-jg-AywdUH2MgWYf-eJDRUf4lWIk4m-WVr8INFnk5w/s320/IMG_7563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">The Charlotte Mason Method -</span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> This approach advocates reading good books from
original sources and spending lots of time in nature.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SH47ZMndcb64Y_-RZhdgtnecK10Fzuux8K32jiIMOHCV9dZ8ZgEN3ynnjQub-V65W5eVxSNfSiPW9d1vVr3bt13Ye_O-VS22KOWuT6IenXKEWte9uriBOsTL4Eit9a6pN1TZ4w/s1600/IMG_9960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SH47ZMndcb64Y_-RZhdgtnecK10Fzuux8K32jiIMOHCV9dZ8ZgEN3ynnjQub-V65W5eVxSNfSiPW9d1vVr3bt13Ye_O-VS22KOWuT6IenXKEWte9uriBOsTL4Eit9a6pN1TZ4w/s320/IMG_9960.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">The Waldorf Method - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Developed by Rudolf Steiner, this method emphasizes
arts and crafts, music and movement. Students learn to read and write by making
their own books.</span><br />
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<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Montessori - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Maria Montessori advocates observing your child, removing obstacles to
learning and providing children with real, scaled-to-size tools to use.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZoanT1C77w5jtdkX1QudSQLpkeSqUQ0ugj1RWUXicEWgEiNCX56fLwxm2CRKKUpTwnWL5QyySfP6BKandQ22dMrWJR9F2VnuOxT716yv3PNmfoG_-AuoPJcbecMKdPC9_vOhFA/s1600/IMG_8727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZoanT1C77w5jtdkX1QudSQLpkeSqUQ0ugj1RWUXicEWgEiNCX56fLwxm2CRKKUpTwnWL5QyySfP6BKandQ22dMrWJR9F2VnuOxT716yv3PNmfoG_-AuoPJcbecMKdPC9_vOhFA/s320/IMG_8727.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Multiple Intelligences</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Distance Learning - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Companies and schools that provide teaching assistance as well as
learning materials. These schools vary widely in their choice of method, let
alone formality.</span></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Enki Education Method - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Enki is it's own wonderful thing. Besides drawing
from the best of Waldorf, Enki also draws from Montessori, the United Nations
International School, Theme Studies and even the discovery learning of John
Holt.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1UsCRWfrgml_7-Li6yUrqe8DRp20nCgRbnF6grHUdXYZm_PDyopa3Ft_6kaO9EGhBraOvhhR4qTO3du9BQGvtlP9ydDZpBak5ML6M8VmboMgsiIFjBDyL3XToHwRwGNFIyY00g/s1600/IMG_7690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1UsCRWfrgml_7-Li6yUrqe8DRp20nCgRbnF6grHUdXYZm_PDyopa3Ft_6kaO9EGhBraOvhhR4qTO3du9BQGvtlP9ydDZpBak5ML6M8VmboMgsiIFjBDyL3XToHwRwGNFIyY00g/s320/IMG_7690.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Resource Centers & Cottage Schools - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Mini-schools are springing up
among homeschoolers all over the world.</span></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Studio Teachers - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Young entertainers and athletes often need especially accomodating
tutors, willing to travel with them.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0OhZZ1m7AXrZOmScYzWU6XRZ_ICtLcO13nV42mROaHbebDKWs1FeuB5FoG2PvOZav14VeLhdnHQSi3Mit4pHH3bFLcLCMmWb_kHybK9uPPJbZGpHrR_2RRs1w1C7WBNY7gpUzw/s1600/IMG_7898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0OhZZ1m7AXrZOmScYzWU6XRZ_ICtLcO13nV42mROaHbebDKWs1FeuB5FoG2PvOZav14VeLhdnHQSi3Mit4pHH3bFLcLCMmWb_kHybK9uPPJbZGpHrR_2RRs1w1C7WBNY7gpUzw/s320/IMG_7898.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span><br />
</li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Tutoring - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Hiring a tutor makes a family (and the tutor) fall under the tutoring
laws of a state's education code, rather than under homeschooling laws,
especially if they intend to hire a tutor full time.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWthkzgssqocaDfzTNi-QlNekRmGGM-TD92O7xiFD200CFSD3_2MOIuJSdCzvReubNeLMNkHftd_n20r9u8DvREqN63PBdhS42XeOgr0rFSv_7H1GE6PGnZk3EQgdsc_UJ53fIhQ/s1600/IMG_8886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWthkzgssqocaDfzTNi-QlNekRmGGM-TD92O7xiFD200CFSD3_2MOIuJSdCzvReubNeLMNkHftd_n20r9u8DvREqN63PBdhS42XeOgr0rFSv_7H1GE6PGnZk3EQgdsc_UJ53fIhQ/s320/IMG_8886.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span><br />
</li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Umbrella Schools - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">Independent Study Programs, Distance Learning Programs, Virtual or
Cyber (Internet) Schools, Charter Schools, Learning Centers, DVD/Video
Schooling. </span></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">EarthSchooling - </span></b><span style="font-size: 9pt;">The new generation of ecletic schoolers considers the entire EARTH
their school. We don't stay at HOME! Some travel the USA or the WORLD or have a
classroom OUTDOORS. We may "homeschool" part-time or full-time or we
may be involved in after-school or weekend enrichment activities. What we all
have in common is that we base our schooling on the needs of our family & we create our own "ideal school"
from the many varied resources available.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QKyEEtwB5uCgZhfqZievMSpvp_o8A7rr2iFUdhpj_AzRJOWS_Br5iow7U9Fl2i8DQ1jwCHQ4ktzQ5Z8IYdXU_BcPtnrTYobFRmpHaKkBcRQF3mCymM7hOo0jxCNmKBBEKpoeDA/s1600/IMG_9669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QKyEEtwB5uCgZhfqZievMSpvp_o8A7rr2iFUdhpj_AzRJOWS_Br5iow7U9Fl2i8DQ1jwCHQ4ktzQ5Z8IYdXU_BcPtnrTYobFRmpHaKkBcRQF3mCymM7hOo0jxCNmKBBEKpoeDA/s320/IMG_9669.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt;">There
is no typical homeschooled child or homeschooling experience. There is no
recipe. Parents say it is all about 'customizing' learning for their kids.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkKTdWwblqHpuRSEtY9gA0KyQk4hF75JyJKxFOyUkJKiKs88UEBKX9md6ephIkCJ8U0vWkbHDV2yaqsqDDT292gq5mxV5FU5nd19lojTKouHLl0tNlPrFreQ9StBvudT2X9MQTg/s1600/IMG_8384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkKTdWwblqHpuRSEtY9gA0KyQk4hF75JyJKxFOyUkJKiKs88UEBKX9md6ephIkCJ8U0vWkbHDV2yaqsqDDT292gq5mxV5FU5nd19lojTKouHLl0tNlPrFreQ9StBvudT2X9MQTg/s320/IMG_8384.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Some homeschooled kids participate in selected public–school classes and activities. There are parents who replicate the regular school day with class periods and packaged alternative curricula. Other parents encourage their children to pursue their current interests and avocations (creating complex Lego villages, modeling clay, writing plays, learning about Native American architecture) as avidly as possible, believing self-directed learning to be the most joyful and rewarding. Immersion in the natural world and volunteerism were mainstays of other homeschooling environments.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Boulder;">This data was compiled from these websites:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.homeschool.com/Approaches/"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">http://www.homeschool.com/Approaches/</span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/methods/Methods.htm"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/methods/Methods.htm</span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.thejubileeacademy.org/articles/homeschool_your_way_-_the_varied_approaches_to_homeschooling.html"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">http://www.thejubileeacademy.org/articles/homeschool_your_way_-_the_varied_approaches_to_homeschooling.html</span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://school.familyeducation.com/home-schooling/educational-philosophy/29958.html?detoured=1"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">http://school.familyeducation.com/home-schooling/educational-philosophy/29958.html?detoured=1</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://waldorfenrichment.weebly.com/index.html"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">http://waldorfenrichment.weebly.com/index.html</span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Boulder;">Other Helpful refrences:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.design-your-homeschool.com/HomeschoolingApproach.html"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">http://www.design-your-homeschool.com/HomeschoolingApproach.html</span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://school.familyeducation.com/home-schooling/parenting/38764.html?detoured=1"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">http://school.familyeducation.com/home-schooling/parenting/38764.html?detoured=1</span></a><span style="font-size: 9pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.youcanhomeschool.org/starthere/Tips.asp" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">http://www.youcanhomeschool.<wbr></wbr>org/starthere/Tips.asp</a><br style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/</a>
<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Homeschooling-Book-Answers-Homeschoolings/dp/0761535705/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342200216&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Homeschooling+Book+of+Answers+by+Linda+Dobson"><i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">The Homeschooling
Book of Answers</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">
by Linda Dobson. Almost four dozen homeschooling experts answer just about
every question on homeschooling how-to's. After nine years of homeschooling, I
still refer to this book.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Homeschooling-Early-Complete-Successfully-Year-Old/dp/0761520287/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342200352&sr=1-1&keywords=Homeschooling%3A+The+Early+Years%3A+Your+Complete+Guide+to+Successfully+Homeschooling+the+3-+to+8-Year-Old+Chil"><i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Homeschooling: The
Early Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 3- to
8-Year-Old Child</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">
by Linda Dobson. The best resource for providing answers to the unique
challenges (and opportunities) of teaching the very young child at home.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Homeschool-Your-Child-Free-Effective/dp/0307451631/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342200458&sr=1-1&keywords=Homeschool+Your+Child+for+Free"><i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Homeschool Your Child
for Free</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">
by LauraMaery Gold and Joan M. Zielinski offers more than 1,200 resources for
home education on the Internet and beyond. Reassuring advice and stories
accompany links to amazing educational sites. The most used homeschooling book
in my library!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Homeschooling-Complete-Successfully-Year-Old-Learning/dp/0761520937/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342200489&sr=1-1&keywords=Homeschooling%3A+The+Teen+Years%3A+Your+Complete+Guide+to+Successfully+Homeschooling+the+13-+to+18-Year-Old"><i><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">Homeschooling: The
Teen Years: Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 13- to
18-Year-Old</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;">
by Cafi Cohen. As the cover states, "If you're homechooling a teenager
you'll want -- and need -- this outstanding book." Cohen makes
homeschooling a teen fun. (Well, almost!) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Your-Child-Refrigerator-Learning/dp/1883002702/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342200553&sr=1-1&keywords=How+to+Get+Your+Child+Off+the+Refrigerator+and+Into+Learning"><i><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;">How to Get
Your Child off the Refrigerator and On to Learning</span></i></a><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"> by Carol Barnier.
This book may be the single biggest aide I found in allowing my sons’ to
learn in a way best suited to their natures.
It helped me understand that “a math lesson shouldn’t be confused with a
writing lesson.” It really is okay to teach
them while they are in motion, instead of forcing them to sit still and be
quiet!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</li>
</ol>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0Rock Springs, WY 82901, USA41.5874644 -109.202904341.4924549 -109.3608328 41.682473900000005 -109.0449758tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-85216613485199287092012-04-12T23:10:00.005-06:002012-04-12T23:19:46.144-06:00Happy Birthday Young Lady!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Time to wish lovely lady I once knew a happy birthday. She turns 18 is just a few short </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">minutes. I have not been able to speak with her since she was 7. Over the years, I have shed many tears over her and my forced separation. I have long-awaited the time when we would be able to speak again. That day is nearly upon me, and now I find myself hoping she will be open and receptive to communications.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdOEZPaXIUc9lsOgwh2LS0lST9Bp2oZXQhCL4rOdu3U8eMFUk37srgRjOVyk7T6Z_sSuePNd_QGLOh6_UNAS_3tQpMRp7fruOfRI4OLzkMExJgr9oaN7XJzgRmUtiMkEUcikpVA/s1600/birthday-cake-candles.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdOEZPaXIUc9lsOgwh2LS0lST9Bp2oZXQhCL4rOdu3U8eMFUk37srgRjOVyk7T6Z_sSuePNd_QGLOh6_UNAS_3tQpMRp7fruOfRI4OLzkMExJgr9oaN7XJzgRmUtiMkEUcikpVA/s320/birthday-cake-candles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730750202120985858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Serina Mae Thomas (aka: Sera), I love you so! Years apart have only made that love grow stronger. I hope that one day you and I will be able to speak again... you have only to send me a note or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/SiouxzQzz">look me up on Facebook</a>, and you will find me there.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I hope this day is simply wonderful for you.</span> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Happy, happy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sera!!!</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-23548389167922966382011-06-01T20:31:00.005-06:002011-06-02T16:57:17.599-06:00Mark Kistler 3D Drawing Camp<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yesterday a dream of mine came true! I get to attend (with my boys) to a Drawing Camp with </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.draw3d.com/emmy2010.pdf">Emmy Award Winner</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, Mark Kistler. As a kid of the 80's, I use to watch "Captain Mark" on </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Broadcasting_Service">PBS</a> as a member of his <a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Kistler%27s_Imagination_Station">Imagination Station</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.draw3d.com/store/drawsqd.html">DRAW SQUAD</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">! His enthusiasim and easy-going style helped me to become confident as a budding artist surrounded by a family of artists. I still don't consider myself a "great" artist, but look at what I drew yesterday as I attended the class:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBm3Uva-3l6aJUpDXQvMwcs6AVU2tXemCBQbmj1YDjjwnufaM_rcz_aAYd3JYb6FAteztDkF-aqhfFmoK9HcmKTkqtiGpsrIT9IJeQq0kKv9Ld9ibuaTs7Svmq62Dz04Yau0Q7A/s1600/3DDrawingCamp_Day1ams.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBm3Uva-3l6aJUpDXQvMwcs6AVU2tXemCBQbmj1YDjjwnufaM_rcz_aAYd3JYb6FAteztDkF-aqhfFmoK9HcmKTkqtiGpsrIT9IJeQq0kKv9Ld9ibuaTs7Svmq62Dz04Yau0Q7A/s320/3DDrawingCamp_Day1ams.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613444833181517026" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This was what I worked on for a bit in the evening last night:</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEied5y9l0VvylkWwiFQGfB0Sh3uJGNTyNNjo_N4GQoQFz5W1zNVka5fCIu41hrDnHI3AY_sfuqMuhxJidoPIo_0amYZonM5qm_U1fZ4GxkfKuLRBsL45rotHuDfst1RX3oJJHv2kA/s1600/3DDrawingCamp_Day1pms.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEied5y9l0VvylkWwiFQGfB0Sh3uJGNTyNNjo_N4GQoQFz5W1zNVka5fCIu41hrDnHI3AY_sfuqMuhxJidoPIo_0amYZonM5qm_U1fZ4GxkfKuLRBsL45rotHuDfst1RX3oJJHv2kA/s320/3DDrawingCamp_Day1pms.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613444828371319794" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And today, at Camp Day 2, the fun continued as we explored an OCEAN theme.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHZesVffimdcWU2oK93yL3BMmNADLLg54BSS7NmPPDeJwq7poQQtrF9yHOGX9jSd-mXuHqRW5RIDBY1li0mYAWST5qp00K3VAXDpR34v444vqr2N-8zHAiNscSy9j2t2rTcQJPQ/s1600/3DDrawingCamp_Day2ams.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHZesVffimdcWU2oK93yL3BMmNADLLg54BSS7NmPPDeJwq7poQQtrF9yHOGX9jSd-mXuHqRW5RIDBY1li0mYAWST5qp00K3VAXDpR34v444vqr2N-8zHAiNscSy9j2t2rTcQJPQ/s320/3DDrawingCamp_Day2ams.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613444823529877634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tomorrow is DINOSAURS and Friday will be MONSTERS, ALIENS, PENGUINS and </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.mkisdraw3d.com/public/gallery/index.html">whatever else</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> we throw in.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What is even better about this experience is that Mark's Staff kindly offered us a FULL SCHOLARSHIP when they found out about all of Frank's surgeries, and his current preparations for </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >yet another</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> surgery. Parents and Grandparents are always welcome to attend, and for this camp, Jack has also been invited to sit in. As if that wasn't enough, Mark is welcoming us in two classes... so we attend for 2.5 hours each day this week full of drawing fun.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm loving the observations Frank is making. Things like "I noticed that Mr. Kistler doesn't use an eraser" or "as I'm sketching more, I'm getting faster." During the past month, as we've realized that Frank will be facing yet another surgery, we have been unable to get his mind off of the upcoming medical procedures (and their accompanying pain). This class has been just what he needed! He can't stop drawing! </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As if Frank didn't draw enough before this... now we just can't get him to put his pencil down... like when it's time to get out of the van or go to bed or anything, he's always got to "finish one more detail" on his drawing. Yeah PENCIL POWER!!!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My own excitement about drawing is over the top too! Seriously, yesterday, when I found out we would be attending I couldn't stop bouncing, screaming and getting shivers from head-to-toe. All this rekindled enthusiasm is probably just the kick in the pants my creativity inspiration source has been needing. I find things that I haven't done for years coming back to be easily to share with my sons. Today I explained to the boys that it is important to sketch first, then darken, which is like "whispering on the paper first, then increasing your voice and getting louder and louder." I think, perhaps, that using color is like YELLING at the paper.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One thing I've been intrigued by is all the different ways Mark offers to encourage a love of drawing: </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.draw3d.com/store/3Dbook.html">books</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.draw3d.com/TV.html">TV series</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.draw3d.com/summer.html">personal camps</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.draw3d.com/asmbly.html">assemblies</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.draw3d.com/store/">DVD's</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, and </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.draw3d.com/OnlineVideo.html">online art lessons</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> (free and subscription services). If you'd like to get a feel for his fun-loving style, Mark offers a lot of free online lessons at his website: </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.draw3d.com/">www.draw3d.com</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-10549908367123628832011-05-28T15:40:00.017-06:002011-05-29T12:02:01.706-06:00Tutorial - Sensory Blanket - Snuggie Remake<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have been doing a lot of reading lately on Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism and Asperger's. One of the things that really struck a cord is the characteristic of difficulty sleeping AND thrashing around during sleep. Both problems Frank has always had. I am forever wondering about his "rat's nest" of a bed... it's seriously like a small animal lair, with lots of trinket's and treasures tucked into the layers upon layers of bedding and pillows, with a small spot in the middle where he actually lays.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbVsmwI-XI3vOGGaXEFCtmTbisEZMWMRoMIolaAlfu-tX4KFChHVNHFCM89TBBmEfYdPDr9S7PaTwIObeBmDGj-gT3_zgAq9YkLzcIOvnJF2045wIiffXXpVWy8ewF0IHlhEcUw/s1600/IMG_8871cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbVsmwI-XI3vOGGaXEFCtmTbisEZMWMRoMIolaAlfu-tX4KFChHVNHFCM89TBBmEfYdPDr9S7PaTwIObeBmDGj-gT3_zgAq9YkLzcIOvnJF2045wIiffXXpVWy8ewF0IHlhEcUw/s320/IMG_8871cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952104988515746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What I started noticing in my reading is that physical input is helpful, and by creating a cocoon or shell around the body, it can help with rest. One thing that can be done is to invest in a weighted blanket. Another idea is to sleep in a sleeping bag. We tried this with Frank, but he just slipped right out. So, I kept thinking and finally decided that perhaps modifying an existing item would work. I picked up a Snuggie (for under five dollars) at a Thrift Store. And in a few minutes, I refashioned it into something that Frank has found to be very functional and helpful for his sleep.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Supplies:</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li><a href="http://www.mysnuggiestore.com/">Snuggie</a> type blanket</li><li>Sewing Machine (or hand held needle)</li><li>Pins & Scissors</li><li>12" of elastic</li><li>Large Safety Pin or Bodkin (for threading elastic)</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtRUGf7vFFH115TLQOMDluXta5vMSuQBdtkSXEtmu2PYtcILCsWcjQCmPTt2WF9z8L8s2HquUfVRX90q1N7GwPhkfWp2fNnD3puwRDQFjKrIw9Xaz-qyJjrx6ac4kAueL5NywPg/s1600/snuggieoriginal.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtRUGf7vFFH115TLQOMDluXta5vMSuQBdtkSXEtmu2PYtcILCsWcjQCmPTt2WF9z8L8s2HquUfVRX90q1N7GwPhkfWp2fNnD3puwRDQFjKrIw9Xaz-qyJjrx6ac4kAueL5NywPg/s320/snuggieoriginal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611953614394378370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo from </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.mysnuggiestore.com/">Snuggie</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> website.</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Instructions:</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1 - Spread out the Snuggie, inside (seam side) up.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsLaZ2WpgqLWloys_kog8wmVZKz9h1zI84EATJT16QgTyU8vREbT3Ay4kVTa9A4dey94CkEIDMW0KLbHKThK7BuTQ86fpSy7F8oeM_pYaT3yKvqeug_oUNn7LwviZezaMRqZvAw/s1600/IMG_8825cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsLaZ2WpgqLWloys_kog8wmVZKz9h1zI84EATJT16QgTyU8vREbT3Ay4kVTa9A4dey94CkEIDMW0KLbHKThK7BuTQ86fpSy7F8oeM_pYaT3yKvqeug_oUNn7LwviZezaMRqZvAw/s320/IMG_8825cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952676928230786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />2 - Fold the sides over so that they overlap in the center and pin the top two layers (just the sides) from the bottom up.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpx5g7RoWoiMNvKBcf-wCgRvIQtBQwGGqIju7llv4l9D4VhQo2gTgEErzmlDfqwF1V06_wW-Ik3XM70XTSgNohReS_ciN5jhT3PrYgHfRYcAZQP1FmSpDl39Z7qp4EZ2Hmdq2vMQ/s1600/IMG_8841cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpx5g7RoWoiMNvKBcf-wCgRvIQtBQwGGqIju7llv4l9D4VhQo2gTgEErzmlDfqwF1V06_wW-Ik3XM70XTSgNohReS_ciN5jhT3PrYgHfRYcAZQP1FmSpDl39Z7qp4EZ2Hmdq2vMQ/s320/IMG_8841cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952492828466466" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />3 - Stop pinning about 1/3 of the way from the top.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3Zsi7AsGZKKDqmxU7zu7NVe4FvsLxgWSh_utkDVroZZEavnQokhAyXV3vNsXbWRbDhbryEbC9UMB9KQgUqYqcCXtHujKkeuSzuWIvyeKPIxDBSfmPBcAJOPvuUei2q1dlz3LBA/s1600/IMG_8829cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3Zsi7AsGZKKDqmxU7zu7NVe4FvsLxgWSh_utkDVroZZEavnQokhAyXV3vNsXbWRbDhbryEbC9UMB9KQgUqYqcCXtHujKkeuSzuWIvyeKPIxDBSfmPBcAJOPvuUei2q1dlz3LBA/s320/IMG_8829cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952671860406818" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />4 - Sew ONLY the side layers (now in the center front) together. You will have to push the back of the Snuggie out of your way. I just start at the top edge and scrunch the fabric up around my sewing machine as I go. Be patient and work the material smooth for about 10"-12" at a time. I find that my "three step" zig-zag holds up a little more on the stretchy knit, but a straight stitch of hand-stitch will work fine too.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUu5LREmtAIVaxT4qaH1DHdEySJm14kTJnh5OTNIXAyaEHv3H-yiYUaUY2sMLiA7ZNmax2xE__BJXyt2AQ4bXfn9d1Fgw5BnNGrkQprkfQFlKjm4lGuxcS2GwmLBA0_2MM1RH1Q/s1600/IMG_8843cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUu5LREmtAIVaxT4qaH1DHdEySJm14kTJnh5OTNIXAyaEHv3H-yiYUaUY2sMLiA7ZNmax2xE__BJXyt2AQ4bXfn9d1Fgw5BnNGrkQprkfQFlKjm4lGuxcS2GwmLBA0_2MM1RH1Q/s320/IMG_8843cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952491628130850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />5 - Lay the Snuggie out, and smooth the bottom edge. Center the seamed front, and pin the bottom edge.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UAae3Uj96_URFYOcTNjBM0zfOI3uLEcP38OXZc0PEArF4HJhbkE2H4ZfkBOjq2PVKiy0-xmo2-BSVQD6XLfLnilcWqOYB1cUB-TJigqRU33hcmtvnFP0QsCpLt-LKLyVa93E-w/s1600/IMG_8844cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UAae3Uj96_URFYOcTNjBM0zfOI3uLEcP38OXZc0PEArF4HJhbkE2H4ZfkBOjq2PVKiy0-xmo2-BSVQD6XLfLnilcWqOYB1cUB-TJigqRU33hcmtvnFP0QsCpLt-LKLyVa93E-w/s320/IMG_8844cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952484097410178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />6 - Starting about 8" in, sew across the bottom edge. Slow down and carefully work your way over the large lump in the center. Stop sewing about 8" from the other side.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1PHQO3zUVn41IBFvkhOCTTEYP5X6J6BKyKvCtSY_8jwxKPOAlAJU9LNM24tkVokL8ZiYNU4pzBYzfVoJRoSAC39p3KLoGSnXPrdlIVdr3V7hVm00jsZZ1Ch7ZDPylyeSuqsazA/s1600/IMG_8846cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1PHQO3zUVn41IBFvkhOCTTEYP5X6J6BKyKvCtSY_8jwxKPOAlAJU9LNM24tkVokL8ZiYNU4pzBYzfVoJRoSAC39p3KLoGSnXPrdlIVdr3V7hVm00jsZZ1Ch7ZDPylyeSuqsazA/s320/IMG_8846cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952480249598898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />7 - By leaving the two openings on the sides, you have created a double benefit... feet can stick out for walking, or just to get some cool air it gets a little warm.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKypLCiQuw3VSmr6zJJJm4yM-UxWdMR4uFEY-G5dXhNM8PnNm6w9nNqoQfekc7FLy2ehnxk8TvDcj2bzzHOCEo21lY12XYEnqwgQ4TZaiAbF8aU_eXx2APHuZxJpBSoYTLwExobg/s1600/IMG_8848cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKypLCiQuw3VSmr6zJJJm4yM-UxWdMR4uFEY-G5dXhNM8PnNm6w9nNqoQfekc7FLy2ehnxk8TvDcj2bzzHOCEo21lY12XYEnqwgQ4TZaiAbF8aU_eXx2APHuZxJpBSoYTLwExobg/s320/IMG_8848cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952478521557954" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />8 - Look at the top hem. If it is closed, make a careful slit through one layer of the fleece, just large enough for the elastic to fit in.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WLNZRZf2HSM4ZuXYWks9MFP4mKcaHJTcNndSSjyvAtLV8_vn5J9jpMLkuhwRTKfYX3KxLGaV31JoJ979OKY72cBqMYyC2oihDfIoQmQVZtkTqvKoEMuku_AOqMYxDSVYzNIsJg/s1600/IMG_8849cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WLNZRZf2HSM4ZuXYWks9MFP4mKcaHJTcNndSSjyvAtLV8_vn5J9jpMLkuhwRTKfYX3KxLGaV31JoJ979OKY72cBqMYyC2oihDfIoQmQVZtkTqvKoEMuku_AOqMYxDSVYzNIsJg/s320/IMG_8849cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952120059458514" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />9 - Using the bodkin or safety pin, feed the piece of elastic through the top hem.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejquE5mLpXtopAj5th58-M-eyvoou_D5b1qPeNHmn4Y6OcGhXlz_9gM0QmD8TQ8USHneZ5ablhr9N2qnDIZIkHcLSk_PY_gdjFGFyoWaLu6lUTO9ofm87AVhqvaoaJUHB6maIjQ/s1600/IMG_8851cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejquE5mLpXtopAj5th58-M-eyvoou_D5b1qPeNHmn4Y6OcGhXlz_9gM0QmD8TQ8USHneZ5ablhr9N2qnDIZIkHcLSk_PY_gdjFGFyoWaLu6lUTO9ofm87AVhqvaoaJUHB6maIjQ/s320/IMG_8851cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952117236930802" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />10 - Secure the elastic at each edge of the top hem by stitching through all layers.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_WKt6SbnI0iZ98M-H3Fs3c07AKztETWPepJvylLsXr7fiLdNyoBq1W8W_1RDOMaiu2jJQwFYXMBa8TidXb-5zDvo4A0zGEhwxBdkyUOaP9xO2C1RtjJiKqi2_C86-qAluoa69Q/s1600/IMG_8854cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_WKt6SbnI0iZ98M-H3Fs3c07AKztETWPepJvylLsXr7fiLdNyoBq1W8W_1RDOMaiu2jJQwFYXMBa8TidXb-5zDvo4A0zGEhwxBdkyUOaP9xO2C1RtjJiKqi2_C86-qAluoa69Q/s320/IMG_8854cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952111064792338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />11 - Try it on for size. You may need to sew a little more (or less) of the front center closed, depending on how much wiggle room you like. My boys like there Snuggie's open about to their waist, which allows room to get in AND for air when they are a little warm.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqTrPBXCAc4wALf33GK55ZwesF-BwswV3W1pcjROf60i-2HTdw1Zmn6t6SLU1fczheqt7zAfKD9YHkbzVTRLKhVfVNWZ1rWU4NAlT10fdDyBAspzu75J1Lxl2qTQech1PTEQLIQ/s1600/IMG_8856cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqTrPBXCAc4wALf33GK55ZwesF-BwswV3W1pcjROf60i-2HTdw1Zmn6t6SLU1fczheqt7zAfKD9YHkbzVTRLKhVfVNWZ1rWU4NAlT10fdDyBAspzu75J1Lxl2qTQech1PTEQLIQ/s320/IMG_8856cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952107550103250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />At other times, they completely cover themselves, pulling the top edge over their heads.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbVsmwI-XI3vOGGaXEFCtmTbisEZMWMRoMIolaAlfu-tX4KFChHVNHFCM89TBBmEfYdPDr9S7PaTwIObeBmDGj-gT3_zgAq9YkLzcIOvnJF2045wIiffXXpVWy8ewF0IHlhEcUw/s1600/IMG_8871cs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbVsmwI-XI3vOGGaXEFCtmTbisEZMWMRoMIolaAlfu-tX4KFChHVNHFCM89TBBmEfYdPDr9S7PaTwIObeBmDGj-gT3_zgAq9YkLzcIOvnJF2045wIiffXXpVWy8ewF0IHlhEcUw/s320/IMG_8871cs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611952104988515746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />My boys are in the four to five foot range of height, and this works well for them. If this were for someone taller and they want the ability to cover their head, a small piece of cloth may need to be attached to the top for a hood.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I have been quite delighted with this solution for my son. He has responded very well to his Snuggie, and is very protective of it... so much so that I had to make a second one for my youngest, because the eldest would never share his... at all. He even likes to wear it around during the day and will often bury himself on the couch in it. It provides him with an easy way to withdrawal when he needs some quiet time.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On a related note, we are currently working on creating a </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.survivingateacherssalary.com/2011/02/how-to-make-your-own-weighted-sensory.html">Weighted Blanket</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> for my eldest... and I am sure that my youngest will then want one too. Of course, since my boys have grown up with fabrics and quilts, they want A LOT of fabrics in their blankets... so I think I will have to call ours Weighted Sensory Quilts. :D</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As ever, please let me know if you try this project and how it works for you and yours.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Oh yes. And one other thing that has worked well for Frank is to sleep in a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/MAC-Sports-Instant-Folding-Olive/dp/B004U9N8OC/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&qid=1306692089&sr=8-22">folding cot</a>... without the inflatable insert. Again, it creates a restrictive, tight feeling around him. An idea I've had but have yet to implement is for him to sleep in a hammock... hung right in his room. I look forward to trying it for him. He just seems to sleep easier when he can bundle up tightly... but he is also warm-natured and doesn't want a lot of warmth, just restriction.</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-24063036601571415492011-05-25T20:36:00.007-06:002011-05-26T08:55:17.110-06:00Upcycle Project: Toy Couch out of Box<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >This past week, after a full day of doctor's appointments, the boys wanted to go to the mall. We were to tired that night, but went the next day. Of course, you know that "the Mall" is code for </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.buildabear.com/shopping/home.jsp">Build-A-Bear Workshop</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" > and </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.gamestop.com/">Game Stop</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >. While there, Jack decided he liked the </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.buildabear.com/shopping/productDetail.jsp?productId=prod81747&categoryId=cat110496">fold-out couch</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.buildabear.com/shopping/productDetail.jsp?productId=prod81747&categoryId=cat110496"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIEYWNopuHjUCFG2uomAWrzZttI2bwqd4ETJEaLjNZVOUNmwDcBMaOrfi4IhC65tJESclNN6_0z9cCbu3QHRt8sXwVZ3BgGhCDjGNkA7o0ks16oJMzC20v_E3YBkVgQN9mFghKg/s320/BuildABear_BearHeadBed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610849617586611842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Jack was considering saving up the $20 to purchase it. During the week, Jack made a bed out of a small pillow, an empty storage basket, and a few of his favorite Fat Quarters of fabric (sheet and “blanket”).</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVSPNdcOtrmxyonLmFyrVMvkINbSUES7MewbzaXJwaSR9bmKffi7w7m31LDkpiNYT4qCQO2zraKiqcJ2K1Dr55TEv5e1PefR09t7FssXr8hoPS5O4jgrVe3ahgJVc5i2OyTZVoQ/s1600/IMG_9036.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVSPNdcOtrmxyonLmFyrVMvkINbSUES7MewbzaXJwaSR9bmKffi7w7m31LDkpiNYT4qCQO2zraKiqcJ2K1Dr55TEv5e1PefR09t7FssXr8hoPS5O4jgrVe3ahgJVc5i2OyTZVoQ/s320/IMG_9036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610849358012859298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Still, Jack kept talking about the actual couch. I got the idea to repurpose a sturdy box, that was just the perfect “couch” shape. Tonight, we took this Crest box (18”w x 9”h x 6.5”d), and designed the cushions for Jack’s Teddy Bear, “Babi”.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuzqAjp4y5OOu3DgsdsdUkw4IP4jUKPqkNBIpt9IBAb8LOS35-fIa8FLBlkEMRpguk1zsKzxDGSjsN5W81zyIyIG-ePoavvD-YC0kfxPSW7_-qzvFvLidhNOLtcj9_I94DyyIFA/s1600/IMG_9020.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuzqAjp4y5OOu3DgsdsdUkw4IP4jUKPqkNBIpt9IBAb8LOS35-fIa8FLBlkEMRpguk1zsKzxDGSjsN5W81zyIyIG-ePoavvD-YC0kfxPSW7_-qzvFvLidhNOLtcj9_I94DyyIFA/s320/IMG_9020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610849351899411426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >We drew and discussed at least four different cushion options before Jack decided that two cushions (like our own couch) were best, so the bear can “build a fort” with them later.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Jack helped choose the fabrics out of his scrap bag, and insisted the cushions needed zippers. We even had some zippers in his favorite color Jack “had” to have at a recent fabric store excursion. Jack handed me fabrics and snipped threads… when he got bored and started cutting into the pieces, Tom took him out to the garage and they picked out a color to spray paint the outside of the box.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g-VodV10g4ERDyjeVn3XWROqKDMluxzsAViLmk-W86AivTqK6eDcZAn8o8ZUzaL01hGdq6TcT7XLHwv-GjXLpC5134pgUIVdN1MQwJyBXXku0cCVITyoyUdUolvRlIqs13yAFA/s1600/IMG_9022.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g-VodV10g4ERDyjeVn3XWROqKDMluxzsAViLmk-W86AivTqK6eDcZAn8o8ZUzaL01hGdq6TcT7XLHwv-GjXLpC5134pgUIVdN1MQwJyBXXku0cCVITyoyUdUolvRlIqs13yAFA/s320/IMG_9022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610849009190285362" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >By the time they came inside, the first cushion was ready to be stuffed… which Tom and Jack did with a bag of old rags.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrenaFSCI6X5U4LhUwqEmAozddtF8u9jUBdx-i3PIAa9SSHTMuB3poGkRh6Lq7QJHiCBajnDKxOuhozkvfEWDv6luBOoZd_4K4GMcXsr7PnX24RGhEi5A9SYShrqZZIaAUf9poCw/s1600/IMG_9025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrenaFSCI6X5U4LhUwqEmAozddtF8u9jUBdx-i3PIAa9SSHTMuB3poGkRh6Lq7QJHiCBajnDKxOuhozkvfEWDv6luBOoZd_4K4GMcXsr7PnX24RGhEi5A9SYShrqZZIaAUf9poCw/s320/IMG_9025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610848999593929298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The cushions are both made with the same fabrics, but are different on top and bottom so that Jack can flip them over depending on what mood his bear is in. I thought it was very interesting that Jack's Bear's Favorite Colors are Red, White, and Blue (which are quite different than Jack's favorites of Red, Green, and Orange).</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> Notice that some of Jack's favorite colors still made it into the cushions.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUtdxiwyV0bbzzSMnuEd5Kz_MCbDhaGj-T5R9jBLP28ln6-8WLxYooJfELNAdeZSwkK1QzOiLk7gi3m4tcIN8F01te_zb3wl7DooP9-0AAHylEQq8jnV-SncV1bsvLX5RfwKZRg/s1600/IMG_9033.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUtdxiwyV0bbzzSMnuEd5Kz_MCbDhaGj-T5R9jBLP28ln6-8WLxYooJfELNAdeZSwkK1QzOiLk7gi3m4tcIN8F01te_zb3wl7DooP9-0AAHylEQq8jnV-SncV1bsvLX5RfwKZRg/s320/IMG_9033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610848994948419650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The only thing missing are the throw pillows that Jack insists Babi needs… perhaps we’ll make those tomorrow.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KzwHyxIInZcOX_XGqGV8NiUA4O-4ihqEUyo2mL5BdwmIPhOt867j0euiVDNeTGt2y6u64hYS8c_hT9-3E4xMsz4tBAF3n40cNiyGJTruNf5vXWCbC0xz_wRooqabQPB4UNbFBw/s1600/IMG_9037.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KzwHyxIInZcOX_XGqGV8NiUA4O-4ihqEUyo2mL5BdwmIPhOt867j0euiVDNeTGt2y6u64hYS8c_hT9-3E4xMsz4tBAF3n40cNiyGJTruNf5vXWCbC0xz_wRooqabQPB4UNbFBw/s320/IMG_9037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610848988469666034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >All in all, a fun project and I am so glad that I finished it within a day of thinking of it, and in just about 2.5 hours, start-to-finish of actual production time.</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-40774327989890989472010-12-30T15:52:00.005-07:002010-12-30T16:16:38.980-07:00Recipes- Pizza<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Need an idea for a fun dinner on New Year's Eve? How about homemade pizzas. Our favorite sauce recipe is </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.food.com/recipe/papa-johns-pizza-sauce-108447"><span style="font-size:130%;">Papa John's Copycat</span> (Food.com #108447)</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. I use tomato sauce instead of paste and water (8 oz = half batch = 1 pizza).</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo76Cpjw4fbpHqr8_nA_M64HGsKCODL2foV12AoC8bmd5PqPEh4_ctr8u0xH8G5FeLxWZrH8vO4a14okg6dZE5go4NiJkaXqnKKYyfo5UC89vwbdTkf-UmujFetjXSdadhf0MlYQ/s1600/CIMG4024sas.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo76Cpjw4fbpHqr8_nA_M64HGsKCODL2foV12AoC8bmd5PqPEh4_ctr8u0xH8G5FeLxWZrH8vO4a14okg6dZE5go4NiJkaXqnKKYyfo5UC89vwbdTkf-UmujFetjXSdadhf0MlYQ/s320/CIMG4024sas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556617329672955922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you'd like to make your own crust, this is a good recipe for </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://healthy.food.com/recipe/pizza-dough-optional-stuffed-crusts-36121"><span style="font-size:130%;">Stuffed Crusts</span> (Food.com #36121)</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We've been making pizza's each week on Friday night. The kids love making their own (from shaping and pricking the dough to making up their crazy toppings). I enjoy making funky toppings like Fajita's or BBQ Chicken to go on top the crust.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The other crust I've been enjoying is from the book "</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Bread-Father-Dominic-Garramone/dp/B003FSWPNO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1293750258&sr=8-1">Breaking Bread with Father Dominic</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">". What I find interesting (different) about his recipe is that it uses brown sugar and olive oil. I searched and searched online for a posting of this recipe but couldn't find one. Since it is copyrighted, if you are interested in it, I'd have to say to look the book up at your local library. ;)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My best HOME BAKING TIP comes from my cousin, Bobby. He taught me to precook your crust for 10-15 minutes at a VERY hot temperature (450°-500°F) then add your toppings and cook 10-12 more minutes. This will help your crust "hold up". ;)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As always, I love to hear if you've made use of any of my favorite recipes and how they worked for you. Enjoy!</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-30186253158178503012010-12-24T21:48:00.023-07:002010-12-25T10:11:22.048-07:00Travel Game Boxes<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Last night I came up with an idea which I had a blast executing today. I've been playing a lot of educational dice games lately with my boys and my nieces. I tend to see my nieces at restaurants, and as such, we have a hard time keeping the dice from flying off the table. This idea of mine helps contain the dice AND a deck of cards, as well as a pencil. I'm certain (given enough time) I will even find little pads of paper to fit in here.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnJTdLo2IT7QryoOW3jvZjNwlBaQMJK9xYdmznuNizbuQrF2RwvCW3FlN6TnRiYH4BouWAeO-nT8zl14hpn3RHij3XUEZvfmNsYYVeLvO_fzO804PwUa38AWLIfKUmN0jufHVrA/s1600/IMG_5204.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnJTdLo2IT7QryoOW3jvZjNwlBaQMJK9xYdmznuNizbuQrF2RwvCW3FlN6TnRiYH4BouWAeO-nT8zl14hpn3RHij3XUEZvfmNsYYVeLvO_fzO804PwUa38AWLIfKUmN0jufHVrA/s320/IMG_5204.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554492377498882338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I want to share the idea AND how to make them. As such, here's a little tutorial, complete with a surprise at the end.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Travel Game Box Tutorial</span><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >A quick gift to put together and give to kids and adults alike. Anyone who enjoys playing basic card and dice games will enjoy this little travel set.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Difficulty: </span>Easy (although an adult should work with the hot glue)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time to Make: </span>Under 30 minutes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cost: </span>Under $4 each.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Materials:</span><br /><ul style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><li>Small Pencil Box (I used <span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/search/default.aspx?searchTerm=catch+all+case">tin "Catch All Cases" from Hobby Lobby</a></span>, which measures 3" x 8" x 1.5")</li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/crafts/felt-pom-poms-chenille-stems-etc/felt-squares/">Felt Square</a></span></li><li>Hot Glue</li></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Suggested Contents to Fill:</span></span><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li>Deck of Cards</li><li>6 Dice (nearly all dice games I've found can be managed with this number)</li><li>Pencil</li><li>Paper</li><li>Instruction Sheet</li></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Supplies:</span></span><br /><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li>Scrap Paper</li><li>Ball Point Ink Pen</li><li>Scissors</li><li>Rotary cutting supplies (optional)</li><li>Hot Glue Gun</li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Instructions:</span><ol style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><li>Gather your supplies. I went to <span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.hobbylobby.com/stores/store_locations_search.cfm">Hobby Lobby</a></span> for the "Catch All Cases" and the felt. (By the way, you could certainly make this item out of any size box that will hold a deck of cards and some dice.) Then I shopped the $1 Stocking Stuffer Bins at <span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://hosted.where2getit.com/michaels/">Michael's</a></span> for my playing cards and dice. I spent a total of $21 and made six tins. (I did use three decks of cards and pencils I already had on hand.)</li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-9WEe1gMrOfG72AHn3fJoH_65y-dgJCvWElaYI_2PKhyPz-INZO_kCXWiPuDBO6EqQVVfCN4tOz34ca-5t8KGDzKXMNVErzFZIGAhtmXofYkU5mxKpMO5Do616B3MCeU443BDQ/s1600/IMG_5187.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-9WEe1gMrOfG72AHn3fJoH_65y-dgJCvWElaYI_2PKhyPz-INZO_kCXWiPuDBO6EqQVVfCN4tOz34ca-5t8KGDzKXMNVErzFZIGAhtmXofYkU5mxKpMO5Do616B3MCeU443BDQ/s320/IMG_5187.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554490534987543042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><li>Cut a rough template out of scrap paper to fit into the base and lid of your container. My template measures a hair under 3" x 7 7/8". For curved corners, find an object that approximately follows your curve, then use it to trace the shape onto the corners.</li><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDkR7jyewOrW7NDa9RCbLklH43Xgg7etsHMDvKuH-CXi_f3QcTeD9mN1vD17WQ2SAGzmawNY8zIt3MnjthKcbipL-bp1yogn6-eFAHIBEW5LE2qyIKiT6E1Q-Ak9roJ-7qz2rHA/s1600/IMG_5190.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDkR7jyewOrW7NDa9RCbLklH43Xgg7etsHMDvKuH-CXi_f3QcTeD9mN1vD17WQ2SAGzmawNY8zIt3MnjthKcbipL-bp1yogn6-eFAHIBEW5LE2qyIKiT6E1Q-Ak9roJ-7qz2rHA/s320/IMG_5190.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554490529853899138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbXN4NMLsWkOg8zyIp_siNq8-ZmubIg8pOMeEWJwBdXe6q4gSQcsbdJJQquPR4QWF68I8jpvoNGqM8qgYhwlv1DbRCtDdHlS2_4vkXFGCroDIRqZgAGYLXv-wVOe7wIkyNl6yLQ/s1600/IMG_5193.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbXN4NMLsWkOg8zyIp_siNq8-ZmubIg8pOMeEWJwBdXe6q4gSQcsbdJJQquPR4QWF68I8jpvoNGqM8qgYhwlv1DbRCtDdHlS2_4vkXFGCroDIRqZgAGYLXv-wVOe7wIkyNl6yLQ/s320/IMG_5193.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554490528484724242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCD6Ua-uRO8ZdTg0ra9RTIdmhjbjvEGXq044UPFYERSzaKi_EGwMqOKxiEzJofGxLQrDnoVRXC9E9awvH75ap0XB7ju24OfOU-OfGQBhjnl32vULfAMxC3u9k68jE1BPqKvIU1Gg/s1600/IMG_5194.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCD6Ua-uRO8ZdTg0ra9RTIdmhjbjvEGXq044UPFYERSzaKi_EGwMqOKxiEzJofGxLQrDnoVRXC9E9awvH75ap0XB7ju24OfOU-OfGQBhjnl32vULfAMxC3u9k68jE1BPqKvIU1Gg/s320/IMG_5194.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554490522851920290" border="0" /></a><br /><li>Once your fit is right, measure the actual size and cut the felt to match.</li><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzHo2qoJBKObqhCEAs7_rmZqQ6yXcRhlYEFU02SlryLyJlpxjlM2oJgdyGzdS0r7mWIyeSoW8uYRYjQfIrVbER_emOvYT-TxMdZZ-MV3p66UVFnOnkFMns6qkz-HwjrM2FnbcSQ/s1600/IMG_5195.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzHo2qoJBKObqhCEAs7_rmZqQ6yXcRhlYEFU02SlryLyJlpxjlM2oJgdyGzdS0r7mWIyeSoW8uYRYjQfIrVbER_emOvYT-TxMdZZ-MV3p66UVFnOnkFMns6qkz-HwjrM2FnbcSQ/s320/IMG_5195.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554490516640760242" border="0" /></a><br /><li>If needed, trace the rounded corners onto the wrong side of the felt with a ball point pen.</li><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSASmxQ-tLAgCoGyM14P3QSAdj3yoTvCRiH2Zb62QcnXskcChes4ohzgbGGtqkphPrFC6efBKyoLX9-YglKM146vi-mLfUejEbQK8iwDruh_SF0T3cvB9cVoy4imYDcNP6W3ZAZg/s1600/IMG_5196.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSASmxQ-tLAgCoGyM14P3QSAdj3yoTvCRiH2Zb62QcnXskcChes4ohzgbGGtqkphPrFC6efBKyoLX9-YglKM146vi-mLfUejEbQK8iwDruh_SF0T3cvB9cVoy4imYDcNP6W3ZAZg/s320/IMG_5196.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554489981270451234" border="0" /></a><br /><li>Trim the corners.</li><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxb4BAdCeE4GHx2ovw_Ux-jkqVtlpL2iLgyyQzuh8U-ukfn-SXBi86d78viPUBPjFDUjzdNvNSxuS45eAYv4vWVoZOvF1EiYIRW7hlETyobcknpp1dK3oTTyksgQ7Jy-Hcgt_FQ/s1600/IMG_5197.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxb4BAdCeE4GHx2ovw_Ux-jkqVtlpL2iLgyyQzuh8U-ukfn-SXBi86d78viPUBPjFDUjzdNvNSxuS45eAYv4vWVoZOvF1EiYIRW7hlETyobcknpp1dK3oTTyksgQ7Jy-Hcgt_FQ/s320/IMG_5197.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554489974809907234" border="0" /></a><br /><li>Check the fit in the item, then glue into place. When using the hot glue on the cooler tins, I found it best to apply glue around the edge of the felt, then quickly (and carefully) place the felt in, pressing to adhere. This step really should be overseen (or done) by an adult... and even then, there are no guarantees that the Hot Glue Gun Operator will walk away burn free.</li><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhdRATooA4lcV2S6Z5Mwh0bVA_q37SWmxyzSNeUlqPNMaA5PIgLiOTzPXbg8NVqKpNWZs8duh8BJtevIaRXnQoLo4ZpQlJHqCXe9bw3ARyVywmct9xIS8ncZ1pkvkw3KyvltfJA/s1600/IMG_5198.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhdRATooA4lcV2S6Z5Mwh0bVA_q37SWmxyzSNeUlqPNMaA5PIgLiOTzPXbg8NVqKpNWZs8duh8BJtevIaRXnQoLo4ZpQlJHqCXe9bw3ARyVywmct9xIS8ncZ1pkvkw3KyvltfJA/s320/IMG_5198.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554489975098463746" border="0" /></a><br /><li>Admire how nice your cards and dice look in the box!</li><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntn63g3ZVm3KrTXMxDTjhGBkX4pUXoU2WDcUH1rvjt7fPa7wv7TgmZVCI5Rz8mASpf0MMvzz4rwJdvKpzF4LiX3Lo5YrgLAMa0w0g0zCcS6WOBv7oyBk4bJLl-FKb5EGzjMufhA/s1600/IMG_5199.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntn63g3ZVm3KrTXMxDTjhGBkX4pUXoU2WDcUH1rvjt7fPa7wv7TgmZVCI5Rz8mASpf0MMvzz4rwJdvKpzF4LiX3Lo5YrgLAMa0w0g0zCcS6WOBv7oyBk4bJLl-FKb5EGzjMufhA/s320/IMG_5199.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554489970607080194" border="0" /></a><br /><li>Test roll a few dice, and pretend to play a game, where you set your "keep" dice up on the ridge so you can see them. Smile at how clever you are!</li><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg336IzShofgYWi3xWxgnTqNv6vsadVPnXayUDjGUfv1h1qGnlVIsYiDyrYFlp4Mur02y8ko541owj9N4GsO4ytaEER_ZdMJ8WZOZvj1F6gkxAtpt_0Cj2Uo4FzKKlXS8clNanyLw/s1600/IMG_5202.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg336IzShofgYWi3xWxgnTqNv6vsadVPnXayUDjGUfv1h1qGnlVIsYiDyrYFlp4Mur02y8ko541owj9N4GsO4ytaEER_ZdMJ8WZOZvj1F6gkxAtpt_0Cj2Uo4FzKKlXS8clNanyLw/s320/IMG_5202.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554488258861974162" border="0" /></a><br /><li>Fill the tin with all the other lovely goodies (I included a cute little "winter" button in these tins... which has nothing to do with the game tin, but was a fun way to give the item out.)</li><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWWNCmgWOc6hHMdm1oMNx1IGVYFNik04VBhC0GXlsCNLXTgXygtoiItaJdtktHGz8VT3gJo4Ep-6vOEkRi9UwSJVEtWZ6R_6u98jz7Rx4vS2dHkVaOyWWIVAYTKQOaHPtRIriZA/s1600/IMG_5204.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWWNCmgWOc6hHMdm1oMNx1IGVYFNik04VBhC0GXlsCNLXTgXygtoiItaJdtktHGz8VT3gJo4Ep-6vOEkRi9UwSJVEtWZ6R_6u98jz7Rx4vS2dHkVaOyWWIVAYTKQOaHPtRIriZA/s320/IMG_5204.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554488254958560322" border="0" /></a><br /></ol><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While I now realize I was able to link to the </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://shop.hobbylobby.com/search/default.aspx?searchTerm=catch+all+case">tins online</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, I did take this special picture of the label just for you, so, here is the information if you were wondering who creates the boxes I used. That would be "</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.tinboxco.com/">The Tin Box Company</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">".</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpurXMhNhvRs1xFM95AVv6QBryg4mXJaoWdsvhSkT1SWQNPH_MxUffzNvPeL9JzQcz9mbFTty-EjSQzD2Zt5ze5CVXRyeEumrcqwyNJlpm6pL0yX4C7jZwX-pEn50jT0TIMJygOg/s1600/IMG_5279.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpurXMhNhvRs1xFM95AVv6QBryg4mXJaoWdsvhSkT1SWQNPH_MxUffzNvPeL9JzQcz9mbFTty-EjSQzD2Zt5ze5CVXRyeEumrcqwyNJlpm6pL0yX4C7jZwX-pEn50jT0TIMJygOg/s320/IMG_5279.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554488252519294338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And now for that surprise... here is the PDF I created with a dozen different dice games.</span><br /><br /><a title="View Dice Games Booklet on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/45883522/Dice-Games-Booklet" style="margin: 12px auto 6px; font: 14px trebuchet ms; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">Dice Games Booklet</a> <object id="doc_768819236440592" name="doc_768819236440592" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf" style="outline: medium none; font-family: trebuchet ms;" width="100%" height="600"> <param name="movie" value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf"> <param name="wmode" value="opaque"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="FlashVars" value="document_id=45883522&access_key=key-xkf9i7s1phz5u5l88b0&page=1&viewMode=list"> <embed id="doc_768819236440592" name="doc_768819236440592" src="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=45883522&access_key=key-xkf9i7s1phz5u5l88b0&page=1&viewMode=list" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="opaque" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="100%" height="600"></embed> </object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You can print it (double sided) then trim a bit off each edge (about 1/4"-1/2"). It will fold up quite nicely to give you an assortment of dice game ideas.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Of course I'd love to know if you use this tutorial (and see pictures of your projects) but even if you don't, you may enjoy this set of dice rules.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In the spirit of giving credit where credit is due, I adapted the rules for these rules from the following sources: </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/">activityvillage.co.uk</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.ehow.com/">ehow.com</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, and </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.grandparents.com/">grandparents.com</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I also wanted to share my original use for these fun tins.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_5T_xPsmr313V7TrbecG9UkwysOAMUuNiM_pbIlnGZhjfyqIUujVqty-33_hJtqvkqWpVIN4vpN-IFbogMlprgZk-6dzFUgv7W-nYMIXy7vnBGE462wgi2xCWnB3OVMSBYupYw/s1600/IMG_5280.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_5T_xPsmr313V7TrbecG9UkwysOAMUuNiM_pbIlnGZhjfyqIUujVqty-33_hJtqvkqWpVIN4vpN-IFbogMlprgZk-6dzFUgv7W-nYMIXy7vnBGE462wgi2xCWnB3OVMSBYupYw/s320/IMG_5280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554488251535973458" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Over the summer we moved, and I needed to put together a new little kit of sewing notions. Now that I've got my things out of storage, this handy little kit STILL sits right by my computer & sewing area. I love how it has everything I need just right there... even a little sweet should a sweet tooth attack!</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">added 25 Dec 2010</span><br />By the way... the Creative Spark for this idea came after reading a post on </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;" href="http://sara-vs-sarah.blogspot.com/">Sara vs Sarah</a></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: courier new;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> about </span></span></span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;" href="http://sara-vs-sarah.blogspot.com/2010/11/joes-stuff.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Joe's Stuff</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >... specifically the cigar box for the Paris, France Journal. Thanks to Sarah Meland for the great ideas and help keeping the creative juices flowing!!!</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-76307385402869736722010-12-22T18:12:00.004-07:002010-12-24T17:39:38.204-07:00Gift Wrapping the Easy Way!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A few years ago I started collecting cute Christmas fabric on clearance. Then I sewed pillow-case style bags in all different shapes and sizes with ribbons attached (usually in the side seam). It makes wrapping SUCH a breeze!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCBIV2Gpzhq3CecQQzwKG1UsCw-LDw0jY7r51qJ_Bf14dn_6sBoaTqMUI4igsIyaDlidAKXHAFtnTd22Hdg7DusImG-VMXjNiWhBnrnlgejn-T813zVLME0VWr8q7HfdUP-R37g/s1600/IMG_5248.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCBIV2Gpzhq3CecQQzwKG1UsCw-LDw0jY7r51qJ_Bf14dn_6sBoaTqMUI4igsIyaDlidAKXHAFtnTd22Hdg7DusImG-VMXjNiWhBnrnlgejn-T813zVLME0VWr8q7HfdUP-R37g/s320/IMG_5248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554400347095280978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The first year, when I made most of the bags, I figure it took me just as long as wrapping, but every year since, it's become SO PLEASANT to wrap gifts! Now, each year, I just add a few new bags (as needed) for new/different sizes/quantities.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I still plan to make some customized tags for our family members, for now, I keep the gifts in separate piles.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBrjeEfRodBuIDy00eVD1oL5gL-seAxnwU37FMcelKBap-joIeyeqkGtt9Vbrl-_oaEafksNr28puVTNYIgoOquHfhxiUotjtF2wDQzIoLbuhPh8DVdJUGjPlXLJPZUxZAjRxTQ/s1600/IMG_5251.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBrjeEfRodBuIDy00eVD1oL5gL-seAxnwU37FMcelKBap-joIeyeqkGtt9Vbrl-_oaEafksNr28puVTNYIgoOquHfhxiUotjtF2wDQzIoLbuhPh8DVdJUGjPlXLJPZUxZAjRxTQ/s320/IMG_5251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554400351202988482" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While it's too late for most of you to wrap in fabric this year... you CAN take advantage of after-Christmas sales starting this week. Scoop up that cute Holiday fabric for 75% off, buy several yards of ribbon (maybe on sale too) and then you'll be good to go for NEXT year. Oh yeah... remember to keep the fabric out when you pack up your decorations, so you'll be able to sew them and start wrapping early next season!<br /><br /><br />PS: My hubby likes the boys to have SOME presents to rip open, so he wraps a few for them. ;)<br /></span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-68917381916494346672010-11-15T09:15:00.003-07:002010-11-15T09:27:13.657-07:00Testing a Blog Board<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I skim lots of blogs. As such, I've already forgotten (just since yesterday) where I heard the term "Blog Board" and found the link to </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.mcpactions.com/magic-blog-it-boards2.html">MCP Actions</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">. I just tried out their </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.mcpactions.com/tryme-blog-it-board.html">free "Try-Me" blog board</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> though, and I must say, it's very cool!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVwv3ormAmyz0xV2rGORkGldNjIiQcjYfHCNwfP9iY1OwZF1fOhDjjuUs08N35lyJKd_eC2Ds9wzeeSlTBamx1YNTPBTzCZVLHBdZK6iYZ0d73gLxiDzGBdsxjITqwX5pMzYxIQ/s1600/Montage-MCP-MagicBoard-Leaves.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVwv3ormAmyz0xV2rGORkGldNjIiQcjYfHCNwfP9iY1OwZF1fOhDjjuUs08N35lyJKd_eC2Ds9wzeeSlTBamx1YNTPBTzCZVLHBdZK6iYZ0d73gLxiDzGBdsxjITqwX5pMzYxIQ/s320/Montage-MCP-MagicBoard-Leaves.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539811791701158354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">During our last Arizona trip, the boys were helping their Great Aunt clean up some fall debris from around her house.</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> This "blog board" action was super easy to use! Now, I'd like to figure out how to create my own templates for this type of thing. So, if any Photoshop savvy readers are out there and can tell me how to do this type of thing, I'd sure appreciate it! I already know a bit about working in Photoshop and creating Actions, I'm just not sure how to create the steps where photos are loaded (and resized) into the proper layer positions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Oh yeah, I also used the "Soft & Faded" action from </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/08/pioneer-woman-action-sets-1-and-2-updated/">The Pioneer Woman's Free Action Set #1</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">.</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-22129838633596428012010-11-11T16:14:00.004-07:002010-11-11T16:24:00.465-07:00Quilt - Pineapple Blossom<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After seeing <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12569868342564016173">Becky</a>'s beautiful </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://beckysbitsandpiecing.blogspot.com/2010/08/public-exposure.html">Pineapple Blossom</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> quilt and then </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://beckysbitsandpiecing.blogspot.com/2010/08/help-me-choose-please.html">playing with her extra blocks </a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">from the same pattern, I decided to take her class... it was the first one she'd taught and every teacher needs a friendly heckler in the front row, don't-ya-know?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The timing turned out perfectly, since Becky taught the class at <a href="http://cuttingedgequiltworks.com/">Cutting Edge Quiltworks</a> over Halloween Weekend... which I happened to be spending with her. While in Arizona, I cut the pieces and sewed all the blocks. Home less than 24 hours, I've played with layouts. Here are "a few" of what I came up with... all from the same 36 blocks!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUiqlbwKmm-pIdP_6F2H7qPZzdfGO1w9tx5viwwp0GzcZ0Y7p81rwQ2c1SGagm5K7qgG4T41-agyd4eIVlU-qE0bieY2NkKopHqVIl3MCz_WNy7D-TO_DCDjAnxUVSHLwQpxgpA/s1600/PineappleBlossom-Layouts.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUiqlbwKmm-pIdP_6F2H7qPZzdfGO1w9tx5viwwp0GzcZ0Y7p81rwQ2c1SGagm5K7qgG4T41-agyd4eIVlU-qE0bieY2NkKopHqVIl3MCz_WNy7D-TO_DCDjAnxUVSHLwQpxgpA/s320/PineappleBlossom-Layouts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538434612000586402" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;">I would love to hear your input on which layouts you like and why.</span><br /></span></div> <br /> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I love the variety of a diagonal block like this, and am quite pleased that Becky convinced me to make this a two color quilt instead of just mixing all the pieces together.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Seeing Becky teach her class has inspired me... I'm thinking of taking this quilt into the local shop to see if they might like it on (I'm thinking) their January class schedule... it feels like the dead of icy winter to me. I'll let you know if I get the nerve up to share </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.quiltville.com/">Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville</a> <a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://quiltville.com/pineappleblossom.shtml">Pineapple Blossom Pattern</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> in a paid capacity.</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-1196554253007393732010-11-11T14:42:00.006-07:002010-11-11T15:00:41.415-07:00Dice Games with Legos<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I felt extra successful today when I adapted to play dice (math) games with the boys using Legos instead of paper and pens. I know it's simple, but sometimes the simplest ideas are the best, so I thought I'd share.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am making an effort to play more games with the boys (especially </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/dice_games.htm">dice</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and card for math skills, but board too). Today Jack just wanted to play with his Legos; so I adapted.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Frank and I were playing "</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/mountain_dice_game.htm">Climb the Mountain</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">". We started out using a Lego piece on the numbers on our paper, but once I created a "mountain" out of Legos, I couldn't stop them playing!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRVLRvDKG3GNlVFGLlzMMPFnWDHzqX_-Mx4NFsjcG_0NwUy4WzNiE5VSUvQVneCVgjroXyS8m9Hj2VH_DeDtNFXPr60ypBN-9HIwQ_zcC4XEAN2GSBOQ0vUxLCqJy9nls0_aMzw/s1600/IMG_4559-cm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRVLRvDKG3GNlVFGLlzMMPFnWDHzqX_-Mx4NFsjcG_0NwUy4WzNiE5VSUvQVneCVgjroXyS8m9Hj2VH_DeDtNFXPr60ypBN-9HIwQ_zcC4XEAN2GSBOQ0vUxLCqJy9nls0_aMzw/s320/IMG_4559-cm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538410979196584418" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Next we mixed it up by playing the "Random Order" variation of "Climb the Mountain". We all three played (each with a different colored piece) and covered both sides of the mountain (but this was a little hard to see because we had pieces the same colors as the layers. It worked better when we play with our different colored pieces as "armies" on the mountain. First person to cover his side of the mountain wins the battle (another idea is to let them fill the mountain, then start rolling to knock the enemy off the mountain... first one to clear the opponent wins). This gives me a great lead-in to talk about Veteran's Day today too. ;)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJSEVbIIAHslDj-y64S0aojVVFYiocwLfZlQOTQdMWPye0T1UvkD2F_wY-wA2alrW52JiSZQ7g4ETx5lEDVPcHsrjKfulZzOOeIJTuaEHLgfnQlZDJWx80fCiZGcV0mSoHzo6TQ/s1600/IMG_4558-cm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJSEVbIIAHslDj-y64S0aojVVFYiocwLfZlQOTQdMWPye0T1UvkD2F_wY-wA2alrW52JiSZQ7g4ETx5lEDVPcHsrjKfulZzOOeIJTuaEHLgfnQlZDJWx80fCiZGcV0mSoHzo6TQ/s320/IMG_4558-cm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538410978112116850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">By the way, I use old Play-Doh cups for dice rolling and (in this case) holding small game pieces.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When Frank and I started out playing dice today, we were playing "</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/mouse_game.htm">Mouse</a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">", with paper and pens to draw our creatures. Jack would bounce in and out to see what we were doing, but after using the Legos in the "Climb the Mountain" games, I gathered Lego Mini-figure pieces, labeled an egg carton and let them go to town building characters, complete with bonuses (vehicles, allies, enemies, and apprentices) for rolling doubles.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This classic game of "Mouse" with a Lego Twist worked best of all. Instead of drawing the parts of a mouse (body, ears, eyes, whiskers, nose, and tail) with each number rolled, you can choose a part from the appropriate bin. We played with two dice and a bonus area for doubles (you could only choose one part per turn though, even though we used two dice).</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuh1utb42twSY7Vkni-Fx0nt2mByu-umVZgR-t9qoifm5cW_pq5chtePPU2zeX_aHEeY2ruFTlS4Stj3vquJ7ik4WZ1e8SkIo80WqzgvLCyYkhT3npdgCNQvmpdPQIkmZoXmoZRw/s1600/IMG_4557-cm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuh1utb42twSY7Vkni-Fx0nt2mByu-umVZgR-t9qoifm5cW_pq5chtePPU2zeX_aHEeY2ruFTlS4Stj3vquJ7ik4WZ1e8SkIo80WqzgvLCyYkhT3npdgCNQvmpdPQIkmZoXmoZRw/s320/IMG_4557-cm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538410972775764562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All-in-all, a very successful way to integrate play and math for loads of learning! Things like this remind me of why I love to Homeschool!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You could easily adapt this to use whatever toys your little one likes to play with, just grab some dice to help direct the play in a math-leaning direction! ;)</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-54991454708145171702010-10-24T06:46:00.013-06:002010-11-11T15:01:51.743-07:00Pumpkin Patch<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">About three weeks ago, we helped set up the </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://ggyr.org/">Galloping Grace Youth Ranch</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Pumpkin Patch. Friday our homeschool group had a field trip to the (now operational) patch. This Patch (just like the Youth Ranch it benefits) is unique in that all the rides and activities are free! In this case, if you wanted a pumpkin or some dried corn (which we did), you pay for those things, but the activities are all just setting out there for the kids to do.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A few of our favorites were:</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tractor Pulls</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLjSfBu3gRxXXMUlelvYNJxAZzRmh6qmB8FZuMWBDHLh5WMNDalA2vkbWtHSCAJwDVZZCeTzJQOC3rUFKl1ToFdddrvM0TXCUg_dRS_3LHmLvJPw7fdbDB8Of-ny24Mr3ukkiJw/s1600/IMG_3944pwq.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLjSfBu3gRxXXMUlelvYNJxAZzRmh6qmB8FZuMWBDHLh5WMNDalA2vkbWtHSCAJwDVZZCeTzJQOC3rUFKl1ToFdddrvM0TXCUg_dRS_3LHmLvJPw7fdbDB8Of-ny24Mr3ukkiJw/s320/IMG_3944pwq.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531595838407685842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">This was the first thing Jack wanted to do... ride in the John Deere Tractor Races. There were no lines at the horse ride, but he HAD to do this first! For some reason, I REALLY notice his (first lost) missing tooth in this photo!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Duck Races</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_bckn7GHok7-plg4qFgB_O83SWcHUVgtQ1FhmcqRgvhvi20M7DLdu8Lx-vg9UdM2tMQq3h3IOsvvizaNjxQEPWE1K-Fgor3ZHAGkDWgIcaL2SoaeRpn11fQawpoqPcqaW3KonA/s1600/IMG_3981.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_bckn7GHok7-plg4qFgB_O83SWcHUVgtQ1FhmcqRgvhvi20M7DLdu8Lx-vg9UdM2tMQq3h3IOsvvizaNjxQEPWE1K-Fgor3ZHAGkDWgIcaL2SoaeRpn11fQawpoqPcqaW3KonA/s320/IMG_3981.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531595832985152642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Manually operated duck races... what a great idea!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahVG9s6r9KkZ3Siuow2adaURGqTuuTdw-ZTkgQLHhXJYQQlNqrtjOLmQ1DLt6FPz2vQ5KSnDXb2KFKBzT1kU0QLtUMmDsx2cs8apCZON_KjS7ojTfeW8psRmKshS7GdRkHg7JCA/s1600/IMG_3958pwsq.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahVG9s6r9KkZ3Siuow2adaURGqTuuTdw-ZTkgQLHhXJYQQlNqrtjOLmQ1DLt6FPz2vQ5KSnDXb2KFKBzT1kU0QLtUMmDsx2cs8apCZON_KjS7ojTfeW8psRmKshS7GdRkHg7JCA/s320/IMG_3958pwsq.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531595729659728866" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Jack was just as interested in how the water came out of the pump as he was in getting ducks into and down the channel.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqby9ZT2dTHTx_OquDPCDJ1krLnnw2p59CEzEU2xLNHfkT3zqIE6Ko1vbYKDEfFPT9NIZndHnF0J4i_XHbymv2UFXXKXSAK60GiGx2mpbRt_9mSam3u4Agt3IwrRY8kJRggs9Hg/s1600/IMG_3994.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqby9ZT2dTHTx_OquDPCDJ1krLnnw2p59CEzEU2xLNHfkT3zqIE6Ko1vbYKDEfFPT9NIZndHnF0J4i_XHbymv2UFXXKXSAK60GiGx2mpbRt_9mSam3u4Agt3IwrRY8kJRggs9Hg/s320/IMG_3994.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531595728604223618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Frank & Jack had a side-by-side duck race.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IULjn-W-CZV-1TWOqtf9w8w_yhfF-RbFBek-kcd4cSt7s07ni5FyZdwLvKeF9sbyn3sxnY9FMVS50w3t9gacplANnfxUG-YGI_FlcYGlgbGHwJzSvA_ZECOkrBzGS_Gd43fd0A/s1600/IMG_4001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IULjn-W-CZV-1TWOqtf9w8w_yhfF-RbFBek-kcd4cSt7s07ni5FyZdwLvKeF9sbyn3sxnY9FMVS50w3t9gacplANnfxUG-YGI_FlcYGlgbGHwJzSvA_ZECOkrBzGS_Gd43fd0A/s320/IMG_4001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531595720545147266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">I think Frank won the duck race!</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >Hiding around the Patch<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Frank jumped out of the car and ran off with his friend. Eventually, they gathered the friend we drove over with and the three boys ran all over the Patch. I'd see them from time to time, but mostly, they were "being shown the best places to hide." Even though we'd been here before, and the patch was full of homeschoolers we know, I definitely had moments of pause as I allowed Frank to begin stretching his wings of independence. Parental Growing Pains, I suppose.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjYChnQ8tOfV6QaTd329d_3R0j8qvz_h_joAgZPvl4H6mNTZpy_FMtxcJNab4OFdLKZkw0KEdaY-LE2BPqhIDhn5h_GgVJjQFqYoE1D7KuqMU76WGV7UuDQg-FkyFLW-RZom5aA/s1600/IMG_4003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjYChnQ8tOfV6QaTd329d_3R0j8qvz_h_joAgZPvl4H6mNTZpy_FMtxcJNab4OFdLKZkw0KEdaY-LE2BPqhIDhn5h_GgVJjQFqYoE1D7KuqMU76WGV7UuDQg-FkyFLW-RZom5aA/s320/IMG_4003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531595719398232882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Frank. Mischief. Trouble.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Yep... I can see it right there in this expression!</span><br /></div><br /><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Horse Rides</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Zi8DNbYJSO0_mB03iN2Nlt2aB5QPHHD74Kw_iEk-8Urxzg1C42uvPkM7Y8iNF5zV-XozD_Cx1IV6KvW1YxWqGbFvO-7A_cIzeES6ahN3Cw4EEYANna48ajRvxX3BDyi4t4jQwQ/s1600/IMG_4023pwq.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Zi8DNbYJSO0_mB03iN2Nlt2aB5QPHHD74Kw_iEk-8Urxzg1C42uvPkM7Y8iNF5zV-XozD_Cx1IV6KvW1YxWqGbFvO-7A_cIzeES6ahN3Cw4EEYANna48ajRvxX3BDyi4t4jQwQ/s320/IMG_4023pwq.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531595446946040146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Finally, Jack decides to ride the horses... and so did everyone else. He patiently waited his turn in this line too.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmQcOHOmDghxuXzguKMa6Swr-RbZ6P5Bp_CurtpxLRqh7xotPDE7c63LZR9sdvMSahcYkf_HNM8GTuBl5tATsWqPjXgUowf-vkJmoh02_QM-f0ihxKSca_yC9-3285jVbiAod3Q/s1600/IMG_4026.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmQcOHOmDghxuXzguKMa6Swr-RbZ6P5Bp_CurtpxLRqh7xotPDE7c63LZR9sdvMSahcYkf_HNM8GTuBl5tATsWqPjXgUowf-vkJmoh02_QM-f0ihxKSca_yC9-3285jVbiAod3Q/s320/IMG_4026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531595444716833746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Jack didn't remember riding our family's horse, Midnight, in Wyoming (he was just three (or maybe two) at the time). Perhaps he'll remember this ride?</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GUEoUzne2BKmmshU3B9j0dsHvZtdzvYozWpmqPXgp-JHIoM_YPi2diK4fCnaqaJbSQX7LO-O2Yz4ibxiNtrMf9d0tGEbDoCnsUtYb-w4NEpLGctO76IQrxu_S0QuKasSAuAmQQ/s1600/IMG_4040cm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GUEoUzne2BKmmshU3B9j0dsHvZtdzvYozWpmqPXgp-JHIoM_YPi2diK4fCnaqaJbSQX7LO-O2Yz4ibxiNtrMf9d0tGEbDoCnsUtYb-w4NEpLGctO76IQrxu_S0QuKasSAuAmQQ/s320/IMG_4040cm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531595437658296530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Frank remembers riding his great-Grandad's horse, Duke, WITH his Dad... I guess this is the first time they've been on a horse alone.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gBwpf5h_5D4y2Z39WAMpYq7DMvENT6G3ycwQa3KvhO2pzm-MxQYncUv_mpg8h7vWBqEjbdqpjPeQJ-_q2CMvB6FyFuNIG6xXaLrOiTUJS5V88ziT04x7ahcmQGNjgZmxrmcGsA/s1600/IMG_4053cm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gBwpf5h_5D4y2Z39WAMpYq7DMvENT6G3ycwQa3KvhO2pzm-MxQYncUv_mpg8h7vWBqEjbdqpjPeQJ-_q2CMvB6FyFuNIG6xXaLrOiTUJS5V88ziT04x7ahcmQGNjgZmxrmcGsA/s320/IMG_4053cm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531595437516184498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Most kids put the horse shoe on the corral rails. Frank is so tall, she had him put the horse shoe above the gate.</span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We also tried Bean Bag Tosses, Scarecrow Dressing, Corn and Hay Mazes, and Digging in the Corn Crib (full of dry, shucked corn, like a sand box).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I really should take the boys back for another bit of play, they enjoyed themselves tremendously.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After looking at this, I guess I forgot to take pictures of the actual pumpkins!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">PS: This is post number 444 (and still counting!) I always notice the weird numbers like this.</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-13641128410567626922010-10-21T21:55:00.019-06:002010-10-21T22:34:30.613-06:00Biological Lessons<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When we woke to wind and cloudy skies (with rain on the ground), I groaned because of putting off the zoo yesterday. Two hours later we arrived at the zoo, to find blue skies, 58°F-68°F temperatures, and a deserted zoo full of frisky animals (thanks to the rain). Today was our third week in a row we've gone to our Biological Park for the morning. I don't realize just how many times I press that shutter... until I get home and download over 270 photos from just 2 hours at the Zoo. Here are the top 10% from today:</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe_85YtVEQo1VvrQiJFd0FVNntBrQe3nZpcxaA_A1NQU1YdlymMe_yyxZ8u5t7i7hDiHRRWI6EkvzTU7Ys-54I6MwDfKwj600dUsku3YEDBQmwLFvygZrkzYd1BfGKO359CHx5Q/s1600/IMG_3900.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe_85YtVEQo1VvrQiJFd0FVNntBrQe3nZpcxaA_A1NQU1YdlymMe_yyxZ8u5t7i7hDiHRRWI6EkvzTU7Ys-54I6MwDfKwj600dUsku3YEDBQmwLFvygZrkzYd1BfGKO359CHx5Q/s320/IMG_3900.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716903809934610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Jack is quite pleased that he's starting to be able to read words like "zoo".</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQYahhD72kQTKMxmW4EBaCrBTubw4rKl2lISNWtXJrU9pUhftBKHMsc91HcqMQ8O0kSiHRMnQJMnaIsAP4025HOjWuIx2uCM-zt0GuiR206F3yP0E0cc6KIRwEHrXYCelGZMfSw/s1600/IMG_3680.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQYahhD72kQTKMxmW4EBaCrBTubw4rKl2lISNWtXJrU9pUhftBKHMsc91HcqMQ8O0kSiHRMnQJMnaIsAP4025HOjWuIx2uCM-zt0GuiR206F3yP0E0cc6KIRwEHrXYCelGZMfSw/s320/IMG_3680.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716904113917906" border="0" /></a>There are several photos of the boys as they walk (backwards), but I love this one where Jack is looking up to Frank.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_PJ4y52g7Atk74MIQkQLNsKP-snVA6GLv6Yr-i6GG5M9SxryhFYLH45iTj9Cp8VmWIqCoe5zf6g9KsD0luAx3vuxk2gJJB381RZo6kowlKvJWMipfOlLKg39wzGHqucZlrOm9Q/s1600/IMG_3697pwHeartland.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_PJ4y52g7Atk74MIQkQLNsKP-snVA6GLv6Yr-i6GG5M9SxryhFYLH45iTj9Cp8VmWIqCoe5zf6g9KsD0luAx3vuxk2gJJB381RZo6kowlKvJWMipfOlLKg39wzGHqucZlrOm9Q/s320/IMG_3697pwHeartland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716900009915922" border="0" /></a>You've got to love Photoshop Actions where you can save even a fuzzy, out of focus photo, and make it look "aged" or intentional! Thanks again <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/">Pioneer Woman</a> for your <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/?s=actions&submit=">amazing (free) Action Sets</a>! This photo has the "Heartland" Action, from <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/08/pioneer-woman-action-sets-1-and-2-updated/">Set 2</a>, applied to it.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWwICT74nhx2x1KmH2dffRfp_IOQw2HIgQCBCjrIn8LWtkQclVnR6nNli3PTqVgoYDLyhgsdGca-QOxpt0hBQzBBzL2k-XlGtqPE-KNYCPmQARn9C0bfT3v8SUaEXSDoQalcpJQ/s1600/IMG_3896.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWwICT74nhx2x1KmH2dffRfp_IOQw2HIgQCBCjrIn8LWtkQclVnR6nNli3PTqVgoYDLyhgsdGca-QOxpt0hBQzBBzL2k-XlGtqPE-KNYCPmQARn9C0bfT3v8SUaEXSDoQalcpJQ/s320/IMG_3896.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716775480125394" border="0" /></a>Ever since the 6th Grade I've been interested by Flamingoes.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRfpOmHifJsK7Sl4AWGZqnAmsAHpfLe7EHbcFdnmUKrs3dGudQzZy7FsrpmPypgpsnErZQuB8GGJO9_IRDr1hzeZw8HwhGvFaW_aheuGq9iZu72ki5KlqYLm4G6Dq4xMipcgmSA/s1600/IMG_3634.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRfpOmHifJsK7Sl4AWGZqnAmsAHpfLe7EHbcFdnmUKrs3dGudQzZy7FsrpmPypgpsnErZQuB8GGJO9_IRDr1hzeZw8HwhGvFaW_aheuGq9iZu72ki5KlqYLm4G6Dq4xMipcgmSA/s320/IMG_3634.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716769357586898" border="0" /></a>Just because I had knobby knees, weighed under 60 pounds, and wore hot pink all the time, that wouldn't have had *anything* to do with said "interest".<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdzlH-TzPVOhrEJ-ZO7IRBvXT1sDbDgbzPrb1muSlH0xQ7noYIaS6V237ooLubWOtFN8aruScTipCyN3yD5eTuiCOkRusm-vn2UJzR64q3i2G8RTbn6r-EolwSLKoiwl2UspmgQ/s1600/IMG_3897.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdzlH-TzPVOhrEJ-ZO7IRBvXT1sDbDgbzPrb1muSlH0xQ7noYIaS6V237ooLubWOtFN8aruScTipCyN3yD5eTuiCOkRusm-vn2UJzR64q3i2G8RTbn6r-EolwSLKoiwl2UspmgQ/s320/IMG_3897.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716771715919922" border="0" /></a>No matter the reason why, I do like flamingos and am quite pleased that the exhibit at this zoo is front and center by the entrance/exit. I can stop and watch them coming AND going.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4mVw95n9nMpWSs1grKO4qc4JHl0cjYrIux2vTLMXwofCWoaucXjZY3rC-S6mnneLPyB28orz18dNDVp1h4tpRvs0kEySB-6L9w038g9xsywRDrOKHHRdqZ12RuWXgevARC-uLQ/s1600/IMG_3678.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4mVw95n9nMpWSs1grKO4qc4JHl0cjYrIux2vTLMXwofCWoaucXjZY3rC-S6mnneLPyB28orz18dNDVp1h4tpRvs0kEySB-6L9w038g9xsywRDrOKHHRdqZ12RuWXgevARC-uLQ/s320/IMG_3678.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716764894817234" border="0" /></a>For the times when Mom is taking too many pictures, the boys get going on their own with a "C'mon MOM!"<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FhYUKo1K13OkgK92fTr2FJsjrLQg6XizEJiWtFb_Kl9pUpvjxcl6jsXCf6CQEmrKIf5PeVfmV32QB3rk48YygGP0uMGqs1QK2S8TERCsu6CmpRNntSx_p4yK6vLThwT4oXgcmA/s1600/IMG_3655.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FhYUKo1K13OkgK92fTr2FJsjrLQg6XizEJiWtFb_Kl9pUpvjxcl6jsXCf6CQEmrKIf5PeVfmV32QB3rk48YygGP0uMGqs1QK2S8TERCsu6CmpRNntSx_p4yK6vLThwT4oXgcmA/s320/IMG_3655.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716630315454098" border="0" /></a>Like water on a (Carolina Wood) Duck's back, I tell you!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXadxjx0IJ5qGCtt1qxTXnhzCSi_VvO45C38whKiZmggdHD43i3xRo3rM2EOeg-H81Sy-CGbcDkQFwGfoXQnhRkACzNzXpV3yuzadpMAJx7MzYZvvmtA2H8A_iFedwSgfhBYIjg/s1600/IMG_3772.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXadxjx0IJ5qGCtt1qxTXnhzCSi_VvO45C38whKiZmggdHD43i3xRo3rM2EOeg-H81Sy-CGbcDkQFwGfoXQnhRkACzNzXpV3yuzadpMAJx7MzYZvvmtA2H8A_iFedwSgfhBYIjg/s320/IMG_3772.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716622142683042" border="0" /></a>Now THIS is the kind of Birthday Portrait I've been after for the past two weeks... well, minus the raincoat and sun hat, but this expression! That's what I'm talkin' about!!!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSbO7cMlhb9Qc6HLSS97OOoZrobmjiT4EZNFXjHfyI-MAWxhV3XznDSZtFMIraVLQ1sdpy0FqwJeD8DLtfSaa0PU1q-2c89jTbv7Es3s_0BuDSvBhm-vggRvbmX_TxR-HB1nU9g/s1600/IMG_3710.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSbO7cMlhb9Qc6HLSS97OOoZrobmjiT4EZNFXjHfyI-MAWxhV3XznDSZtFMIraVLQ1sdpy0FqwJeD8DLtfSaa0PU1q-2c89jTbv7Es3s_0BuDSvBhm-vggRvbmX_TxR-HB1nU9g/s320/IMG_3710.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716616189888834" border="0" /></a>Got sun, just add tree branch.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ybVQ6p_KY11QbIHFvP0KQYws4vHww5oToSlz1FjnzUGr5AD_5Nk4NWXdIqfNm_IaJwzci-wnDJc18zd2hk7b3JOfN6mnmOsOhS7cAIU8Cldci3Jgu_BXzWHA3-kIOt2zK-p0Pw/s1600/IMG_3711.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ybVQ6p_KY11QbIHFvP0KQYws4vHww5oToSlz1FjnzUGr5AD_5Nk4NWXdIqfNm_IaJwzci-wnDJc18zd2hk7b3JOfN6mnmOsOhS7cAIU8Cldci3Jgu_BXzWHA3-kIOt2zK-p0Pw/s320/IMG_3711.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716610787317602" border="0" /></a>Instant shade AND a snack all in one!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vXpo-Sp9uW1SEzwLtXSK-hDueW0BZIT8Yeyi0jFZ5axfhMsIv-Y5uyNs2UqYixtdfvlo4OraqEGzx3_ojxmscgJaZljW-bsdKbcclNLrHos2OVHuRUjBVpbWADXKxzyOBTxIxQ/s1600/IMG_3692.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vXpo-Sp9uW1SEzwLtXSK-hDueW0BZIT8Yeyi0jFZ5axfhMsIv-Y5uyNs2UqYixtdfvlo4OraqEGzx3_ojxmscgJaZljW-bsdKbcclNLrHos2OVHuRUjBVpbWADXKxzyOBTxIxQ/s320/IMG_3692.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716479610059122" border="0" /></a>Such a funny expression and pose.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTdBS4HqoFFwe74Z6t1xNRoGCs282sabJop5nP1dXusJZ0wOXlekrzi7hZm_3CF4xWjZ3NZi4w9f886Nu3pn-i7GQo0a4kFlvf8aCydwuqTTMDuV_nFBdTmlmgaUraq-j4OXNpQ/s1600/IMG_3732.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTdBS4HqoFFwe74Z6t1xNRoGCs282sabJop5nP1dXusJZ0wOXlekrzi7hZm_3CF4xWjZ3NZi4w9f886Nu3pn-i7GQo0a4kFlvf8aCydwuqTTMDuV_nFBdTmlmgaUraq-j4OXNpQ/s320/IMG_3732.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716469275093378" border="0" /></a><br />The orangutans are given cardboard and paper; which they play with, sit on, and eat (not necessarily in that order).<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvHCVx3jApxJ6bPPrI3KP4cNPiCrEX24Zrl1axIQmcNc8off1LRkD0Kh-HG8n38YDGBaYo2xehvkFLfzJpIriMaTtt-4axbul5QjdelQDZtnFEuHAzPXnKQWvktfntPyXzY8Y5Q/s1600/IMG_3741.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLvHCVx3jApxJ6bPPrI3KP4cNPiCrEX24Zrl1axIQmcNc8off1LRkD0Kh-HG8n38YDGBaYo2xehvkFLfzJpIriMaTtt-4axbul5QjdelQDZtnFEuHAzPXnKQWvktfntPyXzY8Y5Q/s320/IMG_3741.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716467230998082" border="0" /></a>The exuberant young'en reminds me of my own...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYc3VcLMfDlon6lcjCjLWxwT2t7GW09cZcwhh8c6w5c5o_xYAycGof6QB8dJhtR_6b2LodPUpEeQyLoghSBLxEmDrgTNCEHTUOEKfwwEbEdxsqDC77Nt9oLR6fcj5XtKOHDjdmWA/s1600/IMG_3743.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYc3VcLMfDlon6lcjCjLWxwT2t7GW09cZcwhh8c6w5c5o_xYAycGof6QB8dJhtR_6b2LodPUpEeQyLoghSBLxEmDrgTNCEHTUOEKfwwEbEdxsqDC77Nt9oLR6fcj5XtKOHDjdmWA/s320/IMG_3743.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716466595929794" border="0" /></a>Right down to monkeying (pun DEFINITELY intended) around during meal times!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXmm_cuuzFNqxIoUKcdcYuu0tyRCjAQ3jvH8T3FG2LHsCz1wx5x7KhK9ueOphCg1QNeRRBTVIVA813fEM3BlFh0Q-lXyj5sIa8jZpZOvN0xbmH6r-uZZ7RcALcNZWFOjq9xpWDQ/s1600/IMG_3780.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXmm_cuuzFNqxIoUKcdcYuu0tyRCjAQ3jvH8T3FG2LHsCz1wx5x7KhK9ueOphCg1QNeRRBTVIVA813fEM3BlFh0Q-lXyj5sIa8jZpZOvN0xbmH6r-uZZ7RcALcNZWFOjq9xpWDQ/s320/IMG_3780.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716297034370018" border="0" /></a>Another shot showing how the little guy looks up to the big one.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_hPq5m5_-jalsSZA_uHYkhw3VJCcGpxBY9aIZL9lM3PYYNrkMpNf_SO0JttoBcEAlAegpYgv0ykP5NYAiMoaADCRETojpv82QmIrWZnUKX7nLQ-YGI3WNwXI1eHeE5VkYpk5jQ/s1600/IMG_3794.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_hPq5m5_-jalsSZA_uHYkhw3VJCcGpxBY9aIZL9lM3PYYNrkMpNf_SO0JttoBcEAlAegpYgv0ykP5NYAiMoaADCRETojpv82QmIrWZnUKX7nLQ-YGI3WNwXI1eHeE5VkYpk5jQ/s320/IMG_3794.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716298373032658" border="0" /></a>There is a small Parakeet aviary at this zoo (we've been finding many new areas during our weekly excursions).<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SZf3TwaeOMu25CpvUckpVNqCgZNLN2tE8Ts482ZqugN10QWmtZwisRBAY5ZUUv8BLG0e2_p4of-onpu9EJ9mmzNp7Lzu_ogWA4c2PH9S42m3d2hUWwRibU7v_vSFwfkV0eQWCA/s1600/IMG_3801.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SZf3TwaeOMu25CpvUckpVNqCgZNLN2tE8Ts482ZqugN10QWmtZwisRBAY5ZUUv8BLG0e2_p4of-onpu9EJ9mmzNp7Lzu_ogWA4c2PH9S42m3d2hUWwRibU7v_vSFwfkV0eQWCA/s320/IMG_3801.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716294800386322" border="0" /></a>Ever wonder why there are so many green parakeets? Natural camouflage, baby!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS8EGtU8YDAM3jmxzHwk0Hd9nVRhI9mJWlJSkXPhCmt_Oj8VxoyH4GXxcG-C_EmjnFNE903kvqhZ3HkQ-AtZ1nKmLMtJXcGTbOTTKHZIEoK1602DoWWgCY7WiHuvvCol8mQniYQ/s1600/IMG_3820.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitS8EGtU8YDAM3jmxzHwk0Hd9nVRhI9mJWlJSkXPhCmt_Oj8VxoyH4GXxcG-C_EmjnFNE903kvqhZ3HkQ-AtZ1nKmLMtJXcGTbOTTKHZIEoK1602DoWWgCY7WiHuvvCol8mQniYQ/s320/IMG_3820.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716287544568146" border="0" /></a>You knew that Koala's are nocturnal, right?<br />You knew that Koala's are from The Land Down Under (Australia), right?<br />You knew that Koala's are marsupials (carry their young in pouches), right?<br />You know that Koala's hardly drink any water because they live by eating Eucalyptus, right?<br />DID YOU KNOW, that Koala's have five digits on each limb, but on their arms, they have three fingers and TWO THUMBS? Neither did we... until today!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5HGFLQ41bVktEDjets7xvKAke4bzOE2sT79HG1_EdFVxtsCGKZsk_pj5J5C_TwGcL8flc_YJLAKzSpqRmkP2Okl9JyDkNM8xRrfoa7XrhODSZ9WxaG-Jb1rDb4pDeSSaZFqUmg/s1600/IMG_3887.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5HGFLQ41bVktEDjets7xvKAke4bzOE2sT79HG1_EdFVxtsCGKZsk_pj5J5C_TwGcL8flc_YJLAKzSpqRmkP2Okl9JyDkNM8xRrfoa7XrhODSZ9WxaG-Jb1rDb4pDeSSaZFqUmg/s320/IMG_3887.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716057354859778" border="0" /></a>I think Jack actually has a hard time holding a "normal" pose for a photo!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YjfW7nBnIihBS7ub6CY_NHcfaLEYktGDMnNMX9E8zdmG2omnxjC8dFx-g2Nu13SM1Gm-WTte4ACKIQo-iHlLMgTq-6kFBt0hvpvfoAngN09I9eFxL0ZhnKDxMYrNSGHd5gndzw/s1600/IMG_3837.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YjfW7nBnIihBS7ub6CY_NHcfaLEYktGDMnNMX9E8zdmG2omnxjC8dFx-g2Nu13SM1Gm-WTte4ACKIQo-iHlLMgTq-6kFBt0hvpvfoAngN09I9eFxL0ZhnKDxMYrNSGHd5gndzw/s320/IMG_3837.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716069510876562" border="0" /></a>Just yesterday, Tom was telling the boys about his SCUBA diving days. The boys were delighted to watch the workers cleaning the Seal & Sea Lion Tank today.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdaK85fQcaQB8Q9UrL3OufQZum2yE918LjlLaXC60bdZVFB5mccP5io_EnYlFVDBSaHFzClL85iM59Rwl3VKhPFAhktRe_NsVDF8WLwblACeUbb4rbTVnYJHkCpQKMoG0rosx-g/s1600/IMG_3883pwq.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdaK85fQcaQB8Q9UrL3OufQZum2yE918LjlLaXC60bdZVFB5mccP5io_EnYlFVDBSaHFzClL85iM59Rwl3VKhPFAhktRe_NsVDF8WLwblACeUbb4rbTVnYJHkCpQKMoG0rosx-g/s320/IMG_3883pwq.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716060766833666" border="0" /></a>Actually, they wouldn't leave the area until the three SCUBA diver's exited the exhibit!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-style: italic;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBDGbSKtzUehegXJx7xloCv6oPCIA4XX7AMNuyYNhsdwRRA6pFjjIP4ztgGnbRL81cJOkcU57MdHtS8oQkRrf8v68jwlokflEzgRsyEsJRwe8xwSJtFBWetIPKMprvSbpR2o-ng/s1600/IMG_3892.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBDGbSKtzUehegXJx7xloCv6oPCIA4XX7AMNuyYNhsdwRRA6pFjjIP4ztgGnbRL81cJOkcU57MdHtS8oQkRrf8v68jwlokflEzgRsyEsJRwe8xwSJtFBWetIPKMprvSbpR2o-ng/s320/IMG_3892.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530716052732596338" border="0" /></a>When I tickle Jack JUST before the camera goes off... then things look more natural!<br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And THAT was our third visit to this zoo. We are finally getting our groove on for what to take, how long to go, and how to relax and enjoy ourselves while there (which I am learning from the boys!)</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-48586209552196665862010-10-20T19:52:00.003-06:002011-07-18T19:07:56.356-06:00"Vampire Tooth" Tooth Fairy Pillow<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Jack putting his <span style="font-weight: bold;">First Tooth Lost </span>in the brand new Tooth Fairy Pillow.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPNjNHtfXWcEdW58ne0nnwSMsAaOnIcDdt3IMvKnqe-C79b2hn_IdkuQuI6weKbfpLvoncaxyym6rjWCtLVwI3cwo-U5kxJh-GWhXVqLQcZljlNce79UdoN52_nK8u9hyphenhyphenFRYqog/s1600/Montage-VampireToothFairyPillow.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPNjNHtfXWcEdW58ne0nnwSMsAaOnIcDdt3IMvKnqe-C79b2hn_IdkuQuI6weKbfpLvoncaxyym6rjWCtLVwI3cwo-U5kxJh-GWhXVqLQcZljlNce79UdoN52_nK8u9hyphenhyphenFRYqog/s320/Montage-VampireToothFairyPillow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630863123268706578" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The mouth is open along the top for the tooth to go in. He was also quite specific about the placement and shape of the eyes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The fang shaped "Vampire Tooth" is TOTALLY his pattern design. I had something MUCH different in mind, but it is his pillow.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaB3zWjXftahgS-vhn2i1ATG75rifNKFZ9Q3epeb-19OJOs3euWoTEDoTm6Yj9lYrMMjinZTBkB_v19pNBEjTjpvuB86u5tzq2oiMRK_TV2ki29vp3buaFFXbYMMYh247xxHWpQ/s1600/IMG_3626cm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUaB3zWjXftahgS-vhn2i1ATG75rifNKFZ9Q3epeb-19OJOs3euWoTEDoTm6Yj9lYrMMjinZTBkB_v19pNBEjTjpvuB86u5tzq2oiMRK_TV2ki29vp3buaFFXbYMMYh247xxHWpQ/s320/IMG_3626cm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630863119934183842" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On the back, we used a bit of blue and black batik fabric. Thanks to </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://beckysbitsandpiecing.blogspot.com/">Becky</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> for the fabric for this little project!</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-7627888483068819822010-10-10T12:05:00.004-06:002010-10-12T12:40:20.632-06:00Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Part 1<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After watching prismatic colors float across the sky all last week; yesterday we made the sojourn to the </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.balloonfiesta.com/">Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. I say sojourn with tongue in check, since we only drove 3.3 miles to the Park-and-Ride location nearest us. Then, rode the bus less than ten miles. This is one of the largest Balloon Celebrations in the world, and people travel thousands of miles to attend it. For us, it was more of an emotional and awe-inspiring "sojourn" than anything.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To begin with, Tom was quite cross... asleep at 11:30 pm, woke up at 4:30 am, no Coca-Cola, and "the bus was bigger the last time (he) rode it".</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlhvGt3p2L8Iy-K6TS0LfL0-QlV_poqA9jSBvmTT74rnsKQ0-6VUyglHGo1ChvUdvTPh8m_QOXJRcgkCZsxSknvvNQvY_dL3nFRhir0p5RGwW0RNhKlG1KFIqf8Cn_Eblr3aPIg/s1600/IMG_2933.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlhvGt3p2L8Iy-K6TS0LfL0-QlV_poqA9jSBvmTT74rnsKQ0-6VUyglHGo1ChvUdvTPh8m_QOXJRcgkCZsxSknvvNQvY_dL3nFRhir0p5RGwW0RNhKlG1KFIqf8Cn_Eblr3aPIg/s320/IMG_2933.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527225532050381842" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Once we arrived and Tom paid three dollars for a 16oz Pepsi, AND he snatched back his sweater (which I was wearing under my rain coat), all was right with the world. He had a delightful time, as did we all.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We arrived at the park around 5:30 am for the <a href="http://www.balloonfiesta.com/event-info/dawn-patrol">Dawn Patrol</a> which gave us a taste of what a <a href="http://www.balloonfiesta.com/event-info/balloon-glow-2">Balloon Glow</a> might be like.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfaj18T0RSL3Yk8Ux2cJznf8fnEZjmsSaf5dsGbTlNuV7Y4VUDwq4N1idYunbeLftscmZOfTwJ3YkKeX6ND0Lvru3184A1hVwnJJb_LUlBkciog6nTInv0cLDcPWJ8hUqFWR_Mg/s1600/IMG_2941.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvfaj18T0RSL3Yk8Ux2cJznf8fnEZjmsSaf5dsGbTlNuV7Y4VUDwq4N1idYunbeLftscmZOfTwJ3YkKeX6ND0Lvru3184A1hVwnJJb_LUlBkciog6nTInv0cLDcPWJ8hUqFWR_Mg/s320/IMG_2941.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527225530568135426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As the row of balloons lifted off, they synchronized and flashed their burns.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhc9uX8jLQR6S5Bmk7_mVNSv4dcG1H2q7nNxr8rfddofWpIacp_p6C1vdMpglcHnPAvcNFCi8rJXpi0LXd3OhyDtJoqxHg8TLS2wJte0MspmT_U324p9aQWr-kZhu4nU47wOIrA/s1600/IMG_2963.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhc9uX8jLQR6S5Bmk7_mVNSv4dcG1H2q7nNxr8rfddofWpIacp_p6C1vdMpglcHnPAvcNFCi8rJXpi0LXd3OhyDtJoqxHg8TLS2wJte0MspmT_U324p9aQWr-kZhu4nU47wOIrA/s320/IMG_2963.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527225523809639394" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(Yeah, you try taking crisp night-time photos of moving objects without a flash!)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pWezDFxxpQWj_iUaYyM_24uCCUjIbWXfE6aS96vA9a6wTgbvh362mpaM4a_dnO8JkpbLUbV9pFSEmofaC-4DAbHo7DBLzPOX3hHfoTO7orT3LvpxwITnO9J9DMJLqfrFIUahVQ/s1600/IMG_2965.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pWezDFxxpQWj_iUaYyM_24uCCUjIbWXfE6aS96vA9a6wTgbvh362mpaM4a_dnO8JkpbLUbV9pFSEmofaC-4DAbHo7DBLzPOX3hHfoTO7orT3LvpxwITnO9J9DMJLqfrFIUahVQ/s320/IMG_2965.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527225525296925586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am glad we arrived so early because after the Morning Glow lifted off, things happened so quickly!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8lPQ8rmGOZR5cI31ZELMcLv2QGmv4B5oLK1bTmAduejQtwP3HG7AVUQy_Vb7XCOKSQI2hppM4tBBeauFuhpH48pBVa_yEKPw5Tm5cBVrnYWcDPxGW_Ycg5TUSmCSXnO_v2uKJw/s1600/IMG_3249.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8lPQ8rmGOZR5cI31ZELMcLv2QGmv4B5oLK1bTmAduejQtwP3HG7AVUQy_Vb7XCOKSQI2hppM4tBBeauFuhpH48pBVa_yEKPw5Tm5cBVrnYWcDPxGW_Ycg5TUSmCSXnO_v2uKJw/s320/IMG_3249.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527225243258486354" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Before we knew it, we were surrounded by balloons... which are colorful, but also noisy! The crews are all a-chattering, the balloon chasers are departing, fans are inflating the balloons, and the propane tanks are burning all around.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkX977jRk2EZD60GE_3UPL1-Pe8WwsMESkG78tHWfUob81EsynNBH6tJU22-UyTO3PIFB38E2kfMuDfwH66_D4eJj5PaPBuoq5TNUo1HaAJFsjlFC7MBKW5ySPrF5O8Nd4J23O-w/s1600/IMG_3271.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkX977jRk2EZD60GE_3UPL1-Pe8WwsMESkG78tHWfUob81EsynNBH6tJU22-UyTO3PIFB38E2kfMuDfwH66_D4eJj5PaPBuoq5TNUo1HaAJFsjlFC7MBKW5ySPrF5O8Nd4J23O-w/s320/IMG_3271.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527225252314437874" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This is perhaps my favorite photo of the day. What do you think?</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDqf-T_fFehUxkRrOTdhMy-NrRCHwvxRrdKNOln1pHozr8bcxBCpKprup5YWjDpBoaHp57KB6N3pPmyrjiaFllPrU21Kgn4_kiARv2UQs3hrQP1UCaWo39dt0-mg1Rsn6KQzFVg/s1600/IMG_3215.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDqf-T_fFehUxkRrOTdhMy-NrRCHwvxRrdKNOln1pHozr8bcxBCpKprup5YWjDpBoaHp57KB6N3pPmyrjiaFllPrU21Kgn4_kiARv2UQs3hrQP1UCaWo39dt0-mg1Rsn6KQzFVg/s320/IMG_3215.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527225256608155314" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After feeling like you are being swallowed by bright colored "tents" on all sides...</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TRvGuBhUfdnhcr-_G53aSYCWI4WNFSUOaEHZ3OZj5vbX-RGV4iJvY1-sGjguquazDv4-v1UffyI8QdTRvXQecXwgSZ-EKvQFmYr2UzjGs88Us3JkP8kGeWfv0HUuQpDDpEf5Wg/s1600/IMG_3002.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5TRvGuBhUfdnhcr-_G53aSYCWI4WNFSUOaEHZ3OZj5vbX-RGV4iJvY1-sGjguquazDv4-v1UffyI8QdTRvXQecXwgSZ-EKvQFmYr2UzjGs88Us3JkP8kGeWfv0HUuQpDDpEf5Wg/s320/IMG_3002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527224965265770674" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">...you turn around and see the sky filling with colors.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSukWNx8ZQCf-ZU11rk4c1poxw-cMugu2k_7zTXzV5u0WRzVcX0exH7eds08KXeftmbMANSRNuq8EQr0ObNudqecyYgGaDWjq03Xv45I0CFFC76J4prsUP-tN9z-SA01tQ6NOAg/s1600/IMG_3179.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSukWNx8ZQCf-ZU11rk4c1poxw-cMugu2k_7zTXzV5u0WRzVcX0exH7eds08KXeftmbMANSRNuq8EQr0ObNudqecyYgGaDWjq03Xv45I0CFFC76J4prsUP-tN9z-SA01tQ6NOAg/s320/IMG_3179.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527224970375248034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You realize that you are in the middle of </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.balloonfiesta.com/event-info/mass-ascension">Mass Ascension</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlwtmuiuWN2Rd4mOQe3O_-24bxqPAlrZzgxMd7Mm7YluBD6-XBzTsANdpo-XiqmLMz7zf4wP8li85zi6ycf3zWT_0ED5gHsof34NXBTLAMS8Is_zUxrSaGJljgkixSClSd_LHDw/s1600/IMG_3180.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlwtmuiuWN2Rd4mOQe3O_-24bxqPAlrZzgxMd7Mm7YluBD6-XBzTsANdpo-XiqmLMz7zf4wP8li85zi6ycf3zWT_0ED5gHsof34NXBTLAMS8Is_zUxrSaGJljgkixSClSd_LHDw/s320/IMG_3180.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527225242214314546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Words (and pictures) just can not describe it... which is saying<br /></span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-52473550230546830152010-09-30T09:30:00.004-06:002010-09-30T09:37:42.499-06:00My Review of Gigaware 7" Hi-Res Digital Photo Frame<div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="hreview"><div class="item"><p><a href="http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3889732">Originally submitted at RadioShack</a></p><div><p style="margin-top: 0pt;">Display your favorite photos on your desk with the Gigaware 7-inch high-resolution digital photo frame.</p></div><a href="http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3889732" style="display: none;" class="url fn"><span class="fn">Gigaware&reg; 7" Hi-Res Digital Photo Frame</span></a></div> <p><img src="file:///C:/Users/SIOUXZ%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.png" alt="" /><strong class="summary">Still Lovin' It!</strong></p><p></p><div style="margin: 0.5em 0pt; height: 15px; width: 83px; background-image: url("http://images.powerreviews.com/images_merchants/stars/10240_stars_small.gif"); background-position: 0px -144px;" class="prStars prStarsSmall"> </div><p></p><div style="display: none;"><span class="rating">4</span>out of 5</div><p><strong>Pros: </strong>Easy Photo Upload, Clear Image, Viewable from Many Angles, Quality Construction, Easy To Use, Attractive Design</p><p><strong>Cons: </strong>Buttons on the Back, Photos Always Same Order</p><p><strong>Best Uses: </strong>Photography Display, Home Decor, Desk, Gift</p><p><strong>Describe Yourself: </strong>Quality Oriented</p><p><strong>Primary use: </strong>Personal</p><p><strong>Was this a gift?: </strong>No</p><p style="margin-top: 1em;" class="description">Just returned from my Aunt's House, where this item is used. I played with it when we first got it (around Christmas) and again just now. Still loving the ease of use. Just turn it on and the show begins! Occasionally, it stops displaying photos, she turns it off, resets the memory card, and turns it on... it's good to go.</p><p style="margin-top: 1em;" class="description"><br />While there, we ran the same file folder through my laptops screen saver, and we noticed this picture frame was much easier to view from any angle, while the computer screen has to be tilted to just the right angle. After comparing them side, but side, I'd still like to have one of these frames for myself (since it's just so easy to see from anywhere in the room).<br /><br />The "Random" photos tend to alternate between two spots in the file list, jumping from point A to point B, and moving forward one photo at a time (A1, B1, A2, B2, A3, B3, etc). This works well for watching an ongoing story.<br /><br />Every time the display is turned on, it starts at the very beginning, so, it takes many hours before she can see the "newest" photos in the group. With over 1500 photos currently on the disc, it would be nice if it would start at a different point each time, or at least remember where it was at when it was turned off. Or perhaps, it truly could be a RANDOM display of the images. Perhaps the software could have options of how to display the images (sequential, random, and always start at beginning).<br /><br />The play, pause, forward and rewind buttons work well, but being on the back of the display, she seldom uses them. I think these buttons would receive more use if they were on the front of the frame.<br /><br />Even with the images always starting over and the buttons on the back, I'm still thinking of getting one of these for my own home. It's got such great image quality and is just tranquil to sit and watch!</p><p style="margin-top: 0.5em;">(<a href="http://www.powerreviews.com/legal/terms_of_use.html" rel="license">legalese</a>)</p></div>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-26648759984764130742010-09-13T00:33:00.004-06:002010-09-13T00:45:13.078-06:00Sock Puppet<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Recently I've saved a few socks for something crafty.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Friday, Jack and I read a story (</span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://www.amazon.com/If-You-Give-Moose-Muffin/dp/B001BCQSPM/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1284360061&sr=1-5">"If you give a Moose a Muffin" by Laura Joffe Numeroff</a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">) and in it the Moose made sock puppets. Since then, Jack has wanted to make some too...</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1S9_gIYLsJHg5Yt2jL-uvST7hgxAbjPZJHxfHX0YIfm3nHs8T7t7pCxj8lrnjWfnHoDT6GbTYx1qiY1sQpR5TBRA96NtjX13Knee4bpATJPIMY5ptjTD7cRdr-rrYSG0cPLMHpQ/s1600/Montage-SockPuppet-p.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1S9_gIYLsJHg5Yt2jL-uvST7hgxAbjPZJHxfHX0YIfm3nHs8T7t7pCxj8lrnjWfnHoDT6GbTYx1qiY1sQpR5TBRA96NtjX13Knee4bpATJPIMY5ptjTD7cRdr-rrYSG0cPLMHpQ/s320/Montage-SockPuppet-p.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516282819086176114" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tom and Frank were out, so I took the opportunity to work with Jack on it. He picked the sock, cut the shapes and choose the yarn colors. I put the needle in and held while he pulled the yarn through. I also felt really good about doing a project with him, while it was fresh in our minds.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There are still boxes all around, but I was able to put my finger on the supplies AND put the things in my mind (unpacking boxes, prepping for a trip, surgery, etc.) aside in order to grasp some of those fleeting moments of childhood and spend a little time with my little-one. It makes me feel good and happy.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">PS: This sock puppet also works well to make "Dragon Punches" (when worn on the hand), "Dragon Kicks" (when worn on the foot), and "Dragon Tickles" (when worn by Daddy!)</span><br /></span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-60490192388038479832010-09-09T17:23:00.005-06:002010-09-09T17:35:30.976-06:00A Bit More About My Ear<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I'm a bit surprised that it's already been over a year since </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://suzyqsparkle.blogspot.com/2009/05/some-of-my-ear-history.html">I last wrote about</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> needing to have an ear surgery to restore some hearing. Certainly a lot has happened during the intervening time, but, well, they do say "time does fly!"</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_koWpTCc_RqXLajr2GSeJ3zs6G9zss0zymD-FkpccX8RskDl9Es1XxBFvEhp10FJeNUgQTUo4YzM2iFkbbzwQ6JURXIgBSDmNwI7OKFdIGfdnAhZK861KyHqTJlvG4cMDXbHxw/s1600/IMG_1914_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_koWpTCc_RqXLajr2GSeJ3zs6G9zss0zymD-FkpccX8RskDl9Es1XxBFvEhp10FJeNUgQTUo4YzM2iFkbbzwQ6JURXIgBSDmNwI7OKFdIGfdnAhZK861KyHqTJlvG4cMDXbHxw/s320/IMG_1914_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515060969892914754" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On July 10th, I went to bed with my ear hurting, I put some drops in and told Tom "we're going to need to get this things fixed soon." Then, at 2:30 am I woke rubbing my ear in my sleep... vigorously with the palm of my hand. This action caused the dislocated titanium prosthetic incus to rupture the tympanic membrane. That is, a small piece of metal is now sticking through my ear drum. This does a few things: causes pain, significantly reduces hearing, and continues to damage the ear drum.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Owing to moving and needing to find new doctors, and already having a visit to my ear doctor planned the first week of August, I went to Phoenix to meet with him and have my suspicions of the course of events and the course of action confirmed. While I trust my doctor greatly, he did recommend a colleague in the Albuequerque area. Thing is, I can have surgery (in Phoenix) September 16th... I couldn't even see the new doctor until the beginning of October and surgery would have been towards Thanksgiving. Did I mention that this thing hurts?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So, I've decided and made arrangements to travel to Phoenix to have the surgery, then to stay with my Father-In-Law for the ten days post-op until my follow-up visit.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The bad news in all of this is that each surgery I have (this will be the third) increases scar tissue, there is a decreased blood flow to the area, and oh-yeah, a decreased chance of success. I've begun to wonder when I might bite the bullet and tell them to stop trying to fix the hearing and just leave the wire out... thus guaranteeing deafness in that ear. It's sobering, but as my Grandad said, "as long as you have hope, you keep trying."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So, this week I've been making preparations to go for another Phoenix trip, this one involving a lot of rest and light-lifting (nothing over ten pounds for a month), so the boys will need to be able to load and unload the van for us.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The surgery is on Thursday, September 16th; wish me luck!</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-86662265248596495792010-08-22T00:03:00.013-06:002010-08-22T00:49:45.201-06:00Perfect Light<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I take a lot of flower photos.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_LyfwH_i-aGE16oZXETJMsB9VQAgrMPsgTKM4XTTBTsLaK2miGxlomF6AcRUuNHDc23qsoywtidLIphk3tbK7cZVsm_nXssp2cRF1K_s6_WSh_bgt7x6XFZ-jEfJjoErCOvzKA/s1600/IMG_1028m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_LyfwH_i-aGE16oZXETJMsB9VQAgrMPsgTKM4XTTBTsLaK2miGxlomF6AcRUuNHDc23qsoywtidLIphk3tbK7cZVsm_nXssp2cRF1K_s6_WSh_bgt7x6XFZ-jEfJjoErCOvzKA/s320/IMG_1028m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508116369559915810" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I think it's in my blood, flowers, I mean.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCDMInpzBR5_E5pghVu3Pp8_CKwRpoiFnXICA170KrJmzhRXlv-03tHDPFhCwtlHyJhrPCFgkt7lPTwRJCtdPxY7pKCcNZzOlHZ6JGThcUjKiRL6oKF968mcJ1Kl6jsze_wPQAw/s1600/IMG_1011m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCDMInpzBR5_E5pghVu3Pp8_CKwRpoiFnXICA170KrJmzhRXlv-03tHDPFhCwtlHyJhrPCFgkt7lPTwRJCtdPxY7pKCcNZzOlHZ6JGThcUjKiRL6oKF968mcJ1Kl6jsze_wPQAw/s320/IMG_1011m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508116375133626594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I come from a family of green-thumbs and while my personal ability to grow flowers is, shall we say, a bit lacking, I have found my knack for sharing the joys of flowers to be in my ability to capture them with a camera.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5zbYoGYD2x4COl40l2aphDAGD9fjt_DkhPN2vHpesnJ1MS5-R0Fg7rwqYJtnkdda2RNt4M-3mbcp35BMAliGRafm3U6v5XwBaSDspI7u5v-D3I2smi00KUsYHHbMZ3Aawd6XZg/s1600/IMG_1007q.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5zbYoGYD2x4COl40l2aphDAGD9fjt_DkhPN2vHpesnJ1MS5-R0Fg7rwqYJtnkdda2RNt4M-3mbcp35BMAliGRafm3U6v5XwBaSDspI7u5v-D3I2smi00KUsYHHbMZ3Aawd6XZg/s320/IMG_1007q.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508116636992518418" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Or, at least I think so.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HHq6oT4ME1IylPxB8bj2Hf_0jbqiorzbS-eOMWdUWhlh4l6yQNqsQLsSqjJb6hBnDm_wWAAEKINm6qljxEfdah7Fu4eeUItsUKgDr6pZhyCvSc2o9XYv1z8aMOpHOzFSf9ZSGA/s1600/IMG_1123cm.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HHq6oT4ME1IylPxB8bj2Hf_0jbqiorzbS-eOMWdUWhlh4l6yQNqsQLsSqjJb6hBnDm_wWAAEKINm6qljxEfdah7Fu4eeUItsUKgDr6pZhyCvSc2o9XYv1z8aMOpHOzFSf9ZSGA/s320/IMG_1123cm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508116057767938610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It all started when my Aunt Lou.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fPobTQw14YWUZgevYD2fXckf9M_RcHBe3rQ5rI5z6FCdP10djjD_Bf7V4Fef2yBLxuWnmkyaA2XpPmcHyKyNbRZOQ9rE4Kcsoy-CO1CO9TMueXygQlk12TrV0tBpsYwZuaHdkw/s1600/IMG_1319m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fPobTQw14YWUZgevYD2fXckf9M_RcHBe3rQ5rI5z6FCdP10djjD_Bf7V4Fef2yBLxuWnmkyaA2XpPmcHyKyNbRZOQ9rE4Kcsoy-CO1CO9TMueXygQlk12TrV0tBpsYwZuaHdkw/s320/IMG_1319m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508116069407788738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She's one of those green-thumbs who also happened to own a Flower Shop I was raised in, handed me my camera and sent me out to photograph her irises, daffodils, and tulips (no bulb flowers in this set of summer-time photos though).</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzijIlCNJHfH4yXVRFqmIntQghmytFVcogZaBHfLytDTpgFB3EAJ5s5OuZhU0qqafFPVpt0Z28KmfBklaBtG2ixpywv2VzMS4GKWi2lJLQHoUzmvTkh2ZZ_emYXNuuEG6zfqIXyQ/s1600/IMG_1372m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzijIlCNJHfH4yXVRFqmIntQghmytFVcogZaBHfLytDTpgFB3EAJ5s5OuZhU0qqafFPVpt0Z28KmfBklaBtG2ixpywv2VzMS4GKWi2lJLQHoUzmvTkh2ZZ_emYXNuuEG6zfqIXyQ/s320/IMG_1372m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508116053849448274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For a while, I seemed to be inspired to take flower photos whenever I return to her mountain cabin.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaej7vrsh5KTcRGf2fszJj4b7p68L_y_-GeHA9RBkEey30-HFo6lh8TJxGEa1TOyPgNwUoLohlt22_tM2sH-r9Ums5_l4-qZPgVPjCfR74MassnM8tDcm6kficnQDRF2iQ4YenQ/s1600/IMG_1467m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaej7vrsh5KTcRGf2fszJj4b7p68L_y_-GeHA9RBkEey30-HFo6lh8TJxGEa1TOyPgNwUoLohlt22_tM2sH-r9Ums5_l4-qZPgVPjCfR74MassnM8tDcm6kficnQDRF2iQ4YenQ/s320/IMG_1467m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508120902587344626" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Now, I do it anywhere and everywhere... even expanding into fruits and seeds as subjects.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEIXsdHvZ4w9ydTVuxpyGNz_3haPcbYgHjxEEdw87tbosqczohCKbdeLCwck53XZ5uTDWVQVVsYcDenBSU04ZLG6Wc9nbbvqYg6Qg_zbLUW6LCT32q1VoIcomV3cjFhoSn_QBvg/s1600/IMG_1054m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEIXsdHvZ4w9ydTVuxpyGNz_3haPcbYgHjxEEdw87tbosqczohCKbdeLCwck53XZ5uTDWVQVVsYcDenBSU04ZLG6Wc9nbbvqYg6Qg_zbLUW6LCT32q1VoIcomV3cjFhoSn_QBvg/s320/IMG_1054m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508120899281893474" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I will cause the vehicle to stop and even make U-turns whenever I see a bright bit of color along the road.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp93lN-ix23lmefhNm_PTViY0w5elV3Jdc8QUMm3w9Wr_RAKvN-y6bvTgTFCK2OCBdw0RAYX2lhCnpUOUwvZmm98yusdWloY9CtZZ-z6K2by4_6Q8R9pBaTHDEIPDvrz82jGEZQ/s1600/IMG_1435m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjp93lN-ix23lmefhNm_PTViY0w5elV3Jdc8QUMm3w9Wr_RAKvN-y6bvTgTFCK2OCBdw0RAYX2lhCnpUOUwvZmm98yusdWloY9CtZZ-z6K2by4_6Q8R9pBaTHDEIPDvrz82jGEZQ/s320/IMG_1435m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508116361617314402" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It's gotten to the point where the boys even find flowers and point them out for me to photograph.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0anADV0aeTN4kJ34RWPgJhNaRQ0Bm4KDXYvLn2NK-Hf36LqEOTjA9AOoFX6Ffm60brGQTmiuPl2_PPTekGHGnjuj225KZYlJAGQVsLCYOt_E80WgWFce_WVoLM5IXiVGEANtDjA/s1600/IMG_1458m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0anADV0aeTN4kJ34RWPgJhNaRQ0Bm4KDXYvLn2NK-Hf36LqEOTjA9AOoFX6Ffm60brGQTmiuPl2_PPTekGHGnjuj225KZYlJAGQVsLCYOt_E80WgWFce_WVoLM5IXiVGEANtDjA/s320/IMG_1458m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508116088994079426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Of course, on our recent trip, I found "a few" flowers to capture, but one day in-particular, I found a flowerbed I'd been eye-balling in this amazing light of the nearly-setting sun.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYJiOL1_hZCWNLMYAAnRMXsF9vcxP7ogIysskyLqKpsG7aS08eLIV17bYT7UTkfPUpJ51TvKcvGh8dYfoENinmpU34cMBsRqPL-HZhxh72i62QXXM3PlOiXGl6yycX0thvRXD7A/s1600/IMG_1029m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYJiOL1_hZCWNLMYAAnRMXsF9vcxP7ogIysskyLqKpsG7aS08eLIV17bYT7UTkfPUpJ51TvKcvGh8dYfoENinmpU34cMBsRqPL-HZhxh72i62QXXM3PlOiXGl6yycX0thvRXD7A/s320/IMG_1029m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508116363231950898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Take a look at these photos!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagoaVBtRrEWC05axK1y6uX9X6gMhl2kTU0D7_uedcQ7JdfEcKQZd1naTVqfxj41Yv4HRgV0xaa4Jhlh6SxctXF3FokQQHjFJhQ61w8OMSCtsdaecRoGAWEmk9a6xWZzkEoB4rJQ/s1600/IMG_1519m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagoaVBtRrEWC05axK1y6uX9X6gMhl2kTU0D7_uedcQ7JdfEcKQZd1naTVqfxj41Yv4HRgV0xaa4Jhlh6SxctXF3FokQQHjFJhQ61w8OMSCtsdaecRoGAWEmk9a6xWZzkEoB4rJQ/s320/IMG_1519m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508115589120989266" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The flowers just seem to glow!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVVxo18PMp9tuQs8gV324CJZ4PYMR6fIdRJsUp8sVmaHtZEu2LWiZjlxaqUZwV52T_1Zi0jCp68-P9gtUj0v5TKOvccxDUZfUhWstFRsMJ7mMYXqAQ_U6Q3Y_H8AT8ZTfngcL9g/s1600/IMG_1524m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVVxo18PMp9tuQs8gV324CJZ4PYMR6fIdRJsUp8sVmaHtZEu2LWiZjlxaqUZwV52T_1Zi0jCp68-P9gtUj0v5TKOvccxDUZfUhWstFRsMJ7mMYXqAQ_U6Q3Y_H8AT8ZTfngcL9g/s320/IMG_1524m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508115186923492050" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One other thing about all these flower photos.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDOqe0C3k9iY2dexwkAFNguc3oIhJdVTT_SAJdj6xAriOGVvqeTBvxYsKWGW1QEp7pNI-aF4zvDgsHmLo7B1_N12S7Vv4trPJd0gdGg5wUvsDOEvrMVZrJnBZKyqqDAtfFPL5Ew/s1600/IMG_1528m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDOqe0C3k9iY2dexwkAFNguc3oIhJdVTT_SAJdj6xAriOGVvqeTBvxYsKWGW1QEp7pNI-aF4zvDgsHmLo7B1_N12S7Vv4trPJd0gdGg5wUvsDOEvrMVZrJnBZKyqqDAtfFPL5Ew/s320/IMG_1528m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508115580217680530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When I just took "casual" photos (and I do mean casual for me, but probably not for most people, I've always been a bit of a camera-hound) of "normal" things, I never thought to take flower photos. However. My Great Aunt Adeline and her brother (my Grandad) both took photos of things I found, well, weird.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreBMR04SuILWu_6oaznbk6rTLHco7RKS1hq1VaVUzTFCD0-Azs3ufJp3zNKSfJwuzB0yO1PewtRgZUGmhjGxbMy9GCfNkRMwU0TrtrQUAh_D7oqalndL4F9AOP5JZrauYFxnLhg/s1600/IMG_1453q.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreBMR04SuILWu_6oaznbk6rTLHco7RKS1hq1VaVUzTFCD0-Azs3ufJp3zNKSfJwuzB0yO1PewtRgZUGmhjGxbMy9GCfNkRMwU0TrtrQUAh_D7oqalndL4F9AOP5JZrauYFxnLhg/s320/IMG_1453q.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508115595361166690" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">They took, or shall I say, they TAKE, photos of flowers and food.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjJzXww_TpLqcLaBCx1UBpMZkixv0ynu41PKeke16m5g-H8utHghvXnYljsqWvKSSei_cL4J-9BxeZBgCUEeSJ4sh0QUGNJUKaobqXgWfw-mZLQt1eScbm5iVWW5bGGu5BtgR0A/s1600/IMG_1532m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjJzXww_TpLqcLaBCx1UBpMZkixv0ynu41PKeke16m5g-H8utHghvXnYljsqWvKSSei_cL4J-9BxeZBgCUEeSJ4sh0QUGNJUKaobqXgWfw-mZLQt1eScbm5iVWW5bGGu5BtgR0A/s320/IMG_1532m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508115195637578850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Now, here I am, doing the very same thing.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz560afuOJcuMMWfPPGZHByDaZVvZKHcUKb1NBBHETX4FXhzZGDyrJxsZj-rtNY_XeQMOlbn7bo-omYy8QrYHKPaRWId0jyegTYfwkr9UCGk1FfmG3tDIMg1SbEdq8suxQhPGYEQ/s1600/IMG_1534m.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz560afuOJcuMMWfPPGZHByDaZVvZKHcUKb1NBBHETX4FXhzZGDyrJxsZj-rtNY_XeQMOlbn7bo-omYy8QrYHKPaRWId0jyegTYfwkr9UCGk1FfmG3tDIMg1SbEdq8suxQhPGYEQ/s320/IMG_1534m.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508115202536841042" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This shutterbug thing too must be in my blood.</span></div>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-42529661050737627772010-08-15T23:20:00.004-06:002010-08-15T23:45:25.541-06:00Play, Play, Play!<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Brother/Uncle's for morning swim.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiYiKbwHzLLld2EJME01jMVPqI18MMT0nwmKW7UeY4sQiYm-adkrcl7yfahsDYBXC9HR7eMSaSyLi9-DidV_3VGN5g6HQlGAvmBFfh9QNdB6OslKBdnC1dDnp7QTGeTvWv0oWwQ/s1600/IMG_0852s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaiYiKbwHzLLld2EJME01jMVPqI18MMT0nwmKW7UeY4sQiYm-adkrcl7yfahsDYBXC9HR7eMSaSyLi9-DidV_3VGN5g6HQlGAvmBFfh9QNdB6OslKBdnC1dDnp7QTGeTvWv0oWwQ/s320/IMG_0852s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505878943243698978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Mom/Grandma's for afternoon BBQ.</span><br /> <br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_qzJwK7WizhR_QPLaIh2as9HDe6s-oZc0HkVSJo_iULJU5kkdAybH1qMDqf_Q2Zy37uzzGiAgvR6-RluPUnd5soGts9vHy9k2lJVg9Fk4xy70eT90ajzSxIYZhvdTC-bNZLa-A/s1600/IMG_0311s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_qzJwK7WizhR_QPLaIh2as9HDe6s-oZc0HkVSJo_iULJU5kkdAybH1qMDqf_Q2Zy37uzzGiAgvR6-RluPUnd5soGts9vHy9k2lJVg9Fk4xy70eT90ajzSxIYZhvdTC-bNZLa-A/s320/IMG_0311s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505878935569821298" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Friend's for evening meal, playtime, and sleep-over.</span><br /> <br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DzpYNGUHxSn9VTQ4RQ5-4rwqL2mCcnipEYB2vNBe4YiSSkLiMpkdRP7c-eqw4iQpm4ZsvAE7YlBxD7TLcfNbKB8vdiggfpp8gU2CB5WBdmO3sSQVRKCjsQif2c2NFCl8TkiVMA/s1600/IMG_0923_1s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5DzpYNGUHxSn9VTQ4RQ5-4rwqL2mCcnipEYB2vNBe4YiSSkLiMpkdRP7c-eqw4iQpm4ZsvAE7YlBxD7TLcfNbKB8vdiggfpp8gU2CB5WBdmO3sSQVRKCjsQif2c2NFCl8TkiVMA/s320/IMG_0923_1s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505878930117896770" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Raid </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://beckysbitsandpiecing.blogspot.com/">friend</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">'s sewing room for obsessive scrap sewing (these blocks are cut 3.5", the record holder (in this group) has 24 or 25 different pieces of fabrics.</span><br /> <br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHK_TbVk8-YiITOBnLj3rSf4_ov7Ke2nRH-1f8scmuUkyx2ICmzfabNn008xUk-CKq1Hjq9mYzvmqored63mNH8fRgAw-GPeXOFJWoM1wb2wjrE2Uo4YhXrqga9Z4dI_GJVlypw/s1600/DSCF2493s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHK_TbVk8-YiITOBnLj3rSf4_ov7Ke2nRH-1f8scmuUkyx2ICmzfabNn008xUk-CKq1Hjq9mYzvmqored63mNH8fRgAw-GPeXOFJWoM1wb2wjrE2Uo4YhXrqga9Z4dI_GJVlypw/s320/DSCF2493s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505878921438103218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Come to think of it, this may also be my record for the most blocks pieced in one sitting!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Crazy?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I think so!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">But, oh-so-much-fun!!!</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-15279351479500369722010-08-04T23:02:00.008-06:002010-08-14T23:18:04.139-06:00Drive Time<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We departed (shockingly) as scheduled by 6 am and were immediately blessed with an amazing sunrise. While I’ve witnessed many gorgeous sunsets in Rio Rancho, this was the first sunrise I’d seen… and it was impressive enough to make me contemplate getting up early just for the occasion.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClLCHwtuhPxkky8ywTEeeh-2UTLkfvcCrRePez1PTQhGjf57CgMSXW0LJeoOdMXpkg2wKa_agqTKzgVdgV0JynR8KNpPXGo2PsZBnom8U4aVUDq9uk45yPdq_UKQdwuMkad8MNg/s1600/IMG_0152s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClLCHwtuhPxkky8ywTEeeh-2UTLkfvcCrRePez1PTQhGjf57CgMSXW0LJeoOdMXpkg2wKa_agqTKzgVdgV0JynR8KNpPXGo2PsZBnom8U4aVUDq9uk45yPdq_UKQdwuMkad8MNg/s320/IMG_0152s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505499715464636402" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">At the Arizona/New Mexico border, I saw the most stero-typical oriental tourist… one shot from the driver’s seat captured her:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59VPErtkG7nhYfT0f5HF6BsnnTKsSCo6v-RxxRPlmHL-AQRmgDMOUtxENECjzcfxZR9HP8RN-zLW2HgRC5OexCQM7Cpy8F0Fs1WeSZMmAIFOzaRuXsXpWu5JATbUQtgJk_X_zfg/s1600/IMG_0155s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59VPErtkG7nhYfT0f5HF6BsnnTKsSCo6v-RxxRPlmHL-AQRmgDMOUtxENECjzcfxZR9HP8RN-zLW2HgRC5OexCQM7Cpy8F0Fs1WeSZMmAIFOzaRuXsXpWu5JATbUQtgJk_X_zfg/s320/IMG_0155s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505499711793403618" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Gorgeous blue skies on the high-plains:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0PhSVcxjbKGTUDGyazAbtJzPoYMrL7iM2fvPpg6IpjopUHxDGJ4FqB6DVqifDRNM6ntHM8KOBF4A-Y4X1sH2oj0fFNImBMjlHEoADrGJ2ltsqZHUH0xLgupdCV6eQ9VDoVavMw/s1600/IMG_0159s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0PhSVcxjbKGTUDGyazAbtJzPoYMrL7iM2fvPpg6IpjopUHxDGJ4FqB6DVqifDRNM6ntHM8KOBF4A-Y4X1sH2oj0fFNImBMjlHEoADrGJ2ltsqZHUH0xLgupdCV6eQ9VDoVavMw/s320/IMG_0159s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505499707737823970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">More blue clear skies in the mountains:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPR0JxbKnc0e8PkqPeTtpSpEaWL4Tw8RudnaE0T_51vhNIUH7W0t9Thm51DLX6PLfZ_MyIEsvzWx2NA8DHxxjNrEPrmtOr0fHHl7i1imfczTUSx2mjFoeK3yXS2DIiPPor_fe3A/s1600/IMG_0160s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPR0JxbKnc0e8PkqPeTtpSpEaWL4Tw8RudnaE0T_51vhNIUH7W0t9Thm51DLX6PLfZ_MyIEsvzWx2NA8DHxxjNrEPrmtOr0fHHl7i1imfczTUSx2mjFoeK3yXS2DIiPPor_fe3A/s320/IMG_0160s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505499701353930274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The blue skies stayed with us all the way down to The Valley of The Sun:</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEBwTlMhYZtUJWzrSCG3L5sAzDQQe5RUh0XtKWj2XAoCcds2J3HJWgu37uCefCjYPODq-wDedbi3GynZ-bkUbxo16-NX-zMUPmdBl8kvJVQIC6XcJmKjGV0BbKnQdMvGdcOV80w/s1600/IMG_0225s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEBwTlMhYZtUJWzrSCG3L5sAzDQQe5RUh0XtKWj2XAoCcds2J3HJWgu37uCefCjYPODq-wDedbi3GynZ-bkUbxo16-NX-zMUPmdBl8kvJVQIC6XcJmKjGV0BbKnQdMvGdcOV80w/s320/IMG_0225s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505499310811786082" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I also think of this mountain as being covered by “Marching Cacti Soldiers”.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Bf5p3n9OFt3DJTTvBr59tosLVU3BAJmKmClaAmjEGarR0EWW9Kml3Z3crtWQo6MuAtVVuIZo5eYyOD82DJ6iQQ253_YadHZyiJcfgpZO8175AjEiIxguAd4Pgef6193ioUJ_oQ/s1600/IMG_0228s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Bf5p3n9OFt3DJTTvBr59tosLVU3BAJmKmClaAmjEGarR0EWW9Kml3Z3crtWQo6MuAtVVuIZo5eYyOD82DJ6iQQ253_YadHZyiJcfgpZO8175AjEiIxguAd4Pgef6193ioUJ_oQ/s320/IMG_0228s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505499309502844818" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I just love the desert-scapes as seen on The Beeline Highway.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirt25Ewx35Vh2pImYQU_50XXbYJPaWgfgh-cyB27pXX3NJT-EtBFQOIJqRfvx0zEilBjG6BKfFyuTkD7oD1R_ftUuuW1LgrTXYL6agQFGRWDRFHI5t5b-ncPkLb1ErPThuT08lpA/s1600/IMG_0232s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirt25Ewx35Vh2pImYQU_50XXbYJPaWgfgh-cyB27pXX3NJT-EtBFQOIJqRfvx0zEilBjG6BKfFyuTkD7oD1R_ftUuuW1LgrTXYL6agQFGRWDRFHI5t5b-ncPkLb1ErPThuT08lpA/s320/IMG_0232s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505499303154566482" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We stopped by the house Tom and I owned in Mesa. I was delighted to see only two changes to the front yard landscaping AND to see how well the yard has come in (when we left it had only been planted about two years.)</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5R2SDjEKT2NQ7iCMvynZqdzurhe2HbDGv7N8uK0vrFiVNfs9rWjhUBFhy9JHM5D1er3LhMkjURVGSzFafxDkNwHvsdNV-CAr47Mt2CdYH6gcQPRa6SPSNFaocRsOyyLpdyI1eQ/s1600/IMG_0265s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5R2SDjEKT2NQ7iCMvynZqdzurhe2HbDGv7N8uK0vrFiVNfs9rWjhUBFhy9JHM5D1er3LhMkjURVGSzFafxDkNwHvsdNV-CAr47Mt2CdYH6gcQPRa6SPSNFaocRsOyyLpdyI1eQ/s320/IMG_0265s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505499298629840946" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Can you see why I so love to drive in Arizona? It is SO BEAUTIFUL!!! I love me home-state!</span>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-66899669842879796252010-07-29T14:08:00.005-06:002010-07-29T14:25:41.847-06:00They do say "a picture is worth a thousand words."<div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms;">Umm... I think the photo speaks for itself...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjjo5XODm3BdX5E2Iy02SwvrAJRle7pNe8GuS_poGPIHzJzwWFhwkbbVSxv8bT1V2uMRul7OR8DwN1FQyi4a1cRCFyFc5dwngdVP_aF5e25dpUWLsp1iLTTxjwRx84kOpYBTv4g/s1600/IMG_9827s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjjo5XODm3BdX5E2Iy02SwvrAJRle7pNe8GuS_poGPIHzJzwWFhwkbbVSxv8bT1V2uMRul7OR8DwN1FQyi4a1cRCFyFc5dwngdVP_aF5e25dpUWLsp1iLTTxjwRx84kOpYBTv4g/s320/IMG_9827s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499425718990610818" border="0" /></a><br />Jack was poking his face through the door to look at Frank.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRteYhZAyTn-4Kwg9BVLN6N7oo0oqffIj8iXML5NUz-ZQwX6apwUTxCl-fOvijAK0WDY_nBFR1rqx7xHjZC6exBl9_RtD1ZS_jcW8rVHZQpwV6qLu6K5iA4C-pKJoMhVN-i_F4tQ/s1600/IMG_9808s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRteYhZAyTn-4Kwg9BVLN6N7oo0oqffIj8iXML5NUz-ZQwX6apwUTxCl-fOvijAK0WDY_nBFR1rqx7xHjZC6exBl9_RtD1ZS_jcW8rVHZQpwV6qLu6K5iA4C-pKJoMhVN-i_F4tQ/s320/IMG_9808s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499425712138565954" border="0" /></a><br />Then Jack squeezed the door closed... on his frames.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHWWQYL0rrsDEw-joIXmp5nTDajYF5ddJXmthMRzLD-dFvMHps0C2DdhNSiIIfZYAidMrXfTrauJqGTsLEyzsSSSOtnkF3wyoe5wLC70-L7K_HD2Abg51qF567A7veV1kvadUzA/s1600/IMG_9809s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHWWQYL0rrsDEw-joIXmp5nTDajYF5ddJXmthMRzLD-dFvMHps0C2DdhNSiIIfZYAidMrXfTrauJqGTsLEyzsSSSOtnkF3wyoe5wLC70-L7K_HD2Abg51qF567A7veV1kvadUzA/s320/IMG_9809s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499425502441843058" border="0" /></a><br />While having them in cleaved might seem a problem for Mom & Dad, Five-Year-Old-Boy finds new ways to play with Glasses-In-Two-Pieces.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7MqcSNaFSJqIF-mt0nMDF5PX4Lem8pVF5q89hqZnu08j0CARkqsDxAsT1Ad17Gp1_a2pbax691RNfoIS_59Rw2bCKryBunK1tRKjNaWVXUXXhjG6tirAcuAdUfuFFFOJsrwt9g/s1600/IMG_9811s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7MqcSNaFSJqIF-mt0nMDF5PX4Lem8pVF5q89hqZnu08j0CARkqsDxAsT1Ad17Gp1_a2pbax691RNfoIS_59Rw2bCKryBunK1tRKjNaWVXUXXhjG6tirAcuAdUfuFFFOJsrwt9g/s320/IMG_9811s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499425494376800770" border="0" /></a><br />Jack finds humor in everything in his life... even broken glasses.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RajGm_z5uBEtWKdhqkpz689AwMj7q1fU06ZK2MxwmHiUSvp6cOPwiHfzpIhpF1xlPji5vAfsEVe4yjKlOhUkiN63aIAVy9Lerrz1mQ3MvyhczAtjhhPivZs_rUa6rjokumOVuQ/s1600/IMG_9812s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RajGm_z5uBEtWKdhqkpz689AwMj7q1fU06ZK2MxwmHiUSvp6cOPwiHfzpIhpF1xlPji5vAfsEVe4yjKlOhUkiN63aIAVy9Lerrz1mQ3MvyhczAtjhhPivZs_rUa6rjokumOVuQ/s320/IMG_9812s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499425491370812786" border="0" /></a><br /> Tape? J.B. Weld? We'll see what Dad comes up with when he gets home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIQELUekWaNLAB_aIe_T_9ZGHV9gw1kotQjpBGGo9UDrlE_ohojeIMh0aY2ah74QGX5-ujl_Jv0PKJhrhlQDUGLbwhOgSkQgUBnkagIYGhA_qicb8mUk9kUApDG2_rLYq6ve4xg/s1600/IMG_9813s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIQELUekWaNLAB_aIe_T_9ZGHV9gw1kotQjpBGGo9UDrlE_ohojeIMh0aY2ah74QGX5-ujl_Jv0PKJhrhlQDUGLbwhOgSkQgUBnkagIYGhA_qicb8mUk9kUApDG2_rLYq6ve4xg/s320/IMG_9813s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499422941148729394" border="0" /></a><br />In the meantime, Jack's happy as can be, broken glasses or not!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16ufyOkJoWr6l2eLlGvmzVYsS15XHBPBhaeh5lVA_kQRxzA9VblTYgznJX8LqTzMlbJ_noaq0uGipnJ_7Dcjr7OswQFzmAdvFoTfdAnur2i2u6JQeVOiHN6dmkxcYmBVN_BNcyQ/s1600/IMG_9814s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16ufyOkJoWr6l2eLlGvmzVYsS15XHBPBhaeh5lVA_kQRxzA9VblTYgznJX8LqTzMlbJ_noaq0uGipnJ_7Dcjr7OswQFzmAdvFoTfdAnur2i2u6JQeVOiHN6dmkxcYmBVN_BNcyQ/s320/IMG_9814s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499422928495600210" border="0" /></a><br />Jack. Broken Glasses. EXACTLY 700 days after getting his first pair.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6w1JY5Z6NZPHzGKOLt4dMFSaBeCuW72C4n8Y7KGzdZNdRW9GFh1Rr-wD9hkKVASE29FJTNhlGs1gGHjdeqmQU5q4XJxAVtlDKNSljFJy6B665mzI-vQ8hfzmUIaA2FAiYVia6w/s1600/IMG_9815s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6w1JY5Z6NZPHzGKOLt4dMFSaBeCuW72C4n8Y7KGzdZNdRW9GFh1Rr-wD9hkKVASE29FJTNhlGs1gGHjdeqmQU5q4XJxAVtlDKNSljFJy6B665mzI-vQ8hfzmUIaA2FAiYVia6w/s320/IMG_9815s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499422920832637474" border="0" /></a><br />(and just a month before we were planning to get him new ones.)<br /></div>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32919351.post-17376969070942359362010-05-29T14:23:00.001-06:002010-05-29T14:23:00.150-06:00Healthy Snack Combos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgxvVESpkKaiXEg9oaOEAITCFKXrlzFYygGoyifVG78y6zT1b3pk-TVt_i9D4XPbKLGISeztDLlPDlFBW4xiCQ1KNSqBvbHGansPemr9eEYkZwChYUdwDFDq8LH3vkM5pv0HIqg/s1600/Ingredients_Healthy_Food.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475677311891538402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgxvVESpkKaiXEg9oaOEAITCFKXrlzFYygGoyifVG78y6zT1b3pk-TVt_i9D4XPbKLGISeztDLlPDlFBW4xiCQ1KNSqBvbHGansPemr9eEYkZwChYUdwDFDq8LH3vkM5pv0HIqg/s200/Ingredients_Healthy_Food.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While visiting my cousin, I found a great list of snack ideas on the side of her fridge. I typed the list, then began adding some of our favorite snacks. I'd love to know your families favorite snacks too, so I can add them to the compilation. Here's what we have so far:<br /><br /></span><ol><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">orange sections & pretzel sticks</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">banana bread & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">low fat yogurt & fruit</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">whole-wheat toast, spread w/ applesauce & topped w/ cinnamon</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">apple wedges & cheese</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">toasted english muffin w/ cheese</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">refried beans & cheese on tortillas</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">shredded whole wheat cereal w/ fruit slices & milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">pumpernickle bread & a tangerine</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">bran muffin & juice</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">oatmeal cookie & a plum</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cinnamon rice cake & a peach</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">whole wheat toast & a sliced tomato</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">waffle square & strawberries</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">graham crackers & a pear</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">raisin toast & orange juice</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">pita bread & peanut butter</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">gingersnaps & applesauce</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">saltines & vegetable sticks</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">whole wheat breadsticksa & juice</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">toasted English muffin & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cinnamon toast & pineapple juice</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">bagel & orange slices</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">corn muffin, jam & juice</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">tortilla & nonfat refried beans</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">crackers & cheese</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cheese & a fruit cup</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">trainl mix & juice</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">rye wafers, light cream cheese & juice</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cucumber, carrot & cottage cheese</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">rice cakes & light cream cheese or peanut butter</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cut up vegetables w/ non-fat ranch dressing</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">string cheese & celery</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cottage cheese w/ crushed pineapple</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">low fat granola & a baked apple</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">sliced peaches in light syrup & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">chocolate chip cookie & pineappple chunks</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">beef chili & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">broccoli flowerets 2/ lowfat French salad dressing & corn muffin</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">French toast sticks w/ maple syrup & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">graham crackers & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">banana & lowfat chocolate milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">peanut butter & jelly sandwich on whole-wheat bread</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">soft bread sticks w/ spaghetti sauce</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">salad-in-a-bag: mixed salad greens w/ lowfat Italian dressing</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">baked potato wedges w/ cheese sauce & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">pear & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">apple & lowfat flavored yogurt</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">bagel w light cream cheese & juice</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">pasta & vegetable salad & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">tuna salad sandwichmixed fruit in light syrup & lowfat chocolate milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">brownie & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">sliced peaches in light syrup & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">wheat crackers & lowfat chocolate milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">grape juice & lowfat American cheese cubes</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">soft pretzel & broccoli flowerets w/ lowfat French salad dressing</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">oatmeal-rasin cookie & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">banana & lowfat flavored yogurt</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">carrot sticks/pepper strips w/ lowfat ranch dressing & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">orange juice & soft bread sticks w/ spaghetti sauce</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cereal bar & lowfat chocolate milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">pineapple chunks & blueberry muffin square</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">red or green grapes & mozzarella string cheese</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">raisin bread w/ light cream cheese & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cereal & lowfat milk or juice</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">tortilla chips w/ salsa & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">apple juice & turkey ham cubes</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">sliced pears in light syrup & English muffin w/ peanut butter</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">pretzel sticks & lowfat milk</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">celery stuffed w/ cottage cheese & topped w/ rasins</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">baked apple filled w/ pineapple chunks & topped w/ nuts</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cheese slice & a pickle</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">tomato slice w/ tuna & melted cheese</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">raw veggies w/ hummus (chickpea) or yogurt dip</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">open-face tomato & cucmber sandwich on whole-wheat bread</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">orange slices, dates, & shredded coconut</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">sliced cucumbers sprinkled w/ vinegar</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">health shake (yogurt, pineapple juice, strawberries, & banana mixed in blender)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cottage cheese w/ apple slices</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">banana pops (sliced bananas dipped in orange juice & rolled in wheat germ, finely chopped nutes, or coconut; wrapped in foil & refrigerate)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">quick pizzas (tomato sauce, grated lowfat cheese, seasonings, chopped vegetables on half an english muffin)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">a frozen banana</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">honeydew melon wedge sprinkled w/ lime juice</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">partially thoawed frozed strawberries w/ milk & vanilla</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cantaloupe w/ cottage cheese</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">glass of buttermilk, flavored w/ orange juice concentrate</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">tahini (ground seasme-seed butter) on whole wheat toast</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">broccoli flowerets steamed & sprinkled w/ lemon</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">plain yogurt topped w/ fresh or water-packed peaches</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">banana slices topped w/ yogurt & cinnamon</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">cherry tomatoes dipped in yogurt</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">dates w/ lowfat cottage cheese</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">applesauce topped w/ cinnamon</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">peanut butter on oatmeal bread</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">carrot-rasin salad & yogurt dressing</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">air-popped popcorn & a smoothie (banana, frozen/fresh fruit, juice/gatorade, yogurt all blended together)</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">tortilla chips & salsa</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">chips w/ con queso cheese & sour cream</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">sliced apples w/ peanut butter</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">graham crackers w/ applesauce</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">saltine crackers w/ peanut butter</span></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Quesadilla / cheese crisp (tortilla w/ cheese warmed in microwave or skillet)</span></li></ol><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Please! Add a commet with your favorite health snack ideas. I'd love to hear more ideas. ;)</span></p>SuzyQSparkleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12006823253226263605noreply@blogger.com3